"The New Girl"
Only two days have passed since chapter one so they aren't getting together anytime soon. But I don't think you'll mind… ;)
I decided to only italicize what Emily's reactions are. I think this will be easier on the reader, at least I hope it will be…
Rated T for Teen.
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But then, she takes my hand leading me to our things, "Let's get that aloe on you. I told you I would heal you and I told you I won't let you fall." She winks! I melt as usual! She's holding my hand again! Happy face!
Once we have all our stuff packed and we're ready to go, I smile and silently yell, "Shotgun!"
Chapter 5: Aloe! Maya! Sleepover! Panic!
Emily POV
"Fine."
Hanna's on the phone with her mom and it sounds heated. Maya and I look at each other curiously and smile because we so badly want to know what they're talking about. At least I think that's why we're smiling…
"Mom, I said fine. I just have to pick up my car at Emily's."
Again we make eye contact but this time we arch our eyebrows at exactly the same moment and then open our mouths in surprise of the other's reaction! We "o" each other! Yes!
"We're almost at her house but Emily and Maya are gonna havta follow me home."
Maya has to keep her eyes on the road but I don't! I watch as her hair blows wildly behind her and every once in a while she'll slip her hair behind her right ear, but only her right ear with her left hand firmly wrapped around the steering wheel. I can't help but notice her chiseled arms, so strong yet dainty. I follow down her arm to her slight wrists and her long, slender fingers. I think she senses me studying her because she smiles a bit shyly for Maya. Do you think I'm getting to her?!
"Why? Because I said so."
We both snap a look back at Hanna shocked at the way she's talking to her mom! She shrugs her shoulders and mouths, "What?"
"Okay, okay sorry!"
Maya and I both give her an approving look and this time Hanna sarcastically mouths, "Thanks moms!" Maya and I drop our mouths! It's like we're so in sync! We "o" each other again! Yay!
"But mom, Emily got sunburned so I said she could come over and put some aloe from one of your plants on it."
I move my shoulder forward while turning my head to look down at it when Maya ever so gently puts her hand on me caressing it with her thumb. She gives me a wink, a kind, caring wink. I'm a puddle!
"Yes, that's it and then they'll go."
She's watching the road and smiling again. I bet she knows she just turned me into a puddle! Ugh! Why do I have to be so transparent!
"Okay. We'll be there soon."
She hits end on her cell phone.
"Oh my god! She's such a pain!"
"What was that all about?" I ask as we pull in my driveway.
"Uggghhhhh! I have to go to my dad's! He's picking me up pretty much as soon as I get home."
"Is that a bad thing?" Maya asks.
"No. It's that I only just got back today and now I have to leave again," she sounds sad not mad.
"Wait, will you be able to go to the sleepover?" I ask.
"Hell yeah!" she quickly snaps out of her so very temporary depression. "My parents promised I would be home by Friday night."
I get out of the car to let her out.
"We'll follow you, okay?"
"It's whatever! Thanks for driving Maya. See ya in a bit!" She bounces to her car.
And when she gets in her own car Maya says, "She is somethin' else isn't she!" I'm not sure I like her saying that!
"That's Hanna. She's a lot of fun but don't mess with her fun or else." I laugh.
"I can see that," she says as she backs out of the driveway, again not using her mirrors but instead putting her hand on my headrest and leaning close. Is she doing that on purpose? Or am I just hoping she is…
We pull into Hanna's driveway…
"Wow! That's some house!" Maya observes excitedly.
"Yeah, it's kinda big for just her and her mom but it's where she grew up and her mom doesn't want their divorce to change anything more in her life."
"I'm good with that. I bet she could have an awesome party here," she sounds like she's planning it already. I could never have a party at my house. I could never have Maya stay at my house. I could never…
"Come on guys, you can sit in the kitchen while I get that aloe."
"Thanks Hanna."
"Mom, I'm home! And so are Emily and Maya, so be nice!" She really is something else!
"I'm on the phone! Just do what you have to do and Hanna, don't be late!"
"I know! We'll just be a minute."
"Make yourselves at home girls but you'll have to make it quick!"
"No worries Mrs. Marin! We will!" I call up to her.
"And thank you! I'm Maya, the new girl by the way!"
"You're welcome girls and nice to meet you Maya!"
"Just in case you haven't figured it out yet we like to yell around here," Hanna blares with sarcasm and then leaves us alone in the kitchen. Nice.
"I love these stools," she sits down and starts spinning around. We both laugh and smile. I don't even notice my sunburn anymore!
Then suddenly she stops, "Hey Em, sit, let me take care of you." Huh? What? Take care of me? Yeah, okay! If you insist!
Hanna comes back with one of the aloe leaves she broke off.
"Here Maya, I havta go upstairs and pack and stuff you don't mind do you?" No! No she doesn't mind!
"No, not at all, thank you Hanna," she hugs Hanna. A little too long for my liking.
"It was so great meeting you and talking about Emily." Huh! What! You talked about me!
"Hanna you're too much!" Maya laughs.
"Just kidding, it wasn't all about you Em! Love you both, see ya Friday!" Love you both! I don't think so Hanna!
"Bye Hanna, thanks again!" Alone at last…
"So, Em can you get that tank top off for me?" she says with all of her sweetness. I'd take everything off for you!
I take off my top. My shoulders fully exposed. She brushes my hair off of them. I can feel the coolness of the aloe as it touches my skin soothing me almost immediately. My head falls forward completely relaxed.
She puts the aloe leaf on top of the kitchen counter, "Now, let me heal you." Fuck yes!
Her fingertips gingerly massage the aloe into my skin. I feel as though I might faint! I don't know if it's a combination of the sun making me tired or her tranquil touch. Her hands travel down my arms, over my shoulder blades and back on top of my shoulders giving them one last sweep. I've lost where I am. I've fluttered away. I'm floating in space. And then it happens! I ruin everything when I…
"Mmmmmmm." Oh my god! Did that just come out of my mouth! Shit! Maybe she didn't notice!
"Wow, I really do have the healing touch!" she giggles. I'm red. I'm hot not even close to warm! I can't look at her!
"Sorry, it's just that I can't believe how fast the aloe is working!" I try to cover! Yeah, the aloe. I'm so stupid!
"The aloe, huh," Maya smirks. What does that mean, "the aloe huh." Has she figured me out so soon! I feel like such a fool!
I grab my top slipping back into it as quickly as possible, "I guess we should go."
"Yeah, I don't think I wanna be here when Hanna's mom gets off the phone," we both laugh. I'm grateful for the change of subject!
"I know. Let's go before there's any more awkwardness," I suggest.
She leads the way, "The only awkwardness here is Hanna and her mom yelling at each other. That's all. I promise." How can anyone be so perfect! I want to pick her up and twirl her around!
"You okay Em?" she squeezes my hand.
"What? Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go." I walk practically on tip toes I feel so light and graceful!
We yell our goodbyes up the stairs and leave and wouldn't ya know it, of course, I trip!
"Whoa! Em are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just feel stupid for falling on you twice in one day."
"You can fall on me whenever you want. I told you I'd be there to catch you. Mwah!" And she mwahs and I turn to jelly!
"Thanks Maya." I don't know what else to say! Someone please tell me what to say!
"So, Em, are your parent's home? And if so will I get yet another dose of awkward?" she laughs.
"No, actually, my dad's still in Texas and my mom won't be home until tonight."
"Awesome!" Awesome?
"Why awesome?" I ask not sure why that would be awesome.
"I've seen Spencer's house inside and the downstairs of Hanna's house, now it's time for you to show me yours," she arches her eyebrow. Show me yours? Show me yours what? Gulp!
"Okay." I barely get out.
She senses my unsureness, "But only if you want to."
"Oh I want to." No! That sounded so eager! Did I just say I want to show her mine not even knowing what showing her mine means! I can't even talk right now!
She smiles wide, "Good. I'm glad you want to." She's glad I want to what! I'm so confused!
Maya drives us home and I'm doing my best to breathe in and out slowly to keep my heart from beating out of my chest! I start fidgeting with my hands. Oh shit! I'm all clammy! Now I'm rubbing them on my shorts!
I can feel her glancing at me, "Are you okay Em?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I fake a smile.
She pulls in the driveway and while she makes her way to the door, I grab my stuff and trail after her.
I fumble with the key. She holds both of her hands over my shaking one taking it from me. Does she know? Does she even know what she does to me?!
"Here, let me." I smile awkwardly. More awkwardness! Damn it!
She quite calmly takes the key from my trembling hand. She lets us in. I drop my bag by the stairs while she closes it.
"So, are ya gonna give me the grand tour? Oh, but make sure your bedroom is the last thing you show me," she walks nonchalantly into the living room. What? My bedroom? Is she giving me clues? I'm sweating. Oh my god, do I smell? I need to check my pits! I casually stretch and sniff. I'm good! Happy face!
"Well, there's the couch and there's the fireplace," I practically stutter.
"I love the smell of burning wood from a fireplace." Where else would she smell burning wood?
"Me too."
"I also love lying down propped up by some pillows," she says looking right at me. Or straight through me! I can't tell!
"I like to do that too. It's kinda romantic."
She takes a step towards me, "It's not kinda romantic it's so romantic especially if you're with the right person," she purrs.
Gulp!
"What's over here?" she breaks the silence. I shake my head back to the here and now.
"The kitchen, dining room and laundry room."
"Well, if you've seen one kitchen, one dining room and one laundry room, you've seen 'em all." What is she getting at?
"Sooo…"
"So, then that leaves the upstairs," she says with a head tilt and eyebrow arch. Fidgeting! Clammy hands! Damn it!
"After you Em." Oh boy!
"So this is the bathroom."
"Wow, nice tub! You could easily fit two people in there no problem," she smiles. What! Two people! "You know, surfboard," she winks. I feel so lightheaded!
"So, that's my parents' master bedroom. They have their own bathroom."
I lead her to the door to show her but she stops short.
"Then this must be your room, right?" she asks with her hand already on the door handle. Swallow.
"Yep, that's my room."
"Are ya gonna show it to me?" She is so running this show!
"Sure, go in. My bed's made," I laugh nervously. What is wrong with me! I sound so ridiculous!
She opens the door, letting herself in. I follow.
"This is so cute Em! You have a window seat! I love it! And your bed, it's perfect!" Perfect? Perfect for what?
She climbs on top of it sprawling her incredibly sexy half naked body all over it!
"It's so comfortable." Swallow. Gulp!
She rolls onto her side with her top leg bent and draped over the other. She props herself up on her elbow with her hand supporting her head. She pats the bed next to her.
"You wanna join me?" Uh huh… What? Yes!
"Sure."
I sit cross legged next to her.
"Em, you look so uncomfortable. Lie with me." Lie with you!
I mimic her pose.
"Relax. You don't think I'm trying to corrupt you do you?"
"Maybe just a little."
"Would you be okay with that?"
But before I can answer her cell beeps. She slips it out of her pocket and starts texting someone back and forth. Who is that? And just like that she's done and doesn't offer any information about who it is.
So I get bold, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, that was Noel."
"Noel? How'd he get your number so fast?"
"Oh Hanna and I exchanged numbers at the lake and he said he asked her for it and she gave it to him. He hopes that's okay." No, no it's not okay!
"Is it?"
"Sure. Now I have a date to the movies." A date?
"Oh."
"Em, come with us. It'll be fun. Please," she gives me a pouty sad face that no one in their right mind could turn down.
"Okay. Sure. Why not."
"Exactly. Why not!" Why not? Umm, even more awkwardness!
"So now what?"
"Well now I know for sure there's plenty of room with two people in your bed." Huh? What? We went from dating Noel to how many people can fit in my bed?! What is going on!
"I think it's roomy," I say not knowing what to say!
"So, now we can have our own sleepover!" she rolls onto her back.
My eyes practically fall out of my head, "Sleepover?" Why did I just say it like that?
"Oh, you don't want to? Oh okay."
"No! No, a sleepover sounds great!" Was that too much?!
"Good. I think I might be spending a lot of time over here. It's the perfect getaway." A getaway? Like as in a romantic tryst!
"You need a getaway?"
"Sometimes I just want to…be, ya know? And I can't be if I'm practicing 24/7. I mean I love to play but there are times I just need to get away. And now I have a place to getaway to!"
"I'm okay with that," I say just as nonchalantly as she was earlier.
She sits up, leans over to me and, "Mwah!" right on the cheek!
This time I fall back. Oh shit! Was that too obvious!
"And if you ever need a getaway, mi casa es tu casa!" she Spanglishes!
I turn my head to look up at her as she practically hovers over me, "that would be nice thank you."
And then, she does the unexpected! She cuddles me! She puts her head on my chest and her arm around my waist!
"Am I hurting you," she asks looking up. You could never hurt me!
"No, I'm fine." It feels so good! You feel so good!
But then, just as soon as it happened it's over when I hear, "Emily Catherine Fields! What is going on in here!"
Oh shit! It's my mother!
"Nothing!" I slink away from Maya.
"Hi, I'm Maya, Maya St. Germain, the new girl," she gets off the bed and extends her hand.
My mom looks at me and reluctantly extends hers. Maya takes it and covers my mom's hand with her free one.
"It's so nice to meet you! You have a beautiful home! Emily was giving me the official tour. But we were so tired from our day at the lake that we just collapsed onto her bed. I hope that's okay?" she head tilts. No one can resist the head tilt, not even my mom!
"Well okay then. And thank you for such lovely compliments." Oh mom, she's got you! I wanna laugh so hard but I can't cuz I'm still trying to get over my initial shock of her walking in on us! But then again it's like why, oh why, do we keep getting interrupted!
"I better get back. I have to practice," Maya says stepping towards the door.
"Practice?" my mom asks.
"I play the cello."
"The cello. That's impressive."
And suddenly my mom loves my new friend! Oh brother!
"Mom, Maya lives in Ali's old house across from Spencer."
"Oh right. The Hastings are good people. So I guess I should welcome you to the neighborhood. Welcome!"
She holds her arms open and they hug. This is so fucking hilarious!
"Maya, come on, I'll walk you out," I try to save her from my mother's grasp.
"It was nice to meet you Maya. You're welcome anytime. Even when I'm not home," she says to Maya as we descend the staircase.
I hear the door shut to her room and we both bust out laughing!
"Oh my God! She loves you! That's too funny!"
"It's a gift!"
We laugh some more and then she hugs me.
It's quiet. So, so quiet.
She gets on the tips of her toes and whispers into my ear, "Let's plan a sleepover just you and me before school starts." I'm shaking with excitement! I can't even speak!
She pulls away from the hug and I finally snap out of it, "Yeah, let's do that." Please let's do that!
"Great! See ya tonight?"
"Yeah, see ya tonight."
"Mwah!" Mwaaaahhhhh!
When she drives away I race upstairs to my room and dive onto my bed! I inhale her scent and pull my quilt over me so it's like I'm wrapped in her arms! Oh Maya! A sleepover! A sleepover with just you and me!
I sit up quickly. Wait! What! A sleepover? A sleepover with just me and Maya! I, I can't! What was I thinking! I can't have a sleepover with just Maya! What if she does like me! But worse, what if she doesn't!
I get up slumping onto my window seat. I tap the glass with my index finger leaning my head against the pane. And all I can think about is Maya, Maya, Maya, Maya…
Until my phone buzzes. I reach into my pocket and click on the message…
See ya tonight!
I hold the phone against my heart. It's from Maya!
Do I reply? If I do, what do I say? So I text her a smiley face. A smiley face?! Why did I do that! I'm so stupid! A smiley face could mean anything! Why didn't I say, "can't wait!" I can't even imagine what she's thinking!
A smiley face? Really?
Sad face…
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To Be Continued…
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