Shout-Outs: kw, sand1128 and rucas
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Chapter 6
"Maybe we got lost in translation, maybe I asked for too much."
All Too Well, Taylor Swift
"I am in pieces."
All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven
Maya woke up forgetting where she was and what was going on in her life for one glorious second and then it all came crashing back like a wave on the beach. She was on vacation in North Carolina and one of her best friends was in love with her.
She lay in bed and wished that if she wished hard enough, she would be able to forget that Josh loved her. Or maybe he would forget about it even before she did and things could go back to normal.
She wished she could stop thinking about it that way.
After a few more minutes of trying to go back to sleep, she finally decided to get out of bed.
Esperanza was already awake and doing yoga when Maya went outside.
"I sent Kermit out to get coffee," Esperanza said, stretching into downward dog. "It was the only thing the people we're renting the vacation home from didn't provide. And I'm sure you need a caffeine buzz after sleeping in the same room as Ariel and Eddie."
"They were fine," Maya assured her. "If I didn't sleep it's all on me."
"Still thinking about Josh?" Esperanza asked.
Maya pushed her hair behind her ears. "No."
"Mmmmh," Esperanza murmured as she came back into an upright position. "Okay."
"Just okay?"
"I'll take your word for it," Esperanza replied. "This week isn't about me or your dad or anybody trying to push Josh on you. This week is about you discovering your own heart."
Maya wasn't going to tell her that she'd already done some self-discovering and she didn't like what she had found out. Instead, she smiled at Esperanza and shrugged. "I'm not sure there's anything to find out," she said.
"Oh come on Maya," Esperanza said, flopping down on the couch beside her. "You can't really feel that way. . ."
"I do," Maya lied.
"Okay," Esperanza relented.
The door opened and Kermit came in with the coffee they so desperately needed. Esperanza jumped up to relieve him of the paper bag and go make coffee for the three of them.
Kermit looked like he wanted to say something but he had the better sense not to and Maya was glad. She was sick of everybody talking.
But Kermit knew better. He was still struggling to earn his right as her father, he never interfered even when there were times he probably should have.
"You want to say something, don't you?" Maya asked. "Everybody else has. Except for you."
"I've got nothing to say," Kermit replied. "Nothing you haven't already heard before, anyways."
Maya sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Dad."
"Maya, listen to me, I like him. I like him a lot. If it weren't for him, I don't think we'd be having this conversation right now. But I love you and I want you to do what makes you happy. Even if it means you're happy without Josh."
She sighed again. "Dad, I'm not happy. . . without Josh. . ."
It was surprising how freeing it felt to say that aloud. She cleared her throat and waited for her father to say something. . . to say anything.
"Coffee's ready!" Esperanza called from the kitchen before he could.
"Come on kiddo," Kermit said, putting his arm around her. "Let's go and get some coffee. Everything will make more sense with caffeine in your system."
"Okay."
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They went to the beach later that day. Kermit kept the kids busy building sandcastles while Esperanza sketched out ideas for a new beach-inspired jewelry line and Maya tried to read the Little Prince but kept losing her place. She finally gave up on it, tossing it aside and glancing over her stepmother's shoulder to get a glimpse of what she was working on.
"What do you think of shell pendants with enamel paintings of the ocean on them?" Esperanza asked, nudging her leather sketchbook over to Maya so she could take a closer peek.
"I like it," Maya said, thankful for the distraction from her traitorous thoughts about Josh showing up in North Carolina and making a grander declaration of love. "I like the lobster and seahorse bracelets."
"Aren't they inspired though?" Esperanza asked. "I could totally see the Maratha Vineyard and Nantucket and Hamptons set buying these before they went away for the summer."
Maya nodded. Esperanza definitely had a knack for pinpointing potential buyers. "It's a good idea," she agreed. "It's why you're one of the best in your field."
Esperanza blushed and then cleared her throat. "Maybe you should go back to the house and try to take a nap. You look exhausted."
"This isn't some sort of trick, is it?" Maya asked, suddenly suspicious.
"No trick," Esperanza promised. "Josh isn't going to be waiting on the porch, if that's what you think. I genuinely think you need to get some rest. Have you slept since before. . .?"
"No. . ." Maya admitted.
"Go on then. I'll keep everybody here for another hour. You go take a power nap. When we get back, we'll go and get lunch."
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When Maya got back to their little rental by the beach, she realized it was the first time she had been alone since Josh had told her that he loved her. She had been furious with him for breaking their promise. She had thought she carried that anger with her all the way to North Carolina. But since she was all alone, in a house void of all noise except the roaring ocean and a whirring fan, she realized that she was just sad without him.
It was so overwhelming. She sat on the edge of her bed and buried her face in her hands and started to cry.
She was surprised by how therapeutic it felt.
It was a release.
Maya so desperately needed a release.
Eventually, she drifted off to sleep and once again dreamed dreams where she and Josh were more than just friends and she was okay with that.
TBC. .
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Author's Note:
A short chapter, I know. I'm sorry but I have only a little inspiration for this story even though I know the direction this story is going. Is that any consolation? I hope you'll tell me your thoughts on this chapter. I'll see you next week!
Until Next Time!
Love,
Holly, 2/19/2016
