Maya Meets World

Maya Meets White Pages

Josh was woken up by the sound of Maya sighing heavily, her breathing changing, finally waking her up from a restless night, and her hand subtly tightening on his that she was still holding. "Hey," Josh whispered gently once Maya rolled over toward him.

Maya still looked exhausted. "Hey," her voice cracked as she spoke.

"How ya doin...?" Josh asked cautiously, his brows pulled together in concern.

Maya placed a small smile on her face, but her eyes quickly locked on Josh's, and her smile almost immediately slipped into a soft frown. "Not great," she said honestly, shaking her her slightly.

"I'm so sorry, Maya." Josh said wrapping both of his hands around her tiny one.

"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Maya, you have nothing to be sorry about. You don't have to apologize for being - -"

"Weak?" She cut him off.

"Human." Josh corrected.

Maya looked down. "I never wanted you to see me like that... I never wanted to see me like that..."

Maya was always tough. She always seemed to have such thick skin, and carried herself with an ease about her as she walked through life. It was one of the things Josh loved about her the most. But he also couldn't stop his heart from wanting to reach out to her in this vulnerable moment. She looked beautiful. Broken. Shattered. But still beautiful.

"Thanks for staying,"

"Of course. You know I'd do anything for you, Maya." Josh said earnestly.

"Where's Hayley?" Maya asked sheepishly.

Josh shook his head. "She had to work last night."

Maya nodded slowly. "You should probably get going then... Get back there before it gets too late." She said pressing her lips together in a soft smile.

Josh nodded, "Probably. But I want to make sure you're going to be okay."

"I'll be fine." Maya assured him with a single nod. "Besides. I probably need to be alone right now."

Josh hated the thought of Maya being alone, especially right now. "Listen. Hayles goes back into work this afternoon. I'm gonna come back over and check on you."

"Oh. Josh you don't have to do that," Maya said tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"I'm gonna come back over and check on you." Josh repeated.

"Okay," Maya caved, her eyes downcast as she picked at her fingers.

Josh stood up, his legs aching in protest as they had been pulled against his chest all night. He leaned over Maya's bed and gently kissed the top of her head.

Maya's eyes closed and her heart soared at the contact. She exhaled deeply as Josh pulled away.

"Eat something." He reminded her.

"Mhmm," Maya nodded.

"I'll be back later." Josh said one more time before he walked toward Maya's bedroom door.

"Thanks, Josh," Maya whispered, her head down as she blinked, looking up at him.

Josh pursed his lips together and nodded gently.

Maya almost immediately laid back into her bed, her knees pulled up to her chest, her hands grasping either side of her pillow. She wanted to go back to sleep, to just escape this reality she was in. She didn't want to have to hear her own thoughts anymore. She'd been up for ten minutes and they were already overwhelming.