I looked for you
The soft summer breeze blows, erasing with it the light trail of footsteps left on the sand in her walk along the shore.
A soft smile spreads across her lips as she feels the breeze wafting through her hair, carrying with it the salty marine scent filling her nostrils.
Maya can't help but close her eyes to enjoy such a pleasant sensation enveloping her, letting the last sunrays kiss her skin as the ocean comes to wet her feet bashfully, tickling her and eliciting a soft giggle from her.
But as soon as the giggle escapes her lips, a heavy sigh replaces it, obliging her to open her eyes once again to contemplate the distant and majestic rock she came across in her walking.
Maya approaches it slowly, admiring it before she carefully climbs it to then sit on it and be able like that to admire the breathtaking sight of the nightfall taking place before her.
She can't help but watch engrossed how the sun slowly sets, getting lost on the horizon as it goes back to its hiding place to sleep, painting the sky in such beautiful and enthralling pink, orange and purple tonalities.
Maya smiles softly again at the sight in front of her, before another heavy sigh manages to escape her lips upon thinking about the wide amount of sunsets she has been missing ever since she landed on France. About how many lovely sights or even landscapes and interesting places she might have been deprived of visiting upon having to go from one place to another of the country without being able to neither stop nor rest properly.
Another sigh gets lost into the soft breeze blowing as she thinks once again about how she's been locked in different hotel rooms since she landed on the country, merely going out either for auditions, practices or whichever place her parents obliged her to go with.
Maya can only keep admiring the breathtaking nightfall in front of her, its mesmerizing colors painting the sky as she dwells on the sad feeling of being deprived of enjoying such trivial things, of having to practice hard every day in order to try to have a place in the most prestigious theater companies in France obliged by her parents.
A heavy feeling then settles in her chest upon the pressure of having to be perfect all the time, of having to fill everybody's expectations...
Maya is so lost dwelling on those ugly thoughts and feelings that she doesn't hear the light set of footsteps approaching her until the other person is standing right behind her, admiring the same breathtaking sight as she does.
- Breathtaking, isn't it?
A gentle voice says behind her, and Maya can only whip her head to look back at the intruder, startled by the presence of somebody else beside her on the rock.
As soon as she takes a glimpse of the person behind her, she can't help but gasp, opening her eyes slightly at how breathtakingly beautiful the girl in front of her is, the sun reflecting onto her ash-blonde hair making it shine brightly. They way the colors of the sky getting dark sparkle on her magenta eyes, making her breath get caught in her throat upon contemplating such captivating girl.
The girl, upon seeing the awestruck expression on the brunette's face, can't help but smile regretfully.
- I apologize, I didn't mean to startle you.
The girl apologizes to Maya with a thick and foreign accent, and Maya can only shake her head, a light blush tinting her checks suddenly conscious of her reaction, quickly closing her agape mouth to then give the other girl a shy smile.
- It's okay – she says softly, clearing her throat – And yes, it's indeed breathtaking.
Maya ends up saying softly, giving the other girl a soft smile as she hears her giggling to then smile back at her.
Maya observes her taking a step close to sit next to her on the majestic rock without asking for permission whatsoever and watch together like that how the sun hides completely and the night slowly falls over them, enjoying such breathtaking sight in silence.
And even though Maya isn't quite fond of the company of strangers while she's contemplating things in calm and reflecting about her feelings, she finds herself not caring in the slightest about the foreign beauty accompanying her, stealing glances at her side to admire the peaceful expression adorning the ash-blonde's face.
But the sudden sound of her phone ringing pulls the both of them out of their reverie, breaking the calm silence settled between them.
- Excuse me.
Maya mutters an apology as she fishes for her phone out of her pocket, setting her jaw and stiffening as soon as she sees the name flashing on the screen.
- Good evening, father.
Maya answers seriously as she picks up the phone.
- Maya, where are you? You should already be back at the hotel.
The deep voice of her father demands her at the other side of the phone, and Maya can't help but flinch at his stern and demanding tone.
- Yes father. I apologize for the delay, I'll be back in shortly.
Yet her father barely listens to her apology before he hangs up the phone, leaving her hearing the beeps of the ending call.
She lets out a heavy sigh and stares briefly at the screen of the phone to then put it back into her pocket.
The ash-blonde next to her can't help but witness the entire exchange between the brunette and her father with regret, before she finds Maya's amethyst eyes looking back at her, a sorrowful smile playing on her lips as an illegible emotion is shown on her face.
- I apologize, but I need to go back to my hotel – Maya apologizes to her unexpected companion, grimacing while the ash-blonde simply nods.
- It's okay, just be careful.
Maya can only smile softly at the stranger's concern, nodding as she stands up to go back to the hotel.
- You too, please.
She says, getting another smile in return, before she turns around to set out on her walk back to the hotel.
Maya wants to turn around and go back to keep contemplating the sunset beside the ash-blonde. She wants to know her name and more about her, or when she'll be able to see her again, but Maya simply shakes her head and bites her tongue, forgetting about it being probably a result of a day as she fastens her pace on her way to the hotel where she'll surely get a reprimand for have been neglecting her practice and for have been out for so long.
The following day, and after an intense day of practice for her next audition, Maya can't help but disregard her parents and go out, finding herself strolling calmly once again along the beach shore, the ocean coming to greet her and wet her feet timidly, eliciting a giggling from her.
Maya then feels the light breeze blowing caressing her skin like a feather, swaying her hair while tangling it slightly. She chuckles at it, and closes her eyes briefly to enjoy the marine scent filling her nostrils, before she reopens them to see the breathtaking sight of the ash-blonde of the previous evening perched on the majestic rock she came across.
Maya feels her smile widening at the mere sight of her unexpected companion, and fastens her pace to get sooner where the other girl is.
She can only stare at the ash-blonde in the distance, taking in her breathtaking beauty, in the way the sun reflects on her hair making it shine as brightly as the sun itself, in the way her eyes sparkle vividly, trapping her in them as well as it takes her breath away.
She feels her heart skipping a beat at such enthralling sight, before said beauty turns slightly to look at her, a smirk playing on her lips making the blush return to Maya's cheeks just like the previous day.
Maya giggles giddily and smiles at her, waving at her as she shortens the small distance separating them.
- Mind if I join you? – she asks politely as she looks up at the ash-blonde still perched majestically onto the rock.
- Not at all.
The ash-blonde says, flashing her a soft smile that Maya eagerly returns, before she begins to climb the rock carefully to sit next to her unexpected but welcome companion.
- I apologize for my lack of manners the previous day, my name is Tendou Maya.
Maya introduces herself as she holds out her hand to the ash-blonde who takes it and leaves an unexpected light kiss on its back, making the brunette blush hard upon her chivalry, much to the delight of her companion.
- Claudine.
The ash-blonde introduces herself respectively with a smile adorning her beautiful face, and Maya can only nod, smiling back at her.
They look at one another for a brief moment, getting lost in one another's eyes, before they turn to look at the sunset together, contemplating in silence how the sun slowly goes back to its hiding place to rest and gather its strength back for the next day, painting the sky of pink, orange and purple colors.
Once again, they watch such mesmerizing sight in silence, enjoying the company of the other without the necessity of exchanging any word between them whatsoever until Maya's phone beeps just like the previous day.
- I apologize once again, I should go back to my hotel – Maya apologizes sorrowfully, seeing Claudine smiling at her softly.
- Don't worry, just be careful, Maya.
Claudine says, drawing a smile on Maya's face upon the way she pronounces her name, with such sweetness, care and delicacy.
- You too, Claudine.
Maya says softly, turning around to leave, before she bites her lip and stops, quickly turning around to see a confused but utterly cute expression on the ash-blonde's face.
- Did you forget something? – Claudine asks softly and Maya can only smile back at her.
- No… I just… – Maya trails off nervously, before she intakes a sharp breath of air to feel a bit calmer and be able to talk properly – Will you be here tomorrow?
Maya asks her hesitantly, bashfully, hoping to see the ash-blonde once again and contemplate the sunset together just like they did these past couple of days, and Claudine can't help but smirk at the brunette's shy question.
- Maybe.
The ash-blonde answers mysteriously, clicking her tongue upon noticing the other girl pouting lightly, before Maya realizes of it and blushes lightly, causing her to giggle at such cuteness.
So cute.
It's the only thing Claudine can think before she winks at Maya, making the blush adorning her face deepen.
- I-I'll be waiting for you.
Maya mumbles completely embarrassed, smiling timidly before she leaves not wanting to embarrass herself further neither return late to the hotel.
As she's walking away, she can't help the wide smile adorning her face, the fast beating of her heart against her chest nor the happiness the ash-blonde makes her feel with just her mere presence.
The brunette can't wait for the next evening to come soon to watch the nightfall together, to admire the sunset colors shining onto Claudine as she enjoys her company and hopefully gets to know more about her…
Maya finds herself walking once again next evening along the beach, when she notices in the distance the figure of an ash-blonde girl walking ahead of her along the shore, leaving a trail of footsteps on the sand behind her that the brunette can't help but overlap, noticing how her feet are slightly bigger than Claudine's.
She giggles at it and continues chasing after her, admiring how her light orange dress dances along with the soft breeze.
As if she has sensed her, Claudine turns around, the sun burning her figure making Maya gasp upon her beauty, admiring her ash-blonde locks moving with the delicate movement while her magenta eyes sparkle intensely and mesmerizingly.
Maya can't help but stare for a bit longer at the beautiful smile adorning the other girl's face, focusing on the red painting her lips, emphasizing them more while inviting her to want to take a taste them and kiss her. But Maya refrains of it, and instead of that, she keeps walking slowly towards her companion, watching her smile slowly turning into the cheeky smirk she came to adore so much in the couple of days knowing her, before a gust of wind suddenly blows and takes with it Claudine's hat.
Maya lets out a giggle upon the cute and surprised squeal she hears coming out of the other girl's mouth and quickly speeds up to grab a hold of the hat in her hands before it could fly completely away.
- Here.
She says softly as she approaches Claudine to place the hat on her head, and Claudine can't help but blush slightly at their closeness.
- Merci.
Claudine whispers softly, and Maya can only nod, getting accidently trapped into Claudine's deep and mesmerizing magenta eyes, noticing the small pink flecks coloring their irises. She can't help but get trapped in the light, almost imperceptible freckles adorning her pale skin, emphasizing the curvature of her cheekbones and nose.
Maya doesn't notice how the distance between them shortened noticeable, until in a bold movement, Claudine cups her cheek and kisses her.
She doesn't know anything about kisses, but she swears it could perfectly be a French kiss. Sadly, she barely has time to reciprocate it and find out about it, before Claudine pulls away, breaking the kiss to press a finger on her lips and wink at her.
There's a swirl of emotions swirling inside of Maya, many questions and thoughts piling up in her mind wanting to be out, but Maya simply blushes and bites her lip, choosing to simply enjoy the taste of Claudine's lips still lingering on hers.
She hears Claudine giggling, before she takes her by the hand to drag her along the beach towards the rock that slowly became their spot and also their favorite place to watch the sunset together and in silence, not needing to say anything between them, simply understanding one another with just a simple glance.
Maya, as usual, returns to the hotel before the night ends up falling completely with a knot formed in the pit of her stomach, afraid of not be able to see Claudine the next evening.
Her fears come true next evening when Maya walks across the beach in search of the ash-blonde that slowly stole her heart with her silence and simplicity. But especially, with the way her eyes sparkle as brightly as the colors in the sky left by the sun, her soft smile or sly smirk and sweet kisses.
Maya looks for her in every corner along the beach, in the water in case Claudine had decide to go to swim and become one with the ocean, waiting for her until the night falls over and she chooses to ignore her father's calls to go and walk through the city's streets, asking the people she encounters if they saw the ash-blonde in a fruitless search.
Maya sighs heavily and sits on the edge of a fountain to take a break of such an arduous search, letting the fresh summer breeze blowing recharge her batteries in an attempt to alleviate the heaviness in her chest.
She can't help but gaze up at the sky, watching the full moon rising in between the city's high buildings to shine in all its splendor, bringing a soft smile to her face.
- Where are you, Claudine?
She asks the moon sorrowfully as if it'd know the answer to her question, before another heavy and distressed sigh escapes her lips and she begrudgingly goes back to the hotel with slumped shoulders, dragging her feet across the solitary streets while she carries with her her broken heart.
She skips dinner, going directly to bed wondering where the girl she came to like could be. Wondering if she will have the chance to see her once again or on the contrary, she unknowingly let her escape.
A lonely tear escapes her eyes, before more tears quickly follows it and Maya finds herself crying openly, trying to quieten her hiccups as she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath to calm herself down, not wanting to raise any suspicions from her parents.
She wonders, confused, how a mere stranger like Claudine could have woke such variety of emotions inside her going from angst to happiness in a matter of seconds, making her heart race at the mere thought of her. But then again maybe it's all because Claudine is the epitome of everything she isn't: simple, carefree, living life as she should be doing without having to be worried about being perfect all the time, or being locked inside hotels and practice rooms or doing whatever her parents oblige her to do… And maybe, just maybe, it's precisely because of that, that Maya slowly started to like her.
It's because of that why in the short time knowing each other, the ash-blonde managed to steal her heart in such a way.
A heavy sigh escapes her lips before she finally falls asleep with her heart shattered into pieces and the discovery that she ended up falling for Claudine within a mere couple of days of knowing her.
Next day isn't anything but a repetition of the previous days, having to practice twice as hard to be as perfect as possible for her upcoming and last audition, and also the most important one.
And even though Maya does no longer mind about being perfect, exhausted due to the lack of a proper rest given such hard work and auditions, wanting nothing more than finish with it so she can rest properly, she simply sighs and puts the best smile she can muster on her face as she walks onto the stage with calm but firm steps.
She pauses briefly at the center of the stage, bowing respectfully to the judges in front of her, when she catches a glimpse of an ash-blonde hair in between the members.
Maya intakes a sharp breath of air, staring in slight disbelieve at the ash-blonde girl in front of her who can only give her a regretful smile, before Maya manages to pull herself back together, waiting for the music to start sounding to begin with her routine, dancing around the stage with such a gracefulness and elegancy hard to find.
Claudine for her part, can't help but watch her dance routine fascinated, following her attentively completely trapped in the delicacy of her movements and the way the brunette conveys the sweetness and the sadness accompanying the piece in such a perfect way, before the piece comes to an end sooner than she'd have liked.
She observes Maya approaching the center of the stage once again to bow respectfully, locking eyes with her for a fleeting moment, and Claudine can't help but try and give her a reassuring smile back before she watches her walking off the stage with mixed feelings.
- Claudine? It isn't possible… that girl couldn't be her… could she?
Maya mumbles to herself once she's off the stage, confused as to why she has found the ash-blonde in between the judges. She shakes her head trying to not think about it and keeps walking towards the changing room, greeting the rest of performers she meets on her way, before she enters the room and changes into her casual clothes to then leave the theater in which the auditions took place.
Once she arrives to her hotel room, she grabs her phone to google Claudine's name, but much to her dismay, she finds the search fruitless upon not knowing the ash-blonde's surname.
Maya sighs heavily and flops back onto her bed to rest, a mix of feelings slowly taking over her as her mind races to think as why did the ash-blonde approached her from the start, with what intentions. Was all a lie to take advantage of her, or was Claudine being genuine?
Maya closes her eyes, many questions without answers swirling inside her mind, before she decides to go and find the only person who has the answers to all those questions, noticing how the sun slowly sets on the horizon.
She takes a light jacket with her ready to leave her hotel room and go to the beach in the hope that she can find the ash-blonde on their rock, when her father comes in.
- Maya, we need to talk.
He says sternly, stopping her dead in her tracks with no room to answer back at him, making her nod and gulp feeling suddenly nervous about what he has to tell her.
- You have to start packing your belongings. We're leaving tomorrow afternoon.
He says, and Maya can only gasp shocked at his words.
- But father, we talked about staying for a couple of days more to enjoy the city after the auditions – Maya answers back to him, quickly shutting off upon seeing the hard look on her father's eyes.
- Your mother and I have other obligations back in Japan that are more important to attend to and that will be more beneficial for your future success and career than staying here sightseeing, so we're leaving tomorrow.
- But father-
- We're leaving tomorrow Maya, stop disagreeing with me and start packing up your belongings.
With that said, he turns around and leaves her room, closing the door with a slight slam as he plunges Maya into a heavy silence, causing her to flop onto the bed dejectedly, her head still wrapped around the idea of having to leave so abruptly the following day and around the fact she probably won't be seeing Claudine ever again.
She can't help but gasp and jump slightly at the thought of Claudine, quickly taking a look through the window of her room to see the night already falling.
- Damn.
She curses under her breath as she quickly gets out of her room to begin running towards the beach.
- Please Claudine, hold on.
She wishes hopefully as she keeps running as fast as her legs allow her until she arrives to the beach. Soon, she feels the sand seeping through her shoes as she runs through it to reach their beloved rock out of breathe.
She then stops, her hands resting on her knees as she catches her breath and looks up to find Claudine looking back at her with a soft smile on her face, patting the space next to her on the rock inviting her to sit beside her.
The brunette smiles back at her softly and quickly accepts her invitation, beginning to climb the rock carefully to sit next to her and watch together how the sun already hid and the moon is slowly rising up in the sky to illuminate it brightly, the stars dancing around it.
- I guess you have some questions to ask me, don't you?
Claudine says calmly as she looks before them, and Maya can only look at her with thousand questions piling up in her mind, biting her lip to prevent them from coming out all together.
- Why?
It's the only question she manages to ask though, observing Claudine smiling lopsided, before she clicks her tongue and turns to look back at her, trapping Maya in the way her eyes sparkle with such intensity.
- I've been looking for you – Claudine simply answers, smiling softly at Maya's frown – I saw you sat on this solitary rock and something draw me to want to talk to you, to get to know you. You looked so peaceful, so breathtaking, yet so sad that I couldn't help but approach you to try and put a smile on your face.
Claudine trails off as if she was recalling that day, and Maya can't blame her, replaying the exact moment in which they first met in her mind, a smile spreading across her face.
- Did you know who I was? – Maya asks hesitantly, hearing Claudine clicking her tongue.
- No. Not until you told me your name – Claudine answers honestly.
- Then…
Then you only kept talking to me because of who I am?
Maya wants to ask her afraid of the answer of the other girl to her question.
- No – Claudine quickly replies as if she had guessed what Maya was thinking – I value your company, Maya. The peace you make me feel whenever we are alone watching the sunset together, the way you smile so sweetly and carefree at it. It's... it's everything I've ever wanted.
Maya still has a lot of questions to ask the other girl, but she knows what Claudine meant: in a world like theirs, full of hectic schedules and pressure to always be perfect and on the top, it's always welcome a bit of tranquility, a bit of simplicity…
- Aren't you curious about who I am though? Why I was in the jury?
Claudine inquires her suddenly, and Maya can only blush causing the ash-blonde to laugh.
- I… yes.
Maya answers bashfully, making Claudine smile and take her hand in hers, feeling Maya intertwining their fingers and how perfectly they fit, making her smile widen.
- I'm part of the theater company. I'm actually their top star.
Maya can't help but gasp, looking at Claudine surprised.
- Really? Then why…
- I've been looking for somebody who can share the stage with me. Somebody who can push me to shine brighter and reach higher tops together. I've been looking for somebody like you to be my partner.
Claudine ends up saying, looking directly into the brunette's amethyst eyes and Maya understands perfectly what she means, the double meaning hidden in her words because it's exactly what she has also been looking for some time.
Maya can only smile back at her as she squeezes her hand.
- Me too.
They stay in silence for a while, enjoying the way the full moon shines brightly up in the sky, reflecting onto the ocean waves that come to die against their rock, splashing them at times while eliciting a giggle from them, before Maya talks again.
- I have to go back to Japan tomorrow.
She whispers sorrowfully, afraid that saying it louder will make it more real, and Claudine can only smile at her sadly, squeezing her hand before she rubs it with her thumb in a comforting way.
- It'll be okay, Maya.
Claudine says softly in a reassuring way, and Maya thinks that it'll really be okay, leaning into Claudine's side as the ash-blonde surrounds her body with her arm and pulls her closer to keep enjoying the sight of the moon shining brightly upon them, before the brunette has to go back to the hotel.
- Here, this is my number, and a little something for you to remember me.
Claudine tells Maya as she hands her a piece of paper with her phone number on it and a magenta seashell necklace, seeing a coy smile spreading across Maya's lips before she takes it and stands up awkwardly, unaware of what to do next.
Claudine chuckles as she also stands up, taking a step forward to take the necklace back in her own hands and place it around the brunette's neck, clicking it close while she leaves a light kiss on her slender neck, making Maya blush shyly before she turns around and cups the ash-blonde's cheek, caressing it.
- Don't worry, Maya, everything will work out.
Claudine reassures her once again and Maya can only believe her, looking at her with a soft smile on her face as her eyes sparkle brightly before they shorten their distance and share a deep kiss with the moon and the ocean as sole witnesses.
They reluctantly pull away from the kiss, resting their foreheads together to then share another short but sweet kiss, before Maya sighs and sorrowfully lets Claudine go, waving her goodbye.
- Be careful, Maya. I'm sure we will be seeing one another soon.
Claudine says fondly, and Maya can only smile, kissing the ash-blonde's hand afraid of saying anything that will make her break in front of her.
- You too, Claudine. I really hope we get to see one another soon.
She whispers hopeful, stepping back to walk back to her hotel with a heavy heart, clutching the magenta seashell tightly against her chest as tears spill down her eyes, not wanting to leave the ash-blonde.
Maya falls asleep as soon as she returns to her hotel room and her head touches the pillow of her bed, tears flooding down her eyes as the image of Claudine smiling sadly at her is still engraved in her mind.
When she wakes up, the sun has already risen high in the sky, and Maya can only sigh heavily before she begins to pack her belongings, holding the seashell Claudine gave her close to her heart before she hides it under her shirt afraid her parents could see it at any moment.
Then, she goes down to have breakfast with her parents, pretending she's okay as she listens to their plans for her once they're back to Japan, all the auditions they want to take her to and all the people they want to introduce her to. She can only let out a heavy sigh as she keeps listening to them, suddenly losing her appetite.
Afternoon arrives sooner than she'd have liked, and she finds herself taking a last look at her hotel room, checking she didn't leave anything behind, before she grabs her suitcase and leaves with her parents to the airport.
Once she's there, she can't help but look at the sun setting on the horizon as they're waiting at the departure lounge, thinking about a certain and sweet ash-blonde, when her phone beeps with a new email.
Maya furrows her brow and quickly opens it.
"Dear miss Tendou Maya,
We're delighted to announce that you have successfully passed the auditions. As such, we would like to welcome you as part of our brilliant cast.
Yours sincerely, Théâtre du Flamme"
Maya can only gasp, covering her mouth with both of her hands to not yell in the middle of the terminal, before her phone beeps once again, this time with a new text.
"Congratulations Maya, you made it. I'll be waiting for you, my dear companion top star ? – Claudine"
A happy and wide smile draws upon Maya's face, tears gathering around the corner of her eyes threatening to fall before she wipes them away and quickly runs to catch up with her parents on their way to the boarding gate.
- Father, mother, I have something to tell you – Maya informs the both of them seriously, making them stop on their way to board – I've been accepted in the Théâtre du Flamme.
She says proudly, seeing her parents looking at one another apathetic, before they sigh at the same time.
- That's great Maya, but we already decided to go back to Japan. The New National First Theater Troupe is the best and only option for you.
Her father says, turning around to keep walking towards the boarding gate ending like that any further discussion.
Maya, far from keep moving and following them, just sets her jaw.
- No.
She says firmly, raising her voice causing her father to stop abruptly and turn to glare at her.
- Maya...
Her father begins to warn her, but Maya only shakes her head.
- No father, mother, I'm not going back to Japan with you.
She stands her ground, interrupting her father and exasperating him.
- Maya, you're coming back with us, end of the conversation.
- No, I'm staying. I want to be part of the Théâtre du Flamme, it's everything I want.
Her father simply looks at her with visible angriness in his eyes, ready to drag her back to Japan with them, before his wife places a hand on his forearm to calm him down. Maya takes advantage of this to grab her suitcase and start running towards the only place she knows she can go to, ignoring her parents calling her.
She runs as fast as she can until she reaches the beach, pausing for a brief moment to catch her breath when she notices a mesmerizing ash-blonde girl in the distance walking gracefully along the shore.
A wide smile breaks over her face, before she begins to run once again, leaving her suitcase far forgotten in the beach's sand.
- Claudine!
She calls out for the ash-blonde, seeing her turning around surprised, making Maya smile even wider at her cute expression, before she sees her smiling back at her, holding out her hand for her to take it.
A soft giggle escapes their lips, before Maya quickly takes Claudine's hand and pulls the ash-blonde to rest their foreheads together as they look into one another's eyes.
- I've thought you were leaving – Claudine whispers softly as she cups Maya's cheek gently.
- I couldn't leave. Not when I aspire to be a top star along with you after all.
Maya says confidently, hearing Claudine giggling before she shortens their distance and kisses her deeply.
It's crazy and unexpected, but Maya realized that Claudine is everything she's always been looking for.