Upstairs (gmw/Lucaya)

Chapter nine

"What would you need to be punished for?"
"For doing or saying dumb things or when I'm upset."
"Does it help you."
"At the moment but after I just feel guilty but then I do it again. You know that feeling when you remember an embarrassing moment and you kinda just wanna slam your head against a wall but you don't because that doesn't seem reasonable?"
"Ya."
"Well, I don't have that kinda sense and I react like that to a lot of things."
"Tell me one?"
"Um... The original reason was my body. Its really shapeless and immature if that makes any sense. This is really awkward." She laughs.
"It's okay. It's not shapeless. He just put that In your head. I love your body.
She raises her eyebrow.
"I don't mean it like that."
"Good." She says laughing.
"Come here." I say signaling her to sit next to me. She follows and sits down next to me. I grab her arm. At first she resists but when she looks at me she relaxes and lets me.
I put her arm in my lap and take of the bracelets. They are the ones that you loosen so it is not hard. Once they are all off I can see her wrist clearly. I can feel the tension in her hand and almost feel how badly she wants to pull it away but she doesn't. I don't think she has ever let anyone see them like this before. There is only about seven but any number is too many.Suddenly the door bursts open and She pulls her arm back.
"You could knock, asshole."
"What, were you too making out?" Asks Cris, laughing.
"No! God no!" My heart drops, hearing her reaction.
"Coming or what?"
"Were to?"
"Nick, Jess, Emile, and I are going swimming."
"Sure. Are you?" She asks turning towards me. I look at Caleb, who doesn't seem to like her inviting me.
"No." I say hand her her bracelets and she quickly puts them on, not letting him see her wrist.
"You finally took those off!" Says Caleb. "Thought you were too embarrassed to take them off."
"It's less embarrassing than taking your pants of must be for you." She says, walking out the door, past him. He follows her out and closes the door, leaving me alone in Mayas apartment. I stand up and grab my phone of the counter where I see a letter on the counter. I can't help but grab it. No. I shouldn't read it. It's hers. I unfold it, carful not to not be loud, though no one would hear it. Two tickets fell out.
Dear Maya,
No I can't read this.
Bill bought you a train ticket home for Christmas. I know you are still mad at him but I wish that you could just drop it. Don't you remember Middle school when you had that love triangle. It's the same thing. He didn't tell us because he didn't want to hurt us. Besides, he married me. Not her. I love and miss you. Please come home.
-your mother     11/27/15
Did her dad cheat on her mom? I shouldn't know this. I've got to leave. I climb back down the fire escape and into my apartment. I lay down and before I know it, I'm asleep.
I wake to a knock on the door. Groggily, I get up and answer it.
"Hey." Says Riley. "You guys weren't upstairs so I came here."
"Maya went swimming with Cris and them. I'll text her and tell her to come here when shes back. Shouldn't be long. I let them in and the text Maya.
"Do you guys want anything?"
"No thanks."
"So how is college, Lucas?" Asks Mr.Matthews.
"Busy, but I like my classes and we have another break in a few weeks."
I hear a knock on the door. I open it up to see Maya with wet yet still a bit wavy hair.
"Come in."
"Thanks."
"Didn't go anywhere else?"
"It's Monday."
"But you're Maya."
"Told you that they should be together." Says Riley to her dad.
We both give her a look but secretly, I am really happy.
"Well, I have to go because I have to teach tomorrow. Riley do you want to come with me outside."
"Okay."
"Bye, Lucas. I'll see you around Christmas vacation." He gives me a bit of an awkward hug.
"Um, Maya." He says looking at her arm and then her. Please, respect yourself and I will see you then too." He says and then hugs her.
"Any lessons, sir." He shakes his head.
"I'll give you plenty during your vacation. Bye." He says to us, leaving.
We don't say anything else but she just goes upstairs.