This morning was full of interviews and press junkets for Josh. He started bright and early at six o'clock in the morning since he had a few interviews in New York via telecom. Wrapping up his last interview at two o'clock that day, Josh was grateful for all the attention but he needed a break. He'd been going all day and hadn't even gotten a chance to eat. Knowing just who to call, Josh put his phone up to his ear and quickly made plans.
Arriving at the small diner, Josh instantly smiled seeing his parents sitting in a booth. Sliding in across from them he smiled. "Hey guys," he breathed. Looking at the menu he focused and said, "What are we eating cause I am starving."
Laughing Amy looked over at her husband in disbelief. "Honey I love you but you are not going to just bypass the biggest night of your life like that," she saiid pointedly to her son.
Grinning sheepishly, Josh rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry mom," he apologized. "I promise I'll talk about everything. As soon as I get some food in my stomach."
"Mhm," Amy said unconvinced. "We also need to talk about this Maya girl. You haven't mentioned a word of her to us yet. I'm shocked she's not here with us right now."
Growing bright red in the face, Josh tucked himself into his booth. "Mom," he groaned. Looking to his Dad he asked, "Are you not going to do anything about this?"
Alan threw is son a 'you're kidding me' look and shook his head and laughed into his wife's shoulder. "Let's get some food guys. We can talk a whole bunch after we eat."
It had officially been one week since Maya received her call from the New York Contemporary Dance Company. Today they needed an answer. Maya knew her answer she just had to talk to Josh first but everything had been so crazy. Last night he won. He won the whole thing and Maya couldn't be anymore proud. The previous night was full of celebrations and parties and congratulatory phone calls so the couple didn't have a single second to themselves the night before. Hearing her phone ring, Maya leaned over and answered it. "Hello?"
"Hey baby girl." Katy's sweet voice rang out as Maya smiled.
"Hey mom."
"So? Did you call that Ava lady back and give her your answer?"
Sighing Maya winced as she told her mother. "Not yet. I just have to talk to Josh first. About a lot of stuff and-"
"Maya Penelope Hart you better not be pregnant."
Blushing Maya hissed into her phone. "I'm not pregnant Mom. I just want to talk Josh about some of this. That's all."
Sighing Katy decided to level with her daughter. "Maya I love you but you better not let this boy derail you from such an amazing opportunity. Because I watched the same show as you last night and he won. His career is starting baby. It's time you start yours too."
"Mom-"
"Love will always be there. There will be other guys sweetheart. Now I'm not saying he isn't a great guy but you're a great girl and trust me there's only one chance at a dream like yours. Don't let it pass you by."
Shaking her head Maya fought her way out of this conversation. "Look I gotta go Mom. I'll call you later."
Hanging up the phone Maya gritted her teeth and sighed. Why couldn't things be easier?
"Alright," Amy said as she dropped her napkin on the table. "Let me get this right. You're in love with her? Honey I've seen a lot of love in my life. Hell, I've seen Cory love Topanga since they were four. But don't you think it's early to be getting so serious? I mean have you guys really dealt with each other outside of this dance world you two have been in? I just don't want to see you get hurt."
Alan jumped in trying to ease his wife's words. "What about the tour?" he asked. "Are you both not going on this tour the show has?"
Josh shook his head. "Nope. It's only the top four. Everyone else isn't contractually obligated. They are free to pursue other projects. Some may be invited but she wasn't. Besides, she just got offered a really amazing job in New York and she couldn't possibly pass that up right?"
"Well if everything is as serious as you say it is. Then that might be a possibility," Alan answered.
"And you have to be okay with that if she makes that decision," Amy added. "Do you think you could handle that?"
Josh looked at his parents, really thinking about the weight of the decision that could have on him. "I don't know," he stuttered. "I just want her to be happy. And I want to make her happy. I want to try the distance thing if she decides to go." Shrugging his shoulders he admitted, "I just want to be with the woman I love."
Maya's blonde hair was pulled up in a pony tail as she waited for Josh on beach. "Hey gorgeous," Josh greeted as he kissed Maya's cheek, sitting down next to her on the sand. "How was your day?"
Maya nodded, letting out a big sigh. "It was good," she answered. "But probably nothing compared to you Mr. America's Best Dancer."
Laughing Josh playfully nudged Maya. "Oh shut up." Propping up his knees and resting his arms on them he continued, "It was good. Busy but honestly a dream. And tho think it's only the beginning."
Josh's words began to trail off as he went into deep detail about his day filling Maya in on every single thing that occurred with all his interviews and press junkets for the show. Smiling Maya looked over at him and kissed his cheek. "I'm happy for you." Bringing one of her small hands to his cheek she rubbed it gently with her thumb. "I have to tell you something." Josh stared deep at her, nodding and encouraging her to continue. "I accepted the position with the New York Dance Company. I have to be back in New York tomorrow to begin rehearsals for the season."
Josh smiled. He was truly happy for you. "That's great Maya." Silence fell between them for a brief moment until Josh broke it. "You know I'm gonna be stuck here in LA for a few months and then I go on tour right after that so-"
"So that's like a year apart," Maya finished.
Another deathly silence fell between them as they each twiddled their thumbs. Maya's eyes began to gloss over as she thought about doing long distance. "I don't think I can do long distance," they both said at the same time.
Stunning each other, they each turned their heads from the sunset in front of them to the other. "What?" Maya whispered. "I thought that you were gonna say-"
"That we should do the distance?" Josh shook his head. "Distance is hard Maya. We haven't been together in a normal world. I don't think we have the strength to put ourselves through that. At least I don't. And I don't want us to wind up hating each other throughout that process and ruin everything we had."
"Had?"
Josh sighed. "I mean have. I love you too much to put us both through that."
Maya nodded silently in agreement. Leaning her head against Josh's shoulder she looked out at the ocean again. "This sucks," she whispered.
Josh laughed wiping the few tears that slipped through his eyes. "It sucks ass." Pulling Maya closer in to him he kissed her head. "My tour has one stop in New York next year."
Maya shook her head. "That's sweet but my company goes on tour sometime next year too."
Maya sat up and looked at Josh seeing more tears fall out of his eyes. It made the tears that were already falling out of her own come faster. "So is this the last time we're together?" Josh asked.
Maya nodded her head slowly and began to cry harder. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Josh choked out between his tears. "I wish things were different."
"Me too."
Right there the pair sat soaking in their last moments together. Reminiscing on their few months together, relishing in all the good moments and appreciating the bad as it only helped them grow. Excited for their respective futures they couldn't help but be sad at their loss of each other.
A/N: I already know I'm gonna have some mixed reactions about this ending but its for the best. That was the last official chapter of First Dance. Thank you so much for following along on this journey. There will be an epilogue next and that may or may not point us in the direction of a sequel!