breaking the silence

nine

Josh had texted her the address to a brunch joint. Maya stood across the street from it. Judging by the look of the exterior, it was fairly new compared to all the other establishments in the area. She tapped her foot against the pavement, waiting for the signal to cross.

Maya usually was not an anxious person, but it felt quite unnerving being just one block away from seeing Josh again after that incident months ago. She knew the entire meeting was an idea Riley pushed onto Josh, shamelessly guilting him into it. Riley was very persuasive when she wanted to be.

Her thoughts were surrounding her so much at this point that Maya hadn't noticed the green light until the person next to her moved out of her peripheral vision. Maya straightened up and began walking down the street, the light scent of vanilla wafting in the air with her movements. Riley had spritzed her with some perfume earlier. Maya personally did not favour the sweet fragrance on herself, where as on Riley, it was suiting.

A small bell chimed above her as she entered the picturesque restaurant. Maya paused in front of the entrance, her gaze hovering over the moderately crowded place for Josh. Shortly after, she spotted him, waving over at her at a window seat.

"Wow, you look great." Josh stood up with his usual smile, gesturing for her to take the chair across from his.

"Thanks," Maya sat down and kept a neutral expression, despite the remnants of anger that were quickly resurfacing upon seeing his face again.

"So how's life been? You want me to get you something? A coffee, or–"

"Let's skip the small talk," Maya narrowed her eyes coldly. "Why did you want to meet, Josh?"

His charming facade flickered and he averted his eyes, the shift in his demeanour less than subtle. Maya couldn't believe that she had been so blind by his sweet talk in the past. If she wasn't so blunt with him, Josh would have probably sat there with his smile, spewing empty compliments at her until she forgave him. But things were different this time, Maya could see right through his bullshit.

Josh hesitantly met her gaze again. "I've just been thinking about everything that's happened with us for the past several months, and I know I should have reached out-"

"Then why didn't you?"

"I figured that you needed time and space."

"Right," Maya chuckled mirthlessly. "Because you care so much about what I need, don't you?" The heavy sarcasm in her tone was enough to make him wince internally.

"Despite what you may be thinking right now, yes, I do. I know I screwed up and you have every right to shut me out - and I promise we won't even have to see each other again after this if that's what you want, but I'm just asking for one more chance to apologize properly. That's all." Josh pleaded, awaiting her response.

After contemplating this for several moments, Maya nodded for him to continue. "Okay."

"Maya... I was a complete ass for the way I treated you at Topanga's. When we were talking at the ski lodge, I did have real feelings for you and I've always liked you as a person. I don't want you to think that I was stringing you along for fun, because it was never my intention to hurt you. But somewhere along the way, my feelings just changed, and I couldn't bring myself to tell you because... well, I suck at confrontation. I admit I was being selfish and I should have talked to you right away."

Josh ran his hands over his face before raking his fingers through his dark waves. It had already been messier than usual and there were bags under his eyes. Maya assumed it was what came with being a college student (although even her high school classmates were already looking like that) but she briefly wondered if Josh had trouble sleeping at night as well. Maya knew she did.