Maya's POV
"Maya, I don't have the time nor the energy to deal with you again. where are your papers?" Mom asked with her face pulled into an annoyed frown. I stare at her as my heartbeat accelerate at her face and how I just know if that paper got into her palms, that I was done for. "Mom.... Can't we wait till you get bac-" "I know what you're doing young lady and I assure you it would not help. Papers, Now!" She barked and I felt fear fill me up as thoughts filled my head. "But I-" "You listen, I know what you're doing but I can tell you that it won't work at all, I have to see it so get me the goddamn papers now!" The playfulness left her eyes and I turned around and began my walk to my room. "Stop being slow, I have to get to work and you are wasting my time" She yelled from the kitchen and I raced up the stairs with quickness. I stay back in my room for like a few minutes, thinking of using the window but knew my punishments would be ten times doubled if I even dared to try it so I dragged my self downstairs and walked slowly towards the kitchen where she was typing on her phone and smiling like someone who just won a lottery. She glanced up from her now seated position and gave me a stare. "Mom..you don't have to che-" "You done? papers now!" She adjusted her glasses as she stared at me with an eager look, and I knew then that I was fucked. Okay, now I knew that I had landed in a terrifying situation. I can't even imagine what she would do when she saw the grades. I had tried all my possible best to ace this papers but you cannot force someone to know something because you want them to. But she doesn't listen at all. All she cares about is me acing the test in psychology and becoming the best so I can get into the best university in town. But I was stuck in this cycle of never-ending failure in tests and exams, barely getting above average. And every single time I get into this mess, she hits me with different levels of punishment that make me want to bawl. At this point, I wish I had the ability to manipulate things and make her see something else but I didn't and as I raise up the papers to pass it to her, fear rose in me. She gave me a short glare right before she snatched up the papers from my hands. I'm not meant to be studying psychology or burying my head in papers trying to understand nonsense facts about the human mind. I should be studying music, which is my favorite part and the very thing I love about my life. It's simple and makes my mind run smoothly. It keeps me calm, make me feel excessive joy about everything, it is just so overwhelming and sweet. It's never failed me. But as always, she never cares about my happiness. All she wants is for me to attain the level he never got to, which she claims is his great wish for me. This was worse. At least I could say that I was a little close to average in my previous result, which was, a ‘D’. But this time it's a freaking total flat F. Then, she opens it and I observe as her face turned void of every expression. It was blank. Nothing like sadness, anger, happiness, or even surprise—completely nothing. But anger soon clouded her face and she slowly glanced at me, and I quickly noticed her rage filled gaze. "Maya Sanders, what the hell is the meaning of this?" she shrieked at me and I bit my lower lip as I felt a shudder rush through my whole body. "Tell me that you actually switched this with someone else's result for this is totally unacceptable and is just not possible. I'm so going to..." She stops midway into her sentence and closes her eyes, exhaling deeply and trying to calm herself down but I knew her being calm was worse but she reopens them to stare at me. "These are not your grades, right?" She asked expectantly and I avoid her gaze, staring at the ground, intertwining my fingers together tightly. "Mom, give me a chance to explain-" She instantly raises her hand, cutting me off and I knew that she was angry at me. She's probably ready to grant me the masterpiece of all the punishments she has been preparing for me. "You know what, Am done. I have done all I can to try and make you understand your career path. I have granted every single wish of yours but this right here" She throws the papars at me and I made no move to catch them as they all flailed to the ground like flightless birds. "This is not acceptable at all and all you have in mind is that stupid hobby of yours that help you in life " She screamed and I stepped back with fear. "It's not a stupid hobby!" I retort, but she glares sharply and that made me close my mouth instantly. "Don't start with that nonsense or I swear, I will make your punishments much worser than it need be" I knew she wasn't kidding. She then stared into the distance. "I have tried but I've had enough and since you can't be a straight A student, then you don't need to" she paused. "From today, you will stop attending school and all your lessons will be taken here, at home" She completed and I felt my eyes bulge at her decison, this was worse. Far worse than her other punishment. "You can't be serious" I voiced out. "Yes, I am serious about it, He will be here soon. You should get prepared." She glances at her watch. I stare at her with wide eyes, disbelief crossing not just my voice but my face. "Mom..." "I don't want to hear it, this is my final verdic-" she was cut off when a loud knock on the door catches our attention, interrupting the argument that was happening. I look at her, and she turns to me with a smile. "Right on time. Get the door, you don't plan to leave him there" she gave me a glare, and I grumbled with fury boiling down through my body. Why would she do this? She made the entire freaking decision herself. I head over towards the door, swinging it open angrily but stopped in my tracks when I saw whom was there. I was numb as I look at him with wide eyes. He stares, before casting me a sexy-as-fuck smile. Holy shit. "Well, well, we meet again, Maya."Maya's POVI adjusted my shoulders a bit square, gritting determination into my voice. "I'm fine. The problem is, my mom. I don't think she'll let me go if she's not absolutely sure I'm all right. But don't worry, I'll figure out how to get around her."Andrew sighed and glanced down at his phone. "My friend isn't answering my call. I'm going over there so I can tell him about the yacht in person.""I'll go with you," Regan offered on impulse."I want to go too," Theresa said, then paused, looking at me. "But Maya can't stay home alone."Regan shook his head again. "Then I'll stay with Maya if you do plan to leave."Andrew smiled reassuringly at me. "I'll be right back, okay?"Theresa touched my shoulder lightly, her tone teasing but restrained. "Take care of my best friend when I'm not around," she said to Regan.Regan nodded, his gaze for an instant met hers. "Don't worry. I'll take care of her."And that was it, Theresa and Andrew were both gone, with only the two of us- me and Reg
Maya's POVThe sound of faint voices drifted up from the stairs, muffled but growing clearer. Theresa was talking to someone. Whoever it was, their arrival bought me more time. Time to decide whether to keep burying the secret or risk pulling it out into the open.I pressed a hand against my chest, trying to slow my heartbeat. For now, maybe silence was safer. For now, maybe the truth could wait.Minutes later, Theresa returned to the room, but she wasn't alone, I could hear more than one foot steps from my room.I quickly took my phone and pretended to scroll on my phone.The door opened, and their voices carried in before I even looked up.“Hey, Maya,” Andrew said warmly, holding up a small bag. “I brought snacks.”“And I,” Regan added with a small grin, “brought fruits. Healthy balance.”I smiled, genuinely touched. “Thank you, both of you.” I sat up straighter. “How are you guys doing?”Andrew dropped the bag on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down with that relaxed way
Maya's POVLater, Theresa stepped out of the bathroom wearing a white towel wrapped around her waist. "Come on, Maya, you rest while they are coming."I trailed behind her, still dressing, and unfolding my body lotions.Theresa washed herself, and started getting dressed beside me. "You know," she said softly, "I truly do care what is best for you, Maya."I looked her in the eye, my voice soft. "I know. I just wish sometimes you'd let me make that choice."She smiled a little before she reached out and grasped my hand. "Perhaps I should. But let's just wait and see what occurs at the moment."I nodded slightly.Once I had gotten dressed, I sat down on the bed and regarded Theresa."If they come, just have them come up," I said to her. "I don't want to have to strain myself to go down again."She nodded readily. "I don't think they'll mind that at all."There was a knock at the door downstairs immediately."I'll get it," she said, dashing off.In less than a minute, she was back wit
Maya's POVI crossed my arms and glared at Theresa."Why did you tell them I was sick, Theresa, without even consulting me?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended to employ.Theresa, half lying against the edge of the bed, did not even flinch. "There wasn't anything I could do," she answered practically, as if the question had already been decided before I spoke. "Besides, I thought you could use their company too."I was infuriated by her lack of reaction. I resented it when she responded as if she knew me better than I knew myself."And at what hour are they going to arrive?" I demanded, at least attempting to have some idea I could get my head around.She shook her head. "They did not state. I don't know whether they'll be arriving together or separately either."I took a slow breath, attempting not to let my rage get the better of me. "Alright. No problem," I muttered, although in my mind it was a long way from 'no problem'.Theresa gazed at me for a moment, considering whet
Maya's POVFor an instant, I thought I would answer. I could just tell him I was fine. One-minute call. That would not be hurting anybody, would it?But then I looked up to notice Theresa walk into the room, and sit on the edge of my bed, scrolling through her phone. I was not going to be able to discuss him with her present. I hadn't even told her about him. I didn't know if I was ready yet.I let the phone ring until it died, then quickly flipped it over into airplane mode and shoved it under my pillow. Out of sight. Out of mind."You're not answering that?" she asked, glancing over at me."Wrong number," I fibbed hastily.She rolled her eyes but did not ask again. "I'm going to shower," she said instead, standing up and taking off her top.I sat beside the bed, watching her go into the bathroom. The door clicked shut and a minute or so afterwards I heard the water running. There was silence in the room that was just a tad too acute.It was a minute before Mom knocked on the door
Maya's POVAs we descended the stairs, I caught a small sense of pride that we had arrived.The girl smiled when we were exiting her room, and I noticed that while not fully well, having us there gave her something to hold on to.Mom and the girl's mom stood up at the same time when we walked downstairs."Thank you again," the woman said to Mom. "It's a big deal that you brought them.".Mom smiled with warmth. "No need to thank us. We just wanted to show some support.""We'll come back again soon," I said, and Theresa nodded next to me."Yah, we'll check on her. We gave our word."The woman escorted us to the door, still appearing genuinely appreciative.When we got into the vehicle and Mom turned the key in the ignition, the orange color of the sunset deepened across the sky like a cozy blanket.I rested back into the seat and sighed, not a tired sigh, but happiness."That lady is just sweet," Mom said, fiddling with the mirror. "You can just tell she brought that girl up right.""Sh