Chapter 2:
"Beep, beep, beep!" My eyes fluttered open only to close then open, then close. It went on like that for a while as the persistent alarm clock continued to throw it tantrum. Finally, my ears had enough and I reached out, pressing down on the off button a little harder than necessary. Then I struggled to sit up, squinting my eyes from the sunlight pouring in from my window.
After a few minutes of sitting there, waking up, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Standing up, I took one step only to stumble and be pulled down my gravity. I hit the floor hard on my hands with a thump.
"Maya!" I heard my mom's voice from downstairs. I froze, which was stupid and not needed but I did anyways. "Yeah?" I yelled down at her. There was a quick pause before my mom asked in the tone that showed her worry, "Are you ok?" I rolled my eyes, thinking back to my stupidity, and yelled back, "Yeah, I just fell." "Oh, ok. Bye May", and with that, I heard the front door close shut. Well, I guess I stopped her at the door.
I breathed out a sigh before pushing myself up straight. Then I walked over to my dresser and turned on the radio which I had already unpacked. The song Everything by Buckcherry began to fill my silent bedroom. Dancing slightly to the music, I made my way to my closet and picked out an outfit for today. I slipped on my outfit before going to the bathroom to straighten my hair and do my makeup.
Once I was finished with getting dressed, I went downstairs and grabbed a muffin from the basket on the counter. Taking a small bite out of it, I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I walked up to the door, grabbed my keys, and walked out. Before I went into the driveway to my car, I locked the house up. Then I headed to school with one thought going through my head: well this should be good…
When I pulled into the parking lot, my eyes immediately fell on the two guys from yesterday's chemistry class. They were talking in an old sky blue jeep. The one with brown eyes was yelling about something with the other, who probably drove, was running a hand through what little hair he had.
I didn't see any more since I was driving by but something about their actions put me on edge. If you haven't figured it out, I'm pretty good at reading body language. My dad says… used to say… that I have very strong instincts too. But when do you need those abilities? They're as good as useless oh wait, they are useless.
Once I was parked, I began my walk to my locker. But before I could reach the door, I heard someone whisper, "Isn't that Maya, that loser who moved her yesterday?" I felt my hands form fists but just then, Erica's words stung through my skull. Don't listen to them.
All of the sudden, I felt a hand softly land on my shoulder and, of course, I jumped. I rolled my eyes at my own actions before turning around. There in front of me stood the guy with those big hazel eyes. He smiled wide and said in a friendly voice, "Hey, I'm Stiles." At that very moment, I realized how boyish his face was. But it was in an adorable way. He had a few freckles as well. And I have to say, he wasn't that bad looking.
I opened my voice to speak but it got caught. Stiles just smiled wider. Oh great, now he thinks I'm some loser who can't even talk to a guy. Closing my mouth, I cleared my throat a little. Then I said, "I'm Maya." That sweet, inviting, warm smile stayed plastered on his face as he said, "Maya, that's a great name. I've actually never met someone with that name." He chuckled light as did I. Then I said, "Well now you have."
Nodding, he looked down at my shoulder. I followed his gaze to see his hand still there. Just as I looked, he swiftly let go and put it in front of me. I looked up in his eyes, then at his hand that was outstretched. Timidly, I slipped my hand in his. Gently, he shook our two joined hands.
I stayed looking at them before I heard Stiles's voice say, "Maya." My head slowly rose to see Stiles staring at me, studying me if you will. I gave a weak smile and said, "What? Do I have my shirt on backwards or something?" Just as quickly as he declined the detention yesterday, he shook his head and said, "No, no, it's not that. It's just…" He didn't finish. I don't think I would have if I was the one talking either.
My chest began to tighten, my heart starting to skip a few beats in its continuous melody. My eyes were glued to Stiles's though. They were just so amazing. I've always been a sucker for hazel eyes. But I don't understand what going on with me. I just met the guy for Pete's sake. I don't know anything about him nor does he know anything about me.
"Oh hey Maya", I snapped out of my daze and tore from his gaze, slowly slipping my hand from his. But the second my hand was back by my side, I felt a rush of chills go up my arm. Hum, I should have brought a jacket.
I looked over to see Erica standing there with her leather jacket on and cocking her hip out. Giving her a smile, I saw Stiles tense up a little. Huh, I wonder why. "Hey Erica, have you met Stiles?" She smirked at Stiles and said, "Yeah, I've met him." I nodded once before I pointed to the doors of the school and said, "So I should probably get going so y'all can talk?"
Erica looked at me a little surprised and said, "Did you just say y'all?" I blushed and shrugged it off. "Yeah, I'm originally from South Carolina. People say it." She nodded once in understanding before she said, "Well, it looks like I have a southerner as my best friend." I blushed a little and put my hands up.
"C'mon Maya, let's get going", she linked her arm in mine and began walking with me towards the school. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw her turn her head and shoot a glare back. Risking a glance back, I saw Stiles there looking after us. His hands were limp by his body as a look of satisfaction settled on his face. When he saw me looking back, he smiled and shot me a half-wave goodbye. I shot him a half-smile in return before turning back and looking forward.
"I wouldn't talk to him", my head shot to look at Erica. She had a stern look on her face which meant she was serious. Tilting my head to the side, I asked, "Why? He seems nice." Rolling her eyes, she said with venom dripping from every word, "He may seem nice but trust me, you don't want to get involved with him." I nodded and hung my head a little. There goes a potential friend.
Lunch. To tell you the truth, I've been dreading it. I mean, look how yesterday's lunch planned out! Well, hopefully I'll survive. But Erica won't be there. In chemistry, she slipped me a paper that said that she was going to Derek's place to hang out. So basically I'm being ditched and left. But she did reassure me that I could punch someone for her if someone calls me something. Am I going to do that though, no.
I kept my head down as I walked down the halls to the lunch room. And just to prevent myself from running out and being late for my lessons like yesterday, I put my ear-buds in and started listening to music. Smart, right? Eh, you do what you have to do.
As I entered the cafeteria though, I forced myself to look up so I could memorize the room. It was… fine? Eh, it was a cafeteria. That's all I needed. Soon I found a vending machine and walked over there. I put some money in and pressed the button for Diet Pepsi. Just as it rolled down the shaft so I could reach it, there was a shuffle of feet. As I bent down to grab the can, a shadow loomed over me. So instinctively I tensed up before I stood up.
I turned around to see Stiles standing there with his hands in his pockets. A sigh of relief slid from my lips as I put a hand over my heart. He tilted his head to the side and furrowed his eyebrows. "What?" His voice was cute when he said that simple word. Wait, what? Ok Maya, I'm seriously started to think about pushing your head into a wall, and I'm you!
Giving a small smile, I said softly, "You scared me." A look of understanding took over his facial features as he leaned his head back a little with his mouth a little open. Just then I realized that I was blocking the machine so I moved to the side and said, "Sorry."
I hung my head and started walking to god knows where when I stopped at the touch of a gentle hand gripping my upper arm. Slowly, I looked up to see Stiles there. "Uh", he began rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand. To encourage him to continue, I turned so my body was facing him and tilted my head a little, giving a small smile. His hand fell from my arm as he looked down.
He stayed like that for a while before perking up and holding up a Reese's bar. "Reese's?" His voice was small and hopeful. I laugh and lifted my hand up. I went to take the candy bar but before I could, he held it against his chest. I looked up at him confused by his actions. He just smiled and said, "Only if you sit with me." Laughing again, I nodded and said, "Alright, I'll sit with you."
The corners of his lips lifted a little, his smile growing. Then he handed over the Reese's. I gingerly took it and looked up at him. "So… where are we sitting?" His smile switched to the side as he put his finger up in the air, turned dramatically, and began trotting off. I laughed at his goofiness and followed close behind.
When we got to a table, Stiles pulled a seat out a little and gestured for me to sit in it. I half-smiled out of embarrassment as I slipped into the plastic chair while muttering, "Thanks." Just then, I felt his hot breath close to my ear as he said nonchalantly, "No problem." And with that, he took the seat next to me.
Suddenly, the other guy from chemistry sat down in front of Stiles. He looked at me, smiled with white teeth, and stuck out his hand. "Hey I'm Scott", his voice sounded stressed but I didn't want to say so. I'm sure he already knows. I shook his hand expectantly and said, "Maya." He nodded as our hands separated.
I took that opportunity to open my soda. As I did, Stiles draped an arm around the back of my seat lazily. But I didn't mind. It was a gesture that tons of people used. "So did you hear anything new?" He asked Scott. Scott shook his head and said, "No, not yet." I took a sip of my drink, not really wanting to bother their mono en mono conversation.
The song I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz began to play softly in my ears, soothing my nerves. "What cha listening to?" Stiles asked me. I gave a side-smile before I took out an ear-bud and offered it to him. He gladly took it and stuck it in his ear. The slow song started picking up to my favorite part and I started patting out the beat. I suddenly had the urge to dance to the song. But I pushed it away. I was in school. There was no way I was dancing here. And besides, I haven't danced since… well… since that day.
I looked over at Stiles who was nodding his head to the beat. His bottom lip stuck out a little as he nodded his head and said, "Not bad." Then he gave me back my ear-bud. I took it gently in my other hand that wasn't gripping my soda can and let it hang. Then I looked away towards the wall lined with windows. There wasn't that much to look at, unless you like to look at woods. But it was still pretty looking in my opinion.
"So how's Alison doing?" Stiles kept on quizzing Scott but he wasn't really listening to him. The brown-eyed teenager just looked out the windows as well, searching for something. It kind of set me on edge so I raised the can to my lips and took a small sip.
He may seem nice but trust me; you don't want to get involved with him. Erica's words popped up out of the blue. I snuck a glance at the guy next to me. His smile was contagious as he talked to Scott. His eyes were addicting. And well, the whole atmosphere changed around him. He could make anyone laugh, too. Oh, damn. Seriously Maya, listen to yourself! You're acting like a love drunk idiot! You heard what Erica said. Don't be fooled cause we both know how many times you've fell for people bullshit.
Picking up my bag off of the ground and slung it over my shoulder as I stood straight. I could tell it surprised the guys because they stared at me and Stiles's arm was back at his side. I gave them a weak smile to not seem rude and blurted an excuse, "Sorry but I promised my mom I'd call her and I don't want to bother y'all." A ghost of a smile appeared on Stiles's face. Huh, weird. He was happy I was leaving.
There was a pinch of pain that lingering in the pit of my stomach. I hurried out from the table as I heard Scott say, "Oh, ok." And just like that, I hurried towards the doors. My feet wanted to speed up but my mind lingered back towards the two guys that I just met. But, of course, my feet just had to have their way.
Soon, I was out of the school and walking towards the parking lot. I wasn't thinking. Nope, not at all. I was just going along with my gut. When I got to my car, I unlocked it and climbed in. Closing the door behind me, I shoved the key in the ignition and began to move the car in reverse. Once it was reversed all the way, I sped out of the parking lot.
The more I drove, the faster I went. I don't know what I was doing but I'm sure it was because of the situation I was just pushed in. God I can't stand being back up in a corner. I don't want to choose between Erica and Stiles. I mean, I just moved here! Can't I get a break!
The road I drove on wasn't a highway, just a little back road surrounded by forest. It was calming. But apparently my gut wasn't ready to calm down. My foot stepped on the gas. Breaking Benjamin's song Diary of Jane blasted through my speakers, trying to steal my attention off of school.
And to tell you the truth, I was getting worried. I don't really know when I left school but I know it's out by now. My clock says I've been out long enough along with my gas tank.
My phone started vibrating like crazy, lighting up my bag. I sighed and leaned over the consul to grab it. I gripped the steering wheel with one hand as I rummaged through my bag for my phone. Once I had it in my grasp, I sat up straight and held it out in front of me. I glanced down at the screen to see my mom's name flash before looked right back to the road. So I pressed the green button and pressed the phone to my ear with a, "Hello?"
"Maya, where are you? I came home early to take you out and you're not here", her voice was drenched in worry. I sighed and said, "I'm fine mom, ok? I just… I don't know. I guess I needed time to clear my head so I went for a drive." Now she sighed but hers was truly of relief.
There was a long pause before she spoke again, "Just… get home safely. And please hurry. We might be able to go to a small café." I nodded though she couldn't see and said, "Alright. I love you mom." "I love you too my baby", she answered without hesitation. And with that, I hung up and flung my phone back into the passenger seat, but not hard. Then I kicked the gas, headed home.
When I got home, I parked my car in the driveway, and pulled the keys out of the ignition. Then I grabbed my bag and phone before stepping out of the car and locking it. But when I turned towards the door I nearly jumped out of my shoes. My mom stood there silhouetted in the doorway staring off into space.
Cautiously, I walked up her, making sure I was quiet. "Mom?" I tried to no avail. "Mom…" I trailed off, hoping she'd snap out of it. Sighing, I stood straight up and yelled in a motherly tone, "Catherine Marie Wilmington!" She jumped up a little bit in her heels. Then she looked at me, shot a playful glare, and put her hand over her heart to calm herself.
After a while, she smiled and said, "It's about time you got here! Do you know how many bugs I've probably let into the house just standing here?" I laughed and gestured towards her car saying, "Well are we going to go then? Or are we just going to continue letting bugs into the house?" She laughed and walked towards the car, making sure she closed and locked the door first.
We climbed into the car and drove away from our house. The drive to where ever we were going didn't last long though and soon we were parked in front of some local café. So we climbed out, picked a table outside since it was nice out, and ordered our drinks.
I looked out around the cars that surrounded the café. But really, I was more so looking at the patch of woods on the other side of the road behind it. I swear this town is 90% forest. But is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. I mean, Beacon Hills is actually a beautiful place if you just look. The people on the other hand are a work in progress.
"Maya?" I looked over at my mother and right into her dull eyes. They had a few more sparks in them than yesterday but still wasn't at its best. Her dark brown curls where pushed back into a slick bun, just like always. And her attire was a plain suit with a skirt and flowing top. She was a true beautiful woman.
"Yeah", I heard myself say to cover me. My mom smiled and said, "So, how's school?" Oh great, let the school questions begin. "Eh, fine I guess", I played it off as if it was nothing by shrugging my shoulders. She nodded her head before asking, "How about your grades?" "Fine", I answered honestly but this little part in the back of my head kept on worrying about all the missed work I would have to make up from skipping my afternoon classes.
"Did you make any new friends?" I felt my back muscles tighten at the question. Should I mention Scott and Stiles? Nah, I can't even be friends with them anyways. I took a deep breath before I said, "Yeah but just one." She nodded, encouraging me to continue. "Her name's Erica. She's cool and she invited me to hang out with her and some of her friends this Friday… if that's ok with you of course." My mom laughed at me and said, "You can go. I don't want to be that strict parent and you know that." I laughed and nodded.
Our waitress came with our drinks and we ordered our meals. Then she left to fill it in. I picked up my cup and took a sip of my coke, scanning over to woods again. My legs crossed and I felt myself curl deeper in my jacket as the wind blew a cold breeze. The sweet scent of strawberries and tropical flowers filled my nostrils as I hid my face in the side of the plain black jacket. Instantly, the muscles in my back relaxed a little.
"So what do you think of the new town?" My mother questioned me. I pulled away from my jacket a little to say, "Its fine, I guess. The woods are beautiful. But I don't know, what about the sirens from last night? No one was talking about it at school today. What does that mean?" "I don't know either, Hun", she leaned over and took a sip of her drink. I nodded and muttered under my breath, "No one seems to know anything."
"So is everything at work going good?" I asked after a while of silence. And just like that, my mom started fidgeting with her straw, tapping it up and down: big sign of discomfort. "Mom…?" She glanced up at me and said a quick, "It's fine, don't worry." I raised an eyebrow but left it at that. If she didn't want to tell me, she doesn't have to. But there was a little ping of hurt inside of me. My mom usually always talks to me about everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. She told me about which tampon brands are the best and which aren't and which actress was better: Angelina Jolie or Sandra Bullock.
Once we got our food, we began to eat in silence, which is not normal. We usual talk and laugh about random things that pop up and in the end we usually end up having a tiny food fight. But then again, we haven't been normal since the incident a few years ago. The life I want back is long gone, no matter how much I don't want it to be. My normal was coming home to see a smiling dad in the living room watching his Mets game. When mom would get home, she would kick off her dreaded heels and kiss her husband. My normal was in the kitchen dancing to the radio with my dad while we all cooked dinner together; where my dad would whisper sweet nothings into my mom's ear just to see her blush. But I'll never get normal back. Nope, I had to have it stripped away from me.
When our supper was over, we walked in silence to the car. I thought the ride home would be silent too, but stopped thinking that when Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen came on the radio and we both sang along like idiots.
Once we were home, I got a much needed shower to wash away the stress of the day. Then I changed into some pajamas and climbed into bed, shutting the lights off on the way. I lay down on my back and looked up at the ceiling. Soon, I imagined more up there than just a boring old ceiling. With that imagined, I closed my eyes and swallowed some tears that were itching at the back of my throat.
Then I opened my eyes and stared right up at the ceiling. "Hey dad", my voice was soft and low. I was afraid that if I spoke any louder, he wouldn't listen. "I miss you daddy", tears were forming on my waterlines but I didn't let them fall, I couldn't. My dad deserved better than to see his only daughter cry. He deserved more.
I took a deep breath and said, "There's a lot of things happening and I was hoping I could talk to you about them. After all, you always did listen. So it'll be like old times." My voice cracked so I cleared my throat. I needed someone to talk to.
So what do y'all think of the story so far? Is it any good? I would like to know what you guys think so please fill free to tell me. And by the way, I know it's kind of slow but that always happens in my stories. So bear with me? Thank you very much