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Chapter Two
Maya watched Josh as he slipped the last of his books into his bag, wondering what was going to happen next. She got to her feet when he pushed back his chair and slung her own bag around her back, picking up the few books that didn't fit and clutching them close to her chest. Josh bent and picked up a duffel bag she hadn't noticed before from behind his chair, hoisting it up while he shrugged his rucksack on.
"Just a few things for Cory's" he explained at her lifted eyebrow, continuing, "I figured I'd stay the weekend to get the project done, being away from my parents might help me focus a bit, you know? And Cory said I was always welcome, so.." Josh shrugged, gesturing vaguely to the door of the shop and following behind Maya when she turned.
"Does he know you're coming?" Maya questioned, zipping up her jacket and shoving her hands deep inside her pockets to stave off the chill she could feel outside the warmth of the cafe.
"I'm used to showing up unexpectedly," Josh said with a grin, nudging her elbow with his and wiggling his eyebrows until she had a sudden flashback of Josh's yelled, "Surprise!" at his Dad during the Christmas party earlier that year.
Maya blinked at him slowly before breaking out into peals of laughter as Josh looked bewildered but proud at his ability to amuse her, the look in his eyes warming her more than the flimsy jacket she wore ever could. They walked towards Topanga's without question, light banter and playful nudges accompanying them the entire way.
While Maya and Josh had both admitted to liking each other, neither one had anticipated how comfortable it would be to actually be around the other. Spending the afternoon talking and working together had made them both realize how easy it was when it was just the two of them alone. However the closer they got to Topanga's the harder it was to deny the fact that those three years still existed and they mattered even if it didn't feel like it.
Their pace slowed until, just around the corner from their destination, Josh pulled Maya to a halt, turning her so they were facing each other and pulling her closer so people could walk around them without hassle. They stared at each other in silence, eyes locked together as a thousand unspoken words seemed to pass between them.
With a shrug Maya offered a small smile, angling her head in the direction of Topanga's even as her eyes flicked down to Josh's fiddling hands. He followed her gaze before curling his fingers together and moving them to his side with sheepish smile, annoyed at himself for having such an obvious tell when it came to being nervous.
Finally Josh spoke.
"Long game?"
"Long game," Maya confirmed with a sharp nod, looking down so Josh wouldn't see the smile spread across her face and the blush filling her cheeks. Turning simultaneously they continued on to Topanga's, still walking slowly but both content with the time they'd spent together. As they reached the door Josh paused, one hand outstretched towards the door handle while he turned his head down to Maya's.
"You know I'm here if you need me, right? If you want to talk about Riley or school or well, anything, really, you can count on me. It might not be someday yet but that doesn't mean we can't be friends. I hope you know that," Josh finished, staring at her seriously so Maya knew that he was being honest and not just trying to be nice.
"I know that Josh, I do. And the same goes for you," Maya assured him, stepping out of the way as the door opened and and another customer stepped out. "And if you're going to be around for the weekend maybe I could help you a bit more with your project? I really did have fun today despite the Algebra after the art. Maybe we could just skip that part in the future and get straight into the art. Watcha reckon Boing, feel like spending more time with little ol' me?"
Josh nodded with a laugh, frowning at her good naturedly for the return of 'Boing' but happy to see her looking so much happier than she'd been earlier. Maya beamed back before flouncing through the door dramatically, missing Josh's quiet, "Always,"in response to her earlier question. Josh shook himself out of his thoughts and followed her through the door, getting a better handle on his bag so he could drop it promptly when Auggie came racing into his arms, as was tradition.
While Josh was hesitating outside Maya was eager to get in out of the cold and practically melted when she stepped into the warmth of Topanga's. Scanning the cafe or her mom she sighed when she didn't spot her, meaning Katy had a late shift and the diner a few blocks away. Topanga was behind the counter with Auggie sitting a stool and another quick scan revealed that Riley (and Lucas) were nowhere to be seen. Pushing away the slight resentment at the fact that Riley still hadn't showed (or called or texted or snap-chatted or contacted her in any way) Maya made her way over to Auggie, covering his eyes with her hands and looking behind her to meet Josh's eyes.
"Guess who" Maya singsonged, tickling Auggie in the side when he attempted to squirm away and only succeeding in making him squirm harder.
"Maya come on I know it's you," Auggie giggled, clawing at the hands covering his eyes and still striving to escape her unrelenting fingers dancing over his rib-cage.
"Aw buddy, and here I thought I was you're favorite person. You're too busy messing with Maya to say hi," Josh said sighing loudly as Maya swung Auggie's chair around so he was facing Josh and quickly removed her hands.
Auggie surged off the chair with a partially squealed, "JOSHIEEEE!"
Josh replied with an equally enthusiastic "AUGGIEEE!" Swinging him around in a circle and plopping his down onto his shoulders Josh pretended to stagger with the weight before straightening with a grin and a quick wink at Maya. Looking away he caught Topanga's eye and almost really did collapse but she gave no acknowledgment other than to raise an eyebrow.
Josh was only glad Cory wasn't there, or worse, Shawn.
"Maya, have you spoken to Riley recently? She mentioned she was going to the movies with Lucas but I haven't heard from her in a while and I was wondering what time she was going to be home?" Topanga questioned with a fond smile in Josh and Auggie's direction, missing the look on Maya's face when she registered what she'd just been asked.
Riley had gone to the movies? Riley had told her mom she was going to the movies? What about their study date?
Maya had assumed that Riley had just gotten caught up in her Riley/Lucas time, that she'd lost track of how long they'd spent together. But to know now that she'd made plans with Lucas far enough in advance to let Topanga know...
"Maya, Sweetie? Are you alright?"
Snapping out of her daze Maya's head shot up and she plastered a convincing smile across her face, leaning against the counter and pressing the nail of her thumb into her finger in an attempt to focus.
Waving an unconcerned hand, Maya replied, "Oh I'm sure she'll be home soon enough. You know Riley, she'll come through the door just before dinner with all her homework done and that dreamy smile she's had on her face all week. And Lucas would never let anything happen to her, he cares too much about her..." Trailing off she lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, inwardly cringing when she caught the concerned look Josh was sending her.
Suddenly overwhelmed Maya decided it was a good time to leave. Topanga and Josh were both distracted by the entrance of Cory striding in through the door of the cafe. With exclamations of "My brotha!" ringing in her ears Maya escaped through the partially open door, blinking away the burning in her eyes and striding purposefully in the direction of her little apartment.
Dropping her bag and keys at the door she headed straight for her room, thankful for once that her mom wasn't home because it meant she didn't have to explain the tears running down her cheeks. Forgoing dinner she pulled on sweatpants and a ratty The Killers shirt before plugging her phone into the charger at the wall. She'd just turned away when she heard the quiet 'ding' followed by the vibration of a message received. Sure it was Riley she considered ignoring it but decided she probably wouldn't sleep if the text went unread.
Unlocking her phone she was surprised to see that it wasn't the Matthews she'd been expecting to contact her. Josh's name was lit up on her screen, accompanied by a short text that had her smiling even though five seconds ago it was the last thing she wanted to do.
J: Are you okay? You disappeared when Cory came in, I wanted to walk you home.
Maya grinned at his admission, still feeling like someone had punched her in the gut but now slightly less severely. Her smile widened as a flurry of other texts suddenly came through and she fought the urge to laugh when she realized Josh's penchant to babble wasn't confined to in-person conversations.
J: Not that you aren't capable of walking home yourself, I just didn't expect you to leave so suddenly.
J: It's not like I expect anything from you! I was just concerned!
J: Because we're friends! I'm just looking out for you. As a friend.
J: ...Can we just pretend I'd stuck with are you okay?
Deciding she could charge her phone in the morning Maya pulled it from the charger and collapsed onto her bed, flicking off the light so the room was illuminated by the screen of her phone.
Chewing on her lip while figuring out what to say, Maya decided to keep it short and sweet.
M: Appreciate the...friendly...concern Boing. I'm fine. I always am.
J: I know you're fine, but are you okay? I'm here if you need to talk.
M: I know. Thanks, Josh. I'll be okay.
J: If you're sure...
M: I am. :)
J: Till next time?
M: Till next time. Goodnight, Josh.
Setting an alarm for the morning Maya snuggled under her covers, feeling marginally better after her short conversation with Josh. Just knowing that there was someone willing to listen to her made all the difference. Placing her phone face down on her bedside table she sighed softly, closing her eyes and willing herself to dream about something easier than today had been.