Maya and Josh were sitting in the bay window in the living room for the past two hours. Just talking. Maya had to admit, she really missed Josh. Besides Riley and Farkle he was the only one she could really talk to. Without the judgment and pressure. And Maya needed that in her life.
"When was the last time we did this?" Josh asked referring to their late night talk.
Maya thought about it for a second. "I think the last time was when my dad left."
"That was a rough night." Josh treaded carefully.
"To say the least." Maya confirmed.
"Did you hear from him since?" Josh asked concerned.
"Thankfully, no. it's been a year. As far as I know he could be dead. " Maya said. She didn't like talking about her father. Josh picked up on that and changed the subject.
"I think the pressure is getting to me. The pre-med program is tougher than I thought it would be." Josh opened up to her.
"I think you're going to do great." Maya told him honestly. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed. You are going to med school. It would be weird if you felt at ease. It's hard. You are allowed to feel like it's hard. "
Josh smiled at her. "I knew you would understand. Everyone else told me that it's going to be fine and that it's not that hard."
"People suck. They give advice on stuff they never experience and know nothing about." Maya said.
"What about you? What's been going on with you lately?" Josh asked her.
"Oh nothing, I am just crippled by the weight of deciding what I want to do for the rest of my life." Maya said in a mock cheery voice.
"That's hard too." Josh said. "You know, they always tell you that you have to know and be prepared but the truth is no one knows. We are all lost and trying to find ourselves and that is okay. If you knew what you wanted to be since you were five, that's great, but if you are still trying to figure it out, that's fine too."
"You are so wise Josh Matthews." Maya mocked him. "Ah, the wisdom that comes with age." Josh laughed against his will.
"My, my. Will I ever be so lucky to grow into such maturity?"
"Well, it's only three years between us, you'll get there eventually." Josh teased her.
He looked at her with his baby blue eyes and Maya could feel herself quiver.
"Are you cold?" He asked and put a big blanket over both of them.
"No, I'm just tired." Maya told him.
He looked at the big clock on the wall. "It's almost five in the morning. Maybe we should get some sleep." He suggested.
"We don't have to. I'll just lay down for a bit and rest my eyes and you keep talking to me." She rested her head on a pillow that looked a lot more comfortable than it actually was, but Maya was too tired to care. Covered in a blanket, she closed her eyes.
"You know I was just kidding earlier." She said. "I really appreciate that you understand. Thanks."
"Any time Hart. I am always here for you."
Maya fell asleep instantly. Josh looked at her for a while until he dozed off too. He doesn't remember the exact moment he fell asleep but he remembers the last thought he had before that.
"She looks beautiful."
XXXXXX
Maya and Josh slept for a couple of hours until Riley woke them up screaming "What have I done?" over and over again.
Maya jolted off of the bay window and sat up straight. Josh opened his eyes but remained laying down.
"You." Riley pointed to Maya. "Why did you let me do that?"
"Do what?" Maya was still half asleep.
"I kissed him." Riley screamed.
"What? You kissed someone? Who?" Josh was intrigued.
"How was the kiss?" Maya asked.
"It was the best kiss I ever had." Riley smiled thinking about Lucas but quickly went back to being mad. "That's beside the point. I shouldn't have done that. That was wrong."
"What's so wrong about that?" Josh asked.
"Yeah Riles, it sounds like you had fun." Maya said.
"I just broke up with someone. I am not that person who kisses strangers in a bar. That's not what was supposed to happen."
"Why not? Yesterday you couldn't even get out of the bed and now you are talking to us all because you saw there were other guys beside Charlie. You are not less pure because you kissed a boy you only knew for one night." Maya said to her friend.
"She's right Riley. I can't even count how many times I kissed a girl I barely knew." Josh told her.
"That many, huh?" Maya couldn't help but say. Josh though she was just teasing him.
"Like you've never kissed a stranger?" Josh asked Maya.
"Actually, Maya never kissed a guy." Riley said before Maya could stop her.
Maya's cheeks burned red. She couldn't believe Riley just told him that. She couldn't even look him in the eye. But Josh didn't use this piece of information against her.
"How come?" He was a little surprised.
"I just never liked anyone enough for that." Maya got up and headed to the fridge.
Josh and Riley followed her to the kitchen.
"Come on. There had to be someone." Josh teased her.
"No. there wasn't anyone." Maya poured milked over her cereal. Riley and Josh did the same. They all sat down at the kitchen table to eat.
"I don't believe that for a second." Josh wasn't convinced.
"Why is that so hard to believe?" Maya asked him.
"Because you're gorgeous." Josh stated. "Guys are always all over you. You can't tell me that you never liked any of them?"
"Guys are not all over me. No guy ever even asked me out." Maya said pretending her heart didn't skip a beat when he called her gorgeous.
"That's ridiculous." Josh shook his head and stuffed him mouth with cereal.
"Why do you care so much uncle Josh? Maya knows how beautiful and smart she is without needing a guy to tell her, so why does it matter to you so much?" Riley asked him.
"I just think a beautiful women should be appreciated. Like a piece of art." Josh explained.
"You think of me like an art piece?" Maya asked, not knowing whether she was flattered or annoyed.
"I guess you can say that." Josh answered vaguely.
"What makes you think of me like that?" Maya wanted to know.
"I don't know." Josh paused. "You are messy and powerful and beautiful and you make people feel something when they look at you."
"Oh." Maya was able to say. She felt her cheeks turn red.
"I have to get going. I have to study for a test next week." Josh said and quickly left.
"What's going on with the two of you?" Riley was curious.
"Nothing." Maya offered her usual answer. "There is nothing going on between us."
"Are you sure? Because that didn't feel like nothing." Riley said with a kind voice.
Maya couldn't keep it a secret any more. She had to tell someone and who better than her best friend. "Okay, I have to tell you something." Maya started. "I like him Riles. And it's been going on for a while so it's not just a crush."
"Who?" Riley still didn't get it.
"Josh?" Realization flooded her suddenly. "You like Josh?"
Maya nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Her best friend asked. "How long has this been going on?"
"Two years. And I don't know why I didn't tell you. I guess it hurt less if I didn't talk about it. And I tried to not like him. I swear I did. I stayed away. But now he says he wants to be my friend again and I can't pretend anymore." Maya pored her heart out. It felt good to finally let it out.
"Oh, sweetie." Riley felt bad. "I didn't know. I am so sorry you felt like that and didn't tell me. We could've gone through this together." The girls hugged.
"You can't help me with this. We can't go through everything together." Maya said.
"You think so?" Riley was offended. "Just watch me."
"You can't get involved." Maya warned her best friend.
"I am offended you'd even say that." Riley said in her hurt voice.
"I know you Riles. You need to butt out." – Maya said firmly.
"I can't promise you that. I want what's best for you sweetie. And keeping this inside isn't good for you. You have to realize…" She was interrupted by her ringtone. Riley looked at the screen and said confusedly: „That's weird. It's an unknown number."
Maya's face flooded with realization. "It's the guy!" She screamed.
"What guy?" Riley didn't understand.
"The guy!" Maya said enthusiastically. She continually slapped Riley's forearm as she tried to explain herself. "The handsome guy. From last night. The best kiss of your life. You gave him your number."
"I can't answer that." Riley panicked.
"Why not?" Maya was annoyed.
"Because he'll ask me out. I'm not ready." She explained.
"What is stopping you? You're single, he's good looking. You hit it off. I don't see the problem." Maya tried to reason with her.
"It's too soon." Riley refused to listen to her friend. She pun the ringing phone done on the counter and walked away. Maya followed her.
"You are scared, aren't you?"
"No." Riley denied it.
"That's it, you're scared." Maya said with a huge grin. "And you're giving me advice."
"It's not the same." Riley said. The phone still rang behind them.
"You're right it's not. You want me to tell your uncle that I love him and risk it being incredible awkward for the rest of my life and all I want you to do is go out with a guy you actually like and who likes you."
"Fine. I am terrified. Charlie broke my heart. I thought we would be together forever. I can't go through that again. I am not done going through this yet. It's only been four days." Riley said.
"Charlie was a jerk. You were never going to last. And I am not asking you to marry the guy. Just go out with him once." Maya tried to convince her.
Riley stopped to think for a second. She knew that the only way to get her friend to do what's right for her is to give something in return. She was ready to make a deal.
"How about this." Riley started with a slick smile. "I'll go out with him if you tell Josh how you feel."
"No way." Maya said and turned around towards the kitchen. "Absolutely not."
Riley followed her. "Either we are both getting over our fear, or neither one of us is." Riley sounded serious. Maya turned around to look at her. She hated that idea. She didn't want to tell Josh because she knew he doesn't feel the same way about her. She didn't want to make things even more awkward and she knew how much it would hurt her to get rejected. But on the other hand, she had nothing to lose. Her relationship with Josh was already fading and this way Riley has a real shot at love or at the very least, she'll get some help moving on. Reluctantly, Maya put out her hand and said: "Deal." Riley took her hand and shook it.
"Now answer the phone." Maya ordered.
The grin from Riley's face disappeared. She took the phone in her hand but before she had the chance to answer the call, the phone stopped ringing.
"Saved by the bell." She declared with an even bigger smile.
"Not so fast, young lady." Maya was fast to burst her bubble. "He'll call again."
"How can you be so sure?" Riley disagree.
"The phone rang for three minutes, the boy won't give up so fast." Maya said, sure of herself. Riley was doubtful but soon enough, the phone rang again.
Riley took in a deep breath, her hand was shaking.
"You can do this." Maya encouraged her.
"Hello?" Riley answered the phone.
"Hey Riley. It's Lucas. The guy from last night." Lucas wasn't sure if she remembered. They had a lot to drink.
"I remember." Riley said. "Did you get home okay last night?" She frowned. She didn't know what to ask him. Maya was holding back the laughter. Lucas chuckled on the other end of the line.
"I did. Thanks for asking." He said. "Look, I'm just going to get straight to the point." Riley could tell that he was nervous. "I had a lot of fun last night. I can't remember the last time I felt so good. And I would really like to see you again. Let me take you out. We can go where ever you want. What do you say?" He waited impatiently for the answer. Riley didn't leave him waiting for too long.
"I accept your invitation." Maya started to laugh loudly. Riley acted like she never even talked to a guy before.
Lucas smiled widely on the other side. "Good. I was a little scared you'd say no." He sounded relieved.
"I had a good time last night too." Riley assured him.
"I'm glad." He said. "So, where do you want to go?"
"Surprise me." Riley said.
"Alright. I will. How about next Friday?" He suggested.
"I'm free that night." She said. "You're in lucky." Riley didn't know why she was so nervous. She didn't even want to go out with him. She was only doing it for Maya. So why did she care so much?
"I really am." He responded and made Riley smile.
"I'll talk to you later." Riley told him.
"Looking forward to it." He said. Riley put down her phone and breathed out.
"That wasn't so bad." Maya flashed a big smile towards her.
"It was a lot harder than you'd think." Riley didn't want to tell Maya about the little butterflies that nested in her stomach.
"It's your turn now." Riley ordered her friend.
"Mine is a little more complicated." Maya said. She saw Riley was about to protest but Maya interrupted her first. "I'll do it the next time I see him. I promise."
Riley wasn't too happy about it but she finally agreed.
XXXXXX
The following week flew by quickly. Riley would never admit it to Maya, but she didn't dread the fast approaching Friday as much as she thought she would. She found herself excited. She spend her days trying to remember every moment of that night in the bar. She wondered if Lucas was going to kiss her again. A part of her wanted him to be a perfect gentleman and not try to kiss her on their first official date but an equally big part of her wanted him to push her against the wall and kiss her like he did that night. When she didn't think about his lips on her neck, she thought about what she was going to wear. She wanted to look good. Even better than the first time they met. She spent days looking through every piece of clothing she owned. Nothing seemed good enough.
Maya was grateful Riley was so occupied. That meant she could postpone her part of the deal. Josh didn't come to the Matthew's apartment the whole week. He had a lot to study that week and Maya wasn't complaining. She knew she had to tell him. But that didn't make it any easier. She knew she was going to see him this weekend because he promised to come over for Saturday's family lunch and she tried to make herself ready. She practiced in her head the speech she would deliver to him. In her mind she was very poised and eloquent. She wasn't nervous or scared. And at the end of every scenario she played in her mind, Josh always said he liked her back. Maya knew reality was going to end up different but at least in her mind she was free to fantasize and hope until reality crushes every bit of it.
And suddenly it was Friday. Riley was nervous and Maya helped her get ready.
"You look beautiful, Riles." Maya said as her best friend tried her ninth dress.
"It's not good enough." Riley complained as she stared at her reflection.
"Honey, you look beautiful in everything you wear. That dress is gorgeous." Riley put on a short sleeved black dress that reached just above her knees, with a white collar and hung loosely from her waist. Her hair was curly and she had a little make up on that accentuated her eyes and lips.
Maya smiled at how nervous her friend looked. "And to think you didn't want to go."
Riley blushed slightly. "Shut up." She said and ran back to her closet to find the perfect pair of shoes to go with the dress. She sat her mind on an ankle length black boots with a one inch heel.
She took her leather jacket off the hanger and looked in the mirror again. She finally believed she looked beautiful. The doorbell rang and Riley jumped to open the door. Her hands were sweating and her mouth was suddenly dry. She opened the door but it wasn't Lucas on the other side of it. It was Josh. Riley chuckled ominously.
"What?" Josh was confused by her reaction.
"Oh, nothing. I just love the universe sometimes." She said. Maya walked into the living room, hopping she'd get to see the boy who mangled her best friend's mind. Her heart stopped when she saw Josh.
"I really love the universe." Riley said quietly to herself.
"Hey." Josh smiled at Maya.
"I didn't know you were coming." Maya said.
"I needed a night off from the studying and I thought I'd come over and hang out with you guys." Josh explained.
"Well I have a date. But Maya is free." Riley couldn't help but laugh.
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Maya asked.
"I am. I really am." Riley laughed. Josh stood in between them, confused.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"Josh, would you think that friends who don't keep their end of the deal even when the other party completed their parts are bad friends?" Riley asked with a smirk.
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it and don't answer that." Maya jumped in before Riley had a chance to tell Josh everything.
The doorbell rang again and Riley's smile was replaced with a look of fear. It was Maya's turn to laugh now.
"What is going on with you two?" Josh asked.
"Just watch." Maya pointed to Riley.
Riley went to open the door and Lucas waited on the other side.
"Hey." Riley said.
"Hi." Lucas replayed. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks." Riley blushed.
"Is that the best kiss of her life?" Josh asked Maya so Riley couldn't hear.
Maya nodded.
"Are you going to introduce us Riles?" Josh asked. He smiled as wide as Maya now.
"Well actually Josh, I already met him." Maya said.
"Really?" Josh played along.
"Do you want me to tell you how I met him?" She asked him.
"Okay, we're leaving." Riley said and pushed Lucas through the door. Lucas waved to Maya and Josh.
Maya and Josh laughed as soon as the doors closed.
"It's so easy to mess with her." Josh said.
"And fun too." Maya replayed. She went to make popcorn in the microwave.
"Want to watch a movie?" Maya asked.
"Sure." Josh said. He sat on the kitchen counter next to her and asked: "So what was it with you and Riley tonight?"
"What do you mean?" Maya tried not to look at him.
"What was with all that laughing?"
Maya took in a deep breath. She had to tell him. She made the deal with Riley and she already had a week to get ready. There was no avoiding it anymore. She looked at him. Really looked at him. His smile, his blue eyes, the way he leaned his hands on the counter. She smiled. He was very handsome. He made her feel very calm. She sat on the counter next to him and turned to face him.
"I have to tell you something." She told him.
"I'm listening." He said, smiling at her. The microwave beeped and Maya turned to take the popcorn out.
Saved by the bell.
A/N:Hey guys. I love to hear from you so let me know what you think in the comments. Do you like the story? Do you think Maya should tell Josh how she feels?