The Forest (Re-writing)

CHAPTER IX - Push away, bring closer

I appear in front of Maya's room, seeing her sitting on the bed, looking down in silence. I walk in and go towards her. — May I sit?— I ask and she shrugs her shoulders, so I sit. I look at her. She looks upset. I sight and take her drawings out of my pocket, showing the one with the girl to her. — Are you stealing now? — Maya says and I respond with another question. — This taller girl in the drawing, is that Riley?

Maya grabs the drawing and stares at it, then she nods. — She looks nice, and she sounded like a good friend on the phone. — I talk trying to keep the conversation going in a way Maya doesn't get defensive. I just want to help her. The blonde complements me. — The best friend you could ever ask for. — She takes a small smile that fade away after some time. I then throw my question to her. — Maya, Why did you pick me to be with you in the interrogation room?

She sighs and lays her back in the headboard. — 'Cause you're the only one that I don't have anything against of. — I hear and automatically get confused. — Are you sure? 'Cause I think that threat yesterday was not being "anything against me".

— I'm sorry about that. I was so angry at your family that I trowed all at you. You're the only one who doesn't see me as a possible monster. So I thought that if cried or didn't act though and mean you wouldn't judge me. — I look at her with a small smile and she looks at me back for a moment. — Don't look me like that, I still can screw you up. — She talks in a harsh voice. I get surprised and look away. She looks away too and talks with a normal tone again. — But thank you anyway.

— You see, Maya... I believe in people, not because of my heart or some prophecy, but because I know that everyone can do good and evil. Magic just shows it up more clearly, do you get me? — She nods and I smile again. — Thank you for believing in me. I just wished you could also let me help you, so you don't hold your feelings anymore... I know you're not home, Maya. But I'm trying my best here. I'm not Riley, I'm not your family or friend. I'm just me. I'm trying to come to you as myself. Without the magic, or the author, or the magical heart. Just me. 'Cause I know how it's like to feel alone, hopeless and sad. But one day someone gave me something I never let go now... Hope. I'm trying to do the same with you, will you take it?

She looks at me and the drawing she did, then she sighs and looks at me again. — I... I don't want to act like I'm not worried about her or anyone in New York. Or act like I know what I'm doing. — I put my hand on her shoulder and smile softly to her. — You don't need to. As long everyone's safe you can act like you are and it's okay to be worried. All I ask is not to let it destroy yourself more that already had, okay? — She nods and gives me a small smile, making mine get bigger. I get up and look at her. — Okay, then. Let's go!

— Let's go where? — She asks confused, stopping to hug her legs. — Anywhere but here. You can be here later, let's go to Granny's or maybe a tour throughout the city! — I respond get excited. She gets up and we start to walk out. — I'm only going because of the food. Also no tour.

I giggle and we get downstairs, where Regina just get home. When she sees us, she speaks. — Hi... Maya, are you better now? — She just cross her arms and respond with a serious face. — Yeah not thanks to you. — Regina looks away and turns to me, suggesting. — Hey, I was thinking about eating something at Granny's today, what do you think?

— Actually me and Maya were about to go there! — I respond smiling. Regina then suggests again. — She could come with us. Maybe I need to know her more... — She says looking at Maya, who keeps the serious look. I also look at her, waiting for an answer. — You do. By the way I'm not going. — I turn to her, as ask. — Why?

— I'm trying to know you, Maya. — Regina says and Maya responds. — Okay, still not going. Because I don't just forget what you did, actually, didn't do in less then a day. So no thanks. — I sight and turn me and Maya, turning our back to Regina. I then whisper. — Do you really want to be alone? I can ask just for us to go. — Maya then whispers back, calmly. — No, it's okay. I'll just take a walk and draw. I'll be fine.

We turn back and, even though I don't want it, I say. — Okay, mom. Let's go, Maya won't be going. Please respect that. — Regina looked at both of us as just walks to the car. I and Maya walk out too, but only Maya stays. I get into the car and my mom starts to drive to Granny's. — I didn't get it. I listened to her call, let her have her time, let her come with us to Granny's. I don't want to push her away now.

— So you want to bring her closer to us? — I ask and she immediately responds. — No. I just... Want to help her, but not bring harm to you or us, or the city. — She speaks while looking at the road. We see the Granny's and she pulls over. I get out of the car and say. — So the problem is that witch, not Maya. Remember mom, she's also Gothel's victim. Maybe even more then us.

We get in, sit in our normal table as ask our regular. Regina then speaks. — I know but remember, even though it all, you're the target in the end, I just want you protected. — I sign and respond. — I know mom. But you were there, you listened to the call with her best friend. She had to lie, and hide her suffer from that friend. And in the end, hang up without knowing when or if she's going to see them again. And you were one of the first to let it happen. To first, prohibited the call, then didn't even let her have more time or comfort while calling. This is clearly pushing her far away. And the Granny's, You didn't even invited her. I did. — I just speak it all.

And yeah is my mom, and I don't want to disrespect her, but she needed to hear that. Everyone is so focused on the possibility of Maya being the most awful person just because of me, that they forgot she's a human that's been through a lot. And I never said something like this. Calling my mom out? Scary. But I needed to.

Regina looks at me surprised. She gets quiet for minutes. Our food arrive and I start to eat. Starts to get agonizing, she was just looking at the table thinking with a maybe sad face. But then my mom finally speaks. — I know. But in the end, I tried to start again and she refused.

— Yeah, it takes time mom. How many months you needed for you to trust Emma and everyone? — I ask and She responds. — More then a year. Okay. I'll do like Emma and Snow did. Tried and gave me time. — Smile and start to eat again. After some time I fell my phone vibrating.

(Violet 🌷💜)

Hey Henry, I found that blonde new girl
I bumped into her, she was drawing

Oh, Hi Violet :)
Great, is she okay?

I don't know, she left to buy us some snacks
She looks tired 😟

Yeah, she didn't sleep well. She also looks like could use a friend.
And there's no one better then that but you ❤️

Ownt ❤️
I'll talk to her. Love you
❤️

I love you too ❤️

I'm glad Maya's with someone of trust, hope she trusts her too. I wonder what they are talking about now.