“
“So what does Myles want from you?” I ask, staring out the window as Eric pulls the cal
“Mm–hmm.” Maya crosses her arms, giving me a side–eye. “You realize you attract chaos, right?”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“Chaos,” she repeats. “I think Jamal likes you”
I groan. “Don’t start.”
“Did you know that Chloe and Jamal were once buddies, in third grade I think. She’s bullying you because you’ve got all her favorite boys wrapped around your little finger.” she says, shaking her head. “I can’t decide you’re cursed or blessed.”
“Neither,” I mutter. “It’s exhausting.”
“Nah, it’s exhausting being her trying to compete with you.”
I grin, shaking my head. “Fair point but I’m presently tired.”
She grins, ignoring my tone. “Tired or not, we’re celebrating. The fact that you finally humiliated the queen of meanness and jealousy. That deserves a smoothie and at least one overpriced dessert.”
I laugh softly. “You sound like Helen.”
“Your mom would probably rent out the café for you,” Maya snorts. “I’m keeping it humble.”
Eric clears his throat politely from the front seat. “Miss Maya, directions, please?”
“Oh, right! I’m thinking we should stop somewhere else. Turn left at the next turn, then two blocks down- stop by Bloom Smoothies & Bites. It’s my aunt’s shop.”
“Wait,” I turned to her. “The one with the pink neon sign that says ‘Sip, Smile, Repeat‘?”
“The very one.”
“Oh my god, Maya. I know that place though I’ve never stopped there. It looks like a cupcake exploded.”
She gasps in mock offense. “It’s aesthetic, Aria.”
“I’m not sure glittery milkshakes qualify as aesthetic.”
“Blasphemy,” she sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest.
I giggle, shaking my head as the car slows in front of a pastel–painted café with flower garlands hanging over the doorway. The neon sign glows in a soft pink, shaped like a heart.
“Yup,” Maya declares. “Let’s go.”
Mrs. Hopkins continues, “You will be placed into activity groups and supervised by teachers and volunteer adult chaperones. Permission slips will be handed out today. Buses leave at 8 AM next Friday.”
More groans than excited chatters fills the room as Mrs Hopkins starts the lesson.
Maya nudges me. “I hope we are bunking together. They better not put me in with some psycho.”
I snorted, rolling my eyes.
*****
“Hurry up,” Maya grabs my wrist as soon as the lunch bell rings.
“Hold on.” I groaned.
“I’m hungry,” She whinnied.
I roll my eyes, before I could argue back, someone called my name behind us
“ARIA!”
“Oh God, not now.” Maya groaned as we turned back to see Myles.
He stops in front of us, panting slightly.
“Hey,” he said to me, smiling nervously.
“Hey…” I say slowly.
Maya shifts back, giving us a little space.
“I uh… I was… wondering…” Miles scratches the back of his neck. “If you… wanted to study together sometime? For Biology? You’re good at it and I kinda struggle and-”
“Miles,” Maya cuts in sharply from behind me. “Don’t.”
He looks confused. “What? I’m just-”
“No,” she repeats. “Don’t.”
I glare at her. “Maya, chill.”
“No,” she says again, but this time to me. “Do you like him?.”
“What’s going on?” Miles whispers, looking at her, “I thought you already….
“Miles… she did.” I sighed. “You’re cool, but-”
“She’s not interested, Maya finishes for me.
MAYA!”
She raises both eyebrows. What: 111 Saving
you don’t like him like that.”
I groan into my palms.
Miles turns pale. “O–oh. I just… I wasn’t… I mean—”
“It’s fine,” I say gently. “Really. No hard feelings.”
C
“Yeah. Cool.” He nods, running his left hand through his hair. “Yeah. Okay. See you in class.”
“Yeah” I nod.
The second he was gone, I smacked Maya’s arm. “Why would you say it like that?!”
“Because he’s a coward!” she throws her hands up. “Instead of talking to you like a normal human, he tried use me as a messenger pigeon!.”
“He liked me, that’s why he is shy,” I say softly.
“I don’t trust him.,” she huffed. “And he’s not innocent either.”
I squint at her. “What did he do?”
“Nothing big,” she shrugged. “Let’s go, I’m hungry.”
“Sup Tinkerbell!” Asher greets as I enter the cafeteria.
I roll my eyes, smiling. “Sup Asher. Sup guys.”
I sit next to him, with Maya sitting beside me. Nolan glances up briefly… meeting my eyes then back to his fries.
“What do you want to eat?” Maya asks, leaning closer to me once she had signaled a waiter.
“I’m good with fries and chicken, and mango juice, thanks” I smiled.
“You’re welcome.‘ She faced the waiter telling her our order and giving her our cafeteria card.
“Sooo, I heard the sophomore class is going on some kind of forest adventure.” Asher said, crunching his fries. I picked a fry as my order has not arrived,
“Yeah, for three days,” Maya smiled “Silverwood Reserve.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
