Maya Meets World

Maya Meets Reality

Maya laid in her bed, the room only lit by the lights of the city that never slept. Tonight, she felt like one of those lights. Her head was spinning all night as she replayed the evening with Josh. How did she want to move forward?

Stop thinking about him, Maya. She told herself.
Just act like nothing is different. Just be Maya.
That's worked out real well for you thus far.
This would be so much easier if I didn't have to see him every week.
But, at least I get to see him.
I love getting to see him.

Thoughts faded in and out of Maya's head for what seemed like hours. Her heart racing and settling over and over. She was woken by her phone buzzing on her nightstand moments after her eyes closed and her thoughts finally settled. Not ready to face the next day, or the thoughts she knew would come with it, she quickly hit ignore and rolled onto her stomach, face down into her pillows.

Almost immediately her phone dinged, alerting Maya that she had a voicemail.

Only one person ever left her voicemails.

Once again, Maya's phone began buzzing. Sighing she decided to to answer the call -there was no stopping Riley when she was on a mission. "Do you know how much sleep I got last night?" She answered her phone without saying hello.

"Oh. Jesus, I hope a lot?" a male voice that was not Riley replied.

Maya's eyes grew, she pulled the phone from her ear and glanced at the name: Josh Matthews.

"I'm sorry... I can call you back..." Josh stumbled.

Maya shook her head, "No, sorry, you're fine. Iiiiii assumed it was Riley calling."

"Oh," Josh replied a little taken aback. "Well, I... I just wanted to call and tell you I had a great time last night..." he trailed off.

Maya wasn't sure how to respond. She had a good time last night too, she immediately thought, and then her heart ached remembering the tail end of the evening.

"And... I wanted to make sure you were okay..." Josh treaded lightly.

"Oh! Yeah, no I'm fine." Maya feigned confusion. "Are you okay? Those Shut Up and Swallows didn't get to you did they?"

Josh laughed. "You forget," he started, mirroring the phrase Maya used against him last night. "I've got a few more years of drinking on ya, kid."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Don't be so sure." She teased.

And like clockwork, Josh and Maya were back to their regular banter, laced with years of attraction and sexual tension.

"Hey, why are you up this early?" Maya finally asked.

"I actually get up pretty early every day. Enjoy a cup of coffee, sit outside and listen to the city wake up."

"Wow. You're such a girl, Matthews." Maya was letting her sarcasm and wit be how she navigated her relationship with Josh at the moment.

"Oh, and I paint my nails, obviously." Josh didn't miss a beat.

"I thought you looked like you'd had a manicure last night."

Josh finally broke and began laughing. "What are you up to today?"

"Me? Oh, as soon as I'm off the phone with you, I'm going back to sleep." Maya responded matter of factly.

"Well, don't let me keep you. I know you need that beautyrest."