Maya

☀︎︎𝑀𝑎𝑦𝑎 ☀︎︎

I find myself back at that same bridge the next day. Just taking in the fresh air and the peace.

We all need a place to escape to sometimes. And I think Greyson has introduced me to mine.

Before I know it, it's Monday again and I am already walking to school. I meet Max at the gate and we walk in together before parting ways to go to our separate lessons.

I walk into my History class a few minutes late as I had to use the bathroom first. My teacher reassures me not to worry that I'm a couple of minutes late.

But I still fell embarrassed that the whole class is already seated and ready while watching me stand at the front after I just walked in.

Since I'm late, my normal seat seems to already be taken. My eyes scan the room and there appears to be only one remaining chair left. So I walk through the rows of occupied desks and chairs and then plop myself down in the chair once I reach it.

Bending over slightly, I pull my laptop, textbook and all the other things I need for history class.

As I glance back up to put my things on my desk, I spot a familiar face seated beside me.

It's Noah. As in, Noah who never comes to school Noah.

But here he is today. And as I turn back towards the classroom to put my things on the desk, I spot him glance over to me just for a second acknowledging my presence. Then his eyes move back over to the teacher at the front.

His hair is slicked back nicely with gel today which gives anyone willing to look a better view of his tattoos which snake all the way down his neck and lower where the dark ink seems to spread across his back as far as I can see from the shirt he is wearing today.

The teacher begins to speak and I hone my attention in on him. 'Has anyone started the group project yet?' His eyes scan slowly over the class looking for any raised hands in the air. But then his eyes stop on me, or what I thought was me. I turn to my side and see Noah's arm is raised high revealing even more ink spreading across his arm.

'Me and Maya have already finished it.' He states before the teacher asks him to speak.

But the teacher doesn't seem to mind him speaking without being called upon, he looks more confused I anything and he asks 'and you  both equally put in the effort?' aiming his question directly at Noah.

I realise that even though I have practically finished the whole project myself, I am yet to see if Noah has worked on anything himself yet. I'll ask him after class.

Noah nods and looks over to me looking like he wants me to support his answer. I decide to go along with it. Turning my head back to the teacher I tell him 'Yes Sir, we have both worked on it together but we aren't quite ready yet to present it.'

The teacher just tells us that its alright and we can present it some time this week when we are ready.

The class goes by pretty fast. We usually sit and do written work but the teacher put on a documentary for a change and it wasn't too bad.

I was too focused on the documentary that my mind wandered so far to the point of forgetting Noah was even sitting next to me. He didn't appear to take any notice of me anyway every time i spared him a couple of glances, he seemed to be doodling on some paper in front of him instead but I couldn't quite make out what it was he was drawing.

Anyway the bell sounds coincidentally right as the documentary finishes. The teacher dismisses us and I hold back a moment and follow Noah out.

He doesn't notice my presence until I call him over to the lockers next to the classroom we just exited. He glances at me in a way which I read to be what do you want?

And as I had predicted, the first word which exits his mouth is 'what?'

There is such a lack of emotion in his tone that I struggle to believe he can have friends he talks to everyday. Unless he only talks coldly to just me that is.

'Just wondered if you had done any work on the project yet.'

His eyebrows furrow, 'you don't remember?'

He must be referring to the night he was in my room a few days ago, but I don't remember anything that happened.

'Remember what?' I ask now intrigued.

'Nothing' he shrugs it off and changes the topic instantly 'I'll email you what I've done, if you read anything that you've missed out, add it into the presentation.'

He turns to leave but I'm faster to bring his attention back, 'and how do you plan on emailing me without my email address?' I state. I wait for an answer but I don't get one. He just stands there looking at me. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a piece of scrap paper and a pen and I jot my email address down and then hand it to him.

He still doesn't so anything so I take that as my cue to leave. I take a couple of steps away and I hear a quiet 'thank you' come from behind me. A hint of a smile begins to appear on my lips at the realisation that that is the first time he has ever thanked me for something.

'You're welcome' I respond before crossing the hallway towards where Max is chatting to a girl.

Max greets me with an awkward smile and a short 'hi' as I approach her.

'Hey' I greet her excited since I've only been able to see her for a short period of time over the past few days.

I glance over to the girl standing next to her who is awkwardly staring down at her shoes to avoid conversing with me I presume.

Max catches on to my gaze and hesitates slightly before saying 'Uh- Maya. This is my girlfriend.'

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Uh-oh, Max has a girlfriend and didn't tell Maya about her.
Is Noah finally starting to warm up to Maya, could he start to become nicer around her?

Next chapter will be updated either later today or tomorrow! <3
Published: 20/8/21