Girl Meets 23

10 (Maya)

-New York City, USA-

Family dinner was pretty much perfect and in just a few hours it felt as though Maya's soul had been stitched back together a little. The Matthews family dining room table was probably in the running for her most favourite place on earth. The six of them sat around the table, enjoyed Topanga's cooking, and caught each other up on what's going on in their lives. Riley talked about her job and some of the people she worked with, Topanga and Corey had recently been to visit their parents in Pennsylvania, and Auggie was making plans to ask the girl he liked, Ava, to prom. It was amazing hearing about what they'd been up to, and she hadn't really thought about how much of their lives she was missing out on. Maya had apologised for Caleb and told them his headache/post flight sickness excuse. Everyone had been understanding about it; as she explained Maya refused to make eye contact with Josh. Topanga had sat directly across from Maya at the table and Josh sat directly to the left of his sister in law. He didn't say much during dinner outside answering some of Corey and Topanga's questions about his recent trip to DC. As the night continued on the group finished dinner and moved on to a game of monopoly. Maya did her best to avoid Josh for the rest of the evening, only on occasion accidentally making eye contact when she couldn't stop herself from looking at him. He was still like a magnet to her. But instead of letting his familiar chocolate eyes pull her back in, she sat between Corey and Riley.
Eventually Topanga won, as per usual, and it had already gotten dark outside. Maya decided it was probably best to head back to the hotel and check up on Caleb. She didn't want to leave him there by himself for too long. Who know what kind of stuff he was ordering with her card on file.

"I love you guys, but I think I should probably get back to Caleb," she announced packing up the game on the coffee table "Plus the full day of travel is starting to get to me too" This wasn't a lie either, her body felt fatigued from todays emotions.

"Yeah I guess it is getting kind of late," Topanga agreed checking the time on her phone. Corey yawned and did a big stretch almost knocking Auggie over.

   "I'll walk you back to your hotel!" Riley announced standing up to put her shoes back on. "I'll just walk to the subway after I drop you off,"

   "I can walk with you guys, it's kind of dark out," Josh started but by the look on Riley's face she wasn't having it. Josh had always been super protective over herself and Riley.

   "No, Josh" Riley protested "it's girl time. Plus I walk home all the time, how'd you think I managed while you were in DC" it was always amusing when the Matthews family would argue. In Maya's eyes their disagreements were mostly silly and intentions were always pure.
Maya finished boxing up the game and hugged each of the Matthews goodbye. Topanga and Corey both gave her another big bear hug and Auggie quickly hugged Maya before running off to his room to talk to Ava. When it was time to say goodbye to Josh, she suddenly felt very awkward. They really hadn't interacted much through out the evening. She gave him a quick hug and then pulled herself away quickly

   "Bye," she said quietly to him before she could talk herself into a hole. The last thing she needed was drama with Josh and she knew everyone in the room knew their history.

   "I'll see you around Maya," Josh replied with an unexpected sincerity. Like it was a fact they would see each other sooner rather than later. This made Maya's heart beat uncontrollably in her chest. Maya stared into Josh's eyes as if her subconscious was trying to communicate with him but the moment was cut short as Riley grabbed Maya's hand.

   "Alright guys, we'll see you later," Riley stated opening the apartments front door "I'll text you guys when I get home safe!" It was clear Riley had a great night, she was giggly and had a constant wide grin. As waved their last goodbyes and closed the door behind them, it made Maya a little sad the night had gone by so fast. When she was younger when she left the Matthew's home she knew it wouldn't be long before she returned. Now she felt like she had to memorise every detail of the meal she'd just shared with them. Maya held on extra tight to Riley's hand as the two stepped onto the elevator and prepared to brave the New York cold.

-

The walk back seemed even quicker than the walk there and it was probably because of Riley's bubbly mood. She practically skipped the whole way to the hotel. Maya wasn't even sure why it still surprised her; everything was easier when Riley was with her. And before they knew it they had approached the hotel and Maya felt the dread start to pool in her stomach. She didn't want to go up and deal with Caleb but she knew it must be done. She couldn't start avoiding him this early in the trip.

   "Peaches, are you sure I can't convince you to come back to my place?" Riley asked hopefully deploying her most convincing puppy eyes. Maya giggled, this rarely worked on her anymore but it was cute she was trying. "It would be really fun..." Riley's casual act was coming off very uncasual.

   "I know Riles, but I got to check in on Caleb," Maya said sadly. It was a bummer that she felt obligated to take care of him, especially since he had been such an asshole to her earlier. Plus she wanted to continue spending time with Riley. Normally when they would reunite they would spend every second together the second they could. It felt unnatural to be parting ways from her this soon. "And who knows what kind of trouble he's up too," she joked. Riley smiled but Maya deep down wasn't really joking at all. Caleb was unpredictable when he wanted to be.

   "Ok! Ok!" Riley said in defeat "but I'm seeing you tomorrow, right?" She looked unsure, this was new for their friendship. Normally it came without questions and plans; it was typically more assuming and showing up.

   "Yeah, of course" Maya said pulling her best friend into a hug to reassure her. "I love you Riley, I've missed you so much,"

   "I love you too!" Riley pulled them apart wiping a tear away. "I'll see you tomorrow. Have a great sleep Maya," she smiled and waved as she walked off down the street. Maya watched for a little until Riley got around the corner before heading into the hotel.
As she made her way through the lobby and to the hotel elevator, Maya fished out her spare room key from her purse. She also picked up the bottle of headache tablets she'd taken from Topanga to give to Caleb. Even though he flaked out on them, the Matthews still showed him so much kindness. Eager to get to bed and to sleep she sped down the hallway as soon as the elevator doors opened. As she approached the room she took a moment to deep breathe. She was anticipating Caleb to be in a mood. He always was and probably would be mad she'd left him at the hotel even though he'd told her too. She knew she couldn't avoid it any longer so she inserted a room key. The door swung open and the room was dark inside. Maya sighed a breath of relief, Caleb was probably asleep. She turned on the bathroom light to avoid making the room too bright but as soon as she did she realised she was being considerate for no reason. The bed and stark white comforter was empty, Caleb was know where to be seen. Maya immediately abandoned. Where the hell was he? He said he hated it in New York and it was definitely way too late for him to be out grabbing dinner. Maya wanted to get into the bed and cry, cry for being in a relationship with a loser, cry for having know idea what she was doing with her life, and cry for the fact she wasn't fifteen anymore. She missed fifteen. But instead of crying, she grabbed her toothbrush and shoved it straight into her purse along with her room key and exited her hotel room. She decided to spend the night at Riley's. That way she wouldn't have to deal with Caleb when he returned. She didn't even care where he was, she just wanted to sleep. Thank god she had remembered to get a second room key, he clearly would have made her wait for him to get back to let her in.