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song suggestion: Do I wanna know? – Arctic Monkeys

It's strange how quiet everything is now.

Maya said it herself, didn't she? She kept her word and ignored me.

Well, more than that because she literally disappeared.

That day she didn't show up for lunch, or dinner.

And yet, for some reason, I can't help but notice how strange it feels. Our regular arguments were gone. Her silence is louder than I expected, and my guilt feels even heavier.

The next day, I went downstairs for lunch and saw Nelly in the living room. Still no sign of Maya as I took my seat.

Looks like I need to get used to it.

"So, Grace, how are you?" Nelly asked, looking up at me.

I sighed, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."

"I see..." she whispered, unconvinced.

Then she exhaled. "Maya has something to do, so she can't join for lunch."

Right, something to do—her new job is ignoring me.

"Oh, she really has something to do, she told me earlier this morning," she emphasized. Her tone seemed sincere as she offered me a reassuring smile.

I couldn't help but wonder what Maya could be up to. Or who she was keeping herself busy with.

As I was having lunch with my mom and Victor, my mom suggested I go for a swim in the house's pool. She mentioned how it would be a great way to relax.

Well... I didn't have any plans for the afternoon, so I put on my white swimsuit and went for it.

What can I say... that pool was huge, but then again, I shouldn't be surprised anymore...

I sat in the impossibly soft lounge chair, put on my earbuds, and listened to some music, slowly drifting almost to sleep. I'm not sure how much time had passed, but when I reopened my eyes, my heart skipped a beat.

Maya was there, standing by the pool.

She was wearing a dark burgundy high-waisted bikini highlighting her tan skin and her body, which was... perfect.

Lean, toned, tall, and with long, slender legs.

And she seemed to perfectly know that, walking with an air of confidence and that daring attitude.

I paused my music as she dove headfirst into the pool, ignoring me.

How nice of her to pretend I don't exist.

When she came up, her bronzed skin glistened in the sunlight, and I swear it was like she had a personal spotlight. She effortlessly surfaced and then lay down on the lounge chair.

Her wet body stretched under her black towel as she reached for her sunglasses, every move carefully deliberate and smooth.

I rolled my eyes.

Why was I staring, anyway?

But, somehow... her presence it's hard not to notice. Or to ignore.

What the hell...?

I turned my music back on.

I couldn't care less.

But I guess Maya wasn't having it, because she had the audacity to play a specific song and turn it up to a very loud volume, to make sure I heard it.

I paused my music.

'Do I Wanna Know?' by Arctic Monkeys was the song she picked.

The kind of song that doesn't just play in the background—it demands attention.

And I couldn't help but feel exposed—or maybe she was exposing herself...?

From the corner of my eye, I saw her pull out a book—Wuthering Heights.

Funny... that book was so her... moody, reckless and... exhausting.

I took off the unbuttoned jacket I was wearing to cover my arms. I slipped into the clear pool, accepting the challenge she just laid out for me.

When I quietly came up, I noticed Maya's eyes fixed on me. Her gaze was so piercing it sent a shiver down my spine... it was like I forgot how to breathe.

Yet... I couldn't look away.

When I got out of the pool, I embarrassedly put my jacket back on, feeling more in my comfort zone. I still feel vulnerable when someone sees my bare skin.

I made the decision to set my conflicted feelings aside... it didn't make sense to keep ignoring someone you were literally sharing a house with.

And she didn't seem to make a move towards me... so... I sat down near her, but not too close—you never know.

But then, as I looked at her from the corner of my eye, I couldn't help but linger on the way the water drops traced down her wet, bare skin.

On her neck—her thighs.

She was lying on her stomach, so I could also see her... sculpted butt.

I found myself taking a shallow internal breath. Stop.

Maya pretended not to notice me at first, then glanced at me with an unreadable expression.

"Nothing like reading about people being miserable for 400 pages." I said.

She stared at her book again, unbothered, "At least it's got depth. Not like whatever shallow pop song you're blasting in your ears."

A random insult, didn't expect that!

"Seriously... I just think that book is too much..." I played it cool.

She loudly closed it and glared at me, smirking now, but still guarded, "It's called commitment. Something not everyone has the patience for."

"They're always plotting revenge and then being sad about it." I replied.

She rolled her eyes. "It's not just about revenge—it's about love and power." Her voice unexpectedly serious, leaving me momentarily speechless.

Maybe she's right.

I rested my head on the lounge chair and my eyes got lost into the sky.

"Do you... know where I can go for some shopping?" I reluctantly asked.

She took of her sunglasses, impressed by my words. "Is this some kind of joke, Ohio?"

"No..."

"You mean children's clothing stores for you?" she asked with a grin.

I should've expected that. It was impossible to have a normal conversation with her. I was about to stand up.

"I guess there are shops downtown," she said suddenly.

I stayed silent, unsure if I still wanted to say that. I exhaled slowly.

Her indifference was annoying, but I knew I had to make the first move for a more 'peaceful' situation here...

I gathered my courage, "Is there any chance you could come with me? You can say no, I'll get it..."

She stared at me, pausing. Her eyes slowly scanned my body, taking in the sight of me in my wet swimsuit. I couldn't help but notice the way her gaze lingered, just for a moment.

I'm not sure if she did it on purpose, but she suddenly seemed lost in thought.

A flush crept up my neck as the tension seriously started getting on my nerves.

"You need a car?" She raised a brow, carefully waiting for my reaction.

If she wants to put it that way... I nodded slightly.

"Alright," she said, reopening her book and staring at it, unfazed.

Silence.

"Is this a yes?" I nervously asked.

"This evening. Six pm," she replied, nonchalantly.

Without saying anything else—since that was more than enough—I went back to my room while she stayed in the pool.

That was embarrassing, yet there was something... intense about it.

My skin still felt warm, and I wasn't sure if it was just from the sun...

And maybe I got myself into a bad situation—maybe I was already regretting it...

When I picked up my phone, there was a text from an unknown number.

Hey Grace, it's Nick. How's it going?>>

Oh, that Nick... with everything going on, I forgot he asked for my number after the party.

I almost forgot about me, actually...

Hey, just trying to survive the day. What about you?>> I texted back.

Doing great, working right now, so... you know where to find me. Just say when... ;)>>

I hesitated, then texted him back.

Thanks Nick, I'm actually kinda busy right now, sorry about that.>>

Well, I ended up in a totally different situation, so I can't meet him at the library where he works, but I guess it's my fault...

I have to take responsibility for my actions and see how far Maya and I can go...

I'm mentally preparing for the worst. Still, part of me wasn't sure if I was ready for whatever was coming.

I guess she and I have a lot to figure out, and I can't help but wonder how far we can go before everything falls apart... or maybe—just maybe, we'll find a way to make it work.

Do I wanna know?