Maya Meets World

Maya Meets Memorial Day

Maya laid on the grass, her sketch pad in front of her, her eyes shifting between the page and the bird standing no more than a foot away, completely mesmerized.

Josh was sitting on the top of the table just to the side of Maya, his camera in hand; it was a beautiful day outside and it didn't take more than a simple text to Maya to convince her to join him out in the park for the afternoon. His eyes were drawn to the blonde laying on the ground beside him, he followed her gaze and noticed the small bird that Maya was trying to capture. Josh thought about snapping a picture himself, but he worried the shutter sound might frighten the small bird away. "What kind of bird is that?" Josh whispered.

Maya shook her head slightly, "Not sure," she replied barely above a whisper herself, her pen moving without her eyes even guiding the way.

Josh wanted to join Maya on the ground, to see the world the way she was seeing it at the moment.

As soon as the two made it to the park, Maya immediately found herself a spot on the ground, the grass, dirt and undoubted bugs not bothering her for a second. He glanced at the bird in front of her once again and slowly, as quietly as he could, Josh stepped down from the table, gently pressing himself onto the ground next to Maya. "Hey," he whispered.

Maya's lips curled up to the side Josh was on, her eyes glancing his direction quickly, then back to her drawing.

Josh looked at Maya's drawing, then up at the bird and back to the drawing, "Maya," he breathed.

"Shh," Maya hushed.

Josh didn't want to shh though, Maya's drawing was perfect; he wanted her to know it was perfect. But it wasn't done, and more than he wanted to tell her how perfect it was, Josh wanted Maya to finish the drawing. So he laid next to her silently, watching her work, watching her mind and her hand transfer so beautifully what was in front of her onto the page she would have forever.

Josh was amazed at how long the bird stayed in front of them, hopping around a little bit here and there, but not flying away. While in awe, Josh understood, he felt the same way around Maya; engulfed by her presence, without realizing it, he could spend an entire afternoon just being near her.

What felt like hours, and yet somehow only minutes later, Maya slid her book Josh's direction.

"It's perfect..." Josh said, completely captivated. "It shouldn't surprise me anymore, but it still does, every picture,"

Maya felt her cheeks blush, "Thanks, Josh,"

Josh put his camera to his eye and took a picture of Maya's drawing.

Maya shook her head, laughing a little. She rolled onto her back, looking up at the sky, Josh following suit. He scooted over closer to Maya, and she instinctively lifted her head slightly, lowering it back down on Josh's stomach. And, without a word, Josh's hand rested on Maya's stomach, their bodies comfortably, mindlessly intertwined.

Maya's head was rising and falling softly with every breath Josh took, the wind swaying the grass around them, Maya's hair blowing gently. The warm sun mixed with every other one of these sensations nearly lulling Maya to sleep.

"You going to the annual Matthews Memorial Day weekend at the beach house?" Josh asked softly.

Maya nodded, "Mhmm," She opened a single eye and looked over at Josh, "You going?"

Josh's hand made its way to Maya's hair, gently rubbing his thumb across her hairline. "I am," he whispered with a small smile.

"You know," Maya said rolling on her side, propping herself up on Josh's chest.