Joshaya V.S Lucaya

Chapter 31

Josh's POV

It's been 2 weeks since we got back from camping and I haven't left Maya once. I want to spend every moment possible with her while I can. In a few weeks I return to campus and she starts her senior year of high school.

"So, what are you two up to today?" Shawn asks me, sitting down on the arm of the couch. He's been surprisingly cool with me staying here the last couple weeks.

"No idea. I don't know when it happened, but I dont make decisions anymore." I laugh. He quickly joins in and then we both suddenly stop, realization washing over both of us.

"What's so funny, you two?" Katy, Maya's mom asks as she walks into the room. Shawn and I look at each other and he chuckles as I smile nervously.

"Just welcoming Josh here to married life." Shawn tells her and it's her turn to laugh.

"Welcome to the club." Katy says, trying to suppress her laughter. I smile back at her. Married life. Huh. Before I get the chance to say anything, Maya walks in and climbs into my lap.

"So what are we doing today?" She asks, causing her parents to burst into laughter. She looks at me with a confused expression on her face, but quickly shakes it off.

"What would you like to do today?" I ask her as she moves to rest her head on my shoulder. Her hair smells floral and fruity at the same time. I take a deep breath, inhaling her scent as I place a kiss on her head.

"Well, I was thinking we could check out the carnival." She says, but somehow I know there's more.

"So what time are we meeting Riley there?" I ask, and she lifts her head and smiles.

"Around 2 o'clock, at the carousel." She giggles. Once she brings her head back to my shoulder and I tighten my grip on her waist, she speaks again. "How did you know?" She wonders aloud, playing with the zipper on my sweater.

"Because he knows you, baby girl. " Katy speaks and Shawn nods in agreement. Riley and Maya have been getting closer to what they once had every day and I'm glad. As much as I love having her to myself, Maya is a better person when she's surrounded by everyone she loves.

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"FUNNEL CAKE!!" Maya and Riley shout in unison. I can't help but laugh. These two haven't stopped stuffing their faces for the last 6 hours.

"I thought we were going on rides? Is it really a good idea to fill up on funnel cake before rides?" I ask, chuckling at them. Maya threads her fingers with mine and laughs.

"Can't handle it, Boing?" She says, looking up at me. I dont know if it's the lights, or the sheer excitement that's been written on her face since we got here, but she's never looked more beautiful.

"I don't know how you two can eat so much." I say, ignoring her question. She smiles at me and tells me it's her special talent.

"Agree to disagree. " I say, winking at her. Riley catches on quickly.

"Gross!" She exclaims, rolling her eyes and taking Maya's other hand, pulling her to her side. "Funnel cake and then rides." Riley says, dragging Maya towards yet another food stand.

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"It's 10 o'clock now and they're going to be closed soon. We should head home." A very exhausted Riley says to Maya and I. She's probably right but I'm not done yet. Theres one last ride I want to go on.

"Ferris wheel?" I ask Maya and she nods in agreement.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea, but I guess we can." Riley says, lifting her head from the table. Maya and i exchange a look.

"It's okay honey, you're not invited." Maya says, smiling at Riley as we get up from the table. I'm glad she said it and I didn't have to.

There's no line when we get there, so we get on the ride right away. After securing us in, the ride starts. Slowly climbing towards the top, hand in hand, Maya's head rested on my shoulder.

"I love you." I say, squeezing Maya's hand in mine.

"Josh? What are we?" She says quietly, lifting her head to look at me as the ride comes to a stop when we reach the top.

"I thought we already had this discussion?" I answer her question with my own. Her face falls for a second and then she just looks annoyed.

"We did, but..." She pauses for a second before continuing. "I never had an issue with the age difference, Josh. I wasn't the one who needed the promise of someday to make sense of my feelings for you. You have never had to question where I stand. Summer is almost over, and I need to know " She says.

I don't know what to say. She's not wrong. I have never had to wonder if she was all in or not. Have I given her a reason to think I'm not all in?

"Maya, I..." I start to say, but she cuts me off.

"You know what, Josh? Don't answer that. It's stupid. I'm insecure with the school year starting soon and I..." she says, trying to rush through it all, but I cut her off by placing my lips to hers. She hesitates for a moment, but kisses me back.

I pull back as the ride starts to move again, bringing us closer to the ground. I rest my forehead on hers and she breathes heavily.

"It's you. It's always been you. It's always going to be you. Maya, it was you before I could even admit it to myself." I breathe out. Her lips find their way back to mine while we make our way back to the ground.

"Let's go home." Maya says simply, climbing out of the seat first and taking my hand after I get off the ride. I nod in agreement as we walk over to collect Riley.