Chapter 4

I sit there in shock. Why did Maya text me? Then another text comes through:

I missed my flight to Chad so I went home and applied to NYU. How r u?

So Maya's not going to Chad and is going to NYU instead. I reply:

I'm good, I guess. Haven't really thought about college yet, maybe I'll join you at NYU if that's ok.

She replies in one four letter word and an emoticon:

Sure. ;)

The remainder of the video chat with Cody and Bailey I spend texting Maya, and slowly the texts get longer and more flirtatious. She wants me back. I can tell. No one responds this quickly to any of my texts without wanting something from me. When the chat ends, I go to my room and pull up the NYU website and apply. Hopefully I'll get in. I know what my future holds; things will go back to the way they were and everything will make sense again. And the ticket to this personal paradise is admission to NYU. Phew. For a minute there, I was worried I'd end up working for Moseby. I text Maya:

Just applied for NYU. See you soon, I hope. ;)

She replies:

Ok Zack. See you there. ;)

The feeling that Maya wants me back is absolutely amazing. I want her too. I want to hold her hand, and wrap her up in my arms, and kiss her beautiful lips. I want Maya. I wouldn't care if she hadn't missed her plane and was in Chad tomorrow. I love her no matter the distance. I receive another text from Maya:

Wanna get some coffee later? ;)

I reply:

How about smoothies? ;)

Maya replies:

Sure. ;) Meet me at Starbucks at 10:00.

I text back:

Okay. ;)

I put my phone and wallet in my pocket and comb my hair and brush my teeth. I tell Mom where I'm going. Then I get in my car and drive to Starbucks, excited to see Maya at last.

As I am texting Zack, I am on a train on my way to Boston. The approximate ride has taken about forty-five minutes so far. But we're almost there. Just about fifteen more miles. Then I can have a smoothie with Zack. And we can just talk and have a good time together just like high school. Its 9:15 right now. By the time I get there it'll be 9:40. Then I'll have to walk to Starbucks. And I should get there right on schedule. Don't worry, I told my parents I was going out for the night. And that I'll probably be back sometime around noon tomorrow. I can't take an hour long train to NY at 11:30 at night. We arrive in Boston at 9:37. I get off and start walking to Starbucks.

I arrive at Starbucks at 9:50, ten minutes early. I find a table for two and sit down and wait for Maya. Five minutes later, she walks in. She looks amazing. More gorgeous than I remember. I get up and wave to her and we get our smoothies. I got a strawberry-banana; she got a mango-papaya. As we sip on our smoothies, we chat and smile and laugh at each other. Just the two of us having fun, flirting, and being us again. It all feels so right.