Maya longs for stability. But when her mom fails to pay the mortgage on their house, and they lose their home, she moves to the beach town of Destin, Florida, to live with her Aunt Abigail while her mom deals with things back home.
She struggles to...
EVERY KNOT OF tension that has formed on my muscles unwinds. I wish I had the locket Dad gifted me right here so I could caress the longing in my heart away.
The scenery blurring in front of me tells me we're close to home, and Rick bringing the car to a stop is another intel. I turn to face him, sweeping strands of my messed-up hair from my eyes."Sorry, I was so silent,"
He slides his hands on his lap, exhaling before finally looking at me. I can barely see the glint of his eyes because the night's darkness has cocooned us in a nested hallow. The only thing noticeable is the shadows of his figure due to the few surviving street lights.
"I didn't mind the silence,"
"Well, it's been quite a night. Thanks for the ride, Rick. See you...when I see you?" I say awkwardly as I step out of the car.
All he does is nod at me as I make my way around the car.
"Go out with me," he states out of the blue.
This sudden blurt of words causes my heart to somersault in my chest and to halt right by the door of his car. I spin around so fast that I almost fall. His eyes are still, staring straight into mine with his lips set apart from one another, short breaths passing right through them. This expression doesn't stop me from settling my hand on the side of my hip and arching an eyebrow.
"Was that you telling me or asking me?"
"Uh, sorry," he shakes his head. "I mean, will you go out with me?"
"Now, why would I wanna do that?"
"I'm interested in you and wouldn't mind spending more time with you,"
"You? Interested in me? You didn't even look at me on my first day here. I was basically nonexistent to you,"
"Well, here we are now, me at your doorstep asking you to go out with me,"
"I don't have any feelings for you, Rick, so if I say yes, that's just me being nice,"
"Come on, give this whole thing a chance,"
"We would never work, we barely know each other,"
"That's what dates are for, aren't they?"
Regardless of Rick's expression, my heart isn't convinced, and I don't want to involve myself in something that doesn't sit right with my heart. Shaking my head in denial, I reply: "Thanks, but no thanks. Drive home safely," I close the door and head inside.
I settle my head against the door, inhaling deeply, before biting my lip and reopening the door, "And sorry!" I yell to Rick, who has already started his car. He drives off into the night.
My stomach twists in regret, not because I rejected his offer but because the rejection might hurt him.
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𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒌
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How would you define happiness? I can't figure out what it would mean for anyone, but I sure can for myself.
Happiness for me is waking every morning and staring at my bedroom ceiling caressed with my mother's painting, kissed by the first vestiges of morning sunlight. It is truly the only thing that makes me smile when I'm having a horrible day. It makes me feel like she's right here, singing me to sleep with the sweet tune of her voice. It was the light in my dark life.
I wasn't upset by Maya's response to me asking her out. I was more so pissed. Her answer was expected. So, I was ready to move on and forget about her, but I can't do that now, can I? I've got to find some way to convince her to go out with me.
"Rickard!" Dad calls out from the living area.
Burying my face in my hands in annoyance, I groan, get up, and head to the living area. Both of them are having breakfast at the dining table.
Right, I'm late for breakfast, and he looks mad. I take a seat as Throndsten serves me my breakfast. Just as I'm about to take a bite, his voice echoes across the room, "Before you touch your food, I understand that next time you will be on time for breakfast?"
"Yes,"
"And that you will look at me when I'm talking to you,"
I sigh, looking up at the eyes that resemble Noah's in every crevice and shade.
"Good," he proceeds with his meal. "What are your plans for today?"
"I plan to go out," I grab the fork but stop to look back at him, "Can I have my breakfast now?"
"Go ahead, and I'd rather you join me today for a meeting with a couple of officials. It could help you gain some experience and a spark for what you want to do for your future,"
"I'm not interested," I say between bites of toast.
He settles the knife and fork on his plate, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Rickard—"
"It's Rick,"
"I encourage you to start thinking more about your future. Take Noah, for exampl—"
"I'm not Noah," I slam my hand against the table, clenching my teeth.
"All you do is goof around! You're not even the quarterback for your school's football team! Tell me one thing you've done to make me proud!"
"Richard, calm down," Starla wraps a hand around his forearm, a lock of his perfectly slicked dark hair falling over his eye.
"We won!" I yell, standing up from the chair. "Is that fact not enough for you, Dad? You just want me to be the quarterback, like Noah. Well, I'm not Noah. I'm Rick dad, Rick! If I'm not a good enough son for you, then go find another!" I storm out of the room as he calls after me, with Starla still trying to calm him down.
As I groan, I storm to the garage and kick my car's front wheel, causing pain to shoot up my foot. I yell out to no one in particular, and the sound booms throughout the garage.
"I wish you were here, Mom," I whisper, sitting on the marble floor, resting my head on my car's headlights.
I shut my eyes and hum the lullaby she would sing me whenever I had nightmares. Steady but slow, the anger seeps out of my system.
It may come as a shock, but right now, I'd rather spend a day with Maya than face my overbearing father.
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