Maya and Josh- The Long Game

Locker Room Situation

Two weeks after Valentines Day, finally, the stressful time at NYU loosened up a bit and Josh was done with his exams and essays. He thought it might be a good idea to finally come back to do his laundry at the Matthews or even spending a night. But before that, he had Basketball practice. Him and the guys of the team, his friend Andrew included usually spent a decent amount of time in the locker room talking and having fun.

As usual, Marvin Jefferson, one of the bad guys in Freshman year was going around asking every guy about who they hooked up with lately. Josh hated that and he already got the label of being prude because everyone knew he was one of the few guys who wouldn't hook up with girls. Josh only went on a few dates in the early weeks of College but there was nothing going on really. Ever since starting college and even before he confessed his feelings to Maya, he started to look at her differently and therefore subconsciously stopped liking any other girl.

„So Matthews", Marvin began with a smirk „I might not even have to ask you this week cause we all know that you like to stay abstinent but just for the fun of it, any dates recently?"

„Marvin, when are you gonna shut up about this? You're pathetic", Josh replied clearly pissed while putting on his clothes.

„Actually", said one of the guys, his name was Ben Farmer, he had a younger brother who was a Sophomore at Mayas School just not in the same class, but he knew about Josh and Mayas deal cause he was there as well at the Ski Lodge. Everybody knew back then. „I know why Josh doesn't like to hook up here" he laughingly says, „he seems to prefer Minors"

„What the fuck are you talking about?" Josh exclaimed moving towards Ben. Marvin puts his hand on Joshs chest to hold him back

„calm down Matthews, I'm intrigued now Farmer, common what do you know?" Marvin smirkingly asks

„Well", Ben continues, „my younger brother Nathan told me all about Josh and that Sophomore girl. They went on a school trip together and Josh was their chaperone. Josh promised that girl to date when she's a bit older. But who knows, maybe thats what he's doing when he's not around campus, laying some foundation in bases, haha. How far did you go Josh? Are you anywhere near second base yet?"
And most of the guys were laughing as Josh lost it, running over to Ben to punch him. Right before he was able to hit him Andrew and some other guys pulled him away to keep him from getting into a fight.

„You fucking asshole", Josh yelled at Ben, „whats wrong with you? If you would have any sense of decency you wouldn't even think such a thing. She's 16 damn it, I'm not doing anything with her and if one of you comes at me again about this I swear I'm gonna kick your freaking heads off."

„Okay, okay, Matthews, relax, we clearly went to far, right Farmer?" looking over to Ben with his eyebrow raised „Yeah whatever man", he just answered. Marvin continues „I'm gonna let you enjoy your little fairytale with your Highschool crush, I for my part like my girls ready, so moving on here." And everyone finished getting ready leaving.

Josh's Pov
I'm packing my laundry bag and my stuff for my sleepover at the Matthews. My eyes are filled with angry tears from what just happened in that fucking locker room. I can't believe those disgusting pigs, I hate the way they threw mud on Maya like that and it feels like they stole her innocence with their nasty thoughts. I never even thought about Maya in this way. I can't, not yet. She is not mine. She is still too young. No, this is just wrong.

At the same time, Josh couldn't help but think about how it would be to kiss Maya for the first time and as he started to entertain the thought he felt as if electricity was running through his entire body and before these fantasies would go further he stopped. So he shook his head at the thoughts and went on his way to the Matthews.

Josh arrived at the Matthews with his laundry bag. „Ma brotha, we've missed you man, it's been 2 months" Cory greets him.
„Yep, missed you too my brotha and here is ma laundry" Josh throws it at Cory's feet.

„Josh, I missed you too but don't you think you are old enough to wash them yourself" Topanga asks with her parenting voice.

„Yeah, you're right, I'm sorry", Josh responded with an apologetic face and all came in for a warm hug.

„Uncle Josh, uncle Josh, please never stay away this long again" Auggie exclaimed as he runs up to Josh for a piggy back ride. „Mr. Auggie, come here" and he picked him up

„I'm sorry I haven't been around but I can't promise you to not do it again, life just gets busier when you're in college, so please stay a kid and don't grow up." Letting him back down he asked Cory and Topanga
„So where is Riley? Is she with Maya, like are they here?" trying not to sound more interested in knowing where Maya is. But Topanga noticed and replied with a smirk
„Maya will spent the night here too actually, they are out for dinner with the friends." Josh suddenly felt butterflies in his stomach when he heard that Maya would also stay overnight but just replied „alright, cool".

Josh spent the night watching tv on the couch and wondering why the girls didn't seem to come home. He couldn't see them because they were coming back through Rileys bedroom window. Cory, Topanga and Auggie were already in bed and left Josh in charge of making sure he waited for the girls to come back home.

„Maya, don't you think this is a little over the top like not using the front door just to avoid Josh? My parents left him in charge of making sure we got home" Riley says as they crawl through her window into the room.

„First of all, I don't think it's over the top because I gotta nice surprise for him when I get to the kitchen after you will be fast asleep and I will sneak out of bed", she said with an evil grin on her face. „So he will know we got home, don't worry, just go to bed."

Riley was too tired to even ask Maya what was going on but she decided to do it in the morning and just said with a sigh „Peaches, I know this can't be good but I'm way too tired to talk about it so lets talk tomorrow okay? Good night."

Maya waited for Riley to be fast asleep as she jumped out of bed. Maya changed into yoga pants and a cropped tanktop and left for the kitchen. Inside she was so nervous and anxious but she pushed all her feelings aside because she wanted to be confident and sexy for now. As she walks into the kitchen to get a glass of water she looks over to the couch and sees Josh. As he noticed her coming into the kitchen he just stared at her with his jaw dropped at her outfit. Her heart was beating out of her chest since she clearly missed him so bad after those 2 months.....