The whole day I couldn't get Josh off my mind. He cared. He cared! HE CARED! I probably should've been thinking of another Matthews, but all I cared about was a certain uncle of hers. I felt guilty whenever she looked at me, as if in remorse but I could care less.
"Come on, don't be mad at her, she was probably just kidding."
"If insulting a 'nonexistent' mother is joking, why aren't I laughing?"
"Maybe she was having a bad day, you never know!" Farkle piped in.
"Why are you so positive all the time?"
"I don't know, I guess it comes with being weird."
"Well, guess who's coming with me to Riley's house?"
"Me?"
"You! Yay - I was not expecting that answer."
"Ms. Hart and Mr. Minkus, care to share?" Mrs. Smith asked.
"Not me, I hate sharing, especially food," Farkle replied. "I don't like sharing germs either, I could get sick - "
The bell rang, and I could've sworn Mrs. Smith looked relieved as Farkle and I left.
We met up with Lucas, who sat staring at Riley during lunch. I thanked the lunchlady and began to each our faux fried chicken nuggets. Missy sat at our table, as if she were a replacement for Riley, which was impossible.
"Are you done with your part yet?" she asked as she nibbled on her salad.
"Nope," I replied nonchanlantly.
"Dude, you're going to fail us," Lucas said.
"I don't really care."
"Maya! It may not matter to you, but it matters to the rest of us!" Lucas protested.
"Like I said, don't care."
"Grow up already! It's not all about you!"
"So much drama I love it!" Missy piped.
"Ugh, I'll see you at Riley's," I said as I exited the cafeteria.
×××
"Wait, so I'm doing what now?" I asked.
"You're doing the ethical issues," Riley said, rolling her eyes.
"Why? You're the one who has issues in the first place!" I retorted.
"C'mon guys!"
"Stay out of it!" Riley and I snapped. Josh came out of his room, shirtless and all. Missy hopped up and basically ran to him. She was almost as thirsty as me. Almost.
"Hey Josh, my brother just made it into NYU and he's having a party, and you're invited," she said as she put her hands on his chest. I glared at her and imagined chopping her hands off with an axe.
"What about the others?" Josh asked.
"Oh, uh, I was going to invite them next."
"Well then, sure!"
"Actually, I don't want to go. I have to work on the ethical issues."
"I'll stay and help," Riley agreed.
"Me too!" Lucas and Farkle said in unison.
"Oh, I probably can't go then Missy. I gotta stay home and watch them."
"Aw, c'mon Maya!" Missy pleaded.
"I have to finish this. I don't wanna fail 10th grade." Josh looked at me with eyes full of curiosity, and maybe -admiration? Well, my eyes were full of his abs.
"I'll help you!" Missy suggested. She reluctantly left Josh to come sit by my side.
"Great," I said sarcastically. By now Josh already had a shirt on, and I frowned.
"Maya! Stop staring!" Missy said. Should I go to her - I mean, her brother's party? Josh would be there...but it would give Missy satisfaction. Ugh...I don't even have a decent outfit.
"Let's get to work," I agreed.
Please vote, comment, and share! Thanks for reading! Recently, I've been dedicating these chapters to picklepan because she's been helping me develop the story. She's basically my editor, thanks Pail!
-Vicky
