Always Deny, Never Admit

I Would Say Absolutely Beautiful

* ( Extra Long Chapter Special )

She was biting her nails and pacing the floor, anxiously awaiting the opening of the exhibit. Her wavy hair was pulled back with a clip, allowing you to see her worried face more clearly.

"W-What If t-they don't like my art? What if they think it's stupid?" Maya asked, her lips twisted into a deep frown.

Josh laughed at her worried expression, not understanding how she could be so stressed. Maya furrowed her brow and scrunched up her freckled nose.

"What? Do you think my art is funny?" She asked, as her bottom lip quivered.

"No! I think it's beautiful." Josh told her, glancing at her painting hung on the wall. Maya widened her eyes in surprise, looking at the painting too.

"Listen Josh, I know this wasn't the best place to take you on a date at, but it means a lot to me that you're here." Maya whispered, her voice croaking through the words.

"Why do you always say that?" Josh asked, sucking in a breath.

"What do you mean?"

Josh just stared at her, surprised how she seemed to always downplay herself.

"Why are you staring?" She asked, a blush growing on her cheeks.

"Did you ever think maybe people really enjoy your company?" Maya blinked and stayed silent, shocked at Josh's sudden outburst.

"No." Maya whispered, fiddling with the buttons on her blazer.

"Well I do, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now." Josh said.

"I. . ." Maya trailed off. Josh arched a brow and wondered what she wanted to say.

"I've never really said this before so bear with me, but you've done a lot for me and it's sweet! I just wanted to say that I appreciate it more than you could ever know." Maya said, bright red and scared.

"Maya-"

She shushed him quickly and laughed quietly to herself.

"Sorry, it's just the nerves talking and I'm pretty sure I'm going crazy." Maya ranted, continuing to bite her fingernails and pace the floor.

"Don't be nervous!" Josh told her, holding her shoulders and lifting her chin up.

"How? I could get scholarships from this! Tell me something to distract me." Maya pleaded, pulling at her hair.

Josh wracked his brain, looking for something to calm her down or at least distract her. Josh took a deep breath, and pursed his lips, debating whether or not he really knew what to do.

He turned to look at her and at this point she was huddled up in a ball covering her face with her palms. Josh scratched he back of his head nervously.

"I think I love you." Josh blurted, capturing her attention instantly.

She peeked up from her hands and stared at him, mouth gaping. Josh blushed profusely and let out a shaky laugh.

Maya scrambled to her feet and brushed off her jeans. "I got you distracted." Josh said, faking a happy smile.

"How?" Maya asked.

Josh looked back at her confused.

"How do you love me?" She asked, stepping closer to him, making him the nervous one.

"Look the exhibit is open!" Josh's shouted, pointing to the critics entering from the entrance.

Maya turned to look at them and a look of panic washed over her face. She rushed and hugged Josh fiercely.

"I love you too." She whispered into his shirt, before walking and standing by her painting, a nervous smile plastered all the way across her face to her cheeks.

Had he heard her correctly? Or was it his nerves making him go crazy? He'd just have to tell her how he loved her afterwards. It felt great to get it off his chest, it was a sense of relief.

He loved Maya Hart, but she didn't know how.

Yet Josh knew internally, that he had finally said the words he never thought he would out loud.