fallen stars

˗ˏˋ Chapter 3 ˊˎ˗

⋆｡ recommended song - two birds by regina spektor ⋆୨୧˚

Maia

"Shit!" she yelled, hands coming to grip her shoulders and steady her. The gravel under her feet crunched as she leant back and straightened herself, before glancing up.

She knew who she'd run into before she even had to look.

It was him. Mr Rich Prick. Smirking down at her.

"You following me?" he whispered, quiet enough so only she would hear.

She took another step back instinctively, her pulse spiking with irritation. Her mind had been tangled in thoughts she couldn't shake off. Someone cleared their throat, drawing her attention to the fact that she was still staring.

Great.

She lightly shoved his hand off, deliberate but not forceful.

"Seems like you're the one following me." The words came out flat, and the way his eyebrows raised told her he wasn't buying it. Neither was she, if she was honest. Right now, she couldn't deliver anything better. All she needed was space.

Glancing back at Ari, who looked both amused and confused, she sighed.

"Well, bye." She went to step past him, only to hesitate when he spoke once more.

"For now, of course. Who knows when you'll next come bumping into me?" His eyes crinkled with humour as he studied her.

Suddenly, he took a step back, his shoulders tensing. Maia glared at him. Who did he think he was?

"Sure thing." she said after a brief pause, annoyance outlining her tone. "Come on, Ari. Let's go."

Reaching out, she grabbed onto her friend's arm and began walking away, Ari stumbling behind.

The silence dragged on, following them through the winding paths, before Maia glimpsed at Ari's face.

"No." Maia shot a glare at her best friend trying to hold back her laugh.

"I didn't say anything!" she smiled. Maia glanced back at her, awaiting the inevitable. They turned past a fallen tree and came to Maia's house.

"Oh my god, he was so hot." There she was.

"Nope, I'm not having this conversation right now." Maia laughed, her spiraling thoughts slowly fading.

Ever since she'd met Ariah, she'd always felt this calmness around her. Ari was like the sister she never had, proving it countless times over the years. Even now, when they didn't see each other as much, Maia always felt grateful to know her. Ari had changed her perspective on so many things, finding the good in every negative.

She lit up every room she stepped into, with her small, tilted smile and dark curls. She'd made this place, this hell, feel like a home almost.

"Come on. Even you have to admit it. His laugh, Maia, his laugh." Ari grabbed onto her shoulder, shaking it before pretending to faint.

"Hmm." Maia responded, smiling at Ari's eyes coming straight to hers.

"That's all I'm gonna get? Okay, but I see right through you, Maia." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the locket and dropped it in Maia's hands. "What are you gonna do with this?"

"I'm not sure, maybe attempt to sell it to some passers-by. Create a story on how I found it in a desert ruin or some shit like that." She sighed. "I might just throw it away, to be honest."