Dots on the Calendar I
Maya hadn't heard from Miles in months. True, there was that time over the summer where all her friends had gotten together to save her from her weird kidnapping situation, but she hadn't had much time to speak to him other than for him to tell her that he was glad she was safe and he regretted the two of them falling out of touch. That was the reason she had asked him to meet her at the Dot today. The last they had had any real conversation was right after Miles had set fire to the school. He had thanked her for not giving up on him and helping him save his family from his father. And then he fell off the face of the Earth and she only saw him in the rare instances they crossed paths while he was doing his community service. She had heard from Zoe that he was putting his full attention on making his family better so she left him too it.
But now that school had started this week she was ready to catch up with him. It was he who had told her he regretted letting their friendship fall to the wayside. She was shocked to see how eager he was to meet up. His text reply even included a smiley emoticon and she could count on her hands the number of times he had used one while they were dating last year.
She heard the bell toll at the door and looked over to see Miles walking in. He had gotten a haircut since the last time she had seen him; she fought the pang of attraction she felt for him and discarded it. Though the dark hair was her weakness, that ship had long sailed. He looked happier too and the smile that broke out on his face being of a joy she had rarely seen him show in the entirety of their friendship. There was something off about him though. Despite his happiness he looked almost unwell in a way she couldn't quite place.
Those thoughts would be saved for later as he sat down and spoke. "It's been a while," he said in greeting.
"It has," Maya agreed solemnly, only now feeling guilty for how long it had been since they had spoken. Miles had told her to feel free to call and check up on her. Perhaps that was his way of putting the ball in her court to continue on with their friendship. The Miles she knew would always be the one in charge and initiating conversation, but he had changed. She could see it in his eyes. Those months living under the terror of his father's new wrath had ruined him. She could see that now.
"So, how was the first day of school for Miss Maya Matlin?" Miles asked. His voice and words were telling. She hadn't heard him speak like this since the early days of their dating. Despite the terror that had changed him so deeply, he was clearly more happy now than ever; or, at least, since before the many dramas of last year.
"Oh, it was fine. I could do without your sister bringing a niner tour to interrupt Zig's and my make out session though."
"HA!" Miles roared, a smile breaking out across his face. "That was you!? I heard about that. The music room tramp I hear you're called," he said with a wink.
"It wasn't like that!" Maya exclaimed. "Please tell me the rumors aren't that bad. It's hardly fair I get all the blame because I'm a girl."
"Nah, just a thing the niners will talk about for a while. It won't last long," Miles stated, then there was a pause while their laughter died down.
"And yours?" Maya asked.
"It was fine. Chewy and I are going to run for Student Council President - with him as my campaign manager of course. But Tristan and Zoe are also running against us."
"Oh, your two exes?" Maya joked.
"Ha, not quite... well okay, I guess they both are my exes. I'm surrounded by my exes today it seems," Miles said, throwing her a wink.
"Lucky you," Maya returned, before changing the subjects. "So did you and Zoe date this summer? I heard, but was too busy being kidnapped to keep in the loop."
"Hardly. We fooled around a bit, if that. Let's just say she been taking cues from me on who to date."
"She's going after Tristan now?" Maya joked.
Miles made a face. "Too soon," he stated, then lightened up. "Let's say she likes someone more... Graceful."
"Graceful? Tristan did mention he saw Zoe and Grace kiss. I'd pay to see the two of them go at it."
Miles raised an eyebrow at that causing Maya to scoff at him. "Not like that! Perv!" she joked, before adding. "I almost miss your Tristan phase, not that we talked much during that time."
"It wasn't a phase," Miles huffed in response. "It was just time for us to go our separate ways with how things were at home."
"Ohhh, thinking about getting back with him?" Maya asked.
"Ehh, I don't think he would take me. I made him think I was still into you so he would hate me."
Maya raised an eyebrow at that. "Hmm, that does explain why he is unhappy with you right now. Though, knowing Tristan, I'm surprised he doesn't hate my guts right now."
"Oh, trust me, he did. I always knew his greatest fear while we were dating was me still wanting you. That's why I used it to make him hate me."
"I want to be mad about that... but I understand why you did it. You don't do you? Still like me?"
Miles thought for a moment. "Nah. We were always better friends than we were at dating."
"Definitely," Maya agreed whole-heartedly.
"Can I take your order?" They heard as their barista interrupted their conversation. Dark hair with naturally tanned skin, clad in an apron and a shirt with DOT sprawled over it. They both recognized him.
"Drew Torres," Miles began. "Now I didn't expect to see you here."
"Hey Miles," Drew replied drolly.
"Drew," Miles replied in greeting. They weren't exactly friends, but were friendly enough after they bonded over his shitty father.
"Hey Drew," Maya said in her own greeting. "I heard you were taking a year off, but didn't hear you were working at the Dot."
"Yeah, well, it is what people who graduate Degrassi with no goals tend to do."
"Aww, don't say that," Maya said. "I'm sure you'll find something soon."
"Yeah, I'm considering starting a business soon. One of your father's contacts is coming through," Drew said, looking towards Miles.
"Don't," Miles stated sharply. "Don't mention him."
"Oh... okay. Sorry," Drew said with concern and confusion in his eyes. He knew how poorly Miles and his father got along and he had heard through the grapevine that their relationship had gotten worse. But he didn't realize it had gotten so bad as to drag this sort of reaction out of Miles.
"Can I get a vanilla mocha latte?" Maya asked changing the subject.
Drew nodded in acknowledgement of her order, but also in thanks for changing the topic.
"I'll take a cappuccino." Miles said, then swiftly added, "And I'll pay for Maya's as well."
"You don't..." Maya began before Miles cut her off.
"Don't worry about it."
Drew nodded then left to make their drinks.
After a moment, Maya spoke. "You really didn't have to."
"It fine," Miles said. "It's not even a drop in the bucket. And it's a small gesture to make up for what I put you through."
"I forgave you a long time ago Miles." They shared a smile at that as Drew returned.
"And drinks for the lovely couple," Drew joked as he sat their drinks down and picked up Miles debit card from the counter.
Maya glared at him, and Miles laughed. "Oh, we're not dating. You're more my type these days, Drew," Miles said with a wink.
"Not even the first time I heard that today," Drew said in return. "I'll let you know when I get desperate enough."
They both laughed as Drew returned to his work. After a moment of silence, Miles spoke. "Come on now, that joke didn't make you that mad did it?"
Maya sighed. "It's not that. I'm just having a minor problem with Zig?"
"He too much of a bad-boy for you?" Miles joked. "Drugs?"
Maya smirked. "No, not this time. He's just really bad at guitar."
Miles grinned. "That's not what I expected. You're getting boring on me Maya."
"Hardly, I assure you. I'm actually starting my own band. I got a gig at this bar downtown," Maya stated proudly.
"Sounds like my type of place."
"I'll make sure to invite you once we're a regular show."
Miles nodded with a grin.
They chatted for a bit more, joked with Drew when he returned Miles' debit card, and promised to meet again next week.
By then, Miles was a different person.
