Entangled Lives

Elana Monroe
Two Days Later
New York, New York

The studio was eerily quiet, a stark contrast from its usual bustling and lively vibe. I stood in front of the Renaissance painting, staring at its features. The silence was...oppressive, amplifying the thoughts swirling in my mind.

My face felt tight with intensity as I began to conserve this painting. My hands moved with practiced precision, but my eyes were distant, lost in a sea of thoughts. Each stroke was automatic, my body moving through the motions while my mind replayed the last conversation I had with Chris.

My brows furrowed in concentration, but it wasn't the painting that held my focus. The argument with Chris, my feelings for Kori, the media and higher ups- it all weighed heavily on me.

"Life was better when I didn't have anyone." I whispered to myself as I picked up another tool before accidentally dropping it, the clatter breaking the silence and slightly startling me. I sighed deeply and walked away from the painting to sit down. "This is pointless."

I stood to my feet and packed up before leaving the studio. I couldn't focus for the life of me and the last thing I wanted to do was mess up anything else.

Maya Williams

I stood in the doorway of Elana's room and watched her lie there staring at the ceiling. Something was wrong. She was quiet and fake smiling when I was around and I hated that.

"You okay?" I asked and she sat up, looking at me.

"Yea i'm fine. Just sleepy." I nodded my head.

"I know i'm young but...if you need to talk then I'm here. I mean we are best friends." Elana smiled at me and nodded her head.

"Thank you, Maya." I nodded my head before turning around and leaving.

I quickly went to my room and called Auntie Paris.

"Auntie Paris, you busy?"

"No wassup and why are you whispering?"

"I don't want Elana being nosy but there's something wrong with her and I wanna cheer her up. Can you send me some money?"

"How much you need?"

"$100 should be enough." I said as I opened Instacart. Soon my phone buzzed with a notification telling me auntie Paris sent me $200. "$200?"

"Yea just get whatever you need and want." I smiled brightly and nodded my head.

"Thank you! I'll call you in a little while." I hung up the phone and started putting items in my Trader Joe's cart and ordered the groceries.

I love Elana and she's been the best foster mom a girl could ask for so I was determined to cheer her up, get her smiling and talking again.

Elana Monroe

"Lanaaaa?" Maya sang as she entered my room. I stepped out of the bathroom and fixed my bonnet.

"Yes?"

"Dinner's ready! Wash those hands and meet me in the kitchen." Maya happily left the room and I smirked with a confused expression. Once I finished washing my hands, I walked into the kitchen and laughed lightly and the plethora of meals in front of me. "I didn't know what you were in the mood for soooo I just did about everything you like from Trader Joe's." I smiled at Maya and opened my arms for a hug.

"Thank you, Maya."

"You're welcome. Just wanted to make you happy since you've been a little down lately."

I didn't realize it was that obvious. I thought I was hiding it well enough but it's clear Maya saw right through me.

"I'm so glad you did this cause I was most definitely craving a Quesobirria taco." I said as I sat down across from Maya.

"Same! That and these dumplings I've been seeing on TikTok."

We ate in a comfortable silence, savoring the flavors of the food. Each bite bringing a small measure of comfort, a temporary distraction from the chaos in my mind.

"I didn't know you could cook like this." I said to Maya and she smacked her lips.

"All I did was read the instructions and throw it in the oven or microwave." We both laughed, the tension easing from my shoulders. Maya's laughter was infectious and soon we were swapping funny stories. After finishing our meals, Maya insisted on cleaning up, giving me a chance to relax.

"You and Chris not on good terms?" Maya asked suddenly as we lied in her bed.

"Not really but we'll figure it out." I said looking at her. "But I wanna hear about Lance. Soooo what's going on girl." We both turned on our side and faced each other with smiles on our faces.

"Well after our date, we've been talking more. He even walks me to class and carries my books if I have them in my hand."

"Awwww how cuteeee. You should invite Lance over for dinner one day." Maya smiled.

"Really?!" I nodded my head as I smiled as well.

"Wait...what if he only sees me as a friend and not like a girlfriend? That would be awkward."

"The boy is walking you to class and holding your books!! And he asked you on a date!! He likes you."

"Oh thank you Jesus!! Because I don't wanna be delusional like the girls on TikTok." I laughed and shook my head.

We continued talking a little while longer before falling asleep in Maya's bed. The steady rhythm of her breathing was soothing, and for the first time in two days, I felt a little more peace.

It was the next day and I was in Central Park taking a walk as I further cleared my head. The wind felt refreshing as it kissed ny skin hi and goodbye. As I walked around, I spotted Kori who was taking photos.

"Morning, Mr.Loxley." I said as I walked towards him. Kori turned around and flashed his dashing and infectious smile.

"Well look who it is. How you doing, Lana?" Kori gave me a quick but affectionate hug as he looked down at me.

"I'm doing okay. Just decided to take a stroll and clear my head." Kori looked at me and studied my face before smirking and shaking his head.

"Come on, let's sit down and talk." Kori and I walked side by side to a nearby bench under a tree and sat down. "Alright what's going on?"

"Nothingg." Kori looked at me and I laughed softly. "Can I be real with you?"

"Always." His body turned towards me as he listened intently.

"I like you, Kori...but I also have feelings for someone else as well. And I want to be honest because I don't want you to feel like i'm leading you on or playing you." Kori nodded his head slowly.

"You and him together or?"

"No! We're just friends...well after the argument we just had I'm not really sure anymore. I'm just trying to figure some things out."

"Look, I get it. Sounds like a situation I'm all too familiar with to be honest." Kori laughed softly. "Listen, I like you too but I enjoy the friendship we have even more and I don't want to rush and mess that up. So with that being said, let's just take this slow and figure it out along the way. Sound cool?" I smiled and nodded my head.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Now give me a real hug cause I don't like that church hug you tried to give me earlier." I laughed and stood up, hugging Kori tightly. "Come on, let's take some more photos." I nodded my head and we continued to walk around the park talking, laughing, and taking photos.

A minor weight was lifted off of my shoulders now that Kori and I talked. But the rest of the weight was Chris and I...like what was gonna happen next? Was he ever going to talk to me or was I ever going to talk to him? I don't know...only time will tell.

(I was gonna wait to post this but decided to just go ahead and give it to y'all🩵)

(Excuse any mistakes)