Fragile Heart

Chapter Two

Droplets of carefully crafted frozen water dropped from the sky and altered the color of the ground. The air was a bitter cold that punched me hard in the face. My scarf and hat didn't protect my cheeks from transfusing into a cherry red. I picked up my pace and dashed inside of the doors of Riley's apartment. My face was numb and defrosting from being sacrificed in the cold.

"Merry Christmas Maya." spoke Topanga. Topanga was Riley's mother. She was more of a mom to me than my own, I heavily valued her support and opinion in my disordered life.

"You too Mrs.Matthews." I smiled wide proving my appreciation.

"Hey Maya!" Sang Riley with glee.

She seized my tiny wrists and forcefully dragged me to her bedroom and we took our familiar seats on the wind sill. Our place. I felt as ease here , like I could share with her everything.. And I do. This is our therapy session and we accumulate several hours here a week.

"So how are you?" she smiled.

"I'm good Riley, why are you so excited?"

"I just am. You're here, josh will be here soon, happiness, world peace, and oh its Christmas tomorrow."

My Christmas involves a piece of leftover cake my mom sneaks over from the diner and my present is the fork in which I can eat my cake with. I understood her situation and I knew it was harder on her not to give me anything than it was on me. Gifts were irreverent to Christmas anyways, all I wanted was her to be home with me. Santa couldn't grant me that wish either, she gets extra for working on holidays so she usually doesn't stumble home until it's almost New Years.

"So, are we going to hang with Lucas and Farkle this vacation?" I questioned, changing the subject.

"Yes, of course! Only because I can't wait until school back for me to wear the cute clothes I get for Christmas that Lucas should see me in"
She said all goofy like.

She was so innocent and it was sweet what her and Lucas had. They had small talks and respect for each other. They were both too shy to admit their fondness for one another so it was painful to watch. Someone needed to push these two crazy kids together.

I heard a brutish knock on the door and Riley sprang upwards like a pop-tart in a toaster.

"Josh is here!"

I choked on my heart. I couldn't describe this enormous feeling of anxiety. I couldn't have feelings for him. I won't have feelings for him. This will only result in me shattering in more pieces and I can't deal with that with everything else happening. I won't let any boy make me cry. I haven't shed a tear since my dad left before I was five. That's the only time I allowed myself to taste weakness.

He entered the door. It hurt just looking at him. He had dark brown hair that sat perfectly and his eyes were orbs of mystery. He was tall and perfectly sculpted. He looked like one of those books with the mysterious covers that tease you into reading them. I wanted to read Josh.

"Uncle Josh!" Riley screeched while they collided into each other for a hug. He glanced over at me when while he was hugging Riley and gave me a smile that sent my body in cardiac arrest.

"Hey Josh." I said with a weak smile. I needed to play it cool, if I act like I don't find him attractive then he won't become attractive.

"Hey Maya. It's been so long ....You grew up gorgeous!" He said while scratching the back of his head.

My cheeks flushed 50 shades of pink so I looked down to conceal my blushing.

Riley discreetly pulled me aside and whispered
"Don't get any ideas Maya! He's my uncle. You're not going to become my aunt."

She was so cute, she always jumped to these crazy conclusions that no one even bothered to think about. I just laughed and smile to myself. He thought I was gorgeous? The thought of him curved my lips into a U-shape.

"How long is he staying?" I asked curiously.

"Through vacation. Maya, stop smiling. You can like anybody you'd like except Josh. He's too old for you anyways."

I hated hearing those words, I needed to hear them though. Riley would be my obstacle in the way of Josh and I needed that. I needed something there blocking me from liking him. I needed reality to settle in that he would never go for me simply because I'm younger and I'm Maya.

"I don't even like him, Riley. He is cute, but anybody with eyes can see that. It's a scientific fact that he's beautiful. "

"Not helping" Riley looked annoyed.

"Listen Maya, Josh is Josh. I love him because he's my family and I always will. But he's not for you. He's a complete jerk to girls. He doesn't treat them right, he treats them like prizes to be won instead of to be cherished. He likes the chase and once your his, you'll be a distant memory."

I desperately needed that honesty for me to fully understand Josh is not the boy I need. I don't need any boys. I won't let him "win" me and I won't fall for his devilish good looks and his deep dimples.

" I promise you Riley, I will never even be remotely interested in your self obsessed uncle."

And with that said I quickly turned around and looked down to process what was just said. I felt my face come in contact with a firm chest. And once again my face was bright pink.

"Sorry." I said while pushing past Josh.

He didn't let me get by that easy though. He grabbed my dainty wrists and faced me towards him. My head was still tilted downwards in embarrassment. I didn't want to make eye contact with him, I feared loosing myself in his pools of mahogany. His soft fingers lifted up my head and he came so close to my face that I could smell the sweet mint rolling off of his tung.
"It's okay Maya" he gave me a side smile and walked away.