Hope Is The Thing With Feathers

Chapter 9

MAIA'S POV

"Ugh God....that routine nearly killed me best friend. I think I've been slacking during rehearsal."

I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder as I stretched the tension out of my legs. That routine is one my favorites, but it is the most challenging. I get up slowly, breathing out through my nose to finish my session.

"Yo, you heard from Jared? He's supposed to come pick me up."  
"Yea, his mom is bitching about him 'neglecting his family responsibilities', so she took his car keys."

"Fuuuuuuck!! Can you come get me please please please with ice cream on top??"  
"I wish I could best friend, but I have to drive my mom to her doctor's appointment."

Why does God hate me?
"It's ok girl, I'll find a way home. Talk to you later, love you heaux!"
I hang up and resist the urge to scream so loud the glass around me breaks. I swallow it back and head into the locker room.

"Goodnight guys!"  I leave the gym and the cold night air smacks my face mercilessly. I looked around the parking lot and I don't see any cars I know. "Fucking great..."

"Wait... is that...no. Nope. I am not asking him for shit..."

Just then my phone buzzed. As I opened the message, my face got as pale as it could for my skin tone.
"Maia, fuck your pride and just get home right now."

I sprinted towards the truck and banged on the window like a madwoman.

"Harry, I need your help. It's an emergency."

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HARRY'S POV

I roll down my window to let the smoke out, and keep my eyes on the road.

"Why do you need my help? Haven't you got any friends?"

"They're all busy and I need a ride home..."

I burst out laughing at the sight of her face.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Last time I took you home, you made park half a block down; and gave me so much attitude even though I was trying to help you. So, again, WHY, the fuck would I help you?"

She looks up at me. "My parents are not a fan of my dancing, or me having anything resembling a life. My sister is on her way to the house and she will rat me out without a second thought, so please, take me home..."

I look in her eyes, and I could see the shadows of pain in those warm brown orbs. The tears forming in the corners and her jaw set, holding back the floodgates. In the back of my mind, I can still see her dancing.

"Get in. Put your bag in the backseat, hurry up man."

"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much!" 
As she gets in, she hugs me tightly. I wrap my arms around tentatively then let go.
"Alright, let's go. I got stuff to do, can't spend all day in this parking lot." 

I pull out of the lot and speed off towards her destination, her brown sugar scent still in my nose; making me smile against my will. 

"So, can I turn on some music?" 

I glance at her, holding an AUX cord in her hand that's already connected to her phone.
"Sure, since you're already prepared."
I chuckle as she rolls her eyes playfully and plugs in her phone. She picks a song and sits back while it starts.

"Bruno Mars? Really?" She looks at me out the corner of her eye and smiles.

"I love this song, so I don't know wassup with you."
She starts to sing and dance quietly to herself, like she's hiding from me. 
"Oh hell no, if you gonna sing you better do it like you're proud. Let me hear you."

She laughs and turns the music up, as we drive down the road like bats out of hell.

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"Maia......isn't this your street?"
Of course I know it's her street, but after the first three songs she got a message on her phone. Since then, she's been silent the rest of the drive. I don't want to invade her privacy, but I hope that things aren't too bad. She looks up at me, then looks around.
"Yea this is it. You could pull in right here, I'll walk the rest of the way."
I raise an eyebrow and scoff under my breath.
"Is it still because you don't know me and don't want me to know where you live?"
She slides out of the passenger seat and grabs her duffel from the back, slinging it over her shoulder.
"Look Harry. Thank you for helping me out, really. But I know that we aren't friends and I don't think you want to be. So, let's not get too invested okay? I'll see you at school."
She shuts the door, runs up the block and around the corner, out of my sight.
I sigh deeply to keep myself from hitting my steering wheel, put the car in drive and start to make my way back home.
"If she doesn't want to be friends, so be it. Damn her and her insufferable smile as well."