𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 | 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘯

✰ 16 ✰

Maeve did not know what to expect when Joost said his proof would 'take a bit.' He could either refer to a matter of minutes or even weeks. Nevertheless, she appreciated his efforts to reconcile his behaviour.

From the balcony, the blonde man led her through the crowded flat. A few heads turned at the unconventional duo. Maeve manoeuvred her body depending on his hand's position on her lower back. It was subtle yet reassuring to the unbriefed girl.

Their path followed along the road to a park. The darkness sent a shiver down Maeve's spine. It was barely lit and the two had to watch their feet to refrain from falling over branches.

Joost's hand disappeared from her body, his frame moving to her front in order to stop Evie in her tracks. She craned her neck upward to meet his eyes. His commonly bright blue eyes were murky in the lack of effulgence.

"Look up."

Smoothly, Evie glanced up to the sky. She couldn't believe what she saw. The stars painted the night in luminous contrast to its usual dull glory. Especially since the city was still diligent around the pair, she was quite literally starstruck. Maeve gaped in amazement, not only because of the midnight.

"You remembered...", she whispered as she trailed off.

Her love for stargazing had been a very faint revelation she had made years ago. To most, it was a secret. The closest people to Maeve were the ones who knew of her furtive passion. After all this time, Joost hadn't forgotten about it.

Without answering, he clasped her hand and loosely dragged her behind him onto the open meadow of the park. The warm air of the season gave them the opportunity to collapse on the grass. Joost rested the back of his head on his palms whilst Evie let her hands fall to her sides. She sighed contentedly.

Joost's mind, on the other hand, pondered whether he should say something or not. The words have been dancing on his tongue for the past hours. He quietly dropped his head to the side. His eyes stared at Evie's side profile, taking in every detail. She was observing the shapes of each star sign she could make out in the infinite amount.

Her beauty stunned him every time. The Dutch man was reminded of his feelings towards the Irish girl. Joost Klein was deeply infatuated with Maeve Verhoeven.

"Do you like Aggu?", he asked carefully.

"Of course I do", she replied with furrowed eyebrows, "He's very likeable, like you. It makes sense that you are friends."

Joost overshadowed the slight flatter: "No, Eves. I mean, do you like him? More than just as a friend?"

Maeve met his eyes with the same knitted eyebrows she had before. A look of surprise faded onto her face. Joost worried he had overstepped a boundary and their relationship was supposed to be unknown.

"What, no, not at all. He's really not more than a friend you can have a good conversation with. What has gotten you so concerned?"

Her reassurance came as relief to Joost's aid, her ensuing question did not. The tall man sat up, his arms locking lavishly around his knees. Maeve watched his stiff silhouette, the silence tensed her. In a swift motion, she pushed up to be at his level.

"Hey, you can talk to me. You know that, Joost", she placed her hand on his shoulder, gently tugging and causing him to face her.

"I'm tired of it", Joost started, "I'm sick and tired of seeing you with these guys who won't treat you right. First Acid, then Grian and now, well not, Aggu."

He laughed at himself and how ridiculous he felt about his invalid jealousy. Maeve kept quiet though, mildly encouraging him to continue.

"You left and started working with the band. It was dead obvious he wanted you, Maeve. Then the rumours started of you two being together and I absolutely hated it. So, I thought it would be best if we... stopped talking."