Our Hope

24 - Maria

Maria's alarm awakened her. It played Twist of Fate's electronic dance intro. It was her favorite, a month ago, but not anymore. She would have to remember to never use her favorite song for her ring tone. She reached over and pressed Off.

She remained in bed, contemplating how much longer she could lay there. She was still tired, and her bed was warm. Also, this was the first day she did not wake up thinking she was still living with Skye. Back then, she would spring out of bed ready for a new day at the prep school.

She rolled over and smelled the scent of the cotton candy perfume emanating from her wrist. She did not like it. Yesterday, she was creating a new fragrance to sell, and Jacob went with her. She tried many samples. One of them was cotton candy. Its aroma was nothing like cotton candy. She thought it was closer to red wine, which reminded her of when she spent an hour cleaning it off Hope's walls. Jacob disagreed and asked her to try some on her arm.

Her viewer vibrated. She received a text message from Jacob.

Jacob: Hey babe! Just landed. Call me when you're free.

MariaGFF: OK. I will. Calling Hope next.

He had to leave because he was filming the final scenes of his new movie today. She settled on a lemon meringue pie perfume. Although at the end, every sample seemed like they had the same aroma.

She had a concert to prepare for tonight and still had time to sleep but wanted to speak to Hope. That was her reason to get out of bed. She traded messages but preferred calling and speaking one-on-one with friends. She missed the prep school and being with Hope and Cole. Today would be filled with numerous interviews at the local radio stations then rehearsal at the arena. This was her only chance today.

She took her morning shower and washed off the perfume. She had spent the last three days, unsuccessfully hunting down Skye and she spent the time in the shower considering other places she may have gone with her mom.

When she was done she dressed in black tights and her concert T-shirt, so she would be ready when her car arrived.

Maria announced, "Call Hope."

A light illuminated her, and Hope's hologram appeared.

Maria smiled and waved at Hope's 3D-image.

Hope beamed and waved back, "Hey Maria! I'm so happy you called. I worried that I'd never hear from you again. Where are you?"

"I'm back on my tour, finishing the dates I postponed. I'm staying in the suite at one of the Bettencourt Enterprises Hotels."

She pointed at the glass window view behind her that overlooked the downtown skyline. The opposite side had a leather couch that faced a movie screen which took up the entire wall.

"Woah! Your room is as big as my house. Speaking of Bettencourt, how is Skye doing?" Hope asked.

"I don't know. I haven't seen or spoken to Skye, since her mom took her. I spent the first three days with Jacob, going to the house where Skye's mom lived. I also spoke to the personnel that worked there and they said she had not returned since leaving. I know her mom and she probably smashed her phone, which is why she has not answered any of my messages. I also called her dad too, but he was in the same boat. So, we decided to work together."

"You'll find her eventually and if she could, she would have called you."

"Yes. That's why I think it's broken or canceled. Hey before I forget, I watched you and Cole in Professor Petrov's final semester trial. They broadcasted it live."

"Yes. What did you think?"

"You two were winning the whole day until the end."

"Yes. We were close, but my mind and body gave up at the end. Everything still hurts." Hope rolled her back then twisted her arms and legs. "A lot."

She also put her hands next to the camera, showing her cuts, scrapes, and callouses.

"Those look terrible. I really wish I could have been there."

"Sorry, I wasn't trying to brag."

"I know. Don't worry. You are Hope, and you are going to train your butt off and win."

"Yes. Cole chose me and has been all in since we talked. Thanks for the advice."

"Well, I also advise that you tell him how you feel, immediately. He chose you."

"He chose me as his friend and I'm pretty sure he will say no. If he wanted me, he could have done something at any moment."

Maria said, "He will continue to think of you as best friends until you make him see you differently."

Hope added, "Its best to wait because I like the way we are now. Judging by how distracted he was with Skye. If he said yes, that would change everything. Would we go on dates? Would he forget about the contest and get lost kissing me?"

Hope pondered that scenario for a second.

"Snap out of it." Maria clapped and shook her hands in front of Hope's face.

Hope refocused on Maria.

"What if he said, no? He would be the opposite. Awkward and avoiding being with me. We need to be a team now. It's best to wait."

Cole entered Hope's house.

"Hey Maria." Cole waved.

"Hey Cole."

Maria heard a knock on her door. She opened it and saw a frail older gentleman wearing the hotel's bell boy uniform. He said, in a gravelly voice, "Miss Gonzalez, your limousine is waiting for you."

She spun toward Hope and said, "I'm sorry. I need to leave." She winked at Hope.

"I hope you take my advice."

"Name jinx!" Hope shouted and pinched Cole.

"Dammit! that hurt." He rubbed his arm.

"I saw that! That's not fair. It should not count."

"Bye Hope and Cole. I miss you." She waved again.