Bring Me Back To 5SOS {Book 2}

4- School Again

Maya's POV

Uniforms. That was the first thing I learned about my new school. We had to wear uniforms. Khaki pants or a dark blue skirt with a light blue polo shirt.

I looked at myself in the mirror and smoothed down the hem of my skirt, feeling the material. I looked like a complete idiot.

Matthew called me from the living room saying we had to leave. I grabbed my backpack and left the room.

Remembering the cold weather, I ran back to get Nick's sweater and followed Matthew out of the building to the car. He tried to have a conversation, but I talked as little as possible.

"Look, Maya, I know you're still upset about the situation, but can you at least try to cooperate with us?" Matthew asked.

I looked at him and saw that he was annoyed. I slouched in the back seat.

"Fine," I said and continued to stay quiet the rest of the way.

*~*

The school had a huge gate in front that had to be opened from the inside. It looked more like a mansion than a school.

Matthew drove around the circular driveway and dropped me off in front of the large building.

"Have a good day, Maya," he said.

"No promises," I mumbled as I stared at the mass of students in front of me.

Everyone was standing by the entrance to the school. I weaved in and out of people until I got to a corner in the front. The cold, winter wind blew against my legs. I should've worn pants.

I stood there texting Thomas and Leila while waiting to be let inside.

Maya: I have to go to a school with a uniform. SOS

Leila: Omg, that sucks

Thomas: I'm sorry

M: Save me, please

Thomas: I wish I could but I'm not a superhero. Good luck

The bell rang, and everyone pushed and shoved to get inside. I went to the office and cleared my throat to get the secretary's attention.

"Hello. May I help you?" She asked in a sweet voice.

"I'm new here. I need my schedule," I said.

"Name, please."

"Maya."

"And your last name?"

"Don't have one."

She glanced up at me before saying, "Yes, Maya Elizabeth. I'll be right back."

She went through a door in the back of the office and came back a few minutes later with my schedule.

"The schedule is pretty easy to follow, so you should be fine. It's the same thing every day. All your classes are on the second floor. The cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium, and the library are on the first. Go to the end of this hallway and take the stairs on the right. Take a left when you get to the top. That's where all your classes are except physical education. Your locker number is on your schedule. Welcome to Maystone Charter High School!" She said and sent me on my way.

I followed her instructions and went down the hallway where my classes were. I found my locker, put my bag in, and headed to homeroom. The teacher looked up when she saw me walk in.

"You must be the new student. Maya, right?" She asked.

"Yes," I said

"I'm Ms. Hartwire. You can sit anywhere you like. There are no assigned seats," she said.

I nodded my head and sat in the back of the empty room. People started walking in and taking their seats. They stared at me for a few seconds before going back to whatever they were doing.

"Alright, class. We have a new student. Maya, would you please come up and introduce yourself?" Ms. Hartwire asked.

I slowly got up and trudged to the front of the room. Everyone's eyes were on me.

"I'm Maya. I'm from Australia," I said awkwardly.

"Any hobbies or interests?" Ms. Hartwire asked. Prying into my life much?

"I like riding my bike and listening to music."

Some girls in the back were whispering and pointing at me. I heard someone say, "Clifford."

"And yes. I was the girl who was adopted by Michael Clifford. But I'm not anymore," I added and went back to my seat.

Michael's POV

I'd been trying so hard to get Maya back. I was waiting to talk to my lawyer now. He walked into the office and sat down behind the desk.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I had another meeting," he said.

"It's fine. Any news about Maya?" I asked.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying, but this might take longer than I thought."

"How long?"

"At least a few months," he said.

A few months? I couldn't wait that long. None of us could. We would fall apart.

"Isn't there any way to speed it up?" I asked.

"I'm sorry. There's a lot to look at and consider. Her foster parents are doing a very good job with her. She started school today. One of the best in New York."

I didn't care if her foster parents were doing a good job or if she started school. Talking on the phone wasn't enough. I needed to make sure she was okay at all times. The only way to do that was to have her here.

"Look, I know you probably think I'm some basket case for losing custody of my daughter, but I'm not. I provided her with anything she may have needed and took care of her in a safe environment. It was not my fault she got kidnapped or that her boyfriend died," I said through gritted teeth. "So try a little harder."

His Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped. "I will do everything I can, sir. And for the record, I don't think you're a basket case."

That was the nicest thing anyone had said to me since Maya left.