Waiting for You

Chapter 1 (Now or Never)

Maya's Pov:

As my mom launched into her NASA-preparing-for-liftoff checklist for the millionth time, I tried not to roll my eyes into another dimension. "Maya, do you have everything? Books, charger, your brain?"

I groaned, the kind of groan that spoke to years of suffering. "Yes, Mom, my brain is still miraculously inside my skull. Can't leave home without it."

She gave me that slow, exaggerated nod, like she'd been waiting all year for this moment. "Good, because last week, you went grocery shopping and came back with exactly one banana. One. No brain was involved in that operation, clearly."

I threw my hands up. "It was an important banana! A highly spiritual banana. We had a moment. You wouldn't understand."

"Right, the Banana of Enlightenment," she deadpanned, her sarcasm as sharp as ever. "And what about your hairbrush? Or are we committing to the 'I just got electrocuted in a wind tunnel' look for the entire semester?"

"I packed it," I muttered through gritted teeth. "Twice, actually. Since you've asked me ten times. You know, just in case the hairbrush spontaneously combusts on the way to school."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my life choices. "Well, you never know. Maybe the hairbrush has abandonment issues and wants to stay home. I wouldn't put it past you to forget it."

"Yeah, Mom, if anything's gonna forget to come, it's definitely me, not the hairbrush."

She smirked, victorious. "True. Oh, and don't forget to make friends. You know, those human beings you have to interact with? Maybe talk to a few. And smile. But not that creepy smile you do sometimes."

"Ah, yes, the serial killer smile. I'll save that one for special occasions."

She nodded like she was imparting some kind of ancient wisdom. "Exactly. And, for the love of God, don't hide in the library all day. People need to confirm that you're alive every now and then."

I shot her a look. "Mom, please. The library is the new social hotspot. Everyone's there. It's where all the cool kids gather to silently judge each other in the study area. You're practically no one if you aren't in the library."

"Oh, sure, silent socializing," she said with an exaggerated eye roll. "Just do me a favor and don't avoid the cafeteria because you're scared of tripping with your tray. Again."

My eyes narrowed. "That was one time. In high school. Five years ago. Are we really doing this right now?"

Her eyes lit up like Christmas had come early. "Maya, sweetie, you took out the entire salad bar. The entire thing. It was like watching a bowling ball obliterate a bunch of helpless pins."

I waved her off, trying to salvage what was left of my dignity. "It wasn't that bad..."

"Not that bad? People still talk about it. I hear whispers every time I walk past a salad bar. 'Oh, there's the mother of the girl who destroyed a whole ecosystem of food mess.'"

I buried my face in my hands. "Okay, maybe it was kind of bad."

"Kinda bad?" she gasped in mock horror, clutching her heart like I'd just insulted the family name. "You single-handedly caused the World War 3! They had to rebuild the entire salad station from scratch!"

"I'll try not to recreate it on my first day, but no promises," I said, already regretting everything. "If I fall, I fall with grace. Maybe I'll even throw in some jazz hands for dramatic effect."

"And probably take out half the cafeteria with you," she added with a straight face.

"At least I'll make a memorable entrance, right?" I grinned. It was weak, but I tried.