Maya and Josh- The Long Game

Soon

„I can't get enough of this view, I wish I could always be right here, with you, just watching the stars", Maya sighed in contentment while she was laying on a blanket next to Josh.

„Well, you're definitely right but there's another view that I find quiet enjoyable aswell" he smirked laying on his side while looking at Maya.

„You're terrible, Boing you know", she blushed as she turned to her side to retort Josh's gaze.

Maya and Josh had like half an hour before their curfew. Right now, everyone else was out, Riley and Lucas were hanging out with Lucas' grandpa, Farkle and Smackle went for ice cream and Zay was visiting his old girlfriend, Vanessa. They sometimes made out whenever he came back, somehow, Zay thought that was okay while everyone else said it wasn't, no one believed him when he said he didn't have feelings for her anymore but what the heck, it was his own choice, he was a big boy. The group was almost through with their time in Texas, they had a few days left so everyone tried to enjoy every minute of it. It was a beautiful time, they went on lots of trips together but in the last week the couples wanted to do more things on their own. This was a bit tricky for Josh and Maya since they were not officially together yet and were actually glad whenever they got to hang out with the others. At the same time they wanted to spent time together so badly. But Josh felt the weight of responsibility while being away from home and knowing that spending too much time alone with Maya might get him into trouble, especially in the evening. He did manage to not make Maya feel bad for not being together yet by putting his arms around her during hangouts with the group or holding her hand on hikes etc. It was crazy, they have gotten so used to the boundaries they made for themselves that it was really okay to stick to it, except in situations where it wasn't okay such as watching the stars alone at night, going swimming together with the others and seeing each other's extremely attractive appearance, or every time they sat anywhere alone and gazed into each other's eyes, holding hands, hugging you name it. Okay so basically it was hard but it was okay at the same time, so yes, they were a mess, kind of, but they enjoyed every second of it.

„Josh, can I ask you something?" Maya asked as she kept looking into Josh's eyes

„Of course, gorgeous, you can ask me anything." he smiled at her

„So, have you, like, okay, so we haven't really talked about this I think but have you made out a lot?" Maya asked while biting her lip slightly anxious of how Josh would answer

„It's okay, I'm glad you asked. I have, yeah, but that was back in Highschool and obviously before I went to the Ski Lodge with you all. In Highschool I had a fling here and there but it was never anything serious. At College I got less interested while everyone else was going crazy about hooking up and stuff. I went on like two dates with two different girls the first month but there was nothing more going on."

„And, what about sex?" Maya asked, looking down at the blanket

Josh never broke his gaze, he kept looking at Maya „I never had sex before I only got to second base most of the time. But to be honest, even those things I regret. I mean I wasn't in love with the girls I made out with. And ever since after you and Riley crashed our hangout at NYU, you popped into my head more." Maya looked back up with wide eyes while Josh mentioned that
„I guess I tried even harder to push the thought of you away cause it felt ridiculous since you were so young still. And maybe thats why I was a bit more reckless in my last two years of Highschool, cause I wanted to distract myself. And so I went on quiet a bit of dates but yeah like I said never went further than second because after all I was very determined that sex wasn't something I just want to share with someone I don't love. If there was one thing I learned from Cory and Topanga it was that committing to someone you love, like finding your one was one of the most beautiful things on earth and that it is so worth it to safe this very intimate thing for that person. And I realized more and more that the person I could love like this was right there my whole life kind of." He said while taking Mayas hands making her blush and shiver,
„Josh, I- I dont know what to say, it's so beautiful that you waited and still want to wait for that. And that you think of me in this way..."

„Well I mean I didn't know I liked you this much most of the time. And I mean it would have been weird to show a 14 year old girl that I find her interesting even if I would have thought that which I didn't at the time. But as time went on, especially after you crashed our college gathering and I told you you're not so little anymore I started to imagine myself with you in the future and every time I saw you at family gatherings I just enjoyed your presence even though I rolled my eyes at you for hitting on me." He smirked at her.

Maya chuckled and then continued with a more serious look „I had no idea how you felt about me. I always thought you see me as this little girl you're just annoyed at because I was making it so obvious that I liked you. Even after you told me I'm not so little anymore and that you have to stop looking at me like that. And even to this day, I never really knew how you really felt about me even when you told me kind of. There was always doubts in my mind even after this whole time, after you were so intentional with me, I mean you have shown me how much you care about me like no one else before. And I can't honor you enough for the fact that you never once crossed any lines physically even though I haven't made it easy for you at times, I so admire your strength and pure heart. Thank you, Josh, for everything." Maya said with tears in her eyes

„You know what, the fact that you are so worth it made it all easy in a way. Come here" Josh motioned her to lay on his chest while he softly played with her hair „you're welcome, gorgeous, and how would you know how I really feel about you I mean we are not even dating yet so it makes sense that you were insecure.
By the way, have you ever kissed someone?" he asked as he continued to play with her hair.

„No, I actually haven't. You're gonna be my first". She lightly smiled while looking up at him.

„I like that, even though it would have been okay if you did kiss someone else I mean it wouldn't be fair to think anything else. And just so you know pretty lady, it's gonna be a surprise, you won't know when it's gonna happen, our first kiss. And I can't wait to call you mine soon, Maya." he sighed with a smile, taking her hand and lifting it up to place a kiss on it.

„Okay you two lovebirds, time to break you apart, we have to go." Riley yelled as she and Lucas walked up to them.

„Yeah, I'm glad when we don't have to stick to rules anymore" Maya said while getting up and rolling her eyes at Rileys interruption

Josh just smiled at her and turned over „Hey guys. Lucas, lets go bring those two lovely lady's back to your parents house."
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It was almost time for school and college again. After the group left Texas, they went to Philly, near Josh's parents home about an hours drive to go camping at a lake. It was just as awesome as the last four weeks for all of them. They even got to hang out with Josh's parents on one weekend. Other than that it was just a time to relax, lay by the lake, swimming and enjoying conversations til late at night. It was only two and a half more months until Mayas 18th birthday, a day that could not come any sooner for them. Because of Josh and Mayas anticipation they were actually glad that school started so they were at least a bit distracted from the insane amount of attraction they have felt for one another.