The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 7

"We can't stay home all summer Maia! I'm going to go crazy if I stay home another day!" Oh god, I sound like my mom now, and that's annoying. I really am losing it.

I knock on the door before walking in, and she has thrown the pillow over her head. I don't like this at all, I feel like I've aged a decade, and it's not really fun. I naively though I would have a little sister for a summer, instead I feel more like a nagging mom.

"Why? Where are we going?" she groans.

"I don't know. Somewhere where there's AC?" I mumble. She groans again.

"Oh come on Maia, it's ten."

"MAVE!" Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. What can I say, I forget.

"I want you ready in half an hour, I'll make breakfast." I say as I walk out the door.

Just to test me, she walks out 45 minutes later. Not surprisingly, she's sporting black shorts, sheer tights, and a punk t shirt. Her long wavy hair is actually kind of pretty, but it's half covering her face. Meanwhile, I'm in my favorite floral top and matching sandals. You couldn't get more opposite than that. She sits on the bar stool and I eat standing on the opposite side. My phone starts ringing, and when I see Will's name flash on the screen, I mute the phone.

"You've been ignoring a lot of calls lately." Maia says.

"Interesting observation." I snap.

My phone rings again and it's Will. I hit answer in frustration.

"I'm still thinking, geez, I'm 21 it's a lot to take in!" I snap rather rudely and hang up. Maia's staring at me like I've grown a second head. I just put my plate in the sink, I need to get out. It's Monday already, and I still don't have an answer for anyone. It's literally eating me alive.

"Why are we at the mall Emma?" Maia groans in frustration for the billionth time.

"Don't you like to just walk around, try on clothes?" She gives me a look that says, "Hello no!". Yeah I figured. It's going to be hard relating to her since we're stark opposites.

"No." I purse my lips and nod.

"Ok. Honestly, I don't either, not particularly." She rolls her eyes. Hey, no snarky comment? I'm making progress.

We continue to walk around in silence, only stopping occasionally to walk inside a store. Ok, it was me forcing her in, but she wouldn't look at anything. I tried.

After about an hour I get a surprising call from Zach, considering he should be at work. Maybe lunch break? I answer it.

"Hello beautiful." I roll my eyes, smiling, he doesn't need to reassure me every second.

"You don't even know what Im wearing today." I laugh, and Maia looks around in a music store while I wait outside. I notice her talking to a boy her age and can't help but smile, although I don't keep her out of my sight.

"I know you always look beautiful, Emmaline."

"Flattery will get you everywhere Zachary." I giggle.

"How about to lunch with me?" I hear his familiar charm and I blush.

"What about Maia? We're at the mall, but it's obvious she's not having fun anyway."

"Well, I am curious to meet her, and I want her to meet me, bring her."

"She was asking me questions about the arranged marriage, I thought that was interesting." I blurt quietly, even though Maia's out of earshot.

"Hm. Yeah, it is. But, I mean our lives are on the tabloids and people wonder whether what's written is fact or fiction." That reminds me of the little game Maia and I played. Fact or fiction. He's right though, I'm just irritated I didn't see it before. I'm so oblivious these days.