Chapter Three

                                    

                                          
I needed to focus on what Riley said earlier, he's a player and I can't fall for one of those guys. Josh. Just hearing his name drove me to a land of baby blue birds singing melodies. I wasn't going to play his game, he was going to play mine. 
                          
"SHAWNIE!!!" I could hear Corys reunion with his best friend. 
                          
I've been told great stories about this Shawn character. The entire Matthew's family has told me countless time that we are similar. I guess it's probably just because trouble attracts me and I have several layers of issues. 
                          
Our eyes both came in contact as we studied one another. He was handsome, like Blake Shelton handsome. The kind of attractiveness that you don't particularly categorize as "hot" or "cute" because they have their own category. They are the kind of guys that you would be fortunate enough to have as your husband. 
                          
"So this is us?"  Shawn said referring to Riley and I. There's no way they could come close to sharing what we had. 
                          
"Yes!" Cory said proudly. 
                          
I could definitely see how Riley and Cory correlated. I mean for one she's his daughter but secondly they both share that same good hearted, naive behavior. They were both quirky and bubbly as well. As of Shawn, I doubt we are anything alike.
                          
"I don't see it." Shawn and I spoke in unison. 
                          
"Me either." Added Josh. 
                          
He slid by me and whispered "you're way cuter."  So that only I could hear. 
His voice paralyzed my entire body.
                          
I looked over and he winked at me. His wink was like a bullet spiraling towards me, it left me wounded.
                          
I bit my plump pink lips in frustration but I could tell it amused him. He kept his eyes locked to my lips from across the room. I was having fun with this so I bit it one more time to tease him. 
                          
" Well, you should both talk about your families and situations. It will definitely  clear things up" Riley chimed in. 

                          
JOSH's POV
Maya walked off with Shawn so that they could discuss their lives. I knew Shawn,  my parents always tell me how lucky I am when I'm acting greedy or ungrateful that I didn't have shawn's life. They would tell me traumatizing stories about Shawn's lack of a family. I didn't realize Maya had it that rough. When Riley mentioned that the two should talk about their similar family situations, I came into realization. Maya is a tough girl, this added to her level of beauty. I shouldn't be messing with her but I couldn't help it. She's adorable. She's three years younger so I would refuse to date her but I just wanted her to want me. I would get her to shown interest in me this week and then I would go home  so that I wasn't seen as a bad guy.  
                          
She didn't seem to even be close to liking me. Most girls melt at the thought of me chasing after them but she was different. She was putting up walls, walls that I intend on breaking down. 
                          
She walked back in and smiled at Shawn. 
                          
Her smile was so pretty. She had these deep dimples and pearly white teeth, along with those luscious, soft lips. She had long golden hair that looked like beautiful ocean waves that you could swim in. She was short and tiny but I found it so damn cute. I wanted to just pick her up and kiss her.
                          
MAYAs POV
Josh had his eyes fixed on me, I don't think he knew how intense his eyes were burning through my head. 
                          
"Dinner is ready!" sang Topanga. 
                          
Everyone arrived at the table within seconds. Josh took a seat next to me and I felt flustered. My dainty legs were shaking and I felt thankful for doubling up on deodorant this morning. On the other side of me sat Shawn. I felt comfortable  around him and we had just met. Our conversation opened my eyes to the fact that I'm not alone, other kids have horrible family lives as well. At least I'm lucky enough to call these lunatics my family. I felt Josh's hand skim past my thighs. What is he doing? He was still reaching and he was long past my legs, he was within centimeters of Shawns legs. I placed my hands firmly on the table so that Shawn wouldn't mistaken the lingering hands for mine.
                          
"WOAH." Shawn jumped.
I looked over and smirked at Josh. He over estimated the placement of my thighs and squeezed Shawn's instead. 
                          
"Dude what was that?" Shawn questioned still in shock. 
                          
Josh's cheeks were a vibrant shade of pink. He was so embarrassed, it made me feel victorious.
                          
Shawn looked over at me and then over towards Josh. I think what had just happened clicked in his brain and he appeared angry at Josh's intentions. 
                          
"Please don't touch my thigh. Our age difference is important to think about when pressuring me and toying with me." Shawn disguised his protectiveness as a joke. No one understood he was discreetly referring to me, only Josh and I understood his comment. The entire table bursted in laughter at what they thought was Josh's innocent mistake. The only faces not taken over by laughter were Shawn,Josh's, and I. Josh looked completely swept over with embarrassment and confusion at Shawns "joke". 
 I smiled to myself. Shawn cared about me, he didn't want me to break anymore. I also enjoyed that Josh got humiliated in the process. A small part of me felt bad for him, when he was embarrassed I just wanted to take him into a long hug and shelter him from the world. 
                          
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I know these are short but there is some interesting stuff coming soon! I just am working on developing the characters and giving you a clearer understanding of the feelings exchanged between Maya and Josh.
What will Josh do next to "win" my Maya? Will Shawn be looking out for her now that he knows Josh has an interest in her? Will Riley find out about Maya's conflicting emotions? How will she react? Will another guy come into the picture? Find out in the next couple of chapters :))