MIA
Crestwood High. Ranked top five in the state of Michigan. It's well, a high school, as you'd imagine. Nothing so fancy, but every school has its differences, and with Crestwood, everyone is exactly as they seem. Until they're not.The Nerds who are just people smarter than the rest of us then punished for it because they don't 'fit in' to our usual standards of typical dumbness.The popular kids were lucky enough to be born into a rich family, so they decided they were better than everyone else. I mean, they are. But still.The in-betweens. Average grades. Not so popular, but most people recognize their names. They get called out once in a while and attend a few parties.Then others just exist. They go to class and stroll through the hallway, but they can't fit into a place. They're invisible to everyone else.Which brings us to me. Am I popular? Dating the quarterback sort of gives you that by default. Was I a nerd? I cried when I got less than a 90 on a test, so maybe.Then there were other days when I felt invisible. Like no one knew me or paid attention. Occasional waves, but that was it.So, what group did I fit into? I had no idea. I shut the locker with a low sigh."Hello!"Maya jumped over me, pulling down on my shoulders with giggles leaving her throat."God, weekend sex is the best. I feel refreshed. Don't you?"I banged my head on the metal, pulled the ends of my backpack, and then rolled my eyes."I don't.""Well, that's because Nick is terrible in bed. And those books had us thinking athletes had dicks made of gold.""Maya."I hissed. "What?" She pushed my elbow and we laughed, cruising through the hallway."They did make us think that.""Ah, so you do admit he's bad in bed."A parched brow. She would never let this down. Maya had no filter. About anything. I loved it because I never wanted anyone to use the silly excuse of protecting my feelings to justify lying to me.You can't ever live up to the feeling of being made out as a complete fool by another person, especially by those you care about."Is that a turtle neck? Thought you said they were hideous?""They were." I muse silently, stretching a smile out in reality. I hated them. Didn't own a single pair, so I grabbed the smallest size from Gianna's closet. Since she knew, it was less degrading to ask for it this morning.Speaking of Gianna - Dad wants me to start calling her stepmom at least but we aren't quite there yet.She sent a text after I left the house. Dad was working late today - the usual. He needed some files and since I kept digital copies of almost everything, he needed me to turn them into paper back and bring them to the office.He also had something important to show me which explained why he couldn't simply print them out himself or maybe get Gianna to do it. After all, she still acted like his secretary. Keeping his meetings, sending memos, and planning the day. I guess those wifely duties that mom never participated in. Or she's too scared to let another woman do it instead.Lose them how you get them. I'd rather not let my mind wander too far. Too much bliss in not knowing. I say that then lay back at night allowing my mind to fill out all the blank spaces. It's a form of self-harm."Can I come with you to your dad's?"We were almost at third period English. Maya didn't press about the dress code anymore and my day was flowing as usual."Why? Don't you have cheerleading practice?"I failed to mention that important bit, didn't I?"I do, but I'm gonna skip.""What? It's the same routine as before. Plus, doctors turn me on."I pushed the door open for both of us."Everyone turns you on."I counter, my voice swallowed by the murmurs of everyone around us."True."A sigh accompanied by a palm wave in midair as we struggle to find good seats. Everyone began settling down since class started in four minutes."Hey, Dawson."A small pat on my back. Instinct causes me to jerk then shrugs him off. Luke moves to Maya, her eyes are glaring, and they could burn right through the shirt at this rate."Nick doesn't take this class."I crossed my arms around both sides of my chest. A subconscious response to uneasiness."Oh, I know."He quipped, tight-lipped smile. He hardly spoke when Nick and I hung out. Now he's saying hi and making convos when Nick is far away.I call Bull."Well, what do you want?"Blunt. Perfect."To apologize."Can I fall off the chair or something?"This is hilarious. Hold while I pull out a phone to capture this moment. Could you rewind for the fans?"She whipped her cell in his face. I cocked my head causing Maya to slowly pull it down. "Never let me have any fun."Just like a whiny child."I don't recall a reason for you to owe me an apology, Luke""Nicky told me what happened. Missed the date because of me. I apologize. It wasn't my intention."He drawled my palm to his lips and kissed a spot. Nicky?"It's fine. We're good."I snatched my hand. Maya pulled up sanitizer behind us. My lips folded as I giggled. Luke looked back and she tucked it away which made it ten times funnier."I had to do this either way."Translation Nick forced him into it. As though they shared one brain cell. It got annoying."I'm sure you did."Everyone had started settling down. Two minutes until the period starts."Well Dawson, it didn't seem like you missed anything. I saw the snaps. Shame that vibe wasn't at my party instead."My arm hair pulled up. There were snaps. Maya knows I hate unaware photographs and she was hooking up with the bartender. How did Luke know? Did he tell Nick?"Jenkins posted a whole dump about the night. You seemed to be having fun."I opened the snap. I'll kill Tony. He got us the ID then snuck around and took photos. What if -"Nothing harmless."That's what you'd think."Anyway. I'll see you around."I didn't acknowledge the half-ass wink he offered before strutting off. As the teacher strolled in, Maya grabbed my hand and placed the sanitizer on it before rubbing my palms, asking why I seemed palm.That's the thing about secrets, they never stay hidden for too long.****"Can I come with?""Uhm, it's just a quick drop-off and my dad wants to talk to us. We should be back soon."I leaned against the back of my car, Nick's hands circling my waist."You sure?"He twirled a strand of hair and I nodded."Uh..."Maya hits the honk, loudly interrupting us."Sorry!" Giggles following makes me think that was on purpose."I'll call you."He tastes like pickles when we kiss. I don't mean that in a bad way, not sure where those thoughts even came from."Love you."I ruffle his hair then slide around, getting into the driver's seat."Disgusting."She fake gags. "I'll hit you with a ruler if you don't shut it.""Yes ma'am."She quite literally purrs. Jerking my head, I ignite the engine and drive off.****LIFE BEYOND CAREAlways felt the sign was a bit quirky. All they did was care for people so they could live longer, what could they possibly know about a life after that?Maya and I stroll inside, skipping past the formalities at the front desk. No new nurses and everyone else already knew us. I texted my dad and he hit me back with an "In my office"My father had a broad field which had him in a courtroom analyzing a criminal for patterns or visiting a counselor in a high school for someone who attempted suicide. Happened more than once in both cases. This is funny since he's great at seeing through everyone, but never blinks at the facade I put up."This hospital had so many sexy...""Eyes on the door ahead. In and out."I held the drive containing the files he asked for."Yes. Yes."****My dad had his office, a waiting room, and a large space for everything else. His office could pass for a bedroom with couches in the corner and as I knocked before pushing the door in, I realized we weren't alone. Someone was bent down at his cabinet. Regardless, I could see the head and hands.Veiny hands. Popping out more as he clutches the edge, scouring the drawer for something"See what I mean. They follow me everywhere"Maya gushes and I ogle. His hair. Why is it all over the place? Also, can I run my hands through them?Fuck no. When did I turn into a more horny version of Maya?"Who are you?"What I should have asked as I stepped in. A client?The ruffling halts and he slips his hands under the desk, lifting himself off the ground and his eyes catch mine.I stumble. I know those eyes. Piercing hazel. Taunting. Daring for a challenge. Logan."You must be lost or..."I try to recover, dropping the drive, and jerking with re-traced steps."Mia my love. I see you've met Logan. He's my new intern. I wanted to introduce you both since I'm sure you'll be working together. He might be over at the house too. It's best to get the awkwardness out of the way."My father was using the built-in restroom, emerging from the door.I giggled. Hard and so very loud. My father wouldn't know how awkward it could be for us.Logan chuckles. The same menacing sound at the club right as I pulled his shirt and kissed him.Fuck me. It still sounded good."I'll show him how to use the printer. Thank you. Maya.""Hi, Mr Dawson."She waves although he's close.He kisses both our cheeks and then motions over to Logan. I'm either delusional or he keeps his stride slow and his gaze nestled on me.Oh. My. God. He still smells the same. That's why it was so easy to melt into his arms and fall asleep. He smells divine."It was nice meeting you, Mia."Hearing my name fall off his lips is like praise and God I want him to worship me. He doesn't acknowledge the night before or hint at anything else. His figure disappears as he trails after my father.Finally, I exhale and clasp the hideous turtle neck at the base."Fuck me.""Well, this is interesting.""Huh?"I tipped over my shoulder. Right, Maya. Her arms crossed, grinning widely. I gulped.Oh no. She has the I know what you did last summer look."Never thought I'd see the day.""I'm not sure what you mean."I covered my fingers with my shirt pulling them inside."I'm impressed. Furious. But impressed."She even clapped twice."You kept a secret from me."A dramatic gasp. I had a few."I...""You are..."She leaned over the couch, her forehead against mine."A very bad girl.""Please don't. That's so cringe."I covered my mouth to hold the giggles."You fucked him didn't you?""Shut up. God. My dad is right down the hall. Jesus."I made sure the door was still closed. Then, I took my hands out and jerked her away from me."Oh. Oh. Oh. This is so juicy!"My best friend starts jumping around the room."He's Nick's brother."She trips over the couch, falling at the edge and I reach her, extending a helping hand.Silence. Blinking unwavering silence."Well, that was anti-climactic."She groans, stretching her hand out from the ground.It wasn't because I can't escape this secret. It will quite literally follow me wherever I go.My sweet sweet father didn't see the need to hold back as his daughter was in a healthy and happy relationship. Not cheating at the club over the last weekend.Now where do we go from here?*****MIAAnother reason I wish Maya hadn't worked out everything in seconds. She's a smooth talker, which meant Nick was getting into a confrontation eventually. It also meant my poker face game was getting worse, but we'll worry about that later."Thank you, girls. Do you have any plans for the evening?""Even if we did, Mr Dawson, I doubt you'd know about it. Mia tends to startle us all."She bobbed her head as though a magnificent realization had just been made. "Maya!""What? Don't we all know?"Dad glanced past all three of us. "I do."Logan quips at the end. His presence is unnoticed.That's a lie. All I can smell is him. "Of course you do."Maya snorts. I may have found someone she dislikes more than Max. "I get the impression that you're hardly wrong, so yeah I do."Her smile is radiant. One compliment and she's grounded. "It's Monday, Dad. I'm headed home and going through a few readings.""I'm behind on a few case files from my last trip, so I was hoping you could tour the ho
MIA "How could you do that?"Both doors slammed as Maya and I got into the car. "He's like 29. It'd be crossing a few things off the bucket list, but not now. I did that for the plot."She winked, searching for keys in her pocket. "That's not what I meant. You left me alone with him!""Oh sweet Mia, that wasn't your main character moment. You'll know it when you see it."Her nonchalant self might as well earn a smack on the head. For now, I'll let it slide. I snort as we fasten seat belts. "Plus he was hardly a threat. He seemed like such an innocent soul. A good judge of character if you ask me."She bobs her head, pursing her lips in contentment. "I doubt it. He was with me. The slut who was willing to fuck him despite dating his brother."She sputtered the engine, swerving her head to glare. "The only dignified slut in the room here is me. Don't compete when you don't compare"A half grin formed on my face. Only Maya would think a slutty competition was worth it. "And you're
LOGAN A great family dinner has three stages. The intro where everyone pretends to feel great about having to spend hours sitting across from blood relatives when they'd much rather be doing something else. Smiles. Hand me a napkin. Hitting the fork against the plate which my dad hates. I do that a lot as you've guessed. Awkward conversation with obvious answers like how was your weekend? Tell me about it. On a scale of one to ten, how inappropriate do you think an admission to eating a girl out for dinner on Saturday night would be? Too much for appetizers? You're probably right. There's stage two. The awkward silence. Everyone realizes no one wants to communicate and by the former, I meant my mother. I like stage two. Looking up to catch their irritated faces is the highlight of my day. And finally, stage three. Desert and more attempts at bonding. With enough food in my stomach, my family turns into what it's always been. Destructive. Nick tries to prove the better son, my
MIA"Well what did he want?"Maya gently shoved her locker shut, leaving most of her books inside. I hadn't gotten to mine and my back starting to hurt. "What does that even mean? Did you listen to a word of what I said?"She bit her lips, acting thoughtful for a few seconds. "So let's get a few things straight. I drove here nearly getting a speeding ticket.""Oh that's all on you babes."We were moving towards my locker instead. The bell for AP Maths would go off any second. Maya wasn't in it which meant seperate directions."I storm in visibly pissed off yet calmly explain what happened."We reach mine and I toss in the combination, pulling the locker open, stuffing a few books inside and grabbing the others which I needed."He blackmailed me.""Nope. That would assume a threat was made in return.""It doesn't take a genius to figure it out.""Wait whose side are you on?""Yours. If he comes down here any day, I'm prepared to fight. But in here with just the two of us, I have to at
MIAMain character moment? It's this one for certain. There's a nagging voice that reminds me how many times Nick has lifted and kissed me against the wall or desk, yet I'm counting this as part of it. There's usually a term for people like me. Hypocrite. Yeah, that's the one. Do I have my brain on lock? "You're doing that thing again."I forced my eyes not to look at him, but as he spoke they found their way back. "What?"I murmur. "That thing where your mind takes control and you can't shut it off."What is it with the psychoanalysis? "I told you not to do that.""Can't help it.""Everything feels like bliss when you finally get it to quiet down. Like —""Don't finish that sentence."I caution. The first time the lesson came up, we were in a different position. Lesser clothes on."I was going to say ocean sounds, Mia.""Sure."I drawl, my voice high-pitched as I batted my lashes. "I'm not stupid.""I'd be dumb to assume that.""Let me go. I'd like to get out of here.""I'll be rig
LOGAN "I'm starting to think we were best friends because of school.""I'm the one with the 4.0, so that wouldn't make any sense."I peel the jacket off my skin, tucking it in my closet before lying on the bed. "Subtle flex."Peter grumbled. "But seriously, you disappeared. Your flight landed in New Orleans and you turned into Ethan Hunt with a new mission. Not cool.""I didn't realize this was Mission Impossible, but either way you're putting your abandonment issues on me because I recalled texting at least twice. Plus, I've only been gone two weeks. Peter.""Psychoanalysis does not extend to your best friend."He scolded. I bit my lips "Good thing you're not my best friend."He gasped then went silent. I figured he would drop the line, just for fun, but judging by his raspy breaths, he was simply quiet."Take it back.""Now." I chuckled, throwing one leg over the other."Fine. How's Southern California.""Ugh. Hot.""I'm still pissed you couldn't wait four mouths so we could escape
MIA "What did you do?"Maya is in the process of pulling Tony's hair as he leans over a table. The jock she was hooking up with isn't near, so I assume Tony scared him off. I made a silent bet as to how long it takes him to fess up those feelings for her because we both knew it was a matter of time, or how much alcohol he's had. So far, he's been able to hide it. But the only ones who didn't know how much Maya and Tony were made for each other were Maya and Tony. He's spent a handful of time suppressing feelings and she's been roaming around for a guy just like him.Someone who lets her pull his hair even though he could have her pinned against the wall..I've decided to act as the neutral party, for now. "Mia! I asked a question.""I didn't do anything.""You're smirking.""Am I?""You are. I'll let you off. For now."She releases his hair and the hint of victory plays on his lips before he frowns."You're a menace."She sticks her tongue out, straightens her dress then walks tow
MIAHave you ever wanted something so bad, worked extremely well, I'm talking on the verge of having the best thing happen to you, then watched it being stripped away, landing in the palms of someone else. At that moment, you keep asking yourself; where did I go wrong? That was me when Katie Monroe won class president in Grade 10..I handled it well. That's a lie. I started a fire while burning down campaign posters, and flyers. I wrote a diss track too. Then I let it haunt me becoming one of the many subjects of my overthinking. You're wondering why I made an elaborate story instead of just straight up saying I overthink shit, the honest answer was I had no clue.."I have to go pee."Nick squeezed my palm, then released his hold and let me free. "I need to pee."I whisper to Maya, she does her little head nod to show approval and I struggle not to get crushed as the game continues. That's right. We were on round nine with the tower going strong. So far, there have been lap dances