King and Queen

King

What would make her think that I would want to see her right now? I mean honestly, I told her that I was hungover and I know that I sounded like I needed time to think about everything.

On top of that, I was having an a moment with LYLA that wasn't tinged red with hatred and loathing.

"What is she doing here? We need to talk, CALEB" MAYA says to me angrily.

Something about the tone that she used in reference to LYLA made me see different shades of red. LYLA, although she was a bit of a bitch to me yesterday morning, had actually thought enough about me to bring me home last night and comfort me today.

"You shouldn't be asking me that. I saw the picture, MAYA. That guy was all over you. You are the one that shouldn't be here." I say finally.

I'm not even sure who the that was in the picture was. His face was hidden in the crook of her neck as he, presumably, whispered something in her ear while she flushed pink in the face.

This makes her voice go up three octaves in anger. "What do you mean, 'I shouldn't be here'? I'm your girlfriend!"

I shake my head at her. She's causing a scene and I'm not one for causing scenes. "Look, I need time to think about things between us. So, no, you're not my girlfriend. Not right now. Not anymore."

The words are out of my mouth before I could even think about taking them back, telling her that I love her, and asking LYLA to leave. Deep down, I know that this is what I need to do. Besides, something is definitely changing between me and LYLA.

MAYA storms out of the room, furiously slamming the door behind her. I sigh heavily and run my hand through my hair.

LYLA clears her throat slightly and shifts her weight on the bed uncomfortably. "Well, that was sufficiently awkward." she says while adding an even more awkward laugh.

I feel myself smile sightly and I feel as though a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

I can't help but to think that I only feel this way about MAYA because some of my old feelings for LYLA are surfacing again. I quickly push those thoughts out of my mind. I mean, things haven't been the best with MAYA for quite a while now, a flame between LYLA and I wouldn't hold that much influence over my life. Would it?

Everything keeps bringing my mind back to that night of the party. Something about the way that my feelings are surging at the thought of LYLA being back makes me only want to figure out why she started blaming me for her being sent away in the first place.

I'm still clutching LYLA in my arms as I search for my car. I know that I probably shouldn't be driving because I'd had a few drinks tonight, but my only thought was that I needed to get LYLA home.

I shift her weight in my arms and use my, now free, hand to press the panic button on my key fob. I hear the alarm and I quickly turn it off as I walk over to the car. I struggle to try and get the door open without dropping LYLA or causing her to hit her head on my car. After a few moments of completely failing at getting the door open, I notice someone else leaving the party.

I know that I had seen her around school before. She was a very quiet girl that always had her nose in a book whenever I saw her. She was the exact opposite of her older brother, DILLYN, though, he was loud and popular, a few years older than us, never being caught without his camera around his neck.

I don't have time to try and think of what this girl's name is. I call out to her trying to get her attention. "Hey!"

She looks around as though she were shocked that someone was actually talking to her. "Who, me?" she asks while walking in the direction of where I was standing.

"Yes, you. Can you come here and open this door for me?" I quickly realized that I probably sounded like I was trying to coerce her into helping me kidnap someone. "My friend," I say jerking my chin down in LYLA'S direction, "She had a bit too much to drink and I'm trying to get her home.

She looks at me for a few moments and then recognition comes across her face.

"You're CALEB." she says with a slight laugh. "You probably don't remember me, but we had Biology together. I'm MAYA."

I nod my head at her, knowing exactly what she's talking about. "I remember. Can you open the car door for m please. LYLA is getting kind of heavy and I really need to get her out of here."

She laughs off her forgetfulness and opens the door for me. I quickly put LYLA in the back seat and buckle her seat belt for her.

I feel LYLA move closer to me on the bed before I see her next to me. I'm staring at the carpet looking at her through my peripheral vision when she places her hand softly against my cheek. I'm not sure if she knows what she's doing to me right now, but every move that she's making is sending my brain into overdrive. Her touch is electric and it's driving me, and my want for her, insane.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks quietly. "You have that far away look in your eyes again."

I can feel her analyzing me as I try to think of a way to answer her question.

"I'm just thinking about who I used to be."

Which isn't a lie. It just feels like one as it makes its way from my lips to her ears. Why does saying that feel so wrong coming from me? I'm the same person that I was then and neither is she. Maybe I'm just stuck on the past and that's why I can't get the memories of that night out of my mind.

She nods at me once and she starts to stand up. " I just wanted to stop by and check to see how you were doing today. I have to go see my friends, but if you want, I can stop by later. Or you can come over, whichever one you prefer."

"That sounds nice. Do you want me to text you or should I just stop by?" I ask her with uncertainty laced in every word.

"Text me." she says, "What's your number?"

I recite the numbers to her and watch as she saves them in her phone with a small smile on her face.

"See you later, CALEB."

She walks out of them room, closing the door behind her, and making her way out of my house.

I let a heavy sigh leave my mouth. "That was unexpected." I say to no one in particular.