Page 36

I was about to go to bed, knowing it would be just a sleepless night when the door of my room suddenly opened.

I turned around, resigned, sure it was my mom again.

It was Maya.

My body reacted before my mind could even process it. My breath hitched, and I froze the moment she showed up.

"Can we talk?" she asked, her voice breathless, laced with concern.

I nodded, slowly sinking onto the bed like I was giving in to the weight inside me, but my eyes stayed fixed on her.

"Sit," I whispered.

"I prefer to stand," she replied, pacing back and forth in my room like she couldn't sit still.

Suddenly, I was at a loss for words, unsure whether to speak or hold back—until Maya cut in, her voice tight.

"Why do you want to go, Grace? Is it because of me?"

Shit.

I was already too late.

My mom had told her before I had the chance.

"No, it's not because of you, Maya," I said, the weight of truth and pain tangled in my chest.

"Your mother already told me that," her voice wavered, unwilling to accept it.

"I'm really sorry you heard it from someone else, Maya. I was planning to tell you tomorrow..." my heart sank, and all the others words I wanted to say got stuck in my throat.

"I know things are complicated, but you can't just leave, Grace." Her voice trembled beneath its firmness, like she was trying to control it.

But her eyes... they betrayed her.

"It'll make things easier, Maya, if I just go," I said, trying not to cry.

Her eyes filled with a mix of desperation and pain."Things will be worse for me if you go," she emphasized.

Her voice cracked slightly, making it even harder to stand my ground.

"You probably won't believe me, but the only reason I came to this conclusion is because I don't want to hurt you, Maya."

"You're not hurting me, Grace," her eyes locked with mine. "Only the words left unsaid hurt."

I nodded breathlessly. For the first time, it felt like we weren't on opposite sides of something.

We were finally speaking the same language.

"I don't want to keep losing you in the silence," I finally confessed.

"And I don't want you to leave, Grace," she replied firmly. "If you leave I'll be lost without you."

Before I could react, Maya knelt down in front of me.

A gesture that sent chills down my spine.

I remained speechless.

"Please, don't leave me, Grace." Her hands rested on my thighs as I instinctively placed mine on hers.

Her plea echoed in my head, and before I knew it, I was crying. Maya immediately pulled me closer, letting me lean on her shoulder.

"I'm soaking you with my tears," I sobbed.

"So what, sweetheart, you need to cry anyway. Let it all out," her voice was gentle, comforting.

Her fingers tangled in my hair as she ran them through, holding me tightly in her arms.

I was safe.

I leaned back slightly, just enough to meet her beautiful eyes and finally say all the things I'd been holding in.

"I'm so sorry, Maya... it's all on me. Just mine," I choked out, the words trembling against my lips.

Maya's eyes softened, but there was pain behind them too. She shook her head slowly.

"No, Grace. Don't say that. I've been carrying it too. I thought it was just mine."

We looked deeply into each other's eyes, realizing how much pain we'd been hiding—each believing the burden was theirs alone.

It wasn't. It was ours to share.

"It was terrible..." I whispered, breaking down. "I missed you so much, Maya."

"I know, Grace. I missed you too, deeply," she said softly, caressing my hair. "But I promise you," she met my eyes intensely before holding me tighter against her, "we're fixing this."

I slowly quit sobbing, but letting each other go was not an option.

"You don't want to end this?" I asked, hesitant.

My fear, laid bare for her.

"Never," Maya replied firmly, eyes locking onto mine. "I didn't really mean 'end this' for good, I just couldn't handle it in that moment."

"I..." I sighed, feeling the weight of another fear pressing down on me. "I was running away from what scares me because... I don't know how to face it."

Another tear fell down my cheek, and Maya quickly wiped it away with her thumb.

"I want to face all of your fears, Grace—as much as you'll let me," her voice warm and steady, giving me all the reassurance I needed.

A quiet promise I held onto like breath.

I nodded immediately. "Yes." Then I whispered, "I'm here when you're ready too, Maya."

She reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Thank you, Grace, that means more than you know."

And suddenly, we weren't just talking anymore. We were locked in something else—something deeper. Authentic. Full of feeling.

"I want this," I breathed, heart pounding. "I'm still learning how to hold it all... but I want it, Maya. I know that much."

She looked at me like the storm inside her had finally calmed. Like she was trying to memorize this moment, holding on to it completely. And then came that look—soft, and full of something so pure it nearly took my breath away.

"I want this, too, Grace," her words nothing but warmth and sincerity. "We're going to have this at our pace, okay? Just you and me."

I leaned closer and rested my head against her shoulder, snuggling in. "I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Better now?" Her warm breath against my ear gave me chills.

"Much better... thank you."

Her hand slipped over my waist as she softly rubbed my back. She didn't stop—she just kept going, slow and reassuring, like she had all the time in the world. For minutes.

At some point I lost track. Maya never pulled away, never hesitated.

"Don't tire your arm," I said gently.

Maya pulled me even closer, chuckling. "I'm not getting tired, don't worry. If I do, I'll stop."

But she never stopped, and it felt so damn good. I closed my eyes, sinking into the warmth of her protective embrace.

The pull between us was so strong and undeniable, I thought I might drown in it.

But I'd drown gladly, if it meant staying close to her.

Maya exhaled softly, leaning back to meet my eyes—hers were so full of something I couldn't name—vulnerability wrapped in strength. "Try to get some rest tonight, okay?"

"I will... what about you?"

She smiled, tracing my cheek. "I'll try, Grace. Can't guarantee it—but for you, I'll give it my best shot."

From her kneeling position, she slowly propped herself up, still holding my hands firmly. "Will I find you in this room tomorrow?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for reassurance.

"You will. I'm not going anywhere. I will stay with you," I said immediately.

Her smile grew as she kissed my forehead.

Her lips was so warm against my skin, sending a shiver through me.

"No more running away, sweetheart."

"No more running away," I confirmed.

"Get comfy in bed," she said.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I obeyed, slipping under the covers with a shy smile.

Maya watched me settle in attentively—then leaned over to tug the blanket up to my shoulders, her fingers brushing my skin like a caress.

Before pulling away, she pressed a slow kiss on my cheek.

"That one's for you," she said, teasing. "Since you're actually sober this time."

My heart skipped a beat.

"I actually remember the one you gave me when I wasn't..." I softly corrected her.

Her eyes flicked to mine, sparkling with surprise and mischief.

"So, that makes two," she said, raising a brow. "And more to come," she smirked.

I swear that I tried to play it cool, but my smile gave me away.

"Goodnight, Grace," she whispered warmly in the shell of my ear. "Tomorrow can't come fast enough."

I swallowed hard. "Goodnight, Maya..."

She gave me a long look—one that lingered, like she was tracing my curves all over again. Her fingers brushed my skin once more. A shiver ran through my spine.

Maya left my room, and I just stood there like an idiot for a few seconds—the softness of her kiss still burning on my cheek. My heart fluttered as I curled deeper into the blankets, closing my eyes with a content sigh.

I wasn't overthinking anything—not anymore—Maya had taken over, and I felt nothing but peace.

I fell asleep with her on my mind.

It turned out to be the best way to fall asleep.