Boy meets Girl

Dylan meets Josh

December 12 (2019)
It was a chilling Saturday afternoon when I knocked on the apartment of one Matthews family. Josh said this was where his brother's family lived and to stop by before our date.

I was surprised when I saw Riley answer the door. "Hi Dylan." She said with a smile.

I smiled and waved back. "Hey Riley." I stepped into the apartment examining everything in sight.

Within a matter of minutes I already knew this was a home to a family of four, who usually had friends over, and a dull moment was not allowed once so ever.

"Hi Dylan Moore-Alvarez." Maya calls out from the kitchen table. For the first time since entering the apartment, I notice everyone sitting at the table.

An older couple, Topanga and her husband Cory, my mother still has coffee with her every once in a while. Riley is sitting next to Maya who is sitting across from her father. Our father. My father.

"Hello Maya." I say with a small wave. Knowing now that we are related in a very uncomfortable way gave me some guilt into trying to get along with her.

"What brings you here sweetie?" The nice older woman asks.

Before I can answer Josh appears in the doorway leading to the hallway in the apartment. "Yo!" He calls out gathering everyone's attention. He makes his way over to me placing an arm around my shoulder.

"Dylan, that's my mom and dad, Amy and Alan. That's my brother Cory, sis in law Topanga, my niece Riley and Auggie my nephew is in his room watching cartoons." Josh explains.

Amy and Alan give little waves as everyone else gives soft smiles.

"Guys, this is Dylan, my honey bunny." He said with a smile. God, stop calling me that, it's so.. dorky.

Riley's facial expression comes off as gushy as Maya's comes off a bit.. pissy.

"What? Was Lucas not enough country girl?"

"Maya." Shawn scrolled. She rolled her eyes. "How come she gets Huckleberry and Boing Mc Boingster?"

I couldn't help but get a little aggravated. Lucas and I haven't spoke since lunch last week and Josh and I haven't even went on our first date yet. Officially.

"What's next? Are you going to take Riley from me? Huh? Or Farkle, or Sarah?"

I couldn't stop myself. I would have if I could. "You have the only thing that I really want Maya." I blurt out. I couldn't stop. "And he'll never know that."

Josh froze up as Maya's expression changes. It's the expression that's on everyone's faces now.

"Boy, you must be hungry.." Josh says awkwardly. "Let's go before they run out of snow cones.."He says grabbing my arm and heading towards the door.

"Hey," I protest. "Hay is for horses Honey Bunny." Josh chuckles shutting the door behind us.

On our way to the subway station Josh finally speaks again.

"You can't just drop a bomb like that in front of everyone Dylan." He says looking at me with a frown smile.

He's right. I shouldn't have said what I said. "It's not like I wanted to... it just happened.." I try to explain but I get frustrated.

"She just pisses me off.. ya know?" I return his frown smile and he chuckles. "Yeah, I grew up with Riley and Maya.."

I understand Josh is a about three years older than me. Two and a half if we're getting technical.

I decided to change the subject. "When is your birthday? I asked. He bit his lip as if it was a difficult question.

"February 14th." He answered beaming. "A holiday baby." I say nodding my head. He laughs.

"I was almost a holiday baby." I say skipping to the subway stairs. "Really?" He asks walking along behind me.

"Yup! December 26th." I say taking his arm in mine as we walk down the stairs. I'm still in school because you get held back for birthdays past August..

I notice as we walk Josh has an expression that I can't really read. After we are seated on a bench waiting for our train, he finally speaks.

"What ever happened between you and Lucas?"