Maya Matlin's life wasn't quite as perfect as everyone else thought it was. She had secrets. Secrets that no one knew, not even Campbell, her boyfriend or her sister Katie. No, Maya's life was far from perfect. She wasn't quite sure when it happened, when she just stopped being happy. It was probably when she realized she'd always come in seconds to Katie. Her parents loved Katie more. They were so proud of Katie for dating Jake and beating bulimia and her drug addictions that they'd all but forgotten that they had two daughters.
It was now 9 o'clock on a Tuesday night and the young girl was sitting on the counter in the bathroom, a cold blade was resting against her hip and three angry gashes in contrast to her pale skin. Her eyes were red from crying but she'd finally stopped, allowing the pain to take over her body. It was her first time and Maya hadn't expected it to feel so good. Why couldn't she be good enough? For her parents, for Zig back when she had feelings for him, or for her sister Katie. She'd never admit it to anyone but all Maya wanted was to be noticed, especially by her big sister. Maya was brought of her thoughts by a knock on the bathroom door.
"Maya hurry up! I have to shower!" Katie yelled.
The blonde girl's eyes filled with tears. The only time her sister would acknowledge her was when she had to. The younger girl couldn't remember the last time she and her sister had hung out, just the two of them. Or even had a good conversation for that matter. She quickly applied pressure to her cuts, gently cleaning them and placing a long bandage over the three cuts. She pulled up her pajama bottoms and cleaned the blood off of her razor, making sure that there were no signs or proof of what she'd done.
Shaking her head, the blue-eyed girl got out of the bathroom and brushed by her sister, trying desperately to keep her sobs at bay until she could get to the safety of her bedroom and lock the door.
Katie was taken back, no response from her sister until she ran by her but before Maya could hide her face Katie saw her little sister's red eye and tear tracks on her cheeks. Instantly the taller girl felt horrible for yelling at her sister. Obviously something was seriously wrong because she'd never seen her baby sister cry before.
Running a hand through her long black hair, Katie turned on her heel and followed her sister. She tried to open her sister's door only to find it locked. "When did she start locking her door?" Katie thought to herself.
"Maya? Are you okay?" Katie called softly.
"Go away! I'm fine." Maya yelled, her voice broke no matter how desperately the young blonde tried to keep the hurt out of her tone.
"My, I know something's wrong. Talk to me." Katie ordered sympathetically.
She was met with silence. Katie sighed; she knew that her baby sister Maya had inherited the same stubborn gene that she had. Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten Katie's ability to let other people in, like she had with Marisol and Jake and even Drew.
Maya sat on her bed and cried her eyes out. She'd shoved her head underneath her pillow she her sister wouldn't hear her cries. The younger Matlin knew it was only a matter of time before her sister gave up and left her alone with her misery.
Sure enough, Katie gave up. After sitting outside of her sister's door for fifteen minutes she sighed, got up, and walked into the bathroom. She tried to convince herself that if something was seriously wrong with her sister, Maya would come talk to her but Katie couldn't help the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was seriously wrong with her baby sister.
It was 10 o'clock when Maya stopped crying. All she felt was numbness. The numbness that started in her hip where the fresh cuts were and went all over her body, causing her to feel absolutely nothing. She was quickly brought of her depressing thoughts when her phone beeped, indicating she got a text. She quickly opened it and felt her heart speed up when she saw it was Campbell Saunders, her boyfriend.
Hey gorgeous, I just wanted to say goodnight to the most beautiful girl in the world. I know we've only been apart for a few hours, but it seems like a lifetime. I'll give you a ride to school tomorrow if you want. Can't wait to see you babe –Cam.
Maya sighed, that had to be the sweetest text she'd ever gotten. That's one of the many things she loved about Cam, he was always there for her. She still had some insecurities, a lot actually. She was always second, to everyone. But not to Campbell, he was the first boy to notice her and he was the first guy that made her star struck. Ever since the day she met him, she hadn't been able to get Campbell Saunders out of her head.
Hey superstar, I can't wait to see you either. I ride sounds great, more time with my favorite guy See you at 7. –Maya
The young blonde felt the familiar feeling of butterflies in her stomach when she thought of her boyfriend. Cam really was her savior. With his adorable half smirk and those mesmerizing eyes, he made everything seem okay again. They hadn't been dating for very long, really it had only been a month and a half but she was falling in love with him. It was scary and new but she trusted him. Of course she was too scared to tell him, but she was completely in love with Campbell Saunders. For the first time it what seemed like forever, Maya went to bed with a smile on her face.
Katie got out of the shower and dressed into comfortable pajamas. Physically, she was doing great. She was back to playing soccer, her new haircut looked great, her grades were great and she had her amazing boyfriend Jake. On the inside, she was freaking out. Her sister was crying alone in her room and Katie had absolutely no idea why. She missed the days when she and Maya used to share everything. Now it was like she didn't even know her little sister anymore. The raven-haired girl knew her sister's friends were Tori, Zig and Tristan and that she was dating Campbell Saunders. She didn't really know the boy and had only met him once when she chaperoned their first date.
Katie decided it was time that she had a talk with this Saunders boy. After all, he could be the reason that her baby sister was crying and if he wasn't, maybe he knew what was wrong. Tomorrow, Katie decided she would corner the hockey superstar before school.
Maya woke up the next morning more tired than usual. She sat up quickly, wincing in pain as she did. She'd forgotten about the cuts on her hip. She quickly pulled down her pajama bottoms only for find that she'd bled through the bandage. With panic in her eyes she raced to the bathroom only to find it locked. Her parents had already left for work meaning she was alone with Katie and her bleeding hip.
"Katie come on! Get out of the bathroom!" Maya shouted the panic seeping into her voice as she pounded on the door.
Katie had never heard her sister sounds so panicked; she quickly finished her makeup and opening the door. Stepping out of the bathroom slowly she was met with a panicked Maya who raced by her and into the bathroom.
"Maya what's wrong? Are you okay? Are you sick?" Katie asked frantically.
Katie tried to open the bathroom door but her little sister slammed it in her face. Katie let out a frustrated groan.
"Maya talk to me!" Katie begged, desperate for her sister to let her help.
"Like you even care!" Maya snapped. She worked quickly, ripping off her bandage, her body tensing as she prepared for the pain. She took deep breaths to manage through the pain without making any noises that would set off her usually absent sister.
Katie was taken back again; Maya thought she didn't care about her?
"Maya stop being stupid, of course I care about you, you're my little sister." Katie replied softly. She never knew that Maya felt that way but maybe she was just having a rough morning. There was no way her baby sister thought she didn't care about her, Katie tried to reassure herself.
Maya rolled her eyes and said nothing. She quickly changed her bandage and wrapped the old one up and threw it away in the bottom of the garbage where she was sure her sister wouldn't look. She applied light make-up, just the way Cam liked it. The thought of him relaxed her enough to fool her sister into thinking she was fine.
Maya quickly excited the bathroom and tried to walk by her sister who was still waiting for her on the other side. Katie wouldn't have it though; she grabbed the blonde's wrist and spun her around.
"What the hell Maya? Tell me what's going on!" The older Matlin demanded.
"Nothing Katie! God, I'm fine. Now let me go I need to get dressed." Maya said calmly, not looking up to meet her sister's gaze.
"That's bullshit and you know it." Katie snapped at her sister. When did things get like this? When did her baby sister get so closed off?
Maya sighed; Katie had that look in her eyes. The look she got when she wanted something and wouldn't stop until she got it.
"Look Katie I have a huge French test today okay? I'm stressing and I just want to get to school. I'm sorry okay?" Maya lied with all the sincerity she could muster.
Katie's eyes softened but she didn't release her sister.
"My, why didn't you tell me? I'm great a French I could've helped you." Katie asked gently. She softened her grip on the younger girl's wrist.
"Yeah I know, you're great at everything." Maya scoffed, pulling free of her sister and storming into her room, leaving Katie standing there even more confused than before.
Maya quickly changed into her school uniform, pulling on Cam's jacket that he'd left at her house. She couldn't help but smile because it smelled like him. The jacket instantly made her feel safe. She grabbed her phone to see she got a text
I'm out front. Can't wait to see you –Cam
Maya giggled, she grabbed her school bag and was about to race out the door only to be stopped be her sister.
"Where are you going?" Katie asked icily. She really didn't want to let her sister of her sights right now. She knew she was annoying her baby sister but that didn't help the sinking feeling in her stomach.
"I got a ride to school." Maya replied casually.
"I take you to school Maya, you know that. Mom and Dad would kill me if I let you go with anyone else." Katie said shocked.
"I know but Cam just got a car and he offered me a ride and said yes. What mom and dad don't know won't hurt them. I gotta go, he's outside." Maya said quickly, stepping around her sister and slipping out the door.
Maya raced to the end of her driveway to see Cam leaning on the car waiting for her. His adorable smile was in place on his face and his eyes seemed to light up as he saw her. Maya felt a swirl on happiness as she ran into his arms and he kissed her softly. When they broke apart their faces were just inched apart.
"Hi beautiful." Cam exhaled, his brown eyes meeting his girlfriend's icy blue.
"Hey Superstar." Maya giggled.
The handsome hockey player opened the car door and gestured for his beautiful blonde girlfriend to get in, wiggling his eyebrows.
Maya giggled.
"Why thank you. And who says chivalry is dead?" Maya joked.
Cam kissed her forehead and walked around to the driver's seat and drove them both to school. While they were driving Cam reached over and took the blonde girl's hand. She was being unusually quiet today and Campbell was getting a little worried.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" Cam asked curiously
Maya couldn't help the smile that instantly took over her features. He really did notice her. Not one person in her life noticed when she was upset except Katie lately, which is weird.
"Nothing, just lost in my own head." Maya replied softly, not looking over at him.
The boy with sandy hair gave her a look as if to say try again so she laughed softly.
"It's nothing, there is just this new song that we're playing in whisperhug and it's difficult." Maya explained. She didn't like lying to her boyfriend but she didn't want him to worry about her.
Cam nodded, excepting the answer but making a mental note to be more watchful over his girlfriend. Soon they were at Degrassi and walking towards their lockers. Cam walked with Maya over to her lock, gently holding her hand as they walked through the hallway. The warning bell rang and neither of the two wanted to leave.
"I wish we had more time together." Maya groaned.
"You and me both babe." Campbell laughed, pulling May closer and wrapping his arms around her waist.
Looking deep into his chocolate brown eyes the young blonde found herself getting lost. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close for a deep kiss. The young jock deepened the kiss, moving one hand into his girl's long soft hair and Maya found herself getting lost in him. Maya and Cam were both so into the kiss that they didn't notice the hockey boys walking down the hallway. The couple was interrupted by wolf whistles from the hockey team.
"Oh yeah! Get it Saunders!" Cheered Mike Dallas
Luke and Owen laughed whistling as they walked by the sophomores.
Maya pulled away embarrassed and Cam shot his teammates dirty looks.
"I-I should go." The cellist mumbled hurriedly. She gathered her books and took off for math class. Cam chased after her.
"I'm sorry M, the guys are jerks. I'll talk to them." Cam promised. He tried to take his obviously upset girlfriend into his arms but she pulled away; Cam's frown deepened, she wouldn't even look at him.
"It's okay. See you in French class." The blonde said, offering her boyfriend a sad smile before turning on her heel and walking quickly to class.
Campbell groaned, leaning his head back against the lockers he ran his fingers through his now messy sandy hair. Something was bothering his girlfriend and he was determined to fix things.
Katie Matlin got to school not much later than Maya after picking up Marisol. The two girls were talking to first period when they met their boyfriends, Jake and Mo outside the door.
"Hey babe." Jake greeted his raven-haired girlfriend with a kiss.
"Hey." Katie replied distractedly, looking around for Maya.
"You okay?" Jake asked quietly, studying his obviously distracted girlfriend.
"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm just looking for Maya and that boy." Katie replied, focusing her attention on Jake.
"His name is Campbell and he's right over there." Jake told her, amused. Jake had seen Campbell and Maya looking upset and Maya walking off to class upset and was about to go after her when he saw Katie.
"Perfect." Katie said determinedly and marched over to the boy.
"Katie wait." Jake tried to stop his girlfriend from scaring the boy when Marisol intervened; telling him there was no stopping Katie Matlin.
"Trust me Mar, I know." Jake chuckled.
"Campbell Sanders." Katie greeted icily.
"Katie Matlin, can I help you?" Cam asked pleasantly. He was nervous about his girlfriend's sister talking to him without Maya present.
"Yes you can actually. Look, have you noticed anything…off about my sister lately?" Katie asked, she tried not to let the worry creep into her voice.
"Um, not really. I mean I guess she's a little upset, we kinda had a fight this morning." Cam answered her, looking down and feeling guilty.
Cam really didn't want to betray his girlfriend's trust by telling Katie about the time Maya told him that she felt like Katie was ashamed to have her as a sister.
"You have French right?" Katie asked quickly.
"Um yeah with Maya, why?" The jock asked, confused. He tried to smooth out his messy hair.
"No reason, she was just nervous this morning about a French test." Katie replied.
"We don't have a French test today." Cam said slowly.
Katie's eyes immediately snapped to his chocolate orbs. Maya had lied to her. She turned on her heel and began to walk away from the boy and find her sister when he called her back.
"Wait Katie!" Cam called, catching up to her "Is there something wrong with Maya?"
"Not that I know of." Katie lied carefully. If Maya didn't want to confide in her boyfriend, that was her choice but keeping things from her sister? That wasn't okay.
The hockey player nodded slowly and walked to class, anxious to see his girlfriend in French.
Cam knew that Katie and Maya weren't the closest sisters in the world but they cared about each other. He wished that Maya could see how much Katie cared about her, even if she didn't show it sometimes.
The rest of the day went by slowly for everyone and Maya and Campbell were both nervous for French. But the class came anyway, faster than she would have liked for it to.
The bell rang and she took her usual seat next to Tori who was talking animatedly about her date with Zig the previous night. The best friends were so caught up that they didn't even notice Maya sit down next to them. Campbell walked into class to see his girlfriend looking down at her French book sadly while her two 'best friends' were ignoring her. He rolled his eyes at them and walked over.
"Hey." The brown eyed boy greeted Maya, taking a seat on her left.
"Hey superstar." Maya greeted back, kissing his cheek.
"So we're good?" Cam asked, confused.
"Yeah I'm sorry about this morning. It's not your fault that everyone on your hockey team is an asshole except for you." Maya apologized, looking up to meet his loving gaze.
"Already forgotten." He smiled.
"Do you have hockey practice tonight or can you hang out after school?" Maya asked hopefully.
"Well, lucky for you miss Matlin, I don't have practice tonight which means I am all yours." Cam answered happily. He gently reached over and touched his girlfriend's cheek.
Once again Maya felt her heart fill to the brim with butterflies. She smiled at him and leaned in to kiss him when the teacher walked in and started class.
Cam shot her a sly grin and mouthed later and winked at her.
The rest of their day went by quickly and soon school was over. Cam waited for Maya by her locker and the couple walked to Cam's car together, hand in hand.
"Don't you need to let Katie know that you'll be with my after school?" Cam asked, not wanting to get himself or his girlfriend in any trouble with the scary older Matlin sister.
Maya quickly shook her head 'no'
"Katie is a smart girl; she'll figure it out if she isn't too busy with Jake and her friends." Maya replied bitterly.
The sophomore boy nodded, accepting her answer but decided that he should tell Maya about his conversation with Katie in the halls today.
Campbell drove them to his house because his host family would be out for the rest of the week and they could actually have some privacy there.
"Hey babe there is something I wanted to talk to you about." The handsome jock said, breaking their peaceful silence.
"Sure, what's up?" Maya asked nervously.
Cam laughed at her nervousness, "relax, this isn't a break up talk." He joked.
Maya let out a breath a relief and pecked his lips. She walked with him up the stairs and into his bedroom, plopping herself down on the bed. Cam smiled; he liked the way she felt so comfortable in his room. He laid down on his bed next to her, wrapping his arms around her delicate waist, missing her slight flinch. The cuts on Maya's hip seemed to be doing well, no infections or excessive bleeding.
"So your sister talked to me today." Cam stated. Now he was the nervous one, unsure how Maya would react to his confession.
"Why, what did she want?" Maya asked quickly.
Cam could feel his girlfriend tense in his arms. That was a bad sign.
"She was worried about you. She asked me if I noticed anything was off with you lately." Camp replied honestly. He began to calmly play with his girlfriend's long, soft blonde hair in an effort to calm her down.
"Why? It's not like she actually cares." Maya spat out bitterly.
"She sounded really worried to me." The sandy haired boy said carefully. He didn't want her to think that he was on Katie's side.
"What did you say?" The blonde girl asked.
"I said I hadn't really noticed anything." Cam half-lied.
Maya let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding in. She felt her body relax and she allowed herself to snuggle closer to her boyfriend, enjoying how safe and protected she felt in his arms.
"Oh and the French test isn't until next Thursday." Cam reminded the blonde, please with her calming down. He loved to hold her in his arms, it made him feel whole.
Maya froze "What are you talking about?"
"Katie said you were stressed over a French test but it's not until next week." Cam explained, offering his girl a charming half smile.
"You didn't tell her that did you?" Maya asked quickly.
"I didn't realize our French tests were a secret." Cam replied, getting worried. Why did she care if he told Katie that they didn't have a French test?
"Why the hell would you do that Cam!?" Maya yelled, getting up off of his bed and running her hands through her long blonde hair.
"Maya what's going on? You're scaring me." Cam asked quickly.
"Nothing! God, can everyone stop asking me that today? First Katie now you." Maya groaned.
"It's because we're worried about you!" Cam shouted.
Maya flinched at his loudness, mistaking it for anger. Cam noticed this and tried to relax.
"And you won't talk to me about what's bothering you." Cam said more gently.
"It's nothing Cam. I'm just stressed out okay?" Maya said softly.
Cam's expression softened, she did look exhausted and maybe a little more skinny than usual.
"Okay." Cam breathed.
"Promise me that when you feel stressed or upset you'll talk to me?" Cam begged with his puppy dog eyes. Maya caved, instantly agreeing. There was just no arguing with that face.
He closed any distance between them and took her in his arms, his chocolate eyes meeting her icy blue orbs.
"Why do you look at me like that?" Maya asked softly. It was impossible to be mad about anything with those eyes on her.
"Like what?" Cam asked, clearly confused.
"Like I'm the only girl in the whole world." Maya said quietly.
"Because you are the only girl in my world." The young jock answered seriously. He understood that they'd only been dating for a month and a half but he loved her. Was it even possible to love someone that fast? He was completely in love with Maya Matlin and he was pretty sure that he always would be.
She smiled and pulled him close to her, kissing him softly. And in that moment, nothing else mattered.
Hey guys, this is my first Maybell story. I really love Cam and Maya together. So what did you think? Please let me know what you liked or would like to see. Should I continue or just leave it like that? Thank you so much for reading and please leave a review.