Since ep2, Maya, is portrayed as the vulnerable sweet little thing the MC is supposed to protect and comfort all the time. Quinn bullies her, Sarah and Melanie mock her, she has a shitty relationship with her father, she must hide her relationship with Josy, she worries about Derek's cheating, she can't deal with the pledges sexual list, she's insecure with the MC because she never felt attracted to a boy before and the list goes on...
I mean she basically spent the whole episode 4 crying and trying to apologise and AGAIN in ep5 the MC has to comfort her because she felt jealous over the fatherly love Josy received from her father. It feels like the MC has to be the "Ken Doll". We don't really see new sides of her character and she clearly lacks moments when she genuinely bonds with the MC and actually offer real support in return.
By comparison, Sage is introduced as the typicall Girl Posse but she has shown hidden depths. The relationship feels more balanced and organic not only because they are actually bonding on several points (guitar lessons, sex-games, mutual dislike of Dawe, romantic issues...) but also because they comfort and support each other. The MC gave her the affection and the attention chad didn't provide and act like a confidant. On her side, Sage spent the whole ep4 helping and warming the MC up. She's more equal and far less needy. Even the whole fuck buddy things become more and more tender and romantic, showing a real progression.
Same thing for Bella and Jill. They share more activities ( Tennis, Yoga, music, cooking, real dates...) and the MC has to be more mature and subtle with them. They have vulnerable side but the MC doesn't have to act like a big brother figure (actually it's the opposite). Their past and connection is also more intriguing.
The fact Maya has to share his plot with Josy don't help either.