College Years

f i v e

Josh's POV
One week later after the incident, I decided to visit Riley and Maya. It's only now that I'm checking to see how they're doing because I wanted to give them some time. I walked up to their room and knocked on the door. Maya answered.

Maya: Josh! What are you doing here?
Josh: I just wanted to see how you and Riley were doing. Where is Riley, anyway?
Maya: She got a job. She won't be back until 5:00, but I'm just here if you need anything.
Josh: Oh, cool. By the way, are you okay? No bumps and bruises?
Maya: I'm just fine, Josh.
Josh: That's great.

Awkward silence...

Josh: Hey, would you like to get lunch with me? Maybe I can show you around a little bit. After all, it's Saturday. There are no classes.
Maya: I'd like that. Okay.
Josh: Great. I'm just gonna pick something up at my room.

I checked my watch. It was 10:45.

Josh: Can I come by at around 11:30?
Maya: That's fine. I need to hit the showers anyway.
Josh: Ok. See you here.

I exited the building. Is this a date? No, don't get too forward Josh. You're just showing her around. Nothing too personal. I better go change. I ran to my room, and I got changed to something not too casual, but not too fancy either. I hope she'll like this.

Maya's POV
Oh my gosh! Did Josh just ask me out? No, this is just lunch. Nothing too personal. I better go take a shower! I took a shower and brushed my teeth. Now, what do I wear? I decided to wear my favorite blue blouse, leather jacket, and light jeans. After that, I just put on a little makeup. Don't tell Riley. This is okay, I guess. Not too fancy, not too casual. I checked the time, 11:30.

Josh's POV
I checked my time. 11:35! I started to run. I didn't want to think I stood her up. By the time I reached Maya's door, it was 11:45. I knocked on the door. Maya opened it, but something was wrong.

Josh: Maya! I'm so sorry that I ran late.
Maya: That's fine, Josh.
Josh: Okay, are you ready to g- Wait. Are you crying?
Maya: It's nothing.
Josh: No it's not. What happened?
Maya didn't say anything. Instead, she hugged me and started crying into my shoulder. It's so cute how she's short. Wait! Not the point. Not the point. I walked her to her bed.
Josh: What happened?

Maya, her face already soaked, showed me her phone. It had a text by a familiar phone number. It said: Did you think that it would stop there? Please, bitch. It just began. Then there was a video of a girl wearing a Maya mask. She said things like, "Sleep with me for just two dollars!" and "I can be YOUR hoe!" I can't believe this. I couldn't picture anything like this happening to Maya, but it is. By the time the video ended, Maya stopped crying, but she just sat there with a blunt expression.

Josh: Maya, this is gonna stop. I promise you. We're going to report this, and get whoever this is expelled.
Maya: I know who it is. You know who it is. We both know that I know that you know who it is. Jenna.
Josh: Come on, let's go.

We exited Maya's room. A few girls in the hallway were giggling and staring at her. I just walked with her and put my arm around her. You know, to protect her. I walked her to the main office and reported Jenna Inman for bullying Maya. We showed the texts sent to Maya's phone, and Jenna was immediately called and expelled. After all that chaos, it was already 2:00.

Josh: I'm so sorry that this ever happened.
Maya: It's not your fault, Josh. It's mine. I should have never...I don't know.
Josh: Why would it be your fault? You're amazing Maya.
Maya: Thanks.
Josh: Hey, it's already 2:00. I'm sorry our plans got ruined. Do you wanna just get something to eat from Taco Bell? Taco Bell is my favorite fast food restaurant.
Maya: Sure! I love their Nacho Bell Grande.
Josh: Hey! Me too!

Maya's POV
We walked to Taco Bell and ordered one Nacho Bell Grande for us to share. JUST KIDDING! We both got our own nachos because I wanted my own nachos. I LOVE Taco Bell. It's my home. Josh wanted to pay for both of us, and I even refused, but he's just too much of a gentleman. After Taco Bell, he showed me around campus. By the end of everything, it was 4:00. He finally walked me to my room.

Maya: Thanks for everything, Josh.
Josh: Nah, you don't have to thank me.
Maya: No, really. Thank you.
Josh: No problem. I hope you had a great time.
Maya: I did.

Awkward silence...again...

Josh: Um, are you free on Saturday?
Maya: Yes, why?
Josh: Well, um, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me... on Saturday.
Maya: (looks down at the floor grinning) I would love to, Josh.
Josh: Great! It's a date, then?
Maya: It's a date.
Josh: Great, um, I'll pick you up around seven?
Maya: Ok.
Josh: See you there.
Maya: Bye.

I closed my door, and I looked in the mirror. Oh my gosh! My cheeks were so red! They were like the red on rainbows at Rileytown. Oh well, I had it coming anyway. I have a date with Joshua Matthews!