The Maze

Luna

I spent my next few days looking for places to stay after I aged out of the orphanage. I found a few places that were somewhat nice, but the landlords were reluctant to rent to me. After my Maze, I'm expected to move in with whoever my spouse is. Which means I won't need the apartment very long. Naturally, most complex owners will only rent to men because of that.

On the morning of the fourth day of searching, I stopping by the breakfast place Travis worked at. I'd been avoiding him for a while, after the night at the club. There were other places to get coffee at, but the diner just had a cozy atmosphere that I loved. Maybe today would be his off day.

The bell above the door jingled as I walked in and the smell of bacon and pancakes wafted through my nose. And standing behind the counter was, of course, the one person I was hoping to avoid. The smile that he wore seemed more plastic than normal. I felt a twinge of guilt thinking that it was probably because of me that he was tired.

Travis had come to the club a couple times this week. And every night, I got a request for a private dance. I know he just wanted to talk, but I didn't. Any time I saw him in the crowd, I'd give my private dance to another dance. It definitely took a toll on my earnings but that was better than facing the man that falling for me and telling him that I didn't feel the same.

"Luna?" His eyebrows burrowed together as I approached.

"Hey." I gave him a small smile, trying to cut the tension a bit.

I was about to order when Travis held up one finger. He motioned to another girl behind the counter. She nodded once and came over the register. He then stepped away, grabbing the tray she had been about to take and carrying it out to a table.

"What can I do for you today?" The girl asked me, smiling that overly happy customer service smile.

I shouldn't be hurt that he switched with someone but for some reason I was. I'd been avoiding him for days. I'm sure he got the hint. Maybe he was doing it to appease me. Or maybe to avoid getting himself hurt. I wish I could ignore the sudden emotions that were bubbling up inside me. I'll just ask him about it. I took a deep breath and ordered my regular coffee and some breakfast. I turned around as soon as I was done, determined to find him and explain.

"Scarlett."

The male voice stopped me dead in my tracks. At first my heart fluttered at the sound, but then it lurched, remembering the last time we had talked. The scabbed cut on my arm throbbed as if the memories brought back the pain with it. I shoved those thoughts back and turned towards where the voice came from.

Ryan sat in a booth up against one of the outside windows. He watched me approach, sipping his coffee. I felt trapped in his gaze. Like it was pulling me in. I felt myself slide into the booth across from him. We said nothing for a few moments, waiting quietly until my food arrived. This was the first time Ryan and I had met outside of the club. I wasn't sure how I felt about the fact that he knew where to find me. The lady who took my order sat down my breakfast in front of me. I had taken my first bite when Ryan spoke.

"Look, Scarlett, I-"

"Luna."

He rolled his eyes "I know your name is Luna. I met you as Scarlett though. That's just kind of who you are to me." He shrugged a shoulder. "Anyway. I just wanted to explain what happened the other night."

I slowed down the chewing of my food to avoid having to say anything. I assumed he was referring to the way he shoved me in the private room.

"I'd been drinking. You know how people get when they've got alcohol in their system. And I was mad at my dad. It wasn't a good combination, ya know?" He took a drink of his coffee and looked at me.

I nodded my head. Ryan had come into the club angry before. I could always tell because he came in early and normally had a drink in his hand by the first dance. By the second dance, his words were almost unintelligible. Those were the nights he couldn't keep his hands off me. I guess having a father in high places wasn't always a good thing.

"How's your arm?" He asked

"It's doing fine." I raised it to show him the scab that had covered the wound.

"That's good."

I set down my fork and looked at him. "What are you doing here, Ryan? I've never seen you outside of the club before."

He looked slightly offended. "I wanted to talk to you." I raised an eyebrow and he quickly continued. "Im serious, Scarlett."

"Luna." I corrected under my breath.

"I figured we could start a real relationship now. Let's be real. You'll have a different job after your Maze, we both know that. So, I should really get to know you now. As more than a dancer."

"Are you...asking me out?" I looked at him incredulously "No offense, Ryan, but you-"

He waved his hand. "I'm not asking you out." He paused. "I want to get to know you. And I have a proposition for you."

I watched him as I took another bite of my breakfast.

"You could at least act interested, Scar." He chuckled

I gasped loudly. Loud enough to gain the attention of a few people around us. "Oh my gosh, Ryan. A proposition. Whatever could it be?!"

This time, he rolled his eyes at me. "In less than a week, you'll be 18."

"How did you know that?" I don't tell people my birthday. They don't need to know. Only a handful of people know it and most of them are from the orphanage.

He looked at me, confused. "You told me?"

I shook my head. "No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did. You must have been drinking."

"But I don't-"

"People forget things all the time. No big deal." He waved his hand, cutting me off. "Anyway, since you'll age out of the home you're in, I was thinking you could move in with me."

"No." That was just a recipe for disaster. We'd never be able to keep our hands off each other. And Ryan is over 18, so he's already had his Maze. The rumor is that the woman that got selected for him passed away not long after. Cancer, I guess. But it doesn't change the fact that he already had a Maze and I haven't. So, nothing could go on between us. And living together would just be hard for both of us.

"Do you have anywhere else to go?" I didn't answer him. "Do you think an apartment complex is going to rent to you with the Maze less than a month away?"

"We can't live together, Ryan."

"It's a spare bedroom, Scarlett. Not like we'll be sleeping together." He looked right at me. "You're kind of out of options."

He was right. And I hated it. "A spare room?" He nodded and I sighed reluctantly. "Ok."