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Chapter 2 Christmas Eve Present

2017

"There you are," Maya said as she came into the kitchen where Josh was sitting on the counter scribbling in a hardback journal. "What are you doing in here, anyways?"

"Trying to avoid people," he answered.

"Because you don't want to explain to people why you dropped out of NYU?" Maya asked bluntly.

"Among other things," Josh replied, removing his reading glasses. "You're being entirely too nosey, Maya."

"Since when do you care if I'm nosy?" She responded. "We've always been able to talk to each other. You've never cared if I've asked you stuff before. What has gotten into you?"

Josh looked at her over the top of his book. "Don't feel much like talking," he answered.

Maya scoffed. "That's hardly like you! I've come to every Christmas party since I was old enough to remember and you always have something to say!"

"Maya, I've just worked a very long shift at Matthew's & Sons. The Christmas Eve shift at that, the last customer was particularly nasty. So, excuse me if I don't feel very social tonight."

Maya eyed him warily. "Okay. So, why did you drop out of NYU?"

"Maya. . ." Josh said warningly.

"Oh come on," Maya answered. "I was there long enough to know that you were one of the most promising young writers in the creative writing department."

"You know why I dropped out," Josh replied.

"Your dad had a heart attack and you needed to help out around the store until he got better," Maya said. "He's better now. Your brother said you could go back to school if you wanted. What are you so scared of?"

"Maya—"

Maya waved her hand in the air, cutting him off. "We both know you're scared."

"I'm still writing," Josh told her. "People just aren't reading it. And I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm the son who isn't busy with important things, with a family. With important state business or molding young minds. I can always go back to school later."

Maya glanced into the living room where Alan was on the floor playing with the kids, giving them all rides on his back. "Your father sure looks like he made a speedy recovery to me."

Josh huffed. "He still has to take it easy, you wouldn't understand."

Maya tossed her thick braid behind her shoulders. "Are you sure you don't just have a touch of Peter Pan syndrome?"

"Peter Pan syndrome?" Josh repeated.

"Freshman psychology," Maya answered.

"Yeah, I know. I took Gellar's class too," Josh retorted. "Are you saying I have Peter Pan syndrome? Because I will have you know I am plenty grown up—!"

"Just because you have a job doesn't mean you're a grown up!" Maya insisted. "It could be said that—"

"Why are you even here?" Josh interjected.

"Riley invited me," Maya replied, frowning. "Just like she does every year."

"No, I mean, why are you in here? Talking to me? We're not particularly friends," Josh answered. "I mean, you're Riley's friend. Not mine."

"Okay," Maya said. "So, we're not really friends? What about the Christmas Eve two years ago, you had just gotten your appendix out. I spent the whole night in your room, I read to you until I was hoarse!"

Josh looked like he was thinking up a suitable argument.

"What about the time I was 10 and you were 12? Your parents sent you to your room without dessert after you pinched Feeny's step-granddaughter. I brought you rum cake."

"I don't really think I pinched somebody when I was 12," Josh interjected.

"But you did!" Maya alleged. "She was annoying you, so you pinched her to stop."

"Now you're just making up stories," Josh said.

"Am not!" Maya replied, tugging at her Dear Santa, I Did Try Christmas sweater. "I could probably think of a whole lot more examples but since you're being contrary, I will refrain from doing so. Thank you very much."

"Why aren't you with Riley anyways?" Josh asked, snapping his book shut and tossing it aside.

"Her and Lucas are off somewhere being giddy together," Maya answered, jumping up beside him and swinging her legs back and forth.

"So, that's a thing now?"

"Has been for a while," Maya said. "They're crazy about each other."

"They just met!"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Yeah like when they were 13. Or did you forget all the Christmas Eves that he tagged along to all the parties? It isn't like there's that big of an age difference between the four of us."

"Riley usually brings a ton of people to these things," Josh said. "It's like the six of you were joined at the hip. Hasn't Geller actually taught you anything about being too co-dependent yet? I know there's something in his course about that too."

"Ha. Ha. Very funny," Maya responded, glaring at him as she gave him a small pinch.

"Ouch! Maya!" Josh whined.

"Serves you right," Maya replied, smirking.

Josh elbowed her in the side. "Serves you right," he said.

Maya shrugged and reached over him for his plate of cookies. "Fair enough."

She took a bite of a peppermint melt away, careful not to get crumbs on her plaid pants. She chewed it thoughtfully. "But really, don't you want to go back to school?"

"Since you're not going away anytime soon, can we talk about anything but my re-enrolling in college?" Josh asked, taking his dessert back. "How about you? Are you enjoying college?"

"Yes! I finally declared my major!" Maya answered.

"Oh? And what is it?"

Maya flushed. "I'm going to be an art major."

"We always knew you loved art," Josh pointed out. "Remember last year? You brought all those ornaments you hand-lettered with all our names and their meanings."

"That was nothing!" Maya protested.

"It was a form of art though," Josh told her. "I couldn't write in a straight like that even if you paid me. Forget fancy lettering!"

"Yeah, well. I decided I'm going to major in art with a plan to teach someday. Maybe I can inspire somebody the way your brother Cory inspired me."

"Just be sure to stick to the curriculum!" Josh teased his mood considerably lighter after talking to Maya for a little while. "I know my brother has a tendency to do that."

"Oh, but it's the best kind of lessons! The ones that have nothing to do with whatever we're supposed to be learning. BUT I don't think there will be much wiggle room for lesson changes with art."

"I'm sure if you really put your mind to it, you'd be able to think of something that has nothing to do with figure painting," Josh replied, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

Maya wrinkled her nose. "Josh!"

"What?"

"Ewww!" Maya answered. "I am not going to ever teach figure painting. Even though it is a required class for my art major. But it's not like I'll know the girl. . ."

Josh wiggled his eyebrows again and smirked. "What if it's not a her?"

Maya punched him in the arm a little harder than she intended to. "Josh! Will you stop it! Please!?"

Riley and Lucas came into the kitchen, interrupting him mid-sentence.

"We're looking for desert!" Riley announced cheerfully as she adjusted her white sweater dress.

"We have plenty of dessert," Josh said, hopping off of the counter and going over to the assortment of sweets on the table. "Over here we have rum cake made with real rum, courtesy of Kat from sales at Matthews & Sons. We have a variety of cookies, one of which I have on good authority were supplied by Auggie and Ava. Then there's Paula's toffee, she makes it every Christmas from a recipe she developed in the 90s. Nobody can replicate it even though they've tried."

"We know all about Paula's toffee," Riley interjected, rolling her eyes at him. "You don't have to give us a rundown of all the desserts, Uncle Josh. We know! They haven't changed the last 18 years."

"You're so funny," Josh answered, making a face at her.

"So, what are you two doing?" Riley asked, changing the subject.

"Just talking!" Josh and Maya chorused.

Riley gave a knowing smile as she loaded a plate with goodies. "Well. We'll just leave you two. We wanted something to eat. We're going to watch a Christmas movie. You guys can join us if you want to."

Josh sighed. "I suppose we will, if you're fine with that Maya."

"I can't think of anything I'd like to do more," Maya said.

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"So, is this a tradition now?" Josh asked.

"I've been coming every year, I'm pretty sure it's a tradition," Maya replied.

"I'll see you next year?"

Maya nodded. "If Riley invites me again. But you know, you could always come and visit us in New York. It's only a train ride away."

"I'll see if I can get away," Josh said.

Maya smiled. "You better! I've got to go now I think everybody is waiting for me. I don't want to make them late for the train."

Josh grinned and nodded, quickly kissing her on the cheek. "I'll see you later."

"Merry Christmas Josh," Maya answered, blushing a little bit as she buttoned up the rest of her coat and hurried to join her mother and the other Matthews.

TBC. . .

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Author's Note:

Sorry for how late this chapter is. I had a million things going on, like literally. . . 'tis the season and all. I know this is short, I am trying to make them longer. But I write what comes to mind and I hate forcing stuff.

I'll try and update sooner next time! Please tell me what you thought. I love hearing from everyone.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Holly, 12/13/2016