AN: Wow this story is getting long. There are still a lot more chapters . . . so sorry if you're a short story kind of person. Anyway, enjoy this nice little chapter.
Disclaimer: All TMI characters belong to Cassandra Clare :)
Chapter Songs:
**Fire N Gold by Bea Miller (Alex & Maya)
**Caves by Haux (Kyle & Maya)
** FU by Miley Cyrus ft. French Montana (Ash & Maya)
"This just won't do. It won't do at all."
Alex huffed and returned to her closet to try on yet another outfit. Maya sighed and fell back on Alex's bed in exhaustion.
"Alex, every single thing you put on looks great. Just pick one."
Alex was going out with Aline today and to say that she was nervous was an understatement. She'd tried on at least five outfits already and apparently hated them. Maya didn't see the problem with any of them, but what did she know about fashion?
A couple minutes later, Alex walked out of her closet with a new outfit on and looked at it in the mirror.
"Hmmm." Alex said, twisting and turning in the mirror.
Maya sat up and hoped to God that she liked that one. It was nice, but so were the previous five.
"So?" Maya asked.
Alex smiled. "I like it."
"And I'm sure Aline will too."
She was wearing a ruffled off white sleeveless blouse, black skinny jeans, black vans and her hair was pulled back into a tight low bun. She also spent about an hour doing her makeup. Maya had never seen her spend so much time on herself. She must really like Aline.
It was nice of her to go out and do her thing despite what her parents thought. She didn't need anyone's approval to be herself. Her parent's opinion shouldn't have mattered when it came to these things. She knew who she was and that was that. And forget anyone else who had a problem with it.
"You think so?" Alex asked.
Maya nodded. "Definitely."
She smiled and clapped her hands together. "That's a relief." She let out a breath. "I'm literally freaking out. This is my first date with a girl."
Maya laughed. "Calm down Alex. Just go out and have fun. Don't even think of it as a date, just think of it as hanging out."
"Yeah—pfft. Just . . . you know, hanging out." She sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
Maya smiled. "There you go. So, where are you guys meeting?"
Alex sat down at her desk. "There's this trail not too far from here that leads to this really pretty lake. So we're just going to walk and talk."
"Ooh, romantic." Maya waggled her brows.
Alex laughed. "Oh my God. You're doing this to get back at me aren't you?"
"Definitely."
Alex checked her phone and shot up. "Holy shit! It's almost five. Where did all the time go?" She grabbed her purse and keys.
"I have no idea." Maya said sarcastically.
Alex playfully glared at her. "Come on."
Maya removed herself from her bed. "I gotta get home anyway."
Once outside, Maya gave Alex a hug. "Good luck, chica."
"Thanks. You're the best." She fixed herself a little.
Maya looked at her. "Okay, now go!"
"Right." Alex laughed and ran to her car. Maya laughed at her and jogged to her house.
She had a good feeling about their date.
.o.O.o.
"So, Maryse and Robert invited us over for dinner tomorrow." Jocelyn said.
Maya grimaced and looked up from her dinner. "Oh goodie."
Jocelyn sighed. "I know you don't like them, but try to deal with it for just a few hours. Besides, I want to meet the parents of my daughter's boyfriend."
Maya nodded. "Yeah, and then you'll see why I don't like them."
Jon furrowed his brows. "Why don't you like them?"
Maya could think of many reasons. "Because—excuse my language mom—they're shit parents. You guys know how much family means to me and to see them literally throw theirs away out of selfishness is sick."
"We only have to go the once. And if you don't like them, chances are we won't either. So let's just get it over with and be polite." Jocelyn said.
Maya smiled. "Good thing I'm a great actress."
"Thank you, sweetie. That goes for you too." She pointed to Jon.
He put a hand to his chest. "I'm always polite mom, you know this."
Jocelyn laughed. "That's a good one."
"Have a little faith."
Maya snorted. "When pigs fly." She muttered.
Jon glared at her. "I heard that."
"I heard that." She mocked.
Jocelyn shook her head. "I thought it would get better as you guys got older, but no, it got worse."
Maya laughed. "Love you too mom."
Jocelyn looked at both of them.
"Of course you do."
.o.O.o.
The next morning, Maya rode her motorcycle to school. She was still thinking about the dinner with Kyle's parents. It was a mystery as to why they all of a sudden wanted to have dinner with them. They've been living there for months and it was like they were just noticing. She could barely spend five minutes with Maryse. How could she sit there for an entire dinner, knowing what they've done?
As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw a very familiar set of blonde curls. A small smile appeared on her face as she got closer. Kyle was leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets, looking in her direction. She kept her motorcycle running until she was right in front of him. He smiled and pushed himself off of his car as she removed her helmet.
"Hey, Angel." He took her helmet from her and let her get off.
She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him. "Hey."
He put his arm around her shoulders and began walking with her towards the school. She looked up at him.
"So, I'm coming over for dinner tonight. Your parents invited us."
He raised a brow. "They did?"
She sighed. "They didn't tell you, did they?"
"Me and my parents aren't exactly on good terms."
She nodded in understanding. "Well my mom already agreed to it, so we'll be there."
Once they got to her locker, she put her helmet inside and turned to him. He was looking down at his shoes. If she didn't know any better she would have thought he was nervous. She nudged his shoulder a little.
"What's up?" She asked.
He smiled. "I got a call earlier." He ran a hand through his hair. "There's a scout coming from NYU to check me out this Friday. It's kind of a big deal for me, but I don't know." He shrugged.
Maya smiled. "Really? That's great."
He looked at her. "You think so?"
She saw a certain vulnerability in his eyes. She could see the little kid in him that just wanted someone to be proud of him. For someone to notice him. His parents may not have acknowledged how great he was, but she did.
She took his face in her hands and nodded. "Of course. That's beyond amazing." She kissed his cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
He rested his forehead on hers. "Thanks, Angel. It's nice to hear someone say that. I just got the news, but I didn't really have anyone to tell or anyone that would really care for that matter. . ."
She shook her head. "Well I care and I'm sure they're going to love you."
He smiled. "I have been quite motivated lately and I think a certain someone is to thank for that."
She smiled. "I wonder who?"
He shook his head. "Still such a smartass." He brought his lips to hers for a quick kiss.
Her arms slipped around his neck as she smiled against his lips. "I'm your smartass." She murmured.
"That you are." He kissed her again before grabbing her hand.
It was strange how natural things were with him. Months before, she couldn't even imagine herself with a boyfriend and now she had one. A boyfriend that was way too good looking for her. He was like a god with his chiseled features and boyish charm. Sometimes she felt like stale bread standing next to him. But he constantly told her that she was beautiful and she was slowly starting to believe him. It would probably take a while before she was completely confident in herself, but she was making progress. And just because she wasn't so confident on the inside didn't mean she had to be on the outside. She was a master at hiding her emotions. To everyone at school, she was the biker chick that had a temper. She would rather have people think that than to see her vulnerable side. Most of the school had seen her practically rip Ash's head off and punch Jack in the face. Maybe that meant they would keep their distance. She definitely had no problem with that.
Her and Kyle arrived to art class right before the bell rang. He planted a kiss to her temple before letting her hand go to take his seat. She smiled and plopped down beside Alex. When she saw the look on Alex's face, she knew she was in a good mood.
"Let me hear it. I know it's killing you."
She squealed. "Oh my God. It was so amazing. She has like the best fashion sense I've ever seen. That girl seriously needs to take me shopping. Anyway . . . we're going out again! She asked me out this time. Can you believe it!"
Maya laughed. "That's awesome, Alex. I don't think I've ever seen you this peppy. So I say go for it."
She smiled. "It's so nice to be this happy. So I'm definitely going for it."
"Good." Alex gave her a quick hug before the teacher walked in.
"Alright, take out your sketchbooks."
.o.O.o.
After the bell rang for lunch, Maya made a b-line to the bathroom. Her sorry excuse for a teacher wouldn't let her go until the stupid bell rang. What a prick.
After practically peeing on herself, she made her way down the hallway to lunch. On her way there, she saw a group of girls standing by the lockers. As she got closer she began to recognize some of them. Alex had her back to the lockers, facing Ash and the rest of her entourage. Alex's posture was stiff and closed off. Maya got a little closer and listened to what they were saying.
"So..." Ash began. "Sources tell me that you and Aline Penhallow were hanging out yesterday."
Alex rolled her eyes. "Yeah, so..."
Ash smirked. "So what? You know she's a lesbo right? Are you two dating or something?"
Alex crossed her arms in front of her. "Last time I checked, what I do is my business."
"This guy in my Spanish class was there and he said they were holding hands." One of the girls behind Ash said.
Ash's smirk turned into a smile. "Is that so? Alex dear, is there something you want to tell us? Maybe on the topic of a 'closet' of some sorts."
Maya couldn't listen to Ash's nasally voice taunt her best friend any longer, so she quickly moved until she was in front of Alex. Ash recoiled back as if she were burned. Her face was covered in ten pounds of makeup like always and her stupid hair was pin straight like always. It used to make her jealous to look at Ash, but not even her pretty little face could make up for how much of a major bitch she was. Alex must not have been used to arguing or fighting for herself, but she was.
Maya glared at Ash. "Sorry to interrupt, but would you mind leaving my friend alone?"
Ash cackled, her entourage following behind. "And what are you, shortstop, going to do if I don't?"
Maya clenched her fists. Ash and the rest of her friends were at least three inches taller than her, but she was unfazed. "Well I know for a fact that I would have a lot of fun kicking your ass. I could actually take all of you bitches with my hands tied behind my back. Want to test that theory?" She said, not backing down.
Ash rolled her eyes. "God, what does Kyle see in you? You're so . . . plain and it's like you're PMSing twenty four seven. He'll learn soon enough though. He needs a woman to please him, not a little girl. And once he realizes that, he'll be begging me to take him back. So enjoy him while you have him, sweetie, because nothing with him ever lasts."
Maya looked down at her watch then back up at Ash. "Oh are you finished? Sorry I must have zoned out." She smiled. "And this isn't about me and Kyle, this is about you leaving Alex alone. Is you life really so pathetic that you have to creep on Juniors all the time? And wake up, it's 2015. The homophobic shit is really getting old, so do me and the entire world a favor and mind your own goddamn business for once."
Ash opened her mouth to say something else, but Maya just gave her the bird and dragged Alex with her to the cafeteria. Alex giggled as they opened the doors.
"I can't believe you just did that. That was so badass!" Alex cheered.
Maya shook her head. "One day, I'm seriously going to rearrange that barbie's face and her posse's too."
Alex laughed. "Thanks, bestie."
"It was my pleasure." Maya swung her arms in the air. They both laughed as they got their lunch.
Stephanie was already sitting at their table, talking to Jon. Maya and Alex sat down with them and Alex turned to Stephanie.
"Oh my God. Maya just totally put Ash in her place."
Stephanie's eyebrows rose. "Seriously? Dang it, I always miss the good stuff."
"What did you say?" Jon asked wearily.
Maya smiled. "Well being the kind person I am, I asked her politely to back off."
Alex laughed. "Yeah right. You threatened to kick her ass then flipped her off."
Maya shrugged taking a bite of her lunch. "Tomato. Tomato."
Kyle took a seat next to her and his arm wrapped around her waist. He pulled her to him, placed a kiss to her cheek, and smiled. "Hey." His voice was low in her ear. She held back a shiver and smiled. "Hey, Goldie."
The rest of them just looked at her and Kyle. Jon held a hand to his heart.
"What am I chopped liver? I really thought we had something Kyle. Something special!"
The entire table erupted into laughter. Kyle all but fell over. "Dude."
Jon smiled and pretended to flip hair over his shoulder. "Don't talk to me, traitor."
That made everyone laugh even more. Maya wiped a tear from under her eye and smiled at Jon. "You're an idiot."
"More like amazing." Jon grinned.
Alex looked down at her phone and smiled. "Hey guys,"
They looked at her. "Yeah?"
She bit her nail. "You wouldn't mind if Aline sat with us today right?"
Maya shook her head. "No, of course not. Right guys?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"Bring her on over." Kyle said.
Alex smiled and got up. "Thanks guys."
Maya had only heard about Aline, she never actually met her. She was curious to see who she really was.
A couple minutes later, Alex returned with a girl around the same height as her. The girl was striking, even with simple black hair and dark brown eyes. She had a slight Asian look to her too. Alex was right about her style, the girl looked like she lived in Chanel. But Aline didn't give off an aura that she was stuck up or anything. She actually looked kind of shy.
"Guys, I want you to meet Aline." Alex smiled at the girl beside her.
Aline smiled and waved at them. "Hi."
Everyone said hello before she sat down. Alex sat down beside her and introduced everyone.
"So this is my brother Kyle and that's his best friend Jon, and these two girlies are my best friends, Maya and Stephanie."
"Nice to meet you guys." Aline said with a smile.
"You too."
Maya mouthed nice to Alex after looking at Aline. I know right she mouthed back. They laughed and the group jumped into another conversation. Aline was actually really nice. Alex was a lucky girl.
Before the bell for lunch rang, Alex and Aline left to go to class. Kyle was talking to Jon and Maya was talking to Stephanie. They were about to head out of the cafeteria to get to their classes when Ash approached her and Stephanie. She could see Kyle in front of them and she shook her head when he began walking towards her. He stopped and she turned back to Ash.
"Looking for a comeback? Well make it quick because we have a class to get to class."
Ash looked down at her. "You think you're big and bad because you're dating a senior? Well think again." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I run this school and I can make your life a living hell."
She almost laughed at that. She'd lived in hell for years, there was nothing Ash could do to her that would compare to that.
"Is that a threat, Barbie?"
Ash shrugged. "Depends."
Maya smiled. "Well alright, always nice chatting with you."
She saw the twitch in Ash's brow, knowing that she wasn't getting to her. Maya just continued to smile politely. Ash huffed in frustration and picked a cup off of a table nearby and tried to quickly dump it on her, but she redirected the liquid with her powers so it fell on her instead. Ash squealed as fruit punch spilled over her white top. Maya took a step back with Stephanie to avoid getting it over them.
"Get me napkins!" She screamed at the girls behind her.
Maya moved around her. "Wow. Karma's a bitch isn't it?" She flipped her off again as she backed away.
She was really getting tired of her.
Kyle walked over to her. She looked up at him and smiled innocently. "Oh hey, Goldie."
His eyes were filled with amusement. He pulled her somewhere more private and leaned down to her. "If I'm not mistaken, someone just used their..." He glanced around before continuing. "powers for evil."
She bit her lip. "She was testing my patience. And you know how impatient I am. She has this like. . . vendetta against me, always has."
He grabbed her hand. "She's jealous of you, Angel."
She snorted. "Yeah right."
He shook his head. "She's jealous of us. She sees me with you. Happy with you. And she loses it. I guess she figures if she can't have me than nobody can, but I'm not hers, never really was and never will be." He kissed the back of her hand. "I'm yours, only yours. Don't let her get to you."
She put her arms around him. "I won't. I know you care about me . . . or you would've left by now."
"I'm not going to leave you. If I can help it." He rested his lips on top of her head.
"Okay."
He grabbed her hand. "Let's get to class."
She nodded before walking with him.
AN: Hope you're having a great day, loves
~A
