Page 15

Maya was driving for over ten minutes now, and I was way too curious... but also way too proud to ask where we were going...

I think she was kinda enjoying seeing me like that.

Of course, she was. The more impatient I got, the more she enjoyed it.

"Nervous?" she asked, her expression revealing nothing but amusement as she raised a brow.

I shrugged, trying to act cool. "You wish."

She smirked, then slowed down the car and parked in the middle of nowhere, or so it seemed. She suddenly pointed to a place where people were coming and going.

That building didn't look like anything special. It had that old-school, shady vibe, like something sketchy could go down any second.

Shit, what was I getting myself into?

"It's a community center," Maya said calmly.

My brain short-circuited again.

"What?! What are even doing here?" I blurted out, nearly shouting.

She let out a huge, hilarious laugh that honestly made me even more nervous.

"Oh God, calm down, Ohio," she addressed me with a teasing grin. Then she suddenly became more serious. "I come her for volunteer activities," she explained.

I let out a sigh of relief, but my brow furrowed. I still wasn't completely sure I understood...

"I volunteer here," she said, her voice steady but casual. "Helping with cleaning wounds, treating small injuries, or giving out medicine. Mostly for kids and homeless people."

Out of everything I was imagining, this was the last thing I ever expected.

All this time, I thought she'd be involved in something potentially risky and reckless, just like her personality, but she was just... helping people.

That's so... beautiful.

Maya turned to face me, locking eyes with mine instantly. "This is my last chance to take you home if you don't wanna come. And by the way, I'll totally get it."

I ignored my shock for a moment. "What can I do to help?" I asked immediately.

She hesitated for a moment, her expression flickering with surprise. She definitely wasn't expecting me to react like this.

"You can entertain the kids, talk to the people. You won't be the only one, other people come to help too. But like I said, if you don't want to, I'll..."

"I want to," I said without hesitation.

"Are you sure?" her voice quieter.

"Yes."

"Alright," she said, attempting not to sound too shocked. She parked right in front of the place, and we got out of her car.

"Hey," I said nervously before entering.

Maya turned to face me.

"My outfit is not exactly comfortable..."

"I'll get you a lab coat," she said, giving me a small reassuring smile that made me feel more at ease.

The center was small but clean, with a few beds and chairs around.

It was warm, though, and some people were lying down, others were sitting and talking quietly.

Maya waved at everyone, and they all seemed truly happy to see her.

"Here," she said, handing me the lab coat, which happened to be hers.

"What do I do?" I asked, putting it on.

"Follow me."

Maya led us into a room where she spoke to a doctor who gave her some instructions.

"She's here to help me," she said, pointing to me. The doctor nodded in agreement and left.

"I need to treat that kid's arm," Maya turned to face me. "Do you feel like talking to him or keeping him busy while I do that?" she asked softly.

I nodded immediately.

We walked over to the kid, about 6 or 7, with an injury on his arm—not too bad, but not just a scratch either. He looked a little scared.

I talked and played with him, trying to make him feel more comfortable. Surprisingly, he listened to me and didn't protest at all.

My "job" was nothing compared to Maya's, but she totally nailed it.

She was very calm and confident about the whole situation, never hesitating for an instant, probably not to scare the kid more—or even me, actually.

At some point, I looked over, expecting her to be all focused on her job, but her eyes shifted to me as she smiled warmly and... I smiled back.

This hits different.

It made my heart race.

"Alright, buddy, you're all patched up. Just be careful next time, okay?" she said gently, bending down to his height.

The kid nodded happily, and we said our goodbyes.

"Where are his parents?" I asked, turning to Maya as we walked off.

"They're kids from group homes or shelters. They don't have parents right now," she explained quietly.

My heart skipped a beat, and my face probably showed my sorrow.

She seemed to notice as her hand reached my arm and squeezed it firmly.

"You okay?"

It was strange that she deliberately touched me, but somehow, it comforted me. Very much.

"Yes, I am..."

Her hand slipped to my wrist, and her lips leaned close to my ear. "Are you sure you want to continue?"

A warm shiver ran through me at the softness of her voice and the sudden closeness of our bodies.

"Yes. Yes, I am," I said, my eyes lingering on our hands.

Maya treated the injuries of three elderly people, and I helped however I could. I wasn't sure if I was any good at it, but everyone was so freaking kind to me, especially Maya. She was just... something else.

Now I get why she wanted to become a doctor. She was so passionate.

I didn't realize how much time had passed, but we stayed there for about two hours, then Maya told me we were done.

As we were about to leave, I suddenly felt her fingers stroking my shoulders and then my waist.

I flinched.

My stomach tingled.

I turned my face in her direction.

Maya didn't budge at all. I mean, why would she?

"The lab coat." A teasing glint in her eyes as she smiled softly.

I blinked, realizing she was just helping me take it off.

"Oh... right," I mumbled, feeling kind of stupid for reacting that way.

She came closer to my back, her fingers brushing against my arms as she slid my lab coat off. I remained frozen as I let her.

Walking silently back to the car, the lump in my throat that I'd been trying to hide grew bigger, I felt sad.

I was about to open my car door when Maya beat me to it.

Another sweet gesture I didn't expect.

But she's just like that—unexpected.

I stared at her, my lips slightly parted in surprise, her face remained carefully neutral, but I could see a hint of something in her eyes.

As I sat, I stared out blankly, letting out a slow breath, trying to push everything down, but it stayed inside me.

"How are you, Grace? Is something wrong?" Maya asked, her voice calm and attentive.

The FIRST time she used MY NAME.

I couldn't hold back my tears anymore and I started to cry.

"No... it's just that... I really feel sorry for those people," I said quietly, wiping away my tears.

In that moment, Maya placed her hand on my thigh and rubbed it softly, soothing me.

I didn't flinch this time—I liked her warm, comforting touch.

God, I liked it so much.

"Grace, don't worry, it's normal to feel this way. Even after all this time, I still struggle too," her voice low, calming. "You were good at it," she added steadily, her eyes searching mine.

I met her gaze and calmed down. She helped me calm down with her presence.

I put my hand on hers, which was still resting on my thigh and our fingers slowly intertwined.

She looked down at our hands, then back at me with a unreadable expression as I noticed her swallow hard.

"I think you'll be an amazing doctor, Maya," I whispered, smiling.

She smiled back, and I swear, her cheeks turned rosy.

With her other hand, she started the car engine smoothly while the other stayed still on my thigh.

My breath hitched for a second as I found myself silently praying that she wouldn't pull away—she didn't.

Breathing felt harder as I couldn't stop thinking about the warmth from her hand on my thigh—spreading through my whole body.

Shit, what is this feeling?

I desperately tried to focus on something else.

"Your father must be proud of you," I whispered, keeping the conversation going.

Maya hesitated. I could feel it in the way her hand suddenly tensed on my skin.

"He doesn't know. I didn't tell him," she said, staring blankly at the road ahead.

I stayed silent, pondering her words.

She clearly has a difficult relationship with her father. She must feel uncomfortable telling him, or something like that.

But, she did tell me...

"Whenever you feel ready, you should tell him. I'm sure he'll be really proud of what you're doing," I said, trying to sound reassuring.

Maya turned her head in my direction. I could see a flicker of doubt in her eyes, but I hoped my words gave her a little bit of comfort.

She nodded once and then turned back to the road, her hand resting more lightly and less tensely on my thigh.

I stared at all her little rings that adorned her fingers, and I swallowed.

I wished her house were miles and miles away, just so I could feel her touch more.

What kind of twisted thought was that? I'm just going crazy.

Maya took her sweet time getting back home and parking, and until the very last second, her hand stayed there. But eventually—she had to let go.

Of course, we had to.

"Hey," I said, as we silently headed upstairs.

I could feel something in the air slowly shifting, becoming more comfortable.

It's different.

I liked it so much.

"We still haven't exchanged phone numbers..."

Maya raised a brow and handed me her phone, as we stopped in front of our doors.

I nervously tapped my number on it, then gave it back to her as our fingers intertwined again.

"I'll reach out," she said, grinning.

So, she was allowed to have my number, but I wasn't allowed to have hers?

She's still playing around.

Let's not overthink this.

I cleared my throat. "Good night... see you tomorrow..."

How stupid I am.

"Uh-huh," Maya hummed sarcastically. "We live under the same roof, you know. Goodnight, Grace."

Hearing my name on her lips felt like a melody. Something warm and electrifying.

She smiled, but there was something almost guarded in her eyes as she walked to her room. Like she realized something.

I watched her go, wondering what was going on in her mind.

What's inside of her when she looks at me, smiles, then goes all serious and kinda distant again?

It feels like a question I can't get an answer, no matter how much I want to know.

I walked into my room and jumped into the shower. The warmth of the water immediately made me think of Maya's hand.

I closed my eyes, trying to shake off the feeling, but it stayed, like her touch was still there.

On my skin. And inside my chest.

Even when I laid in my bed and fell asleep.

A/N

I know this was unexpected, hope you liked it ???? until the next one... ????