Collateral Love
Chapter Nine | Interruption.
What exactly constitutes as the perfect afternoon? Is it a day with no rain and plenty of sunshine, or is it when everything seems to go your way? Maybe it's when you can't stop smiling no matter how hard you try not to, and it feels like nothing in all of existence can ruin your mood.
It's truthfully how I feel at this very moment, despite the hundreds of students currently surrounding me, chanting and screaming and praying that their respective school's team wins this close-knit baseball game, and while everyone else is focusing on the field, my attention is mainly on the petite blonde standing next to me.
She's clapping and cheering along with everybody else, and it's hard to take my eyes off of her given how happy she looks. It came as no surprise to me when she admitted this was her first sporting event, although it took her no time at all to loosen up, and understand how things work.
She says she's not very athletic, but would typically try watching sports in hopes of bonding more with her dad. However, it wasn't until she started middle school when she realized that was never going to happen since her father walked out on their family when she was just a little girl, and has never tried being in her life since.
I didn't really know what to say when she told me that since I can't really relate, but Maya assured me she wasn't upset by anything and not to worry. We've talked about a lot of things since meeting each other, and everyday I'm finding myself witnessing just how strong she is for overcoming all she's went through.
Maya smiles now to the point where you'd never guess she had it rough growing up, and I fall weak at the knees every time I see it. I'm soon distracted from my incessant gawking when the crowd closest to me, including Maya, suddenly starts chanting in disapproval.
Our team is currently up to bat, and apparently one of the players tried to steal a base and was ruled out as a result. We're behind by two points in the last inning with two strikes, and one guy left on first base. The odds of winning don't seem to be in our favor and as the next guy walks up to bat, the crowd immediately goes silent. That's when I glance back to Maya who's nervously biting the tip of her thumb. I have to say, for her first baseball game, she's definitely getting into it.
Maya briefly turns her head when she notices me staring, and the moment are eyes connect, she playfully sticks her tongue out at me.
I laugh to myself, while shaking my head. "Glad to see you're enjoying yourself,"
"I am. I didn't know it before, but these things feel more intense when you're actually here compared to watching on TV…" Maya smiles, and I instantly start to feel butterflies in my stomach.
I pull the baseball cap I'm wearing down over my eyes to hide the fact that I might be blushing, but Maya doesn't let the moment pass as she moves closer to me, taking the hat off of my head, and holds it up to block the view of our mouths.
She whispers, "Don't try to hide it," and then slowly steps back as she puts the hat on backwards on her own head.
I couldn't fool her if I tried.
Our attention is then back on the game as the guy who was up to bat earlier is now on first base, while the other player from before is resting at second. That's when I notice Darren stepping up to the plate, and girls quickly start screaming and going wild.
He's one of the star players on the team, and hardly ever disappoints when it comes to giving his team a leg-up. He's also the reason why we're here since I knew this was going to be an important game for him, and would want me there to support him.
We talked about it the night before, and that's when I had the idea to bring Maya as sort of like a date and an apology since we couldn't spend time together yesterday. She was surprised and ecstatic once she realized what we were doing, and the evening has been nothing short of amazing.
Despite sitting down for a lot of the time, the constant flirtation is what's kept everything interesting thus far. We've taken pictures together, shared popcorn, and even had fun booing the opposing team. We're now just keeping our fingers crossed in hopes that our school wins during this final inning.
Darren has already gotten one strike and as everyone holds their breaths for his second attempt, he swings his bat nicely and powerfully, watching as the ball inevitably flies out of the park.
NYU students immediately erupt into cheers, including me and Maya, as the homerun clearly solidifies a win for the Violets. I don't even think Maya realizes who Darren is or how special he is, but she will once this is all said and done since I plan to finally introduce them to one another.
Maya continues to cheer and scream as the game officially ends, and soon moving closer toward me as I wrap my arms around her torso, lifting her off of the ground. I've been to plenty of these games, specifically with my last girlfriend, but the times were never like this. She wasn't too into sports, but would still accompany me whenever I'd want to come, pretending to have a good time for my sake. However, Maya's excitement is genuine, making the mood less awkward and uncomfortable.
I gently set her back down on her feet, and she immediately grabs my hand, guiding us away from our seats and down the concrete stairs where the field is. I'm wondering why she's in such a hurry considering she doesn't know anybody, but I guess that's the point. Maybe she wants to celebrate, and meet the players up close since they did just win what appeared to be a hopeless game. Someone then runs into me from behind, causing me to stumble a bit, and I look over my shoulder to see Darren. I smile, turning around to hug him in congratulations.
"You did it, man!"
"I had to! It was really looking like the end for us."
"Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure you planned that homerun all along,"
"Guilty." Darren says, cheesing from ear to ear.
He's got sweat dripping from all sides of his forehead, his uniform is covered in dirt, and he's still breathing heavily after all the work he just put in.
"By the way, who's this?" Darren asks, pointing beside me.
"Oh, right. This is Maya, the girl I've been talking to."
"Of course," Darren says, smacking his forehead. "So, this is the girl I hear you talking about in your sleep?"
"Shut up! I don't do that!" Do I? "Anyways… Maya, this is Darren. He's my roommate and best friend."
"Nice to meet you," Darren says, reaching to shake Maya's hand and she smiles.
"You too."
Darren soon looks passed me as someone calls his name, eager to go over to them. "Hey, I got to run unless you're planning to come with us?"
"Where?"
"After games like these, the team typically goes to the pier where the roller rink and basketball courts are. It's kind of like a nice way to end the night. You two should come if you have nothing else to do."
"We'll be there." Maya happily chimes in, and I look at her.
Darren smirks. "Great. See you guys later," he says prior to jogging away.
I move to stand in front of Maya, and she's steady smiling. "What's wrong?"
"Do you even know how to roller skate… or play basketball?" I ask, and Maya scoffs.
"I guess you'll find out." She winks, playing the vague game, which admittedly is probably my favorite game between us.
I smirk. "Ok, then we better get going because it'll take us a while to get there," I suggest, not looking forward to all the traffic.
I continue to look at Maya for her response, but her expression strangely falters.
She's suddenly got a stunned look in her eyes as she looks directly passed my face at something behind me, and I casually turn around to see what it is she's staring at. That's when I see something too, and my stomach churns.
"Jake." We both mutter simultaneously, but mine sounds more like a groan, while Maya sounds breathless. We briefly exchange glances with each other before looking ahead us back to Jake.
He's currently standing near the side of the field with some girl I don't recognize, innocently chatting and smiling at one another. The girl soon turns her head in our direction, and I notice her eyes widening the moment her and I make eye contact. She then leans closer to Jake to whisper something to him, and eventually he's looking our way as well. He appears to be just as stunned as Maya and me when he sees us, and begins to walk toward us as the girl gently tugs him along with her.
Once we're all together, Jake awkwardly looks back and forth between Maya and me, and I slightly turn my head to the side to see Maya's staring at him a lot too.
I didn't know for sure if Jake was the guy Maya was talking to, but I had my suspicions. And judging by the looks they're currently giving each other, I'm positive now that they know one another. Meanwhile, the girl Jake is with is still looking at me, but anytime I try to catch her in the act, she immediately looks away, and I can't help but find it a little strange.
The air suddenly feels insufferable the longer we continue to stand here together, wondering who's going to be the first one to break the awkward silence. I didn't anticipate running into Jake when deciding to come here with Maya, and even though he's assured me he doesn't have feelings for her, I won't believe it until I see it.
Jake clears his throat. "Ahem. Josh… hey."
"Jake." I groan before narrowing my eyes back to the girl he's with.
She's the average type to say the least with the nice long hair, small bust, a firm behind, and little to no makeup on. Not really the kind of girl Jake usually goes for as she seems more like one of the quiet ones, but maybe this is his way of proving he can actually spend time with a girl without looking for sex in exchange. I then notice she's staring a lot at Maya now, similarly to how she was looking at me just a little while ago, and it's taking everything for me not to be blunt and ask her what's on her mind.
What is it about Maya and I that's got her so intrigued?
I turn my head toward Maya to see if she notices the girl too, but she doesn't seem to be paying her any mind. I figured that would mean she's busy staring at Jake, but instead she's gazing down at her shoes with her arms crossed, choosing not to say much of anything at all. She seems to be just as uncomfortable by all of this as I am, so I plan to keep the conversation as short as possible.
"Did you guys enjoy the game?" The girl subsequently says, and me and Maya both look at her.
She doesn't even sound like the stuck up, mean girl type, which raises even more suspicion regarding what Jake could be up to by hanging out with her.
I scratch the back of my neck. "It was great. Our school's team won after all…" I respond, attempting to lighten the mood by being friendly.
"Right… By the way, this is my friend Jane." Jake awkwardly says, his body tense as he stands beside her with his hands in his pockets, and the only thing on my mind is that he called her a friend—not his girlfriend.
I gradually nod my head. "Cool. Well, it's nice to meet you, Jane. I'm Josh, and this is Maya—"
"Your girlfriend?" Jane promptly conveys, and Maya and I briefly look at one another.
She seems to be doubtful, as if hoping Maya and I really aren't together.
I look back at Jane, unsure of what to say in fear of whatever she might say next. I then decide the best way to ignore the question is to excuse ourselves entirely.
I softly grab Maya's hand, ready to walk away since we have to be somewhere anyway. "Listen, we're gonna get going—"
"Oh, are you going to the roller rink, too?" Jane asks, and it's immediately silent again.
We were, but now I'm not so sure?
"Yeah… why?" I say uneasily.
"Well, we were thinking of going too. Right, Jake?" Jane states, glancing up at him, and so do me and Maya.
We're all waiting to hear his response, and during the whole time he's not saying anything, I can't help noticing how distressed he looks, but I don't know what for. I wonder if it has anything to do with Jane, but that wouldn't really make much sense.
"Right, Jake?" Jane repeats more sternly, and Jake rolls his eyes.
"Yeah. We were." Jake confirms, appearing bothered, and I look at the both of them suspiciously.
Were they really planning to go to the roller rink, or is Jake just saying that because that's what Jane wants them to do?
"Then I guess we'll see you guys there. Let's go, Josh." Maya replies, opening her mouth for the first time since the moment of Jake coming over to us, and grabbing my hand to begin pulling me away.
We don't look back even once as we make it back to my car after a few minutes of walking, and Maya is completely quiet as she sits beside me in the passenger seat.
I look at her, expressing concern. "Are you okay?"
"Hmm? I'm fine. Why?"
"I… don't know. I just felt I should ask."
"I'm okay. Let's just go." Maya says, crossing her arms, and sitting back as she plainly stares outside through the front windshield.
It takes me a moment to start the engine as I keep staring at her, believing something to be wrong, but eventually driving out of the parking lot en route for the roller rink.
It's approximately a thirty minute drive from the baseball park to the roller rink, but during the car ride, I notice Maya is back to normal. She's loosened up again since meeting up with Jake and his friend who's a girl, and I just hope it stays this way.
We had fun singing (or more like shouting) the lyrics to songs that would come on the radio, and even playing 'I spy' since Maya clearly likes going back to the good ole days when being a little kid was the best thing in the world. I then finally park the car once we arrive, shutting off the engine, and gently grabbing Maya's arm before she can step out of the car.
She looks at me curiously, but smiles once she sees I am. "What?"
"Did you really have a good time?" I ask her anxiously, watching as Maya leans closer to me.
She's still smiling, and I notice she's occasionally staring at my mouth as she says, "Best date so far…"
"Good. By the way, how's the situation with your roommate?" Maya rolls her eyes, sighing.
We haven't talked about it since she first told me about her roommate apparently pissing in her bed.
Maya shakes her head. "She's not good. I can tell she's hiding something from me, and whatever it is, it's got her acting strange. I know this was supposed to be a day for just the two of us, but I did ask before we left if she wanted to come just to make sure she's okay, but she declined. I don't know… I might try talking to her some more when we get back."
"That sounds like a good idea. I hope it goes well."
"Thanks. I do too," Maya says, and we finally get out of the car.
The roller rink we're at is technically outdoors with a roof above the floor. We then walk over to the counter to get our skates, and already I feel like I'm going to fall hard on my butt if I'm not careful.
Generally, I know how to skate, but at the same time, it feels like learning how to walk for the first time all over again. I then realize that Darren isn't anywhere to be found, so he must be in the next building over where the basketball courts are. It doesn't matter, though because this is just like an extended date for me and Maya. Although, I'm not looking forward to the moment Jake shows up. I just want it to be the two of us.
Is that too much to ask?
"Hurry up, Josh!" Maya shouts from the middle of the floor.
I'm currently still standing near the wall, trying to keep my balance because if I fall, not only will it be painful, but also humiliating.
"Coming…" I mumble hesitantly, and honestly, I feel ridiculous.
I was in no position to taunt Maya earlier regarding whether or not she can skate since I'm clearly the one struggling out of the two of us.
The sound of wheels gliding against the hardwood floor is then obvious as I can hear Maya easily skating over to me.
She laughs. "Seriously?"
"You didn't have to come over here…" I say, embarrassed, and immediately panic-stricken once Maya removes my hands off of the wall, holding them in her own.
She carefully pulls us away, while I desperately hold my breath.
"Relax, Josh. It's okay if you fall down. Chances are I will too."
"Please, I wasn't worried about that."
Maya smirks. "Oh, really? Then I guess that means I can let go,"
"I mean, you could… but I kind of prefer if you didn't." Maya starts to smile and blush as she averts her eyes away from mine.
"Smooth, Boing. Real smooth." She teases, and truth be told, although I was trying to act strong, I really didn't want her to let go. Partly because I didn't want to fall, but mainly because I like being close to her.
Maya continues to hold my hand as we skate around the floor a couple times, and I'm slowly gaining more confidence the longer she proceeds to stay by my side. She then grabs my other hand, skillfully skating backwards while pulling me forward.
She looks at me hopefully. "So, I just thought of something…"
"Tell me."
"What do you say to doing a couple's montage like in the rom-com movies?" Maya smiles, biting her lip.
It isn't exactly what I was expecting her to say, but I don't hate the idea either.
I quickly take out my phone, and going to the camera app to start recording a video. I then carefully try to stand without the help of Maya, and pointing the camera toward her as she smiles and skates on her own.
I follow behind her as I film her, staring at the screen of my phone the entire time as the thought of not wanting to fall is no longer my most concern.
2002 by Anne-Marie then starts playing from the stereos of the skating rink, which seems to go perfectly with the moment as Maya skates, doing a couple of spins, skating backwards while waving her arms and making silly faces, and accidentally falling down at one point like she predicted she would. However, simply laughing it off like it's no big deal.
She grabs my hand after standing back up, and soon we're skating together again like we were earlier. I'm still continuing to film her, looking mostly at the screen until I notice the way Maya's gazing at me. Her ocean eyes are like actual waves, pulling me in closer, and I slowly start to lower the phone down to stare directly at her.
Maya's smile has yet to vanish from her cheeks, and when she takes the phone away from me, I realize it's my turn now to be filmed, and make a complete fool of myself.
I first try skating normally and nearly falling down every few seconds, but somehow managing to catch myself each time. I then skate toward the middle of the floor, beginning to horribly sing the words to the song that's playing as loudly as I can as some people actually stop to humor me, and the whole time Maya is laughing hysterically.
I smile. I love how I'm not afraid to be silly and embarrass myself when I'm with her, which is something I couldn't say before with my previous relationships. It's a nice feeling.
I skate back toward Maya, taking my phone back to put into my pocket before grabbing both of her hands. We start skating in a circle like the couples do in movies until finally we're so dizzy that we fall over onto the floor together.
We're laughing so much like a couple of grade school kids on a sugar high, and I honestly can't remember the last time I've had this much fun with someone.
I can definitely get used to this. I think I already am.
Maya then starts to catch her breath as the incessant laughter finally slows down.
She says, "Do me a favor, and edit that video with a nice soundtrack and special effects and send it to me, so I can keep it forever."
"Done." I agree, truthfully wanting to watch it back right now.
We're still lying on our backs, completely calm as other people proceed to skate around us as if we're not even there. I then turn my head to look at Maya, staring at her profile, and there's only one thing on my mind.
Maya eventually turns her head when she senses me staring at her, but her smile immediately disappears when she sees the seriousness on my face.
"What's wrong?" She asks sincerely, but I don't say anything.
Instead, I sit up, leaning on my elbow, and Maya mimics me. "You know, I can't remember the last time I've laughed this much."
"Well, lucky for you, you have me." Maya smiles, her blue eyes glimmering with pure beauty, and I just can't resist anymore.
I move a little closer to ensure as little space between us as possible, and lightly caressing Maya's cheek.
It's warm.
There's also an innocent look in her eyes as she parts her lips, blonde hair nicely framing her pink cheeks, and breathing quietly but nervously, and I realize she's not telling me no. She wants this just as much as I do, and it's finally going to happen. My eyes slowly drop down to her mouth, and I don't hesitate to lean closer until our lips are softly brushing against one another.
"Maya," I mumble, and she swallows.
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say… that I like-like you. A lot." I confess as if she doesn't already know, but merely wanting to remind her.
I'm also sweating from my armpits, while my heart feels like it's going to burst through my chest any second now judging by how fast it's beating. I don't know why I'm suddenly feeling nervous, but the moment I can sense Maya smiling, it's like further confirmation that this is how it's supposed to be. That she's the person I'm supposed to be with.
She smiles and laughs a little. "I know, Josh… and I like-like you, too." She admits, and it's all I need to hear to know whether or not now is the right time.
It is.
I gently rub my thumb along the soft surface of her cheek, anxiously holding my breath as I try to mentally prepare myself. I haven't even properly asked her to be my girlfriend, but I won't have to once I kiss her since we both already know what we want.
"Josh…" Maya says breathlessly, impatiently waiting for me to close the gap, and I smile a little not realizing it might seem like I'm teasing her. I then finally pull her closer, but before anything good can actually happen, we're immediately interrupted by another presence—their shadows casting down over us, and we quickly pull a part to look up at whoever it is.
"Hi, guys! We made it!"
Jane.
Of course, it's her and as expected, Jake is standing right beside her not saying anything at all.
He's casually standing with his hands in his pockets, and I grimace at him. However, he's too preoccupied with gazing at Maya to even notice, and she's staring at him too... again.
Should I be worried?
"What do you guys want?" I grumble, annoyed.
I didn't want to come off as rude, but I didn't think agreeing to see each other at the skating rink actually meant hanging out together too.
"Nothing." Jane shrugs. "We just noticed you two over here, and figured we'd say, hi. Again." She explains, and I look back to Jake.
Jane is being oddly adamant regarding Maya and I with her constant staring and incessantly wanting to be around us for whatever reason, and it has me wondering if Jake knows anything about it.
I stand up from the floor, helping Maya up to her feet, and she awkwardly looks away.
"Uh, I'm going to go find the bathroom. Be right back."
"Ok."
"I'll go with you!" Jane happily exclaims, jogging after Maya, and making sure to keep close to her, much to Maya's dismay, I'm sure.
I then look back at Jake once we're alone, and he's still not saying anything. Well, if he won't, then I will.
"What the hell, Jake?"
"What?"
"Did it not occur to you that me and Maya want to be alone?"
"I know that,"
"Then why does your girlfriend keep wanting to talk to us?"
"She's not my girlfriend." Jake groans, his countenance stoic, and I'm immediately suspicious of him. Well, more suspicious.
I arch an eyebrow, looking at him skeptically. "Ok, then who is she? You said she's your friend, but I don't remember you ever having a friend that wasn't a guy."
"Jane was the rare exception," Jake says, and I have no idea what that means.
Jake then sighs dramatically while his eyes look everywhere except at me. "I really have been thinking about what you said, trying to slow down with only relying on girls for sex, and that's when I thought of Jane. I met her for the first time when we were both freshmen at NYU. We were lab partners in our biology class. We didn't always get along for the reason most girls shun me in the beginning, but after an entire semester together we eventually became good friends. At first we were only talking during class until finally we were hanging out on the weekends. Jane's actually really smart and nice and I did like her."
"Well, if you feel that way, then why aren't you two together?" I ask, and Jake shrugs nonchalantly, like the answer is obvious.
"I liked her, but only as a friend." Jake admits, and I look at him in disbelief. "We eventually stopped talking when she confessed to having feelings for me, but I didn't want to date her."
"How come?"
"Because by that time I was doing nothing but going to parties, and finding girls to sleep with. Jane was looking for a boyfriend, but I wasn't looking for a girlfriend. I just wanted to fool around and have fun with no strings attached and I knew Jane couldn't give me that, so along with rejecting her, we stopped being friends too." Jake stares at the ground remorsefully, seemingly guilty for the way he treated Jane before, but I was still confused.
Something still didn't make sense.
I furrow my eyebrows, skeptical. "Ok, so if all of this is true, then how are you together now?"
"Because I reached out to her. I figured I would make things right between us since I'm trying to change my ways, and we both agreed to be just friends." Jake explains. "She then had the idea of us going to the baseball game where we seen you and Maya. And if I'm being honest, we weren't planning to come here after the game, but Jane suddenly really wanted to, so I said sure." Jake says, and I'm quiet as I contemplate everything he's telling me.
I suspected there was something odd about Jane from the way she was acting. I'm even more convinced now since she just followed Maya to the restroom and for what?
I doubt they know each other, but maybe there's something she has to tell Maya. I wonder if it has anything to do with me, although I guess I should be hoping that that's all it is, and that she isn't planning to hurt Maya somehow.
I can sense Jake staring at me, but I'm too distracted with my thoughts to look back at him.
"Josh." He says.
"Huh?"
"You have a worried look on your face. What's up?"
"Nothing. It's just…" I suddenly have a bad feeling in my stomach, but I'm not sure if I should tell Jake what I'm thinking or not. It's not like he'll understand, anyway.
"Look, if this is about Maya, I'm just as surprised as you are. Who would've thought the girl I've been talking to is the same girl you're currently dating…" Jake murmurs, appearing nonchalant, and I look at him.
"Right… she's also the same girl I asked if you have feelings for,"
"Yeah, and I don't. Besides, I made a promise to you that I don't plan to break this time. It's all good." Jake faintly smirks, and it's good knowing we're on the same page for once.
Now the only thing left to worry about is Jane, and what business she has with Maya.
Needless to say, but I don't trust her.
PLEASE REVIEW, I love reading your feedback!
Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, and followed. Much appreciation!
