"This is NOT fun," Maya glowers at Josh as he helps her up with one hand.
Diffusing her emotion with a sympathetic smile, Josh hoists the blonde up, "It's been like ten minutes. And that time you actually stayed up … for the most part. Come on, let's go again."
Stubbornness working in her favor, Maya dusts the dirt from her pants, picks up her bike, and lets out a puff of confidence. She straddles the bike with Josh standing over her, grasping the back seat with his left hand, and laying his right over hers on the bike handle. Tantalizing chills run down her neck as he whispers in her ear, "You got this."
Maya sucks in her lips blissfully; narrowing her eyes to regain focus on the task at hand. Slowly she begins to pedal as Josh walks with her. Faster and faster she goes, finally realizing Josh had let go of the bike.
Bursting at the seams, Maya screams loudly, "Woooooooo."
Overcome with exhilaration, she lets go of the handles briefly to lift two triumphant fists into the air. Suddenly the bike wobbles and as she tries to regain her balance she plants her feet on the ground to slow down the momentum until yielding to a complete stop. Peering over her shoulder to the brunette running towards her, his eyes beaming with pride, Maya shouts with a hand in the air, "I AM MAYA…. THE MIGHTY." Instantly she laughs when she catches Josh's reaction to her newest proclamation.
With furrowed brows he slows his pace and covers his face with one hand while shaking his head.
"I can't believe Eli told you that story," he admits when he approaches Maya.
With a smug smile across her face she bops his nose with one finger and states, "Oh, that's not the only thing he told me." Then, turning her bike back toward the direction they once were, Maya starts pedaling, leaving a dumbfounded Josh behind her.
"What did he tell you?!" he shouts to her back.
"You're never gonna know," she says laughing and tilting her head back.
Once again Josh shakes his head, only this time with a smirk and extra beat to his heart.
There is just no competing with this girl.
Staring at the blonde for a brief moment longer, Josh's smirk widens and once more he begins to follow her lead.
After about an hour of riding through the city of brotherly love, Maya senses why Josh has so much adoration for the place where he grew up. From the historic landmarks to the stories he tells her of his days at school in his tight knit community, there is no questioning why the Matthews are great people destined to change the world. Twinged with a bit of jealousy from how different her childhood was from Josh's, Maya still is helplessly grateful for the day she crawled through Riley's window. Coming out of the fog of memories, Maya sees Josh waiting for her a few feet ahead.
"You okay," he asks as she approaches.
"Yea, just hungry I guess," she says softly.
"Then, I have the perfect place for us to get lunch," he responds smiling brightly.
Maya looks around the diner as they make their way downstairs. Fondly she smiles at the jukebox, old style booths, and groups of joyful faces eating American classics.
"So, this is Chubbies," she plainly states.
"The one and only," adds Josh proudly. He guides her to a booth and hands her a menu. Unaware of her need for food, Maya's stomach grumbles as she scans each description of the savory treats.
"Hi, my name is Max. I'll be your server today, can I get you something to drink," asks an unenthusiastic waiter.
"I'll have a water," responds Josh.
"Diet coke for me," adds Maya.
"K," says Max before sluggishly leaving. Maya looks over her shoulder and watches the waiter slowly make his way to the counter.
"Wow, he sure is happy to be here," says Maya sarcastically as she faces back to the brunette sitting across from her.
Josh chuckles softly before speaking. "So, you know what you want?"
Tapping her mouth with her index finger, Maya begins, "Well… I was thinking about getting chicken strips and fries, but onion rings sound good too. Then, I saw the picture of this BLT and well.. I mean, who doesn't love bacon. And to top it off a chocolate shake.. or strawberry… no vanilla shake ...no choc..straw…., but they look huge. Too huge for me to finish." She clasps her mouth shut before continuing. "I guess you can say I'm undecided."
Entertained by her meal dilemma, Josh smiles and says, "I think I know how to fix that."
At that moment the waiter returns with their drinks. "Can I take your order," he asks lifelessly.
Josh speaks abruptly, "Yes, I'll have the BLT with onion rings and a side of ranch." He stops briefly to sneak a peek at the questioning glance of Maya. "And she'll have chicken strips with fries and also a side of ranch," he continues, "and a chocolate shake…." "Two straws", he adds with two fingers in the air.
Pompously Josh stares at Maya who is slowly moving her head from left to right.
"Josh…" Maya pushes.
"What," he asks candidly, "You said you wanted all of that."
"Yes. But I can't eat all that."
"Yes," he mimics, "But that just means we'll be splitting everything."
"And a chocolate shake with two straws?"
"I love chocolate," he exclaims. "And what's wrong with sharing? Wait," he pauses dramatically, "you don't have…...cooties? Do you?"
"Ha. ha. Ha," Maya responds, "no. I do not…...Thank you, Josh. For everything." Her eyes sparkle with gratitude, rendering Josh speechless. He bashfully smiles and nods. Second by second a bubble forms around them as they stare at each other in comfortable silence and mutual gratitude. Heat transmits between their fingers as both their hands rest upon the table; millimeters away from being intertwined. Slightly moving his index finger up and grazing Maya, both of their breathes hitch as warm and complex feelings stir deep in their chests. Still, just as fragile as a bubble, their moment is popped when their food arrives.
A cute, petite brunette with sunkissed blonde highlights and mid-length beach wave hair walks up to their table looking down at the food platter she is carrying in her hands.
"Alright," she says still focusing on the food, "I have a BLT with onions, side of ranch."
"That's m.." Josh responds haltering at the sight of the new waitress. "Emily?"
The waitress shows off her perfect pearly whites as she slides the plate in front of him.
"Josh," she asks. "O my goodness!.. I'd hug you but…" she states pointing her head to the other food.
"Here. Let me help you," he states standing and taking the platter from her before she is able to complain.
"Always the gentleman," she says sweetly while fondly smiling at him. "So," she begins while picking up the other plate, "Fries and chicken strips, must be for you."
Gently she places the plate in front of a sunken Maya, who is only able to show a slight smile before somberly staring and poking at her food. Turning back to Josh, Emily grabs the last of the items. "A chocolate shake… and two straws," she says solely at Josh with a raised eyebrow.
Josh rolls his eyes at the waitress before handing her the tray and sitting back down. She continues to smile at the pair sitting. "Enjoy," she says giving a wink to Josh, "I'll be back in a few to check in on you."
Once again Josh rolls his eyes before picking up half his sandwich and placing it on Maya's plate. They begin to eat in silence; Josh shoveling onion ring and fry after onion ring and fry, and Maya tapping her plate with a single fry trying to collect her thoughts.
"So," Maya finally musters, "Emily..."
"Maya," Josh says playfully. "Am I sensing some jealousy," he asks popping a french fry into his mouth.
"Not jealous per say," Maya states waveringly, "just...curious." Her intensity heightens as the fear of knowing more and simultaneously knowing too little floods her thoughts. Maya begins to bite the inside of her mouth, searching for the courage to speak. Peace ceasing her fluster as she peers into Josh's reassuring eyes.
"You know, Maya, you can talk to me about anything. I mean, we are friends… aren't we," Josh asks gently.
"Yes, we are. You're actually becoming one of the closest people to me." Her heart quickens as the honesty flows out her lips. "I just. I'm realizing that maybe I don't know you as much as I thought or at least there is still a lot to know."
Sparkle of flattery in his eye at the young blonde's truthfulness, Josh smirks before answering.
"What do you want to know," he replies with open arms.
Maya bites her bottom lips in thought and anticipation then slowly she states, "OK. Um...Emily…"
"Emily," Josh states as a matter of fact bringing his arms back in.
"Yea. You two..were … are close?"
"Were. Not too much since I left for school," Josh says as he continues to eat.
"How close," Maya questions finally taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Well, we were in the same class all through grade school, and then went to the same high school."
"Did you ever date," Maya asks with a hint of hesitancy.
"Yes," Josh states looking at Maya, "for about two years."
"Oh...So she's like your Topanga," Maya adds flatly.
"No," Josh interjects. "No… definitely not my Topanga," he says staring into her eyes.
A slight blush appears on Maya's cheeks as she tries to read the message in the sea of deep blue beckoning her. Giddy grins begin to gradually sprawl across both their faces as they continue to gaze into their silent conversation.
"Things sure seem going well here," Emily interrupts as she slides into the booth with Josh.
"Emily," Josh says briefly perturbed, "should you be sitting here while at work?"
"What," she says nonchalantly eating his fries. "I'm on break. Besides, I wanted to meet your new girlfriend," she finishes with a fry point to Maya.
"Oh… I'm not." "She's not.." "His""My"
"Girlfriend." Maya and Josh respond overlapping each other.
Perplexed and amused Emily simply eats another fry and states, "Well you could have fooled me. But then again.." She places an arm around Josh and gently squeezes while adding, "Joshie has never been to good with the ladies."
Maya chokes on the sip of her drink as she laughs at hearing that comment for the second time today.
"Hey," Josh says defensively, "YOU dated me, remember?"
"Yea, but I was young and dumb," Emily states into the air. "I was in high school, and didn't know any better. But thankfully, you tend to grow up much more once you graduate. Am I right?" She turns to Maya, directing her question to the mortified blonde.
"And sometimes," Josh voices as he begins to push Emily out of the booth, "some parts of you need more time to grow."
"What," She begins standing up from the booth, "When you're in high school you think you know things. But you completely don't. It isn't until you're in college that you look back and realize how desperate you are in high school. I mean it's pathetic really. Seriously, can you imagine still being in high school right now?"
"And with that, I think we could use the check," Josh states breaking the waitress's rant.
"Ok.. I get it. You want to be alone with your 'friend'," she says emphasizing the word friend in quotes. Then with a wink at Josh and a turn without a care in the world she leaves to grab their check.
"Sorry about that My," Josh starts, staring across the booth, "Emily tends to get her foot in her mouth, and keeps going from there. She's nice and all, but that's actually one of the reasons why we broke up."
Silently, Maya nods her head in response, never lifting her eyes to meet his. Both continue to awkwardly eat their food until Emily returns dropping off their check.
As Josh places his cash onto the bill he tries to break the wall that has slowly been building between them.
"So where to next?.. Right. I'm the tour guide.. Umm. how about.. Well, what do you want to see," he asks.
"I think we should head back," Maya states emotionless, "Shawn and mom will be back soon, and I want to be back before they get there."
"Ok," Josh begins not wanting the day to continue in this manner, "Well, why don't we make it special for them and make dinner?"
"You know how to make a turkey," Maya asks slight amused.
"Finally," Josh says happily, "a smile. I was getting depressed thinking I'd never see it again."
"Shut up," Maya says playfully pulling him out of the both, "Let's go. We can talk about it on the way home."
Holding his hand, and leading the way Maya leaves the diner with a mixture of emotions and too many thoughts.
Josh stares at the blonde deep in thought as she looks out the window. They had biked back to the station and taken their seats with little chit chat, and now they sit in silence again. Uneasiness overtakes Josh while he watches Maya's quiet introspection.
"My," he says finally speaking, "you sure you're ok?"
"Mm hmm.." she sounds through closed lips, still peering out the window.
"Look. About what Emily said. You shouldn't let it get to you. She's got it wrong."
"No," Maya says calmly, finally turning to look at Josh, "I actually think she's right."
"You do," states Josh flatly.
"Yea… I mean.. She definitely said it bluntly and harshly, but she's right. High school and life after high school. There's A LOT that happens, and I've only experienced a portion of that. "
"Maya…" Josh starts afraid of hurt feelings and progression haulting.
"No. Josh, seriously, it's fine" Maya says with an air of maturity, "I understand you a little bit better now. Where you were coming from before. The whole you have your life and I have mine.."
"Maya, I still want to be a part of your life."
"And you are. You are actually becoming a bigger part than I really thought."
Both smile at their uncanny conversation, welcoming the not so new development in their ever growing relationship; that no matter what may lay ahead, whatever the obstacle, consequence, or reward, they would always have each other to talk, to listen, to stay by their side.
"So, I'm giving Riley a run for her money huh," Josh asks with a smirk.
"I wouldn't go that far…" replies Maya. Then sticking out her hand like he did years ago she adds, "long game?"
With a delicate grip, Josh smiles, looks up at the blonde with his boyish charm and with a nod shakes her hand.
"I'm always here," he says not letting go.
"And so am I," she smiles in reply.
They continue to stare at their connected hands feeling a little more sure, a little more secure with their promise. The train begins to depart, and much like all their moments before, this one is interrupted. Still, as they continue their ride in silence until Josh falls asleep on Maya's shoulder, she ponders about how much has changed in the months they've grown closer and how much could change and grow in the years to come. Her smile widening when her thoughts land back on what Eli mentioned to her at the store.
"You're special. He wants you in his life for him not because you're Riley's best friend or Matthew's second daughter, but because you make him smile and happy in a way no one else has."
I am special.
Maya smiles again replaying those words in her head. And for one of the few times in her life she chooses to believe it. Softly she brushes the brown hair of the boy resting on her shoulder. Gently she presses her lips to his temple before laying her head atop his. Then facing the chair in front of her, she grabs his hand and exhales slowly while saying, "You are special too."