It's About Time (GMW - Joshaya)

Chapter 78

Josh's POV

We remained with our foreheads pressed up against each other as if we needed each other for support. Neither one of us pulling away or daring to come closer. 

I was pretty sure that if this moment lasted any longer, my heart was going to burst out of my chest; it was rapidly drumming against my ribcage. So much so that it almost hurt. Craving Maya was much more than an emotional pain. It was physical at this point as if she were necessary to my survival.

"Okay, trouble," she tapped her pointer finger on my chest as she finally was the first to pull away. 

I prayed that her finger didn't feel how out of control my heart was.

I blushed, as I too pulled back in response to her withdrawal. 

"Yea, we should umm probably get back inside there huh?" I proposed, not really in support of my recommendation, but knowing that it probably was for the best, especially considering that we agreed to be friends.

And being friends with Maya was seemingly impossible. I mean come on, with her cratered dimples, those freckles she tried to cover up, her twinkling, long blonde hair, wide, child-like blue eyes, that nose wrinkle she does without realizing, and her infectious laugh. How am I supposed to be around that and just be friends.

"Josh? you coming," she giggled. 

There it was that contagious, goofy laugh that drew me back into reality.

"Yea," I chucked. 

I didn't even realize I was zoned out before.

The two of us walked back into the dining room, side by side, shoulders brushing. Well maybe her shoulder brushing my upper arm because I was significantly taller than her. But regardless, I felt my breath jerk a little every time our bodies brushed. 

This was something that was uncharted territory for me. I never had a girl that made me feel like this--so vulnerable. 

But that was just the thing about Maya. She made me feel things that other girls never did. She made me laugh, cry, love, hurt, live, learn, yearn, and dream more than I even thought possible. And I know that sounds so corny but it was the truth. And once you get even the smallest taste of that in your life, you need it and want it more than anything else. 

But the flip side of this was that because of all of these new feelings that even had a physical effect on me, I wanted Maya to feel those same things. And I didn't wanna force it on her. I just wanted her to be genuinely happy with someone who too made her feel things that she never imagined possible. 

And if me not being with her was what it took, I was willing to step back. However, I have hope that in the long game, we end up together.