Estati Olimpiche

Chapter Three

Maya stood there, rooted to the spot as Carina's voice broke through the storm of emotions swirling inside her. The soft, tentative tone immediately diffused some of the anger Maya had been harboring, but it also left her feeling exposed, her defenses weakened by Carina's concern.

"Hey," Carina began, her voice gentle, like she was testing the waters. "I wanted to check on you. I'm really sorry about what happened back there. Gabriella... I'm sure she didn't mean it."

Maya's eyes narrowed slightly, the frustration she'd been trying to suppress bubbling back up to the surface. The attempt to downplay Gabriella's actions struck a nerve, and she couldn't help the biting retort that slipped from her lips. "She practically dumped her entire lunch on me, but okay," Maya muttered, her voice low but laced with irritation. She knew she was being unfair—Carina wasn't the one who had spilled the tray—but the anger was a reflex, a shield against the vulnerability she felt.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Maya continued, the harshness in her tone surprising even herself. "It's not like you were the one who did it." The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them, especially when she saw the flash of confusion and hurt that crossed Carina's face. Guilt twisted in Maya's gut as she watched Carina's expression falter, the warmth in her eyes dimming slightly.

Carina's response was quick, as if trying to smooth over the sudden tension. "I just... I wanted to make sure you were okay. I'm sorry I bothered you."

Maya's heart clenched as she saw Carina begin to turn away, the guilt deepening. "No, you didn't bother me," she said quickly, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just... I don't want to make it a bigger deal than it already is." She let out a sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on her, making her feel both foolish and small. "Thanks for checking in, though. Really."

Carina paused, her gaze softening as she studied Maya's face, searching for something. "Yeah, anytime, Maya," she said, her voice sincere, carrying an undertone of understanding that made Maya feel even worse for lashing out. Carina had always had that effect on her—making her feel seen, understood, even when she didn't deserve or feel it.

Maya nodded, trying to push past the lump in her throat. "Thanks, Carina," she repeated, the words feeling insufficient but necessary.

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them heavy with unspoken thoughts and emotions. Maya could feel the tension in the air, not just from the lingering embarrassment of the lunch incident but from the unresolved history that hung between them. It was a tension that had been there ever since they'd seen each other again, a mix of past feelings and present confusion that neither of them seemed ready to address.

Carina finally broke the silence, stepping back with a small, sad smile that tugged at something deep within Maya. "I'll let you get back to your day," she said, her voice soft, as if she was trying to give Maya an out.

Maya offered a faint smile in return, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, an awkward, fast attempt to keep Carina from leaving. "I'm sorry I didn't text you back," she blurted out, the confession hanging between them like an awkward, half-finished sentence.

Carina paused, her gaze lingering on Maya, a flicker of something—hope? curiosity?—in her eyes. She seemed to be waiting, giving Maya the space to explain, to say something more. And so Maya did, feeling the need to fill the silence with an explanation, even if it was clumsy and inadequate.

"I passed out last night," Maya said, her voice slightly breathless as she tried to explain herself. "It was an intense day. Flying, getting the kids settled in, checking the space, prepping... You know how these things are."