Chapter Thirteen

"Hey Scott!"

"May.. To what do I owe this unpleasant surprise"

Unpleasant!!

"I'm sorry... I just needed to clear up things between us.. I'm sorry about the other day... The Awards night, things came up and I had to show up"

"Seems more like Daniel came up"

"Can you please stop bringing up Daniel... He has nothing to do with this... The blame is on me and I'm sorry"

"You will have to make it up to me... We will have dinner at Loudre's and you will pay"

"I'm not allowed to go on certified dates.. "

"It's not a date per say, just a casual outing that you have to pay for deal?"

"Do I have a choice... Deal it is"

Maya had drafted out her lesson plan with Mr. Drey for later that day... Surprisingly, she couldn't wait to be tutored it's not something her usual self would have said.

They had both been in her class after school hours, minutes after she received her script. The soccer squad usually stayed behind after school for a bit of warm ups... Basically just for fun..

She took the longer route and that was when she met Scott.

No more hiding... She had said and decided to apologize for ditching him. She took the longer route, to avoid contacts with Daniel.

Not another episode..

If they did, he'd stop her and talk.. Not that she didn't enjoy the talks, but his words left her dumb.. Silently melting within... She didn't want to melt... Not there and definitely not then.

"Twice a day!!... Fate"

Oh boy..

"Hey... Daniel" Maya said with her weak fake smile... Which Daniel couldn't detect.

Why are you so perfect!

"You are still at school? After school work, detention... Which is it?"

"Neither.. I was with a teacher"

"The one you were with in the morning... The substitute?"

"Yes.. Him."

"You two seem close."

"It's complicated he's my private tutor."

"That explains a lot."

"Maya, can we talk?"

"Sure..." Maya said as she stared at her wristwatch...

They took identical chairs beside the gym.

"I need your advice on something.. If you don't mind" Daniel began rubbing his hands and Maya noticed sweat forming beneath his palms.

This can't be bad..

"Sure.. I'm all ears.. What's the problem"

"There's this girl I happen to like... How do I know she likes me back and how do I let her know that?"

This is bad.

Maya's countenance fell a bit.. But Daniel didn't notice.. His head was bent low and he still rubbed his palms. She moved a bit away from her seat in discomfort. She cleared her throat a bit then spoke up..

"I really have no advice to give, but if she likes you...back, I guess she would let you know"

"Do you think so.., Is that how it is for girls?"

"I haven't been in your shoes before, but I think so... Why am I the one you are asking, I thought it would be Allie... I came here and learned you guys had a history together.. "

"History.. That's the word for it"

"Well.. I'm no therapist but I know you have to make a move... What you want doesn't just come to you.. " She paused for a bit and he had now looked up to see her speak... She noticed a trail of hot tears and blinked repeatedly to keep them at the station. She needed to leave.

"I need to go, I have tutoring for later today and I have to do some things at home I need to go..."

He stood up just as she did and sat down back head bent, when he had felt that she had gone a few distance away. Maya stopped by and made a quick turn back and saw he still remained the same way she had left him.. Head bent... She let out a few sobs and walked away.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that" Scott said and drew her in for a hug. The sobs soon quickly turned into a pool of hot tears that freely fell from her eyes. She needed that hug...

I thought there was a connection, a spark, I thought it was going to be something... Anything... I thought he did like me... I mean he showed me he cared... He defended me... Was it because I was rude to him one time... It was just one time and it's because I didn't just want to be seen with you... I'm sorry!!

He called me his Queen... How can he like another Now... Oh dear.

"You heard?" Maya asked suddenly loosing grip of his hold, still sobbing

"Yes I did!!...  He's a jerk"

"I have to leave now... Thank you"

She left and all Scott did was to stare. Daniel stood from an angle within eye sight but at a distance which prevented him from hearing their conversation. He came later but just in time to see them hug... He clenched his fist in jealousy, he should have been the one there... Hugging her in her weakest but Scott just had to be there... He let his eyes roll in disgust when after a minute and a half, they were still within each others arms... He was beginning to eke spite for Scott's rivalry.

Two can play the game...

***

"Hi Dad, Hi Mum..Hi Lis"

"May Baby... Blossom..  How was your day?" Maya's parents had asked... Her mother whisked raw eggs in a bowl and her Dad gulped a Can of Soda.... Lisa flipped through the pages of a familiar fantasy tale book... Was it Cinderella or Snow white .... Maya wasn't interested...

"How was your test Blossom?" Mr. Anderson asked when she didn't reply the initial question.

"It was great... I aced"

"Oh come here... You..." Her mum reached out for her for a warm embrace.

"Mum.. I... I need to use the bathroom and rest and have something to eat and a lot if you don't mind" Maya said avoiding her cuddle and politely taking her hands away.

What is wrong with her..

Maya threw her bags on her bed, laid back down and arms stretched... She took off her glasses... Her eyes were Now faced on the flower patterned ceiling... But her thoughts were far from it...

I need to talk to Tess.

"Oh come here... You... Jelly Bean" Tess said with a tease. She stroke her hair.... And gave he gentle pats.

"So if I did get you correctly, Daniel asked for your advice on how to approach the person he liked" Tess said being abstractly calculative and making mental notes.

Maya nodded and then she continued.

"That's not possible... I thought he did like you"

"I thought so too... I have to respect the recent adjustments Now I guess"

"Did you consider the fact that you might be the one he referred to?"

"How do you mean?"

"Perhaps he couldn't tell you exactly how he felt so he might have twisted it into a question."

"I'm not sure... He didn't seem like it..."

"I guess the future will explain better." Tess said hugging her traumatized friend.

Tess wasn't the usual relationship girl... Although in Junior High, she had some unexplainable history with Scott but realized sooner than any other that he considered his friends nothing more than a means to an end and she strongly warned Maya against him.

She was resilient and didn't let her emotions get to her. It was this trait Maya admired the more.

"Miss Anderson... Maya!!"

"Tess I need to leave.. It's my tutor."

"You got a new one?...thought you were done with those?"

"This one is different" Maya said letting out an odd smirk.

"Alright then... Good luck and be careful with Scott.. I know Daniel broke your heart but it's no excuse to find comfort with Scott.. He's the bad guy trust me."

"Whatever you say," Maya mouthed. Maya led her through the back door to avoid contact with her teacher for fear that she might recognize him.

"Mr. Drey.. My parents are at home now and we can't practice with a guitar... They will see it as weird... And can you please cut the British accent and the suit"

"I need to seem professional"

Yea right

"We will meet at my house."

Maya informed her parents that her teacher's 'teaching aid', was at his house so she had to leave...

She took a few books and hopped into his band vehicle with the bold designed inscription 'The Spikes' ... It was a long drive and the bus kept making bumpy sounds at the back.

"Mi Casa Tu Casa," he said when they had arrived.

"You live here....Maya said rather than asked as they pulled over."

"Yes.. Help me with the instruments at the back, would you?"

"Where are your band mates... Moe and Curly right?"

"We practice on Saturdays only.. " They set up some of the instruments at the basement. All practices were held there.

"So... Today, we won't make use of these apparatuses. I'd show you even better apparatuses." He said releasing a mirthless laugh..

He led her past the toilet whose door was slightly open but she dared not look inside

He led her into the kitchen... And to the sink with piles of plates that were unattended to.

"Today's lesson is personal hygiene"

"You must be joking. "

"I'm serious, wash"

"Ain't no way I'm doing your dishes. No way!"

"Can't you see? Learning is all around you. Glass is in the periodic table."

"That's a ceramic and no it's not"

"OK so how about we do my laundry... Surely cotton has to b... "

"Stop... I'm not buying that... I'm only here because you taught me how to bring my music alive and learn.. No one spoke about doing your chores."

"Fine.. Let's go down the basement."

____________________

(Phone conversation)

"Hey Buddy how's over there.. You can't be serious..... (Laughs)... Free wings?... Your favs.... School is fine.... Hey let's not go over the whole you miss me I miss you episode... We're dudes.... I'll see you soon.... Train well... Bye..

"Were you on the call with Jackson!?" Sofie had asked Daniel.

"Sofie!! You gave me a start..."

"Dur!" She replied.

"What do you want?" Daniel asked.

"I need a ride with my friend Molly," she responded, pushing her way further inside his room.

"To?" Daniel countered.

"To the mall silly!"

"Hey.. I'm your older brother you should show me some respect.. "

"By Eight years!!"

"Twice your age"

"So?"

"Listen you might be a jerk, a terrifying brute and an annoying sister... B.. "

"Hey!"

"But.. You are still my sister and I kinda need a sisterly advice," Daniel started.

"Five dollars first!" She replied.

Daniel stuck his hand into his loose pajamas trousers it wasn't night fall yet but he felt comfortable in them and after much hesitation handed over the dollar note to her. She stuck it up to the light to confirm if it was fake or the real deal then replied..

"So what's up?"

"I like a girl bu... "

"Shhh say no more... Go tell her before another does. You still owe me a drive to the mall by the way.. " as she stood to leave.

***

"So that guy... The brunette, the tall one... On ash sweater I saw with you the other day... Who is he to you? "

Daniel.. Can't I just pass a night without a traumatizing thought of him.

"A friend" Maya answered quickly clearing her dry throat and wearing the straps of the guitar, one of Drey's.

"Friend you say? Are you two like a thing? "

"No, Can we please sing?"

"Let me tell you a real quick story about Monique"

"Who's that?"

"She was supposed to be my wife.."

He stopped in sober reflection.

"So what happened?"

"I'll say everything.. "

"Monique meant everything to me.. She was French but spoke a little English...

Always saying... Je t'aime...

Something I understood later to Mean.. I love you

We had planned to name our son Pickles and if it were a daughter... Freckles.

Thank God you guys didn't get married.

"But the night to our wedding,  Monique ran away... She went back to France"

"So sad... But how does this have to do with anything?"

"Boys do have feelings too and I can say for sure that that dude really did like you"

"You think?"

"I know... "

»«»««»«««««»»«»»»

"Scott I'm sorry I'm late.. My tutor kept me"

"It's fine as long as you get to pay... I'm good"

Yea Yea We are over this part

"So what do I get you..."

"On the contrary I got you something"

Scott stood up and made a few steps to behind where Maya sat, he pulled out a pearl necklace and wore it over her..

"Scott... I... This.. "

"Shh.. It's fine... We can eat now... Waiter!"