𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒔 𝑶𝒇 𝑨 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 | 𝑩𝑿𝑩 ✓

Chapter 4: Echoes In The Hall

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a/n: New chapter!!! Yayyy! 

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I wake up and immediately wince at the harsh glare of the sun as it hits my eyes, helplessly trying to minimize its smoldering glare with my hand. My back is throbbing as I loftily push up from the soft carpeted floor and take a deep breath, taking the time to stretch my tensed muscles. It certainly wasn't the most comfortable bed, but it was definitely better to wake up to the warmth of the sun and Maya's room than my cold house. As I got to my feet, my heart felt heavy with warmth as I thought back to last night. The light-hearted laughs and the content I felt, just being myself with Maya. I finally have someone who understands me, who knows me.

With a soft smile and particularly soft steps, I direct myself out of Maya's room, my eyes resting on the KEEP OUT sign as I close her door softly behind me, my gaze wildly looking around at my surroundings. Now that the sun illuminated most of the corridor, I could see more framed photos, now of Maya with her dad, smiling softly as I looked at some of the silly photos on the wall. I wish I had that.

As I continued ahead towards the kitchen, I could smell the sweet tang of something frying in a pan. I look, and I see Maya singing softly to an Arctic Monkeys song; "Baby I'm Yours",  humming the song. I smile and stay in that position for a while, resting against the wall, appreciating the moment. Deciding I should make myself known by now, I say, "Hey, Maya, what are you cooking?" She turned, jolting in surprise, a smile overtaking her soft features, the sun making her hair gleam in the early morning. "Oh, hey, you're awake! I made pancakes; I hope you like them because I am known to be a terrible cook!"

I sit down as she puts the mounting pancakes on a plate, slightly afraid they would tumble down at any moment. "Now! Time to eat!" she said with a content smile, sitting beside me and digging in. We eat, occasionally swapping jokes and playful wit. I am halfway through my third pancake when I see a man approaching us, his gaze wary as his eyes zero in on me. I tense, bracing myself for a reaction, ready to bolt at any moment, my thoughts thinking back to my father, my mouth full as his gaze alternates between me and Maya.

"Hey Dad! How was your stakeout?" Maya said with a soft smile.

"Fine. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" her dad said, looking at her daughter with a playful smile. "Oh right! This is Charlie, my new best friend," she said, emphasizing her voice in the word "friend," patting my back with a hard slap. I get the hint as I try to shake off the uncomfortable feeling I feel as his gaze comes to rest on me.

"Hello," I say pathetically, with my mouth full of my half-eaten pancake. He looks at me, eyebrows raised. "So did my daughter make you do anything illegal?" he said with a playful smile directed toward Maya, who gave an angelic smile no one bought. "Uh—n-no, sir," I stutter out, cringing at my stuttering, my eyes looking down at my plate. Keith chuckled, the warmth in his voice echoing through the kitchen. "Good, good! Because if you two are planning any heists, I'd prefer to be kept out of it." He shot a teasing glance at Maya, who feigned innocence, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Maya leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Me? You must have me confused with someone else. I'm an upstanding citizen, Dad!"

"So you're claiming that girl on the news for vandalism isn't you?" Keith quipped, a smirk on his face. "I wasn't even there!" Maya protested, her laughter bubbling as she flipped her pancake back onto her plate.

As I watched their playful exchange, a mix of admiration and envy twisted in my gut. Their banter felt so effortless, so genuine. It was the kind of easy dynamic I craved but never had with my own family. Instead of lighthearted teasing, I was used to the tension, the hushed arguments that filled the air like a dense fog. Here, in this kitchen, I was an outsider witnessing a bond that felt almost foreign.