People Change People

MAYA

I woke up to a strange feeling, like something was missing. I rolled around in my bed and noticed that Harry was gone. Before I could go in to panic mode I heard a thud downstairs followed by a “shit!”. I chuckled and rubbed my eyes while reaching for my phone. I scrolled through my phone, no particularly important notifications, more pictures of my mom and Shawn in London. They looked so happy, and it was infectious, I couldn’t help but be happy for them, who wouldn’t? One thing that had caught my attention though, was a singular text from Riley, it read, “Call me when you see this. I have a surprise for you.” I immediately dialed her up.

“Goooooooooood morning Maya!!!” Riley yelled so loudly I had to move my phone away from my ear for a second.
“You know I hate surprises. Spill it Matthews.” I retorted quickly.
“Alright sunshine, I just have to-“ Riley started before I heard moving and muttered cursing on her end, “MOM?! Where are my purple boots?!!”
“Your purple boots? You only break those out for special occasions.” I started, “Does this have to do with my surprise? Which I still hate by the way.”
“Ugh I wish,” Riley responded, “Zay and Lucas won another stupid football game so I have to go to another stupid after party where stupid Missy Bradford will be.” She ended with a grunt.
“Still hate her?” I questioned with a laugh, it felt like forever ago Missy was making moves on Riley’s then boyfriend Lucas, “It was in the seventh grade Riles.”
“She really burns by buns.” Riley answered quickly and I couldn’t help but chuckle, “I mean it Maya, the other day, at cheer practice, she spilt coffee all the back of me! It really, really burnt my buns!” I laughed at Riley’s burnt buns.
“Anyway,” I answered after I had finished laughing, “What’s this surprise about?”
“Oh wow, I almost completely forgot about that.” Riley said quickly, “Well, what is it that... WE’RE COMING TO ENGLAND TWO WEEKS EARLY!!!”
“NO FUCKING WAY!!!” I immediately shot up at this news, joy was overflowing inside me, but I couldn’t avoid the other feeling, panic. Sure, all my best friends were coming way ahead of time, but that also meant Josh was coming way ahead of time.
“YES FUCKING WAY!!” Riley squealed, “Oh peaches, it’s been way too long!”
“Majorly agreed.” I couldn’t deny that I was excited, but everything in me wanted to all together cancel the trip, but I couldn’t do that to Riley.
“Riley! Let’s go!” I heard Farkle yell on Riley’s end.
“Ugh, I have to go Peaches, wish me luck, I’ll see you soon.”
As Riley and I said our goodbyes, I couldn’t help but wonder about Josh. What was his aim? Did he think he could win me back? To me the obvious answer was no, but it might not have been that obvious to him. I shook my head and the thoughts of Josh out of it. I rolled out of bed and picked out an outfit, an actual pair of jeans and a cute tank top. I decided that today I’d do my hair, makeup, and maybe even accessorise. I knew that Harry didn’t care how I looked, but I wanted to look nice for him. After getting dressed, I headed downstairs to find Harry in the kitchen nursing a cup of coffee, with another steaming cup on the counter, presumably for me. He noticed me walk in and walked up to me and placed a firm kiss on my lips.
“Good morning sunshine.” He said sweetly.
“Wow,” I sighed contently, “I still love that.”
“Still love coffee?” He asked while reaching for the cup and placing it in my hands.
“How could I not?” I answered before blowing on the steaming mug and taking a small sip.
“What are your plans for today?” Harry asked while taking a seat at the island.
“Um, I have to do some school for a few hours, and then I’m gonna try to get some painting done in my room. Why do you ask?” I responded.
“I just have to grab lunch with Gemma today. But I was wondering if that Skype session would still be on today?” He asked sheepishly. I didn’t think that Harry meant it when he said that he wanted to “meet” my friends last night, but better yet, was he nervous?
”You still wanna do that?” I questioned.
“Of course I do.” He smiled at me.
“Well then, it’s at 3.” I smiled back.
“Well then it’s a date. But right now, I have to leave before I’m late and Gemma loses it.” He and I both chuckled. He kissed me, almost lovingly, before collecting his coat and leaving.

HARRY

I walked in to the small cafe and immediately located Gemma, she was sitting alone scrolling through her phone and sipping on a cup of tea. I walked up to her and greeted her with a kiss before we both sat down.

“How have you been?” She asked sincerely.
“Good, really really good.” I answered genuinely.
“Do you think that may have something to with a certain blonde American?” She teased.
“Maybe,” I teased back, “I’ve been staying at her house for a few days, her parents aren’t home.”
“Oh no parents,” She said, “Make all the noise you want, right?”
“Behave,” I warned, “It’s not like that.”
“So what is it ‘like’ then?” She asked quizzically.
“It’s real, Gem,” I gushed, “It’s so so real. And I was really scared at first, but with Maya, it’s like, I don’t even have to be scared, it’s just, well I don’t know. It’s just really real, and not to mention amazing.”
“Wow, Harry,” She said, somewhat impressed, “You really like her, how good is she in bed?”
“Gemma.” I warned again.
“Wait a minute!” Gemma gasped, “You haven’t even done it!”
“Could you keep it down?” I whispered, “And no we have not. Maya isn’t ready and I’m not going to push her.”
“That’s sweet,” Gemma said sincerely, “Is she a virgin?”
“Jesus, Gem,” I cringed at her words, “If you must know, she just hasn’t since Josh.”
“Josh? Who is Josh?” Gemma immediately perked up at the sound of fresh gossip.
“Josh,” I sighed rubbing my temples, hearing his name gave me a headache, “Josh is Maya’s ex, I don’t exactly know everything, but let’s just say it didn’t end well. Bad enough to give Maya a panic attack just hearing his voice. Talking about him makes her upset, so it’s another thing I won’t push her on.”
“Ahhh,” Gemma nodded, “So I’m guessing you’re not a fan of his?”
“What kind of question is that?” I scoffed, “Of course I don’t like him. I could never like anyone who hurts Maya.”
“You know, Harry,” Gemma said while reaching over and grabbing my hand, “It may not seem like it, but I really am proud of you, I don’t think I’ve seen you like this with a girl, well, ever really. I’m happy for you, and I couldn’t be prouder that you’ve found her.”
“Thanks Gem.” I smiled sincerely.
“And besides,” She said sipping on her tea, “This Josh bloke is like, a thousand miles away anyway.”
“Well,” I sighed again, “For some fucking reason, he’s coming with all of Maya’s friends to visit her soon.”
“Oh wow,” Gemma sighed, “What did you do when you found out?”
“Well I obviously freaked out at first,” Gemma looked a tad disappointed, “But then, I told her she was staying with me while her friends would be here, she didn’t like that very much.”
“Obviously.” Gemma scoffed.
“We comprised,” I rolled my eyes at her, “Instead I’ll be staying at her place while Josh is there.”
“That doesn’t sound like a half bad idea.” She responded with a smile.


MAYA

I stood in my bedroom and continued looking at the walls next to my bay window. I was content with the finished products, on either wall I had painted murals dedicated to my friends. A purple cat for Riley, a tin robot heart for Farkle, a moral compass for Lucas, and a dazzling, charming, smile for Zay. I moved over to the wall adjacent to my dresser, it wasn’t hard to find inspiration for what I wanted to paint. I had murals dedicated to all of my friends, and now I needed one for my mom. I decided to paint a window, but through the widow was a dark, stormy sky with lightning streaking across the black sky. It may seem dark, especially as a mural to a parent, but it had so much meaning to me. When I was young, and my father left, there was a thunderstorm. I was so scared, the thunder and lightning terrifying me. And there was my mom, she made it so that we were campers, adventurers, and that the lightning were the Northern Lights. My mom erased all my fear that night, and she’s been able to do it ever since. It was 2:30 when I was done painting and I heard a knock on the door. I was immediately excited as I bounced down the stairs and opened the door.

“Oh, you.” I said with unintentional dismay as I looked at my mom and Shawn in the doorway.
“Missed you too, kiddo.” Shawn laughed while bringing in their bags.
“Sorry I was expecting someone.” I answered.
“Was it a certain handsome British boy?” My mom teased, following Shawn in.
“Ugh,” I rolled my eyes at her, “How was London?”
“Oh baby girl it was amazing!” My mom gushed, “You really should’ve been there.”
“And miss the chance to drink all your booze?” I laughed, “No thanks.”
“I hope that was a joke.” Shawn said after he was done taking their bags to their room.
“Obviously.” I winked.
“Hmm, I’m gonna go double check our booze cabinet.” Shawn laughed and headed to the kitchen.
“So how have you been, here all alone?” My mom asked, putting her arm around me as we followed Shawn to the kitchen.
“I haven’t been alone.” I answered, taking a seat at the counter, “Harry’s been with me.”
My mom and Shawn exchanged looks.
”Listen honey,” My mom started, “Shawn and I have been meaning to talk to you, when a boy and girl love each other-“
“Oh ew! Nope. Nope, not listening to this.” I said getting up from the island and walking away.
“But Maya!” Shawn yelled after me.
“La la la la la.” I sung plugging my ears and walked up to my room. I collapsed onto my bed and checked the time, 2:46, Harry should be hear soon. I heard my door swing open and immediately plugged my ears.
“Look I don’t need any weird sex talk please!” I yelled.
“Um, what?” I heard a response.
“Oh shit.” I looked up and it was Harry.
“Well now you’ve ruined my afternoon plans.” He chuckled sitting next to me on the bed and planting a kiss on my forehead.
“Sorry,” I grunted, “My parents were trying to give me a sex talk.”
“I’m assuming you refused?” He laughed. He stood up from my bed and walked over to the murals I had painted.
“Wow Maya,” he sighed, “These are so incredible. You’re ridiculously talented. What do they mean?”
“They’re a tribute to all of my friends.” I answered rising up to join him, “The purple cat you know about. The robot heart is for Farkle, he’s so smart it’s hard to believe he’s a real boy, but I know that robot or not, he has probably the best heart out of all us. The moral compass is for Lucas, how it’s a compass but instead of point to north it’s pointing to good, Lucas always does the right thing, and I think that’s what we all fell for. The smile is for Zay, he’s such a slick, smart ass, he can talk himself out of anything with that stupid smile.”
“I’m glad you told me all that.” Harry smiled down at me.
“Why?” I questioned.
“I feel like I know them a lot better now, I like that.” He responded simply. Before I could respond I heard the distinct ringing of the Skype call.
“Well,” I said sitting back on the bed, “it’s time.”
Harry sat down next to me, we extended our legs and his arm was around me, the laptop sitting comfortably on both of our laps.

“Hey!” They all collectively answered when I hit accept.
“Hey you guys!” I greeted back.
“Wait wait wait, is that mystery man I see?” Zay questioned immediately.
“Um hi.” Harry chuckled.
“Guys, this is Harry, I thought it might be time for everyone to meet officially.” I answered.
“That’s a lie, it was your idea wasn’t it?” Farkle snipped.
“Yeah actually it was.” Harry answered him.
“Who’s ever idea it was I’m glad it’s happening anyway!” Riley said cheerfully.
“It feels right.” Lucas added simply.
“Sounds like something you’d say, Moral Compass is it?” Harry asked looking at me.
“Yup.” I responded, popping the ‘p’.
“Damnit!” Lucas sighed, “Even across continents you still find a way to do that!”
“She’s just that good.” Riley laughed along with the others.
“I’ll bet Harry thinks so.” Zay winked.
“Ew. Don’t need those thoughts.” Farkle said with a look of disgust on his face.
“Shut up you and Riley literally never stop talking about your sex life.” I retorted.
“Well when it’s that good...” Riley said trailing off.
“Ewwwww.” We all said in unision, even Harry, before errupting in to laughter.

After a few hours of meaningless conversation, filling in Harry on the politics of all our New York lives, who Mr. Matthews was and even about the time Riley and I thought we were communists, we hung up the Skype call at 7:51.

“Did you enjoy that?” Harry said sweetly.
“Of course I did,” I responded, “But did you?”
“You know I actually really did,” He said matter of factly, “It was great to get to know them.”
“I’m glad you like them.” I said, “Speaking of which, they’re coming two weeks early, they’ll be here next Saturday.”
“Oh Maya that’s wonderful.” Harry said pulling me closer in his arms, “But that means Josh is coming early too, doesn’t it?”
“Unfortunately.” I sighed.
“You know what? It’s okay. I’ll be here, all your friends will be here, your parents will be here. I don’t want you to worry about anything. We’ll be okay, you’ll be okay Maya.”

Notes

decided to speed things up a bit in terms of maya’s friends coming to england. things are gonna be very dramatic when josh rolls into town. and things are definitely gonna get a little xxx between maya and harry.