Maya and Josh- The Long Game

Valentines Day

It's been one and a half months since Josh and Maya have seen each other. Josh was very busy at college with writing essays, exams and starting a student job on campus at the coffee shop. But he also purposefully abstained from seeing Maya as he needed some space to clear his mind over how drawn he felt to her. He even stopped washing his laundry at the Matthews since the risk of running into Maya was too high. He wanted to keep his side of the deal, to be a friend, a good friend for her, to protect her. He knew her well enough to see that she struggled with him being around so much. As much as it hurt him to stay away from her so long, he thought this was the only way to protect her heart and also his from getting attached too soon.

Josh's Pov
Man, I feel so bad, but I had no choice, I had to back away from Maya and get some space between us. New Year's Eve was just too intense. She doesn't even realize what she does to me with her presence. There is just too much tension between us and I really don't want to hurt her by getting too close just to push her away again. This whole long game thing is so hard. I must have been so naive to think I wont have a problem with waiting for her, I mean, what was I thinking? She is the most beautiful and amazing girl I've ever known how was I not aware of that way earlier? Anyways, at least I reacted to her Instagram here and there, so hopefully she was okay with me not being there at all. Now it's Valentines Day and I hate that cause now I have to figure out what to do with Maya without making this all romantic and stuff.

Josh came up with an idea that would hopefully cheer up Maya about him not being around at all while he wouldn't have to be there in person on Valentines Day. This is what he did.

Josh just texted Farkle, Lucas and Zay to get on a video group chat together. His phone buzzed and here they were all together during lunch break at school
„Hey guys, appreciate you taking the time to talk quickly", Josh opened the conversation

„Hey Josh, no problem, we have lunch break, we just had to tell the girls we needed to get to the bathroom, so we wont have that much time, what's up?", Lucas asked.

„So, I want you guys to do me a favor for Maya this Valentines Day. I wont be there today to do anything with her in person but I wanted her to know that I think about her today and havent forgotten her. I've just been super busy here on campus with writing and working a new job. The idea is, I got her flowers, their actually from our college garden I cut them myself, it's probably illegal but anyways, I will bring them over to the school in half an hour so one of you needs to get out of class to get them. Then you will place them on Mayas desk. There will be a card which I want her to get tonight. If you guys have plans for the evening with your girls, Zay, I want you to take out Maya to join the others and then you're gonna give Maya the card I wrote for her. You will not tell her that it's all from me okay? You're gonna keep this a secret until she reads the card tonight. Do you guys think you can do this for me?"

Farkle, Zay and Lucas said simultaneously „Yeah, sure", Zay added „you're crazy dude, you know that?" „Thanks, Zay, yeah I know." Farkle asked „As sweet this idea is, why don't you just show up for Maya in person?"

„I can't explain that to you right now Farkle, I gotta go, I'll meet one of you in 30 minutes in the guys bathroom, and thank you all for helping me out", and Josh ended the call.

The bell rang and the guys were going back to class with Riley, Maya and Smackle. „I thought only girls take that long in the bathroom but you weirdos went together and took ages", Maya laughingly acknowledged.

„Good things take their time, Maya", Zay responded with a smirk.

Class was going for about 25 minutes until Lucas interrupted Cory „Mr. Matthews, can I be excused? I just need to use the bathroom",
Riley looking all confused at Lucas as she thought they just all came from the bathroom together right after break. Cory lets him go. Lucas went into the bathroom and there he was, Josh was totally on time, a little out of breathe, with the flowers and the card in his hands
„Hey Lucas, thank you for doing this, I owe you, here you go" as he passes it to him.

„You know Josh, I think this is actually really awesome what you do for Maya. I know from Riley that things have been a little hard for you guys as you try to figure out how to be around each other while being just friends. I hope Maya will see the good in your intentions here. I know she can be stubborn."

Josh agreed with a smirk „oh I know, with her, it's always a surprise how she might react, but I'll take my chances. Make sure you guys have a good time together tonight okay? I don't want Maya to feel weird for not having a real date, it hurts that I can't be that guy for her yet."

„I know Josh, I promise we'll try to make her feel as comfortable as we can, you take care", and both went out.

Mayas Pov
I sit in class and I hate this day, this year I will be the only girl here on this overrated commercial day who seems to have no love life whatsoever. And why is that? Oh yeah because I like this guy who likes me but is also just my friend. How satisfying, yay.

Mayas thoughts were interrupted as Lucas came back to class with a beautiful bouquet of yellow tulips and placed it on her desk with a smile,

„happy Valentine's Day, Maya". She wasn't able to speak as she was just in shock over what just happened. The whole class was very confused aswell as everyone knew about the triangle that was going on for so long in the past and now that Riley and Lucas were finally dating, nobody would have ever assumed that something like this could ever happen again.
Cory couldn't help but immediately screaming „Whatcha doin? Have you lost your mind? You probably missed the right desk?" Lucas broke the awkward moment everyone was having, especially Riley and Maya who were just sitting there with their jaws dropped
„Everyone relax, these flowers are not from me okay, Maya just has a secret Valentine thats all". Everyone immediately expressed a loud sigh of relief, the loudest probably from Cory who just said „okay thats nice now where were we?" But nobody was able to focus on class anymore as everyone was curious as to who was Mayas secret Valentine.

After school Riley went up to Maya „Maya, this is so cool and exciting, you got a secret Valentine, who do you think it is?" „Riley, stay cool, this is probably someone from class who takes pity on me this year". As the day went on, the friends were setting up their date with going to the movies together and have dinner before. As usual, Zay was filling the gap for Maya so she wouldn't have to feel left out. Maya got used to it and actually enjoyed Zays company since they were good friends but today it was harder for her than usual.

Riley and Maya got ready in Rileys room as Maya was admitting „Riles, I miss him so much. I don't understand what's going on. Why has Josh not been around since New Years Eve? Have I done something wrong? Did something happen that I miss? All he did was just commenting on my stories and statuses on Instagram but that was it. I hate this, I hate Valentines, I hate everything", with tears in her eyes she sat on Rileys bed.

„Peaches, I know it's been a while since Josh was here. Dad said that he is super busy at college right now, he took on a job at the cafeteria on campus and he got exam and papers since January. Maybe he needs the time to focus and doesn't want to get distracted? I'm sure everything is fine, please don't worry so much about it. If he would have been around the whole time, would it have been easier for you? It seems like no matter what he does, it hurts you doesn't it?" Maya just nodded, putting her head on Rileys shoulder.
„Come, lets go on our triple date, it's gonna be fun" Riley said.

The friends all sat at the diner and actually it was quiet nice, it seemed as if they purposefully sat differently than usual. Lucas sat next to Farkle and Smackle and Riley sat next to Zay and Maya so it wouldn't be just the couples next to each other. It made Maya more comfortable today, she really needed it.
After a while, Farkle said „Maya, this is for you, happy Valentine's Day", as he gave her Josh's card. Maya looked a bit baffled and opened it, reading it to herself
Maya,
Happy Valentines Day. I know I haven't been around lately and I'm sorry about that. But I just wanted you to know that I think about you. How could I ever forget you? I hope you enjoy the flowers, I know they are your favorite.
Til' next time, Josh
Her eyes were filled with tears as she closed the card and thought about the flowers he gave her realizing that he payed attention to the fact that she mentioned somewhere sometime that she loved tulips. Looking at her friends and how the guys had big smiles on their faces she asked „Did you know about this?" Zay answered „Yep, it was Josh's thing all along and we're glad you're happy now." Indeed she was, Valentines Day wasn't so bad after all.