Chapter 2 - Girl Meets How He Feels

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It's Saturday. Still snowing! Riley and Maya woke up around 8. They walked to the kitchen. Topanga was making breakfast. "Thanks again, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews for letting me stay over break." Maya said, smiling. "Anytime, dear. Now, eat eat eat while it's hot." Topanga said, placing plates in front of the girls. Josh walked in. He was wearing a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. His dark, brown hair was messy and textured. He walked into the kitchen and poured some coffee. "Good morning, Josh." Cory and Topanga said. "Good morning, guys." He said with a nice smile. His voice was soft. "Hummm." Maya whimpered, trying to hold back her feelings. "Maya, do we need to leave?" Riley whispered. She shook her head, taking a bite of an apple slice. Josh walked to the sink. As he turned, he stretched his arms. His shirt came up just enough to reveal his abs. "Riley. We must go. We must go now." Maya whispered. They hurried to Riley's room. "Thanks for the breakfast!" They called. Maya hurried to the window as Riley shut the door. "Ya know, I really thought I had it this time." Maya said. "You lasted longer than usual. Maybe you're getting over him." Riley said. "No, I'm getting around him." Maya said. "Hey, do you have a plan for tonight when I'm with Lucas?" Riley asked. "Yep! I'm gonna camp out in your bed and watch reality television!" Maya said, proudly. They laughed. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna go talk to mom." Riley said. "Okay." Maya replied. "Hi, honey." Topanga said. "Hey, mom. I was wondering, could Maya and I go shopping? I need to pick something out for tonight." Riley said. "What are you doing tonight?" Topanga asked. "Um...my date with Lucas!" Riley said. "What date? You can't go on a date tonight?" Topanga said. "What do you mean?" Riley said. "You have to take Auggie to his school for 'Sibling Night.'" Topanga said. "Oh...no! No! Why? Mo-om." Riley whined. "Your father and I will be going to my co-worker's engagement party so, you have to take him. I'm sorry, honey." Topanga said. "It's okay mom. I'll just die alone." Riley said, dramatically as she walked to her room. "Maya. My life is ending." Riley said. "Whyyy is thaattt?" Maya asked. Riley explained. Maya froze. "Wait, if your parents are at the party and you and auggie are at his school...that means Josh and I will be here. ALONE!" Maya said, emphatically. "See! This ruins everything!" Riley said. "No no no no no no no! That can't happen. Let's see. Hey! I've got an idea! I'll go to sibling night with Auggie, you can go on your date, and Josh can stay here, far far far away from me!" Maya said. "Heyyy. That's not so bad." Riley said, smirking.
A few hours later
"Bye, guys! We'll see you later." Riley rushed her parents out the door. Josh was sitting on the couch. Maya was right behind Riley. "You guys are 17 years old. 17. I can't believe your still going along with these little schemes." Josh said. "Yeah, well. You must not know us very well." Riley said. He laughed. "Riley, what time do I need to leave?" Maya asked, sitting on the arm of the couch, trying not to look at Josh. "Uhh...7." Riley said. "It's 6:58." Maya said, smiling. "Well ya better get going, then." Riley said, comedically. "Auggieee! Come on." Maya picked up her purse and keys and grabbed his hand. They left. Riley noticed Josh had been staring at Maya. A few minutes later, Riley told Josh goodbye and left.
7:15pm
Riley was in the car with Lucas when her phone rang. "Hello?" She said. "Riley, they won't let me in the school!" Maya said. "What do you mean?" Riley laughed. "Most of the siblings here are very young and with their parents but, I'm 17. That means I'm not a legal adult and a child can't enter the school without an adult!" She said, frantically.  "Call Josh." Riley said, nonchalantly. "Call Josh?" She said as if Riley was kidding. "Mayaaaa, you have to get over this. Just call Josh and you can both look after Auggie." Riley said. "Nooo. I can't do that. What will I say to him?" Maya protested. "If it makes you feel better, I caught him staring at you." Riley smirked. "I'm calling him now." Maya said. Lucas just laughed. Josh's phone rang. "Hello?" He answered. "Hi, Josh. It's, um...it's Maya. At Auggie's school, a child must have an adult to enter the building and, I'm 17 sooo..." She explained. "Soooo?" He said. She laughed at his forgetfulness, trying to forget who she was talking to so she wouldn't be nervous. "Soooo...I need you to drive up here so we can get in." She said, teasing him a little. "Oh...um, right." He said and hung up.
10 minutes later
Maya was standing by the car with Auggie. Josh parked and ran up to her. "Thank you so much, Josh." Maya said, smiling. "Um...yeah. It's okay." He said. They walked up to the doors, each of them holding one of Auggie's hands. They, finally, were allowed to enter. Turns out 'Sibling Night' is just a couple art projects and a snack. So, Maya just tried to pretend Josh was her brother the whole night. She mainly focused on Auggie. They both kind of stayed reserved. Maybe a little too reserved. It was 8:20 and the event ended at 8:30. "Hey, Josh. Can I go ahead and go home. I'm getting a bit of a headache." She lied. "Yes...um...we'll see you in a minute." Josh said. Maya left. She was so confused. Why had he been so...to himself? This wasn't the Josh she liked so much. However, Maya wasn't gonna look a mess in front of regular Josh or quiet Josh. She retouched her makeup and hair-sprayed her loose curls. She sat in the window in the living room. It was 8:40. It would be at least another 10 minutes before Josh got home. She did the only logical thing; took a 10 minute nap.
Josh's POV
So, Auggie and I walk in. Look, I've tried to keep my 'cool reputation' tonight but, in that moment...she looked like an angel. So, I got Auggie to bed. It was 9:00. I didn't mean to but I stared at her for like...7 minutes. Oops, she just looked so peaceful. I finally decide to wake her up.
3rd person POV
Josh put his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open. "Oh...Josh." She sat up. "Auggie just went to bed so...uh" He trailed off, having no idea on what to say. "Thank God you're here. I need to talk to you and, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to make sense because you're gorgeous but, I'll...try." She said, pulling him to sit with her. He couldn't help but smile. "First off, are you okay? You've seemed...I don't know, like you're trying to keep something in." She shrugged then smiled. "Maya, how do you do that?" He asked. "Do what?" She asked. "How do you look at someone and know exactly how they feel?" He asked, never looking away from her eyes. "Josh...I don't think you're get-wait, then you are hiding something?" Maya asked, leaning closer towards him. He shakily exhaled. "Josh...what's going on?" Maya asked. He just kind of stared. "Josh...is this...about college. Your grades?" She asked. He frowned at her. "Maya...it-it's...about...you." He said. "Me? What did I do?" Maya asked, upset. "No. You didn-you didn't do anything." He said. She tilted her head. "Maya, can I tell you this?" He asked. "Please." She said, looking vulnerable. "It's hard to be around you because..." There was silence. "Josh, say it." She said. "Because...Maya. You know that I like you. It's hard to keep feelings in sometimes. And, I have to because there can't be an "us." Not right now and, I usually know what to do. I'm usually the mature one to make all the right decisions. To make sensible choices but, I don't know how to feel anymore because...you're really pretty right now." He laughed at himself, causing her to laugh. "Josh...I" She paused and looked down. But when she looked up, he was kissing her. Their lips were connected. She pulled away, seconds later. Even she knew they shouldn't have done that. "Josh, you shouldn't have done that." She said, looking at his lips. "I know." He said. However, just as he said that, he cupped her chin and kissed her again. "Jo-oshhh. Stop. You're making it worse. All my life, I've wanted you to tell me something like that. But, now it's just..." "Painful." He said. She nodded. They stood up and just stood there, awkwardly. "I'm sorry, it was driving me insane." He said. "There you go again." She said. "I don't even know I'm doing it." They laughed. There was a silence. "Hey, Josh?" She asked. "Hmmm?" He responded. "You know, if you have kissed me twice...I don't see the harm in you kissing me a third time." She said. They smiled at each other. He began to kiss her again. Auggie came around the corner and started to speak but ran back into his room which, Maya and Josh hadn't noticed. "What is our problem?" She asked. "I don't know but I'm insanely attracted to you and we need to be separated...like...now." He said. "Why don't...I go...in Riley's room?" Maya said, using all of her willpower. "That'd be best." He said. A few minutes later, Riley got home. "Hey, Josh. I just wanted to say 'thank you' for helping Maya. She needed an adult and you two are kind of close so, I just...you know." She trailed off, hugging him. "You have no idea." He mouthed. Eventually, Riley's parents got home and everyone went to sleep. Well, except Maya and Josh. They obviously couldn't.

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