The Player

Chapter 21

I did not want to go back and face the reality of classes, but I kind of had too. I was also anticipating having to face Maya during my first class period. I had thought she was my friend and now I find out that she made out with my boyfriend while I was gone. Who does that? She clearly still like Niall, but honestly throwing herself at him isn't going to make him fall for her, especially when he already has a girlfriend. I'm glad Niall walked away because if he didn't I would have been heart broken.

I walked into first period with Niall earlier than usual so that we would have time to talk to Maya. Sure enough Maya was sitting in her usual seat, where Niall, Jess, and I also sit.

"Are you sure you want to talk to her today? We can sit somewhere different." Niall asked me.

"No, it's fine. Now's as good a time as ever to at least talk to her about it." I said, wanting to get it over with.

"Okay. I think this is gonna be really awkward." Niall admitted.

"It will be, but once I talk to her she won't mess with you again." I said. I almost felt like the protector of Niall in this situation because I was going to prevent Maya from ever getting her hands on Niall again.

"She could just be misunderstood, El." Niall said.

"Yeah, I get that. I'll hear what she has to say, but what she did was still wrong."

"Yeah, I know. Let's go." Niall and I walked up to where Maya was sitting and we took our seats.

"Hey Maya." I said.

"Oh, hey Ella." she said, barely making eye contact. This was already off to an awkward start. "How was your trip?"

"It was okay, just a lot of drama." I told her.

"Well, no drama here." Maya said with a nervous laugh. I was quiet.

"You and I both know that's a lie." I said.

"What?" she looked at me straight on now.

"We both know what you did, Maya. There's no avoiding it." Maya took a deep breath.

"I know."

"I just wanted to talk to you about it."

"I knew you would."

"Why did you do it Maya? I mean I thought we were friends and then the second I leave you throw yourself on my boyfriend?" she didn't answer. "Maya?"

"Can we talk about this later?" she quickly snapped.

"Ummm but I'm asking you now. Just tell me why." 

"I can't okay?" she was clearly getting annoyed. But if anyone should be annoyed it should be me because she wasn't giving me answers.  

"Why not?" I urged. 

"I just can't Ella!" she yelled at me. I was startled and Niall put a hand on my shoulder. The classroom got quieter but progressively got louder after a few seconds of looking in our general direction. 

"Maya, why are you getting angry at me? You're the one throwing yourself on my boyfriend. And that's not okay with me. I just want the answers." I said. 

"Well maybe it's because I'm still in love with Niall!" she yelled and then stormed out of the classroom without another word. I slumped back in my chair once she left and had a feeling that she wouldn't show up to classes the rest of the day. 

"Wow." Jess said from behind me and Niall. I hadn't noticed her come into the classroom. "You guys really know how to make the mornings interesting." I couldn't help but let out a small laugh, but I stopped myself. 

"No, this isn't funny." I said shaking my head. Niall hadn't said a word in awhile. I looked over at him and he was just staring down at his hands like they were the most interesting things on earth. "Why would she still be in love with you? I mean I've talked to her about this before, I thought she understood." 

"I don't get it either, Ella." Jess said. 

"Niall?" I said, trying to get his attention. "Niall." 

"What? Sorry." he said coming out of his daze. 

"Are you okay?" I asked him, putting my hand on his back. 

"I just feel so bad." 

"About what?" 

"About how I've treated Maya. I mean we went out before, but that was when I had no respect, and then sent her crying down the hall. And then I use her to get to you, Ella. I've been nothing but an ass to her this whole time." 

"We can give her some time to cool off and then go talk to her later if you want." I suggested. 

"I just don't get how she can love me after how I've treated her." 

"I don't know Ni." 

"God, I'm such an ass." he said angrily at himself. 

"Niall, no. Stop, you are not." I took his face in my hands and made him look at me. "Don't say that. You've changed and I love that about you. Sure you were an ass before, but you are a great guy now. That's probably why she likes you." 

"You're probably right." 

"So we will just give her some time and then talk to her later." 

"Okay." Niall said, relaxing a bit.

"Everything will be fine." I said patting him on the back.    

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