Maya (Book #3)

Chapter 20

I clutched my jacket tighter to my chest as I bolted down the dark street, fully aware that I was being reckless. There was something about being a teenager that made recklessness seem vital, though. I let out a loud laugh into the night at that thought and thanked God that no one could see me.

 When I reached Magnus's house, I saw a scribbled-on paper taped to the front door. It pointed to the garage entrance in the front, so I walked that way quickly until I found a door. Only a crack of the doorway was open, but light and music from inside tumbled out into the night. I pulled open the door eagerly, feeling a rush of warmth spill over me. I scampered in, leaving the door slightly open just slightly before gaping at the room before me.

Renovations had clearly been happening on this garage for months, if not years. Instead of looking like a traditional grey, concrete room that housed cars, it was decked out like it was designed for teenagers to have a good time. There was a massive flat screen on one wall and a bundle of couches and bean bags surrounding it that my friends lounged in. There was a glossy, dark-wooden bar area in the corner where Magnus was pouring drinks from an impressive collection of bottles. Multiple gleaming fridges were lined up beside it, where people I'd never met were pulling out sodas and beers. In the opposite corner, there were gaming systems, a punching bag, and board games spilling out from tall cabinets. 

"Mav!" I shouted, running over to him, and giving him a side-hug. "This is insane!"

"Pretty crazy, right?" he asked, giving me a proud grin. "My parents had it made for me so that I'd stop having crazy parties in the house."

"That was generous of them," I said, giving him a look like that was crazy. In my world, it was. 

"I know, I'm spoiled. But I'm using my parties for good! How else would Maya ever loosen up if I didn't force her to?" he teased, walking us over to the couch and pointing to my friends. I smiled at him and ran over to Lucy and Cassandra, plopping right between them on the couch. JJ was there too, playfully fighting with a friend of Caleb's that I vaguely knew from my art class.

"I missed you guys!" I said, leaning my head onto Cassie's shoulder and giving Lucy's hand a squeeze.

"We missed you too!" they said, returning my affection. The couch was massive, and we sunk into the middle of it, looking at each other.

"What's new with you guys? Tell me everything!" I squealed, giving them my full attention.

"First, drinks!" Mav said, bringing over glasses for Cassie and Lucy, and a small bottle for me. They each downed their drinks and nudged me with expectant looks.

I thought of Dominic's expression telling me not to drink, and then without warning, my uncle's face popped into my head. His eyes were a painful blue and he smiled hugely, showing his teeth. I grabbed the drink and popped the lid off, swallowing it in a couple of gulps. I wiped some of it from my lips and cheered, as the room of friends cheered with me.

He didn't control my life. He didn't control me. Nobody did.