South ~ A Joshaya Story

Rest in Peace Pt.2

Josh's POV

When we're about twenty minutes away from Philly , Zay mutters something to me .

" Are you close with Maya ?"

" What ?" I whisper back .

" Do you know her well ? "

" What ? Um , no , I don't ."

" Oh ." Zay pulls his eyebrows together in confusion and frustration and leans back in his seat .

What was that about ? I turn around slowly to see Lucas , Maya , and Riley quietly taking about something .

Maya and Lucas are laughing together and Riley's mouth is open in shock . " You're so weird ." Maya says to Lucas , pushing him .

I suddenly feel sick and turn around . Why is Maya so upset with me ? I was just giving her a nickname when I called her a ferret , doesn't she know that ? Did I upset her with something I don't even know about ? What did her and Lucas talk about the other day ? 

  ~~~~~~

When we get to my parents' old house I open my door and go to the trunk to help everyone with their bags , trying to distract myself from the way my eyes are burning .

I quickly grab suitcases and set them onto the ground around me . When I grab Riley's flower suitcase I turn around to see Maya standing there . "Jesus , Maya ." I mutter , looking at her white converse .

" Sorry . " She quietly says back .

As I set Riley's back down , Maya slips past me and starts grabbing bags out of the car . " Stop , " I say to her , " I got it ."

She gives me a small smirk before rolling her eyes . "Scared of a little help ."

I give her a small smile before continuing to pull out bags , with her by my side .

~~~~

" Alright ," Corey says with a shaky voice when Topanga , Katy , Farkle , Auggie, and Ava arrive at our old place . " So Shawn , Topanga , Katy , and I have all decided the room arrangements."

I subtly glance at Maya , who's biting her lip and holding Riley's hand - with Lucas's arm around her waist . I thought they were ' restarting ' ?

" What are they ?" I ask .

" Well , " Shawn starts , " Topanga , Corey , Katy and I will stay in the Matthews old room ." He clears his throat awkwardly.

" And Auggie , Ava -and later- when Eric gets here , will stay in Morgan's old room ." Topanga continues.

" Riley , Maya , Farkle , Lucas , Zay - I thought you guys would like a room together ... so you guys will be staying in Josh's room ." Corey says .

" Where am I staying ?" I ask .

" Well , Shawn and I agreed we don't want all those boys with our daughters , " Corey laughs , " So we want you to stay in your old room and chaperone for us ."

" Of course , anything for my niece and her best friend ." I smile .

Guilt suddenly hits my gut. Corey wants me to watch the group to make sure they don't do anything , but I'm pretty sure if anything were to happen , it would be between Maya and me because I lost control .

It's fine I'll just stay across the room from her .

~~~~

Once we all got all of our things upstairs and unpacked , we went down into the living room and ordered pizzas .