Love In Destin ✔

51 - deserve you

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𝑹𝒊𝒄𝒌

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THE MUSCLES IN my hand strain as I repetitively push the button hard, desperate to win this game. The group of kids standing behind me wait impatiently, their faces masked with frustration because I've been at this for more than an hour.

"Come on, dude, you've been playing this for a while now. It's only fair you let us play,"

My opponent dies, and I shout out with satisfaction. I look at the kids, then turn back to the machine, grab my tickets and get up. Before I can leave, I turn to the others, waiting their turn as they watch the boy who's taken my place enviously and ask, "Anyone wants my tickets? You can all share it among yourselves. I don't want it,"

"Ah yes," they grin, grabbing the tickets and running to a corner, perhaps to count it or whatever.

Feeling groggy from sitting so long in front of a screen without a break, I slowly tread to the roller rink.  I needed time to myself in a place where I wouldn't have to be alone with my thoughts. What better place than the arcade? But the 90s music at the rink calls my name, and my feet take me to the counter, where I get some skates. Then, I'm on the floor, skating while my thoughts travel to her and those pink rollerskates. It's comforting, it's nice. She makes me feel good.

I think I'm hallucinating when I spot her among the sea of people, but I realise she's really here when people stumble into her. She's mindlessly skating with her eyes lost in deep thought. This distracts her because those zooming past in a rapid race shove into her, and she slips and falls violently.

Not wasting a second, I'm by her side. "Hey, are you okay?"

"What?" she mutters, startled. "What are you doing here?"

I don't respond because she starts crying into her hands. She's scraped her knee, and her leg is bruising. Quickly, I take off my roller skates and take her in my arms when she starts pushing her hands against my chest defensively. "No, stop it. Leave me alone,"

"Maya, you're hurt. Please, let me,"

After a few minutes of pleading, she finally gives in, and I carry her out of the rink and over to one of the benches. "Wait here, I'm gonna get the first aid kit,"

I get the first aid kit in nothing but my socks. When I return, she's sniffing and trying to dry her tears. Unconsciously, I reach my hand over to wipe her tears, but she wacks my hand away.

" I don't need you to wipe my tears for me. I don't need you to do anything,"

"Well, I'm gonna do it. You can hate me for it, but I'll still do it. Because I love you."

"Don't say that,"

"But I do love you, Maya,"

"Stop saying that,"

"Fine, I'll stop saying it, but at least let me treat your leg,"

She purses her lips, keeping her face away from my gaze which is an indication for me to get to work. I put some cream on her and then put on a plaster.

"Thanks," she mutters as soon as it's done. "I have to go." She takes off her skates and returns them before getting her shoes and running out.

I follow suit and hurry toward the entrance. It's late in the afternoon, leaning towards evening, but the sky is filled with greying clouds. Maya stands not too far from the entrance, running her hands through her hair, tears still streaming down her face as she types on her phone.