The Long Game | Josh Matthews and Maya Hart {Joshaya}

Chapter 16 - Grade

Maya's POV
This week has been so tough. Where do I even begin? Of course, Riley is so obsessively happy that it helps me. However, I think my levels of sanity are slowly decreasing. Like, not really but...kind of. Anyway, I entered my piece for the art contest. It's not like amazing but, I'm proud of it. So is Josh. He genuinely cares so much. This is why I love the Matthews'. Oh, and by the way, it's Friday. So...that's good, I guess! Um...the weather's been amazing too...so, you know...that's nice.
3rd Person POV
Maya and Riley walked to school. Riley was rambling on about how amazing this generation is, revealing how she sees the good in pretty much...everyone! Maya listened to her speech, as usual. Riley was always the person to give Maya that little bit of hope or happiness to get her through the day. "Okay, I'll see you in an hour?" Maya asked. "Yep! Remind me that I have a charity event today!" Riley smiled and practically skipped to class. Maya chuckled and went to her first class. She sat down...by herself.
Maya's POV
Sitting alone again...I'm not that bothered by it. I just wish I had someone to talk to. I slump in my seat and rummage through my backpack for a pen. I see a group of girls out of the corner of my eye. I glance up. They're all wearing hot pink with their hair in tight buns. They walk towards the table and sit down. I flash a smile. I shouldn't judge them by their appearance. One girl, who's wearing a mesh crop top, turns to the boy behind her and they make out. Can I judge them now? Look, I've kissed Josh at school. But, we're usually alone and they're short, quick, meaningful kisses...not full-on make out sessions. I clear my throat and open my binder. The girls look at me. "Hey, sluts. Look who it is...a newbie." A girl slurs and smiles at her "posse." I tuck my hair behind my ear and force a small laugh. "Which sorority are you in?" Another girl says, twirling her hair. I just look down at my books. "She's not much of a talker, is she, girls?" The "leader" girl smiles. Someone, save me. I take a deep breath and focus on writing down some upcoming assignments from the board. Just as I almost get up to go compose myself, Josh walks in. Thank God! I forgot he's in this class on Fridays. He sits in the chair right beside mine and I scoot a little closer to him. "So...make some new friends?" He whispered to me. I give him the Are you kidding me? look. He looks at the girls cackling loudly and flirting with frat boys. He giggled his way to my lips but, we broke the kiss. We're not that big on PDA. One girl spins her head around and leans down so that her bra shows. She bites her lip. "What's your name, sexy?" She flirts. The other girls smack their gum. He laughs nervously and puts his arm around me. "Uhh...Josh." He mumbled. I clear my throat again and click my pen. Josh kisses my cheek. The girls roll their eyes and turn towards the board. "Good morning, everyone." Professor Williams says. "Good morning." We say. "Today, you'll be given an excerpt from William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Your job is to write a 10-page essay on the controversy and symbolism of this play in it's time. If it were me, I'd also mention the evolution of tragedies from Shakespeare's time to now. Being a fairly reasonable person, I will give you a week to do this but, I would not suggest putting it off. Now, as I hand out your rubrics and excerpts, I will also hand out your essays from last week. And, I'll just say, I was very pleased with most of your work." He said with a sympathetic smile. Professor Williams is one of my favorite teachers. He walked up and down the isles, handing out papers. He got to my desk and layed the paper face down. "I'm a little disappointed. Not your best work, Ms. Hart." He whispered and kept walking. Josh didn't hear. I slowly flipped the paper over. 31/65...F. Oh, no. My stomach fell to my feet and I already had blurry vision. I was shaking a little. This was an important essay. This was supposed to be one of our easiest ones. Professor Williams expected amazing grades. And...I, I failed. I try to shake it off my mind and just focus on our new assignment but, I'm fighting back hard tears. Josh noticed and sits up straighter. He looks at the paper and then me. His expression becomes upset and he holds his arm around me tighter. "Maya, you're so smart and a wonderful student. Professor Williams gives us essays every week. Listen to me, you'll get better grades. You'll do better." He whispered with a sweet tone. That made me feel a little better. "Looks like little AP student got her first college F." A girl said with a sinister look. I feel it happening. I get dizzy and overwhelmed. I feel myself faint into Josh's arms.

A/N: Hi guys! I know it's been a bajillion years but, I finally got this update up. Thanks for all positive support! What will happen to Maya??? Don't forget to check out my Riarkle book...you know, if you want. ☺️
Erin❤️