Maya Meets World

Maya Meets Bay Window

Maya parked outside of her apartment, a slight buzz still hovering over her from the night of near continual drinking with Josh. She walked on still shaky legs to her door, grabbing her phone as soon as she got in.

I need to talk to you.

New Message
From: Riles
Everything okay? At work.

To: Riles
I don't know. Can I come over after you get some sleep tomorrow?

New Message
From: Riles
Do you even have to ask?

Maya kicked off her shoes, threw on a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top, washed her face and crawled into bed. Her mind was swirling, a mix of tequila and emotions making it impossible to close her eyes.
I fucking love you, Maya.
What was he saying? How was she supposed to respond to that. Maya's stomach dropped each time she heard Josh's deep voice in her head.
I fucking love you...

Maya sighed, picking up her phone; she had forgotten to let Josh know she made it home. Maya quickly flipped her her camera, sticking her tongue out slightly, she snapped a picture.

To: Josh
Beat cha home.

Josh phone buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out, immediately knowing who it was.

New Message
From: Hayles
Hey babe. It's getting late. Where you at?

Josh's brows furrowed and he immediately slid his phone back in his pocket as he located his new destination for the evening. Josh walked through the door, his eyes immediately scanning the dark dive bar. His phone vibrated in his pocket once again, "Come on, Hayles," he mumbled to himself as he pulled the phone out.

New Message
From: The Best Person You Know

Josh smiled to himself; Maya had gotten into his phone a few weeks ago during class and changed her name in his contacts. He slid his phone open to view the picture she sent, laying in bed, hair piled on top of her head, her tongue out teasing him from the comfort of her own bed.

Beat cha home.

Josh could feel the grin on his face growing and he couldn't pull his eyes away from the dark picture.

"Hey, how's it going?" A stranger asked walking up to Josh, startling his attention away from the image on his phone.

"Hey, I'm looking for someone..." Josh recovered quickly, clicking his phone off and sliding it back into his pocket. "A guy named Austin? He works here?"

"Oh yeah," the stranger nodded. He whistled toward the bar, his arm raised in the air flagging Austin their direction. "There ya go," he said patting Josh on the back and walking away.

A million thoughts ran through Josh's head, what he wanted to say, what he was going to yell at him for treating such an amazing girl the way he did. Josh was ready to put Austin in his place for what he'd done to Maya. His heart was hammering in his chest, his feelings for Maya pulsing through his veins, the alcohol he'd consumed that night clouding his judgement.

Austin walked up to Josh, not sure who he was. "Hey, bro, what's - -"

In an instant, Josh's fist collided with Austin's face. He was no longer thinking, Josh was just acting, something that otherwise would have felt very out of character for the brunette himself. But his heart was hammering in his chest, his feelings for Maya pulsing through his veins, and he couldn't think.

"What the fuck?" Austin spat, his hand under his chin, almost immediately Austin swung his balled fist, connecting with Josh's mouth.

Josh shook off the blow, spitting what tasted like blood out of his mouth and went for another punch. "Stay the hell away from her." He growled as he made contact with Austin's nose.