Enemy Basis | COMPLETE

26| unexpected events

I made it to school for the last period of the day: biology. My thoughts tried to remain on the topic of DNA and how it made copies of itself but my head was swarmed with an embarrassing number of thoughts of Dorran, leaving me unable to concentrate.

After biology, Maia met me and together we walked to dance practice. It was weird how comfortable we were around each other and how much we trusted each other, almost as if she hadn't hated me with her entire being weeks ago. That memory brought a smile to my lips as I thought about how our friendship started.

"Coach wants you to do a solo for the next game," she told me, her voice as sweet and soothing as it always was.

"Why me?" I asked her, not wanting to do a solo at all.

"Darcy, be for real," she looked over at me, with eyes that screamed don't be stupid, "You're the best out of us and we need to impress at the next game."

"Don't you want to do it?" I asked her, all seriousness, ready to give my solo for her if she wanted to do it.

She stopped in the corridor, halting my steps as I looked back at her.

"I really don't know how I missed how kind you are," she said with faraway eyes.

I smiled gratefully at her, "If you want me to be bitchy towards you again, I could do that too?"

She snorted at me and then we carried on walking, continuing with our conversation, "I'm grateful but I have a lot on my mind at the moment so I don't think I could do a solo on top of everything."

I nodded at her and we continued walking, but this time in a peaceful, amicable silence.

I looked at her, a wave of gratitude washing over me. My friendship with Maia was unlike any other. It was different from the relationship I shared with Lennox and the others, even different from my bond with Grace. With Maia, it felt like a deep connection, as if we'd been friends for years, not just a few horrible weeks. I felt utterly comfortable around her, like I could confide in her anything, like I could be myself without pretence.

She looked at me when she realised that I was staring and she scrunched up her beautiful face, "What?"

I smirked at her and before she could react, I pulled her close, enveloping her in a warm hug. She squirmed slightly, trying to wriggle free, but I was too strong for her and she couldn't get out.

"Darcy, I am not a hugger," her voice was muffled.

I let her go and laughed, the abnormal sound echoing in the hallway bringing a smile to Maia's lips too.

"I'm not a hugger either," I admitted, savouring the lingering warmth of her presence, the lingering bubble of happiness that had enveloped me. The smile on her face mirrored my own, a silent confirmation of the unspoken connection we shared. We continued walking towards the dance room, the air between us buzzing with a comfortable ease.

Just as we reached the doorway, Maia stopped, her hand tightening slightly on my wrist. The smile remained, but a hint of sadness now clouded her eyes.

"Happiness really does look good on you, Darcy," she said softly before disappearing into the room and leaving me standing in the hallway.

I had been thinking the exact same thing about her.

• • •

Dance practice had finished late, an hour later than usual for me. Coach had kept me behind as everyone else filtered out through the doors, including Maia who sent me one last smile before disappearing from sight.