Take A Break | Hasan Piker

Goodbyes

With one last scan of the room she spent a short few months in, Maia turned off the lights, grabbed her suitcases, and shut the door.

The wheels rolling on the hardwood floor was the only sound in the otherwise silent apartment, as the solemn circumstances seemed to drain any life out of the place Maia used to call home.

She desperately wanted to bottle up the smell of the almost expired air freshener in the hallway. Maia yearned to take a piece of the poorly done paint job or a permanent photograph of the way Aiden's posters lined the walls.

But deep down Maia knew they were best left as senses you experienced in person, and at the time they were supposed to be lived through.

It was a life lesson her mothers death taught her from a young age.

"You ready?" Aiden asked, trying his hardest to be strong for his best friend.

Maia could barely meet his eyes as she stared at the small detailing on the mirror her dad gifted them as a house warming gift.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

———

"FUCKING MOVE!"

LA traffic was not a force to be reckoned with, especially not on a Saturday afternoon, and especially not when you're trying to catch the girl of your dreams from leaving forever.

Hasan had barely slept in the past 20 hours.

After hearing from Aiden about Maias flight, Hasan was quickly booking the next flight out.

Yes, that meant missing out on all of the plans he had made months in advance.

But who really gives a fuck at this point?

And that was the exact thought Hasan had as he pulled out of the mile long bumper to bumper traffic and went speeding down the break down lane.

Soon, he was breaking off onto the exit towards the airport, ignoring the hundreds of car horns directed his way.

Hasan could only pray that he wasn't too late.

——

Frozen in her place, Maia stared at the many Ubers dropping off flight passengers, and family members giving goodbye hugs.

"Well...this is it," Aiden said, handing Maia her duffel bag.

"This is so surreal," Maia said, finally meeting his eyes. "We were planning to start a new life together here just a few months ago, and now..."

"...you're leaving to start one of you're own," Aiden said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "God, I told myself I wasn't going to cry until you left."

"Sorry," Maia laughed through her own tears.

"I'll be okay Maia, I promise."

"I know you will, Aiden, you're the strongest person I know," she said. "I just don't know if I will."

"You will so be okay!" Aiden exclaimed. "You'll be an international basketball star and meet a bunch of hot Spanish guys!"

Maia smiled, looking down to hide the blush on her cheeks.

But as soon as the blissful moment of happiness came, it vanished as she caught sight of the few bags her whole life was practically packed into.

"You're gonna be late." Aiden stated as the intercoms listed off the terminal numbers.

"Do I have to go?"

"...I guess so."

Looking up, Maia relished in the way the sun reflected off of Aiden's eyes one last time.

Pulling her into an embrace, Aiden prepared his goodbyes.

"Bitch, I'm gonna miss you like hell," he mumbled.

"I'll visit, I promise."

"Damn right you will."

"I really have to go now," Maia said, loosening her grip.

Pulling away from their hug, Aiden reminded her of one thing Maias dad always told them.

"Remember Maia, it's not goodbye-

"-it's see you later, I know," Maia said, choking up.

"See you later," Aiden said with a sad smile, finally letting go.

"See you later."

Maia turned towards the sliding glass doors, forcing herself not to look back in fear that she wouldn't be able to leave.

As if having a mind of their own, Maia's feet dragged her further and further away.

Just as she was walking up to the baggage check, a voice yelled out her name.

"MAIA WAIT!"