Unmatched

Part 15

(Maya)

Ok. That should be good.

I finished choosing my outfit for tomorrow night only because I had nothing else to do. I was actually caught up on my 3 other classes aside from math which I would worry about this weekend.

Black top, long jeans, black Carhartt jacket or leather jacket?

I looked over at it hanging in my closet.

My aunt had given me a leather jacket because that's what everyone else wore here and she didn't want me feeling left out. But I hadn't worn it once my whole time here. Leather jackets always looked out of place on me anyway. Maybe I'd give it to Willa once I got back home.

I heard a knock on my door and before I walked up to it, I looked at it in question of who it could be this time. Kallias?

I creaked the door open and found Anna there with a stack of flyers in her hand.

"Oh hi Anna" I opened the door, allowing my whole body and face to be seen.

"Hi Maya" her mouth curved into a smile.

Anna wasn't very outspoken yet always had a soft glow about her.

"We are hosting a cooking wars this Saturday evening. Teams will be picked this Friday once everyone signs up by Thursday night."

I grabbed the flyer she held out to me,

"Oh okay cool. Do you know what we'll be cooking?"

I looked down at it. It was a red and blue graphic with big black letters: STERLINGS HALL COOKING WARS

"I'm not really supposed to say but" She lowered her voice to a whisper "It will be Italian food"

My eyes perked up, "Really?"

Though I knew Italian food wasn't my top choice in cuisine, Truste had become my favorite spot that...I might have changed to like it more.

"Yes, be sure to sign up if you'd like!" Anna threw me a warm smile, her blue eyes reminding me of frosty winters and lakes.

"Thanks"

And with that she left and I closed my door, looking back down at the paper in my hand.

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(Kallias)
I had soccer practice after lunch. But not for me. I was doing the soccer, and the kids were doing the practice.

I walked into into the school and headed towards Piper, the front desk girl who was probably around my age.

"Hi Kallias!"

"Hi Piper" and threw her a small wave. Her hair was different this time.

"Did you get new a hairdo?" I could have sworn she hadn't had those bangs before.

"I did"

Looking down at the system where I typed my information for my volunteer sticker I replied, "Looks good! Makes the whole" I waved my hand in front of my face "look younger"

She let out a soft laugh, "Thank you"

"The kids are excited to see you. They've been chattering nonstop"

"Well that's good to hear. I'm looking forward to it" I said, giving her a warm smile and heading to the back where the classrooms were.

I had been volunteering as a soccer coach for a children's school once a week and sometimes twice if they had an upcoming game. They were a group of cheerful, adorable 3rd graders.

A part of why I enjoyed it so much was their constant excitement no matter the day. It gave them something to look forward too.

I walked in to the classroom where 12 of my students were neatly seated on their rug, their backs turned to me. Our grades uniform was a bright electric blue that reminded me of the oceans of the Maldives. A smile drew on my face.

"Good afternoon!"

Within hearing my voice, all their small faces whipped to me, and begun excitedly chattering my name over one another.

I clapped my hands together and announced "Who is ready for practice today?!"

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"Hello?"

Willa's uncertain tone over the phone reminded me that I had a new phone number abroad. And I hadn't told everyone.

"Hey Willa, it's Maya" I softly laughed at her obvious confusion on who called her.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't recognize your number. How are you?"

"I'm good, just laying in bed. Don't have much to do right now. Thought I'd check up"

"Not much to do? Don't you have like a whole city to check out?"

I looked over at my window. It was cloudy and cold as usual.

"Eh, I've had enough of it for a day"

"Maya......what's wrong"

"Nothing. I've just had a really weird day. My class got changed. I completely don't know anyone there but this one guy I can't stand. He's just some guy I met a week ago and yet I keep running into"

"Why is a boy out of all things bothering you?" she replied.

"Because Willa, he's one of those guys you and I both don't like. Rich, smart, he knows everyone, and is just..."

"Cocky?"

"A dick" I finished.

"He thinks he knows me or acts like he does and then says these slick remarks to me"

"Ew. He actually sounds horrible" she said.

"Tell me about it" I muttered.

"Listen, I gotta get back to babysitting these kids. But don't forget to call me. I love you Maya. And you better enjoy that trip! Tell me more about that guy later but don't let him get your way."

I pulled my phone away from ear and looked at the time, it was almost 10pm over there. Right. Willa usually babysat around this hour.

"Thanks Willa. I love you too" I replied and hung up.

I let out a soft sigh and stared at my ceiling, noticing the blankness of them like an art canvas. My thoughts wandered off, and I eventually wondered about what I should do tonight.

You better enjoy that trip! Willa's voice rang through my head.

Truste had become my favorite but I couldn't let myself lean into my bad habit of finding a comfortable spot and not caring to branch out.

I sat up and flipped my laptop open.

Fun things to do in London tonight

Within seconds, tons of results popped up. I scanned over the list of all the events for tonight until I found one that stood out to me.

Local Indie Pop Band: Sunset Linings performing at Goodmans, 6pm.

It was only 5, plenty of time. And Goodmans sounded familiar.

Goodmans, Goodmans, Good-

It was that restaurant under Truste. So not exactly branching out as much as I wanted but it was something. I hadn't ever gone in there anyway.

I got a text from Willa in that instant,

"Send me your Spotify wrapped by the way"

I'd reply to it later.