Page 20

I walked into the cafeteria with a strange feeling in my chest.

Seeing Maya after yesterday's fight felt strange—like something was still cracked inside me.

I wonder if she feels the same—probably not.

I bet she already forgot it all.

I could tell by the way she stared me down and how her jaw tightened the moment she saw me—I had just interrupted her moment.

Why does she always look like she commands the room?

It's frustrating.

I hesitated for a second, unsure whether to keep walking or turn around and pretend I hadn't seen her. But it was too late for that.

And I didn't want to give her that satisfaction.

As I walked past her table, she didn't say a word. She just watched me, while I decided to ignore her from now on.

"Grace, hey! So happy you made it, sit down!" her friend Lily grinned at me.

"Lily, hey, I'm happy to see you too, but you didn't tell me she'd be here too."

I heard Maya groan dramatically.

"Right, I'm sorry, Grace, but don't worry, she's just here, like a silent presence—basically a ghost," Lily giggled.

Maya snorted dramatically again.

Lily and I exchanged a knowing look.

This is just hilarious. This is exactly what I wanted to provoke from her.

"He's James, our other friend," Lily gestured to a guy sitting on the booth.

He had brown hair covering his forehead and wore a plaid shirt. He seemed like the most normal guy, especially compared to Lily and Maya's personalities. We shook hands and exchanged a few words.

"Well, I'm going now. This feels like a very girly conversation, and I really don't want to get involved in your drama..." He shook his head at Lily with a smirk.

"You're such a guy," Lily muttered with a playful scoff, but there was a hint of amusement. "Go ahead, you wouldn't survive five minutes."

I think they were low-key flirting with the subtle yet obvious looks they exchanged...

I wondered if they were just friends. It seems like it, for now...

James said goodbye to everyone and left. I sat in his place, across from Lily and the silent presence.

"So, Grace, how's it going? Someone bothering you?" Lily asked me with another knowing smile.

I took the opportunity.

"Yeah, Lily, you got it. Some people seem to think it's fun to bother me." I leaned on my seat, crossing my arms.

Lily couldn't help but laugh, enjoying the tension. "Yeah, some people have that talent."

From the corner of my eye, I caught Maya's reaction—jaw clenched, her hand suddenly rubbing her pursed lips.

It was a small movement, but it was the only nervous thing escaping from her.

I let out a chuckle. "Exactly, well, if it's a talent, I'd rather not see it."

That's when Maya dared to speak, breaking her forced silence.

"Unfortunately, you should make an effort to see it since I'm right here, Grace." Her voice direct but strangely calm.

I shot her a quick glance. "Well, if you're gonna be a silent ghost, I'd prefer you stay in the background," I replied, a little sass slipping out.

I swear I'm not usually like this, but she makes me lose control.

Lily laughed. "Ooh, shots fired!"

"If I'm a ghost, Grace, it's only because I choose to be," she said, her voice smooth, her gaze never leaving me.

"Yeah, you better. You should try it more often," I smirked.

"Order something to eat, Grace," she said, casually raising the menu in front of me.

I lowered it, looking at her. "Calling me by my name now?"

She huffed loudly.

"I was called Ohio, then Miss Perfection, and now you're using my name, huh?"

Lily smirked subtly and eyed Maya. "Calling Grace by nicknames, huh?"

"That's fucking enough," Maya burst out, frustrated. "The both of you."

Finally, the reaction I expected her to have, and that was definitely enough. For now.

Both Lily and I chuckled silently at her snap as I looked down at the menu, noticing her cheeks heat up despite her composed expression

Anyway... the waiter came in our direction.

"Can I have a milk chocolate soufflé?" I asked.

"Strawberry smoothie," Lily said.

Maya closed the menu. "Chocolate soufflé. Dark."

The waiter nodded and walked away. I glanced at Maya, trying to keep my face neutral at her choice.

Lily's smirk already on place. "You two did order the same thing. Just... different versions."

She just said what I was thinking.

Maya remained calm. "Are we analyzing dessert choices now?"

Lily shrugged, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Just making observations."

We tried to keep the conversation light for a moment, brushing off little jokes as the waiter returned with our orders.

I glanced at the soufflé with the chocolate inside. I wasn't very hungry as I dug my spoon into it.

Lily noticed the tension still lingering in the air as she glanced between Maya and me.

"Alright, alright, enough with the silent wars," Lily huffed. "Look, I get it, okay? Both of you have your reasons to be frustrated. But you don't have to keep this... whatever it is, going. It's fucking exhausting."

I looked up, Maya's gaze flickered for a moment, and I could see the faintest crack in her expression.

"I'm serious," Lily continued, nudging Maya's shoulder to get her attention.

Maya dropped the spoon and looked at me, her expression suddenly softening. There was a hint of regret in her gaze—a shift that made me pause.

"I'm sorry for calling you nicknames, Grace," her voice firm as she held my gaze. "I didn't mean it."

I froze, surprised by how honest and thoughtful she was being—it was progress.

"Okay," I said, lowering my gaze for a moment "What about the coward part?"

Her friend Lily blinked a few times, not understanding what I was referring to.

"I didn't mean to say that either," Maya continued, her voice unwavering. "I was pissed off."

I nodded, believing her right away.

"I guess..." I whispered. "Yesterday, I lost it too and said things I didn't mean."

Maya leaned in, her gaze flickering with something deeper. "What about the 'moment of weakness' part?" she demanded, her voice low, as if it was something that mattered more to her than the rest.

I wasn't expecting that specific question.

So maybe—she cared. A little.

I guess sometimes I make too many assumptions, but it's all because of my overthinking.

"Yes, even that part. I'm sorry about it. I didn't mean it," I said seriously.

Maya gave me a genuine nod, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned back in the chair.

Finally some REAL apologies.

"Okay..." Lily blinked again, then hummed, pleased. "See? Communication! That wasn't hard!"

"Let's eat," Maya muttered, giving me a subtle look toward my dessert.

I took my first bite, the chocolate melting in my mouth, and as I did, I caught Maya glancing at me from the corner of her eye.

Her well-defined cheekbones, full lips, and those dark, piercing eyes now stared at me.

I got caught up in her—the way she moved her spoon, the way her lips curved around it, the way her mouth savored it.

What kind of twisted thought is that?

Fuck. I'm going insane.

I tried to focus on anything else, but whenever I brought the spoon to my lips, Maya gazed at me with the slightest smirk—something that made me feel like she was aware of every little movement I made.

Her mouth parted slightly as she licked a bit of chocolate off her lips. I couldn't stop staring.

I wasn't sure if I was being bold or just naive, but it felt like a teasing kind of game was going on.

I was sweating—my hands were sweating.

A tingling sensation ran through my body.

Damn her. Damn this chocolate soufflé.

"So... how's this soufflé... girls?" Lily hummed.

I quickly forced my focus back to the dessert, trying to hide the heat rising in my cheeks.

"Delicious," Maya commented.

I swear, I was about to choke on that.

"It's really good," I replied, a little too quickly.

"Oh, I see... I can see it..." Lily chuckled uncontrollably.

That was too much. I don't even know why it's affecting me.

FINALLY, we all finished eating and stood up. Maya suddenly walked away faster than the rest of us.

"What is she doing now?" I rolled my eyes.

"She's going to pay. She always does stuff like this," Lily explained casually.

That was really sweet...

A few minutes later, she came back. "Alright, let's go," she said nonchalantly.

Maya led the way as I deliberately pulled myself closer to her, our arms brushing. "Thank you," I said, smiling.

She just nodded, her gaze lingered for a second, and when I looked away, my heart was pounding in my chest.

I'm definitely feeling a lot of different emotions. Like a rollercoaster.

"Alright, girls, I've got to work my magic on this lady's hair, so I'm off now!" Lily said, pulling both me and Maya into a hug.

"Good luck," I chuckled. "Thank you, Lily," I added.

"Behave when I'm not around," she said, shooting Maya a glare before smiling at both of us.

Lily left, leaving Maya and me alone.

"My car's right there, Grace," she broke the silence. "Come home with me?"

I don't why but that question made me shiver.

I just nodded as we silently walked in sync to her car, and as we climbed in, she started the engine.

For the minutes left to get home, the ride was silent, but it was a quiet silence—not tense, not awkward—just peaceful, as if we didn't need words to fill the space.

Comfortable.

Hope it lasts.

A/N

Just wanted to add a little fun and flirting ???? see you in next rollercoaster! ????