TOUCH .

AFTER SCHOOL in Raveen's house

---

✨ REEN’S POV ✨

I tried to make small talk with Maya, but all I got was a bunch of “yeah… mmhmm… crazy.” It felt like she didn’t really want to talk to me, which was a little frustrating.

We finally made it to my matte black G-Wagon. What can I say? My personality has to match the car. I unlocked the doors and walked to the driver’s side, sliding in and waiting for Maya.

She was on her phone, clearly pissed, judging by the way she furrowed her brows. She yanked open the back door, threw her bag in, and slammed it shut like she had a personal vendetta against my car.

“Watch it!” I yelled, honking the horn lightly. “Don’t bang my shit like that, okay?”

“Sorry,” she mumbled, barely looking at me as she got in the passenger seat.

I glanced at her as I started the car. “You good?”

“Yeah,” she answered flatly, her gaze locked on the road ahead.

The drive was quiet, but it wasn’t awkward. It was the kind of silence you could sit comfortably in, which was rare for me.

When we pulled up to my place, I decided to give her a heads-up. “Listen, I’ve got some weird brothers, so don’t take anything they say too seriously.”

We unbuckled, and she was the first to get out. As she did, something slipped from her pocket and hit the car floor, but she didn’t notice. She just waited for me by the passenger door.

I grabbed both our backpacks and locked the car. “Need anything?” I asked as we walked inside.

She just shook her head and mouthed a quiet “no,” which made no sense because the house was empty.

“Alright then. Take the stairs, second door on your right—that’s my room. You can go set up while I fix something for us.” I opened the fridge, grabbing a couple of cokes.

“You want a soda?” I called, but she was already gone. Didn’t even make a sound going up the stairs. Weird.

After grabbing some snacks, I headed to my room, finding her tying her hair up into a ponytail.

“Wow, must be my lucky day,” I teased, shutting the door with my foot. I placed her backpack on the whoopie cushion and set the snacks on the study table.

“I got you something in case you get hungry,” I said, tossing her a canned coke. She caught it like a pro.

“But we can do that later…” I smirked, licking my lips as I walked toward her.

“So…” I started, sitting on the bed beside her. “We getting kinky or what?” I joked, leaning in slightly.

Her expression was priceless. “Listen, Raveen, I’m not in the mood for whatever crazy fantasy or drug-induced thing you have going on. So no, we are not getting”—she did air quotes—“‘kinky.’ Besides, I don’t even think you’re my type.”

“Oh, so you’re saying I’m not your type?” I asked, standing slowly as she walked over to her bag. “I mean, I see how you blush when you look at me…”

She ignored me, rummaging through her backpack like her life depended on it. She didn’t even notice when I crept up behind her.

When she turned and saw me, her eyes widened. I lifted her chin gently, making her look at me. Her cheeks flushed as she froze, like a deer caught in headlights.

“What was that about me not being your type, baby?” I whispered, leaning in close.

“N-nothing,” she stuttered, her voice barely audible.

I leaned even closer, stopping just short of her lips before moving to her ear. “You’re so pretty,” I whispered, then straightened up and patted her head like she was a little kitten.

✨ MAYA’S POV ✨

Whew. That was too close. But still, why didn’t she kiss me? This is the second time she’s pulled these little moves and then acted like nothing happened.

I tried to shake it off and focus. I needed to leave anyway, but I couldn’t find my house keys. That was when the discomfort started creeping in.

I turned to her, mustering up some composure. “Have you seen my house keys? They’ve got a cute keychain.”

“No, sorry,” she said, barely looking at me.

“Well, if they’re not here, I guess I dropped them in your car. Can we go? My curfew’s in 40 minutes.”

“Yeah, sure. Lemme grab a hoodie real quick.”

I waited by her room door with my bag, feeling her eyes on me like I was some exhibit in a zoo. She finally emerged, and we headed downstairs.

As we walked out, one of her brothers—Aaron—showed up.

“Hi, so you’re the gi—”

“OW!” he yelped as Raveen punched him in the stomach.

“You better not finish that sentence if you want to eat dinner tonight,” she snapped.

“Okay, okay, fine! Hi, I’m Aaron. I’m the second eldest. Pleasure to meet you…”

“Maya,” I said, glancing between him and Raveen.

“Pleasure to see you, Maya. Hope to see you soon.”

Raveen dragged me along before I could respond.

---