𝑺𝑬𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑨𝑮𝑨𝑰𝑵, javon walton

001

Marie-Élise Da Silva, known as Mae to her friends, sat in the passenger seat of the car, watching the streets blur past as Anya sang along to the radio at full blast. Mae couldn't help but grin as her best friend belted out the lyrics, the words so loud it felt like the whole neighbourhood could hear.

"I've been losin' friends to findin' peace!" Anya sang, her voice slightly off-key.

"But honestly, it sounds like a fair trade to me," Mae quipped, shaking her head in amusement.

The driver, Laurent, caught their reflection in the rearview mirror and chuckled. He had grown accustomed to the two girls' banter and impromptu concerts during their rides.

When they finally pulled up in front of Mae's house, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the stone driveway. Mae stepped out of the car with Anya in tow, both heading straight to her bedroom. They collapsed onto the bed in a fit of laughter, their energy still buzzing.

"Three days left, Mae. Three days until our holiday!" Anya said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I know!" Mae replied, rolling onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. "Shame it's only three days, though."

Anya sighed. "Yeah, but those three days will be packed, as usual."

Mae nodded. "True. But seriously, I'm so tired. I might just fake being ill to skip the last few days of school."

Anya burst out laughing. "Count me in! Anything to dodge that boring skiing trip they've planned."

Mae grinned. "Exactly."

"Hey," Anya teased, turning onto her side to face Mae. "Are you planning on making any new friends with the tourists this year?"

Mae raised an eyebrow. "Do I even have a choice? You know how my dad is."

"True, but you've got me. So, you're stuck with me for the most part," Anya said with a playful smirk.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Mae chuckled. "Besides, you're practically my dad's second daughter at this point."

Anya beamed. "I'm just looking out for you, Mae. I don't want you to get lonely when I'm off charming the tourists."

Mae rolled her eyes. "Sure, sure. Or maybe you're just after some new Snapchat mates?"

"Pssh, no idea what you're talking about," Anya grinned, pretending to be offended.

Mae laughed, and the evening passed in a blur of conversation, giggles, and plans for their upcoming trip.

Dinner that evening was a quiet affair, just Mae and her father, Charles Da Silva, sitting at the large oak table. The soft clinking of cutlery on plates filled the silence as Mae absentmindedly pushed her food around. Charles, meanwhile, was glued to his phone, scrolling through endless bookings for the family's luxury ski resort.

"So many bookings this time of year, it's exhausting," Charles sighed, setting his phone down briefly to glance at Mae.

"That's life," Mae replied, twirling her fork, her mind elsewhere.

"Not hungry?" her father asked, noticing the untouched food on her plate.

Mae shrugged. "Not really."

"How was your day with Anya?"

"It was good. We went to the horse club for a bit and then just hung out at home."

"Any homework for tomorrow?" her father inquired.

"Yeah, but I've already done most of it," Mae said, not particularly keen on discussing school.

"Well, in three days you'll be on holiday. You must be excited," he said with a small smile.

Mae sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "I am, but it's not going to be a proper holiday with all the guests at the hotel."

"I know, but you'll have some fun, I'm sure. Plus, you'll get a break from school, at least."

Mae smiled slightly. "Yeah, Dad?"

"Yes, Mae?" He looked at her, raising an eyebrow, already sensing that she was about to ask for something.

"So, the skiing trip with my class... I'm really not feeling it."

Charles leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "Alright, if you don't want to go, I won't force you. You can stay at the hotel with Anya."

Mae's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"But," Charles added with a teasing grin, "you're not staying at home doing nothing for those three days."

Mae groaned. "But I could go skiing or hang out at the riding club..."

"You'll have to help out at the hotel, Mae. Driving guests around in the golf carts, keeping the kids entertained with lessons, or maybe even some light duties."

Mae chuckled, taking a bite of her food. "You say that every year."

Charles laughed. "I know, but you're seventeen now, Mae. It's time you started learning more about how the business runs."

Mae sighed. "I know, I know. But still... I just want to relax."

Her father gave her a knowing look. "If you and Anya manage to help out without any fuss, there might be a little reward for you at the end of the holiday."

Mae perked up. "What kind of reward?"

"Now, that's for me to know and you to find out," her father said with a wink.

Mae was drifting into a deep sleep when suddenly, the curtains were thrown open, flooding the room with bright sunlight. She groaned and buried her face in her pillow.

"Why so early, Clara?" Mae muttered, barely lifting her head to address the maid.

"Your father asked me to wake you, Mae. Sorry about that," Clara said with a light laugh as she moved around the room.

Mae grumbled something incoherent, feeling the weight of the duvet too heavy to push off. Just then, her phone buzzed. Of course, it was her father.

"Yeah?" she answered, her voice thick with sleep.

"Get up. Anya and the driver will be there in thirty minutes."

"To go where?"

"To the hotel, Mae. What else?"

Mae sighed. "Alright, alright."

Clara left the room, and Mae slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She wasn't a morning person, and this was definitely not her ideal way to start the day. She glanced at her wardrobe, dragging herself over to pick out a grey long-sleeved top and jeans. After a quick shower, she applied a light touch of makeup—just enough to hide the sleepiness lingering on her face.

By the time she was dressed and ready, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Anya.

"Mae! I'm here!" Anya's voice came through the speaker.

"Coming down!" Mae called back, grabbing her jacket and heading downstairs.

She jumped into the car, greeted by Anya's cheerful face. Laurent nodded in the rearview as Mae buckled in.

"Off to the hotel again?" Laurent asked, starting the engine.

"Looks like it," Mae replied with a grin, her earlier tiredness starting to lift.

"What do you think we'll be doing today?" Anya asked, leaning back in her seat.

"No clue, but I'm sure Dad's got something planned."

"Well, whatever it is, it better not be too boring," Anya joked, resting her arm around Mae's shoulders.

Mae smiled. The next few days were going to be anything but dull, even if they did have to spend it at the hotel.