South ~ A Joshaya Story

Movie Night 2.5

Josh's POV

When we reach the apartment , Lucas and Maya run off into Riley's room , leaving Riley and me alone in the living room .

     I sigh and sit down on the couch , resting my head in my hands .

" What's going on between you and Maya ? "

My heart instantly drops into my throat in fear . Is it that obvious that Maya and I have feelings for each other ?

 " W-what ? " I stutter .

" Come on , Uncle Josh !  " She exclaims , sitting on the couch next to me .

" I don't know what you're talking about ."

" What's holding you back ? " She turns and faces me  . Hope shining in her eyes . " All Maya ever does is talk about you - and the way your eyes light up when I say her name ! " She sighs . " You tense up when she enters the room - and sulk when she leaves it . You can't help but look at her every chance you get - "

" Riley , please - stop . "

" Why ? Why won't you just admit it to yourself - Maya likes you too - "

" I have admitted it to myself Riley , " I sigh and run my fingers through my hair , giving myself a second to think . " But , it's not possible for us to be together . "

" She's seventeen , Josh ! "

" It doesn't matter , Riley ! I don't want Maya to regret us in future when she's older - I don't know if I have enough self - "

She interrupts, " She's not going to regret anything with you ! " Riley gets up and stands right in front of me , getting really serious . " Maya has liked you for years - she knows what she wants . "

Riley isn't wrong there ... Maya has liked me for years and hasn't changed her mind yet . " She's just a kid though , Riley . "

   " Oh my god , Josh , you didn't - she's seventeen . She's almost an adult . "

   " Yes , but I'm almost done with college - Maya hasn't even graduated yet .

  " So ? Who cares ? "

    " The adults will . "

  She rolls her eyes . " What are you talking about - you're an adult , too , you can make your own decisions . " She mocks .

     " No , Corey and Shawn won't be too happy about me dating Maya . "

   Riley's face has completely fallen by the end of my sentence .

   She sits down on the coffee table and thinks for a few moments before continuing , she whispers " Don't tell them then . "

   " That won't work forever - "

  " Just until Maya is eighteen , then she can make her own decisions . "

   " I.... I don't know ... " 

 " Just don't tell anyone , really ..."

   " I don't know , Riles . "

 " Go talk to her . "

  " What ? "

 " Go talk to her . "

" She's with Lucas ....? I don't want to interrupt them . "

 " Well then go knock on the door - Lucas has probably already left ."

 I hesitate .

  " Go , Josh ! You and Maya need to get together already . "

 I stand up . " I'll go talk to her . I'm sure she needs someone to talk to ,  right now ."

" Go get er' , " Riley smiles .

I smile back before leaving the living room and going down the hall .

  I stop in front of Riley's room and put my ear against the door - sure , I shouldn't be easedropping , but I don't want to interrupt anything . I hear nothing , so I knock on the door and open it , not waiting for Maya's dismissals .

Maya is sitting in the bay window - she takes her head out of her hands as soon as I open the  door . " Please , leave . " She whispers , looking down .

I shut the door behind me before walking up to her and offering my hand . " You don't want me to leave . "

   " Yes , I do . " The beautiful girl says , breaking my heart as she ignores my hand by putting her head in her hands again.

 I sigh and sit next to her . " Well , I'm not going anywhere . I'm here . Always . "

And I do something I'll yell at myself for later .

I put my hand on her knee .

Maya instantly raises her head and turns it towards me , shock on her face . I clear my throat at the awkwardness of my actions .

  " Sorry . " I mumble , taking my hand off her knee . I feel the heat rising in my face , so I look down at the wooden floors .

 " What are you doing in here , Josh ? " Her voice sounding hoarse from multiple different things...

 " Honestly , Maya ... I don't know .. "

 She sighs and puts her head back in her hands , not wanting me to see her tears .

 " I'm sorry . "

  " For ? " She says , muffled from her hands .

" I've ruined the night for you - I made you cry earlier , before the movie , then I made you feel like you had to talk to Lucas , so here you are , crying again . Because of me . "

  Maya lifts her head up , a fresh set of tears falling down her face . " You were right ,  though . I needed to talk to Lucas . It wasn't right of me to let Lucas think he had a chance with me , while I don't want anyone but you ... even though I can't have you ."

 " You did the right thing ... " Wow I sound like an ass .

" I'm not giving up on us yet . " She whispers .

" I'm not either . " I wasn't expecting myself to say that.

Maya exhales with a smile . " What ? "

  " I think we can make this work . "

" We can . " Determination in her voice.

 I grab Maya's hand and interlock our fingers . " I don't know when yet , but I know right now , I just want to sit here with you . That might make me a terrible and selfish person , but you need me and I need you . "

 " It doesn't make you terrible . "

I look into Maya's icy blue eyes and see nothing but hope shining in them ...

I quickly look down before the stare gets too intense and smile at our interlocked hands .

" Why not now ? " Maya asks after a few minutes of silence .

" I don't know yet . "

" Well , I think we should start now ... " She trails .

 I laugh before saying " Of course you do , Maya . "

 She laughs , too , then rests her head on my shoulder . " I'll be patient . "

" I know you will . " I smile , resting my head on hers .

For about an hour , we just sit there - just like that . Eventually , Maya falls asleep . So , I pick Maya up and place her on Riley's bed , place a blanket on top of her , and turn the lights off before I go .