Maya and Josh- The Long Game

New Years Eve

Christmas was over and it was now New Years Eve. There was a bit of a discussion in the Hunter and Matthews household about how the younger generation just wants to basically celebrate New Years with their friends and their parents having to be okay with it. Even though Shawn really wanted to spent New Years Eve with Maya and everyone else, he also understood that the friends are old enough to be on their own, at least if the party was at either their place or at the Matthews. So, Cory and Topanga, Shawn and Katey decided to go to a New Years Eve party for adults and let the kids be celebrating at the Matthews on their own. Riley knew how bad Maya wanted Josh to be there too so just to not make Maya look so desperate, she texted Josh and invited him to spent New Years with them too.

Josh's Pov
Okay this sucks. I have been around Maya like a lot lately. Ever since Mount Sun Lodge, I have seen her on every important occasion, including random run ins at the Matthews. Now there is this party here on campus where all my friends are gonna be at and Riley invites me to their party. What do I do? I wanna see Maya but I also want to be with my friends and most importantly, I should really give Maya more space anyways. I'm sure she'll be fine since she has seen me around a lot lately. Man, I hope she will be, I hope she won't be disappointed if I don't show up this time. Okay, I will text Riley that I'm not gonna make it tonight cause I'm gonna be at a party here at NYU. No big deal at all.

Riley took out her phone and read Josh's response to her invitation. She looked over to Maya who looked so happy getting ready cause she thought Josh would join them. With a compassionate and slightly sad look on her face, Riley says „Maya, Josh just said he wont be coming tonight, he will be at a college party for New Years Eve."

Maya's Pov
Suddenly, I got this very familiar feeling in my chest. Pain. Yeah, I remember it super well. Like every single time Uncle Boing has hurt me in the past when he rejected me. I should have known better, of course he wouldn't come. What was I even thinking? He clearly said back in October „you live your life, I'll live mine.." and that included that he can do whatever he wants and doesn't owe me anything. I just have gotten so used to seeing him around so much lately that I thought he might wanted to come. But then of course have I not taught myself that hope is for suckers? Why am I so bouncy with that lately? Didn't Josh and I agree to be just friends right now? And didn't I want to stick to that, damn it, but every time I do there he is, he just comes in and out of my life. I'm just a mess.

„Oh, okay that's fine", Maya replies sarcastically, clearly being disappointed. Riley tried to bring some perspective, „Maya, I'm sorry, I know you wanted him to come but I actually think this is a good thing. He has been around a lot lately and I noticed that as much as you love it, it also hurts you, I'm not blind. So as hard as this probably feels for you, please try to be happy for him just as he is happy for you. It's not like he's doing anything bad here anyways."

Maya hated to admit that Riley was right and with a deep sigh and a tear streaming down her cheeks she replied „I know, Riles, I know it's just that it hurts a little but yeah it reminds me that nothing is for sure and someday might not even happen. It's okay though I have to let go."

Riley remembered the conversation she had with Josh about Maya and how she kept it in her heart. Filled with compassion for her best friend she embraced her warmly „Maya, you don't have to give up hope for you guys but you have to let him go in the sense that you need to trust that life knows what's good for you, don't expect the worst, expect what's good for you even if it doesn't always feel good."

Maya looked at Riley as if she just got a revelation from what her best friend just said, „Riley, you are probably the wisest 16 year old girl I've ever met in my life. You probably have to tell me that another 50 times until this sinks into my heart because it's very hard for me to believe that life means well with me." Both looked at each other smiling while continuing to get ready.