"Well it took us like 5 stores but I finally found something" the blonde comments as she and the brunette make their way into the Matthews home with both arms full of shopping bags. They head to Riley's room and sit at their bay window
"Yeah, I think that's the most stores we've been to in a day" Riley giggles as they set their bags down on the floor.
"Yeah, and I can't believe you spent all that money on that dress"
"It's a beautiful dress" the brunette tells her
"Yeah, but it cost most of your allowance"
"Yeah, but it's not like I used my Emergency credit card"
Maya laughs "yeah like last time"
"Don't remind me, I'm still paying Josh off for helping me hide the bill from my dad"
"Yeah, your dad still has no idea about it" the blonde chuckles
"Speaking of my brother, I have some information that may interest you" the brunette teases
"What are you talking about?" the blonde asks confused
"Well, the other day Josh overheard us plan our shopping trip and he asked about this weekend and I told him. James asked you to the museum"
"So what?" Maya asked confused
"Well I may have left him with the impression it was a date" Riley says innocently
"What? why would you do that?" the blonde asked wide eyed
"I was curious to see what his reaction would be"
"Why?"
"Because I think my brother likes you"
That took Maya by surprise
"What?"
"You should have seen him when I mentioned James, he got all tense and he started asking all these questions, and he asked me if you liked James"
"And what did you say?" she asked anxiously
"That you haven't said anything to me, YET"
"Riley..." the blonde begins to scold
"Maya, you should have seen him, he was definitely jealous"
Maya shakes her head "No Riles, you might be reading to much into it, maybe it's not what you think"
"But what if it is?" Riley insists
"I don't think so Riles"
"Why is it so hard to believe?"
"Because I have been drooling over your brother for years and he has never noticed me and I am starting to think he never will"
"You don't know that, there's still hope"
"I don't think I'm that lucky Riles" Maya smiles sadly
"How come you push me to talk to Lucas and tell him how I feel, but when it comes to Josh you run away?"
"It's different Riles!"
"How?"
"Lucas didn't even know you, he didn't know who you were, that you existed till recently and he actually sees you and likes you , but I have known Josh almost my whole life and he has never seen me and I'm tired of getting my hopes up waiting for a guy that's never gonna be mine"
Riley stares sadly at her best friend. She never realized how much her brother's indifference affected her.
"Aww peaches" she hugs the blonde tightly
"I should be getting home" the blonde says as she lets go and goes to grab her bags.
"You gonna be okay?"
Maya gives her a small smile "I'll be fine, I'll talk to you later"
"okay , well have fun at the art gallery"
"Thanks" the blonde smiles at her best friend before exiting through the bay window
Meanwhile Lucas parents were out of town for the weekend visiting his grandma so he had the place to himself. He decided to have the guys over to hangout after practice.
"Dude, your so lucky, I wish my parents trusted me enough to leave me home alone for the whole weekend" Zay comments as he is searching the fridge looking for more things to put onto his sandwich.
"Well, maybe they would if you didn't almost burn down your house making popcorn " Josh teases
"One time" Zay points out
"Well just to be on the safe side, stay away from any electrics in my mom's kitchen, I promised to keep the house in one piece" Lucas chuckles
"I'll be careful" he promises.
"So you guys wanna do something this weekend?" Lucas asks his friends
"Can't, I'm going with my dad's best friend to a shoot, he's gonna let me help take some pictures" Josh explains kind of excited "in fact I should be getting home to get ready" he explains checking the time on his phone
"dude you can't just leave, it's guys night" Zay begins to protest when his phone beeps telling him he had a text.
"Oh it's Vanessa, her practice ended early, see ya" he says before grabbing the sandwich he was making and heading out the door. Leaving the other two guys laughing.
"Please tell me I wasn't that bad" Josh asks
"No comment" Lucas chuckles "speaking of which, I hear Sophie has moved on"
"Yeah, I know, I saw her with Greg Archer by his car, she moved on quickly" Josh chuckles
"yeah, you okay?" Lucas asks
"I'm great, I wish them the best" Josh tells him truthfully.
"Good for you man" Lucas pats his friend on the back
"So moving on to you, I know we're friends and all but I'm still gonna to give you the , hurt my sister I hurt you speech with you" Josh explains to him as serious as he can
Lucas chuckles "Don't worry man, I would never, I really like her " he assures with no doubt
"I know you do". He could see that he was serious, he could tell by the goofy smile on his face that he gets when he sees her or even mentions her.
"So what's your move?" he asks
"I'd like to get to know her but it feels like we're hardly ever alone" he explains
"Well, both her friends have plans this weekend, so she is free this weekend?"
"Really?" Lucas asks. A smile forming on his face at this new information. He is instantly pulling out his phone.
"You may wanna wait, she went shopping with Maya and knowing my sister they won't be out till they buy out the store' Josh explains.
That night after Josh left. Lucas got ready for bed and as he layed in bed he grabbed his phone and sent the brunette a message.
Hey, you think you may want to rehearse this weekend?
He presses send and waits for a reply. While it may have only took a few minutes, for him it felt longer
sure
a smile formed
great see you tomorrow!
okay, night Lucas :)
sweet dreams Riley :)
He couldn't take that smile off his face, he couldn't wait for tomorrow, Sure it was just a study session, but maybe he can turn it into more.
The next day
Maya is in her room as she finishes getting ready she had on her new dark blue knee high dress with a nice cardigan and her favorite boots.
She looked at herself one last time before grabbing her bag and heading out the room when the door bell rang. She quickly headed to the door and expected to see James but is surprised to see it wasn't him.
"Josh? what are you doing here?" she asks
"Me and Shawn are going to a photo shoot" he explains
"Oh" was all Maya said. How could Shawn have forgotten to mention that to her.
At that moment Shawn comes into the room
"Hey Josh, right on time, let me just make a call and we'll head out"
Josh nods as he walks past the blonde to the enter the apartment.
Shawn has left the room leaving them alone. The room is full of silence till Josh finally decides to break it.
"So you're heading to the art gallery?"
Maya nods "yeah, I'm just waiting for James" she explains
Josh nods. At that moment the door bell rings and Maya answers
"Hey Maya, you ready?" James asks smiling widely at the blonde
"Yeah, come in for a sec" she steps aside to let him in
"Hi I;m James" he says as he politely offers his hand to Josh politely
"Josh" he shakes his hand.
"uh..Josh is Riley's brother" Maya says not knowing how else to describe him.
"Oh cool" James nods
This whole situation felt so awkward for Maya and she had n idea why. But thankfully at that moment Shawn returned and greeted James.
"Well, I'll be home later" Maya tells her stepfather
"Okay, have fun" Shawn tells him
"Nice meeting you sir, you too Josh" he says smiling at both guys
Josh nods "you too" kind of serious, Maya felt like his mind was somewhere else
"bye Josh"
"Bye Maya"
She takes one last glance at hime before she and James head out the door. Josh finds himself staring at the door. Lost in thought
"You ready Josh?" Shawn asks
"uh yeah" Josh says shaking his thoughts away
Hey guys, I'm so sorry for taking so long to update. I know I promised to try and update sooner but life gets busy and writers block is always a huge road block but I have a lot of great ideas and I'm excited for what's to come!
I hope to get better at updating quicker.
Feel free to comment. I love hearing your thoughts and opinions and am always open to suggestions.
till next time
-Aria