South ~ A Joshaya Story

Aftermath

Josh POV

We all grab our bags out of the van and head back into the apartments . No one has talked since the funeral - not really , just a little small talk here and there .

Maya just slept the whole way home - her head on leaning against Lucas' shoulder . I tried my best to ignore it - Riley didn't seem too happy about it either . I don't really know what's going on between all of them , but it's not my part to ask .

Maya and I haven't talked about what happened that night in the bathroom . We haven't talked since the funeral - which was almost forty eight hours ago .

I still can't get over the fact that Maya thinks , I think , that she's broken . Maybe a little shaken up , sure , but definitely not broken - she's actually one of the strongest people I know .

We all go through the apartments into the Matthew's house . Riley , Maya , and I end up alone . We dropped Farkle , Zay , and Lucas off , and Shawn and Katy went home , but Maya wanted to stay with Riley .  Corey and Topanga went to put Auggie to bed , then went to bed themselves .

" So ..." Riley starts , sitting on the couch . Maya soon follows . " What do we do now ?"

I sigh and sit on the other side of Riley. " You two should get to bed , Maya and you have school in the morning . " I never thought I'd use ' Maya ' and ' Bed ' in the same sentence . Once I realize this , something in my stomach turns and I feel my face heat . A wanting forms . " Me too , actually ! " I frantically say , shooting up . I clear my throat . " Goodnight , guys ! "

I quickly walk off and grab my suitcase before heading into my room .

                                   ~~~~~~~~~

I walk into the living area the next morning to see Corey , Topanga , and Auggie sitting at the table , eating breakfast .

" Where are the girls ? " I ask sitting down on the bench and grabbing a piece of toast .

" Oh , they always leave early and head over to Topanga's to eat there with their friends ." Corey  says .

" Oh , really . " I say . " Well , I was gonna ask them if they had any places they liked hanging out at , but it looks like I'll be going there later today while you're all at work and school . "

" That sounds like a great idea ! You haven't been to my place yet have you ? " Topanga asks me .

" No , I have not ."

" When do you start school again ? " Topanga asks .

" Well , I start next semester - so that's in a little over a month . "

" That's not too far . You'll be good won't you ? " Topanga jokes .

" Of course not . " I smile back .

" I was thinking , " Corey starts , swallowing his eggs . " do you maybe want to come to school with me today - to see what it's like - since you want to be a teacher and all ? "

" That's actually a great idea . " I nod , shocked that I haven't thought about this before . " I would love to come ! "

" Great ! We'll head out in a few minutes . I have a new student so I need to leave a little earlier than usual , but I'll just drop you off at my office before I do so . "

" Sounds great . I'll go get dressed . "