Emily P.O.V.
"I'm sorry she didn't take it well", Maya says, her arm around my shoulder.
I smile halfheartedly, "I shouldn't have expected so much out of her. I know she is traditional."
"I know you aren't going to want to hear this, but you have to give your mom a break. She watched you grow up, and she planned this future for you in her head. The white picket fence, the perfect husband, and beautiful children. I know it sounds stupid, but your mom needs time to adjust, to change her views of your future", Maya says.
"I can't imagine my mom thinking like that", I say, holding eye contact with Maya.
She looks down, "I think that was my parent's problem. They had this vision for me, and that vision wasn't the same for me. It took them awhile, but they are finally starting to come around. You need to give her space."
"I feel like you are siding with her", I say, trying to suppress my anger.
Maya lets out a huff, "I'm not taking a side, I just want you to see her prospective as well."
Anger, it's all I feel. She is taking my mom's side, and I don't know why.
"I will just talk to you later", I say, standing up.
Maya stands with me, "Come on, Em. You know I'm not taking anyone's side. I just don't want you to have a relationship like I had with my parents. You deserve more than that."
There was instant silence between us, and neither of us knew what to say. We finally have every opportunity to be together, but we can't help but fight. With this freedom, we find awkwardness.
"Maybe we can get together later", Maya says, putting her hand on my shoulder, "I'm sorry about everything, but I'm sure it will get better. Try to take my advice."
She leaves before I can answer, but I don't think she was waiting for a response. Part of me missed the silence, because I still like being near her. But I know I need time to think about what I'm going to do with my mom.
"Hey", I say into the phone.
"What's up", Hanna questions, and she seems distracted.
I tap my fingers on the table, "I was curious if I could stay at your house for a few nights. Things aren't so great at home."
There is a small pause, "Sure, do you want to go ahead and come over now?"
I think for a second, "I will come over after I handle a few things."
We say 'bye', and I hang up the phone.
Maya P.O.V.
A knock at my door pulls me back to reality, and I notice my mom standing there.
She smiles at me, "Is everything okay?"
"I have a question, but I don't know how to ask it", I say, wringing my hands.
My mom sits next to me, "You can ask me anything."
I ponder this, "How did you manage to get over the fact I am a lesbian?"
It was my mom's turn to wring her hands and ponder this question.
"I missed you", she shrugs her shoulders, "I think it came down to the fact I missed my daughter. We were so close, Maya, and I couldn't stand walking into the house and not talking. I don't care who you are attracted to, as long as you're happy. You're my daughter, that's how I got over it. Because I realized you are my daughter, and I love you."
I wrap my mom into a hug, and I feel a few tears slip from my eye. I blink them away.
"What's going on", my mom questions, pushing my hair from my face.
I wipe my eyes, "Emily came out to her mom, and there wasn't much acceptance. I feel horrible, because I know what it feels like to just want your parent to understand."
"I think her mom just needs space", my mom says.
Huffing loudly, "I tried to tell her that, she just doesn't understand."
"She also needs space", my mom says, holding my hand.
"I think she blames me", I say, squeezing her hand.
Actually, I know she blames me.
Emily P.O.V.
"I need to know what you meant about making Maya move back", I say to Ben, taking a sip of my water.
Ben laughs, "I thought I was pretty clear about how I made it happen."
The sound of his laugh made my insides lurch, and I felt the goosebumps go up my arm.
"You told me that your dad made it happen, but I want to know how", I say, more demanding than I meant to sound.
A glint of humor was in his eyes, "Like I said, my dad has more money than he can handle, and he knew my good friend needed help."
Once again, that sick feeling crept up on me.
"Don't call her your friend", I fire back at him.
The humor in his eyes turns to anger, "She was going to ruin you, and I couldn't stand for it. I was good friends with Lindsey in grade school, and I was quite shocked Maya never recognized me before. I mean, I used to go to a lot of Lindsey's parties. I actually think we might have been introduced before."
Curiosity overtook me more than it should have, "What are you talking about?"
He smiles, "I was a military brat, and my father was good friends with Lindsey's dad. I talked Lindsey into telling her dad that Maya never hit on her, and the rest my dad took care of. Lindsey wanted Maya back, and I wanted you back. The plan worked out well, but Maya's dad liked this dumb town."
Shock, that is all I felt. There wasn't much to say, because I got every answer I needed. Ben knew Lindsey, but did Maya know that?
"Did you have feelings for Lindsey", I question, my curiosity overtook me.
His smile falters, "What?"
Suddenly, the puzzle pieces start to fall in place. Ben had a crush on Lindsey, but he knew Lindsey was only interested in Maya. The thought of another girl falling for Maya instead of him, left him furious. He obviously wanted revenge, not just on Maya, but the girl who could have possibly fallen for Maya.
"What else did you do to Maya", I question, this time anger was evident in my voice.
There was no smile when he answers me, "She doesn't want to know."
My hands clench into fist, and my anger was close to the boiling point.
"Just tell me, Ben", I say between clenched teeth.
The grin was back on Ben's face, "Laura was never interested in her. Actually, she's my cousin who owed me a huge favor."
Maya P.O.V.
We need to talk. –Laura
I was hopeful that Laura and I could go back to being friends, and maybe just that was going to happen when I see her later today.
Ben laid a huge secret in Emily's hands, but is he lying? Next chapter, the awkwardness between Emily and Maya will disappear, and we will see a big emaya moment. Laura will be in the next chapter, and we will hear her side of the story Ben told Emily.