He's just a fantasy, You don't go out with a Fantasy ( Joshaya )

Chapter Three

"Who are you trying to fool Peaches?" Riley said, "You have had feelings for Josh ever since I can remember. Don't assume you are the only one who is waiting for your guy's someday" she smiled at Maya.

Riley was still clueless about Maya's feelings for Josh, she appreciated that Riley was trying to help them get together but Maya was still unsure if there still a someday in their future. The only thing Maya knew for sure was that Riley was the greatest friend she could ever have. And if there was anything to look forward to in the future it would be them living together. Maya gathered her self together and took deep breaths.

"Alright lets go. But I'm not promising to be nice" she said as she got up from her stool.

"I wouldn't expect you too" Riley said following Maya outside where Josh awaited patiently until they came out. They both exchanged faint smiles to Josh, you could feel the awkwardness among the three of them. Maya was cringing on the inside trying to hold herself together.They continued to walk to their new apartment, a ten minute walk from Sprinkles. Josh was in between Riley and Maya, he was catching up with Riley as Maya was off in her own world wishing this day would be over. After the last crosswalk they stood outside their new home, West Beacon Apartments.

"Can I help you with that?" he asked Maya gesturing to her suitcase.Maya smirked, "We are on the 4th floor, I think I'll manage on my own. Keep your strength" Maya could tell Josh was getting frustrated with her, but it was for her own protection. She didn't want anything to happen between them yet until she figured out a few things first. All three entered the apartment and Maya was relived to see working elevators, but for now they took the stairs. For old time sakes.

"This is it" Riley said grinning cheerfully as they approached 4b, she opened up the door and  walked in but they froze. Silence was an understatement.

"Riley"Maya said trying to remain calm.

"Yeah.."she said in dismay.

"Where's all of our furniture?" Maya groaned.

All three of them looked at each other hoping one of them knew the answer to why their furniture hadn't been delivered to them today.

"Didn't you say everything would be here by the 22nd?" Josh asked while scrolling through his phone.

"This is no time to be on our phones Josh!" Maya said panicking. Riley was about to agree but her phone rang and Maya saw Lucas's contact photo on her screen. Riley was going to ignore the call but she told her to go, and Riley mouthed thank you. And now at this point it just seemed as the world hated her and the universe just wanted her to fail. She started to pace back and forth in her empty apartment hoping to calm her self down before her anxiety kicked it and made things worse for her.

"Hey"Josh said reaching out and taking Maya's hand "It's going to be okay look here" he showed her an email from the moving service, "Riley forwarded this to me last week, she confused herself I think, your furniture will be here tomorrow the 23rd".Maya let out a deep breathe and plopped down on the floor. She didn't know what she would do if something else went wrong.

"You're welcome by the way" Josh said sitting down next to here.

"For what?" she glared at him.

"For being there for you in your time of need" he laughed and looked over at Maya but his laughter went silent once he saw the look on her face. Maya could not believe the words coming from his mouth. He thought this was her time of need? Where was he these past two years when she needed him the most? Where was he when she cried at night stressing if she was going to make it into the program? Where was he when she wanted to give up countless times and all she had from him was just a bag to keep going? Maya wasn't angry with him, truly, but she was just tired.She was tried of having to fight this feelings she had with Josh against herself.

"Josh."she began to say, "This wasn't the time that I needed you. When I was writing my research paper junior year worrying about what topic to choose that's when I needed you. Thinking about an idea for a new painting for the Senior art gala that's when I needed you. Filling out the application for the Columbia University School of Arts program I needed you. When Lucas moved back to Texas and Riley was a wreck which made me become a wreck that's when I needed you. But most of all Josh when I was trying to find myself I needed you-" the last sentence barely escaped her mouth as Josh gently kissed her on the lips. He pulled away slowly, laying his forehead against hers.

"I'm so sorry Maya." he whispered. Maya retracted from him and was left speechless.

"I know I haven't been there for you, and I am so incredibly sorry. I've been working on trying to figure out who I am too and didn't want to put you through that. I've been going through things too, I know I shouldn't be making excuses but I finally think I'm in a place where I can let you into my life and not worry about hurting you."

"Josh I-" she was trying to find the right words to say but nothing seemed right anymore. She was lost.

"Listen Maya let's not rush into things okay? I want to do this right I want our someday to happen. We already have a strong friendship.. so what better way to take a step forward then to go on a date" he said with shy smile, he was flustered. Right now Maya was more confused than ever when it came to Josh she wanted their someday with him, but she wanted him to be in a good place like he said. She wanted both of them to be in a good place even it meant remaining friends for awhile more.

" I think-" as she was about to tell Josh that one date was questionable at the moment his phone rang and all she saw was"Babe"light up on his phone with a picture of a girl. Maya looked up at Josh and all she saw in him was regret. 

" She's gorgeous" she spoke softly.

Maya'slip quivered trying to hold back tears, be strong Maya she thought be strong.She got up from the floor, "I'm going to get some air" she said quickly heading towards the door leaving Josh behind.

"Maya please!" Josh exclaimed trying to stop her from leaving but she slammed the door behind him.

She was gone. 

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Just a quick note, thank you guys for the reading this story! I appreciate all the reads and would love to know what you guys think so far but regardless comments are not necessary hope you further enjoy this tale 

xx

M