A family cursed for taking love for granted and now a certain descendant has to live with the consequences.
She either choses to live on without love or die trying. Literally.
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Liam Scott Theo James
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"It doesn't feel like we're getting any closer!"
Liam thought it would be fun to go hiking for our 5th-year Anniversary. We've been dating since senior year of college and will soon be married next week. He laughed, "C'mon, Maya! You know we're close to the top. Just think of all the goodies I've prepared for us to eat!" Now THAT got me motivated.
Liam majored in Culinary Arts while I studied Mental Health Counseling. We met in Social Psychology class and became best friends through college. Liam took it out of interest, and I ended up as his tutor after he failed an exam. On a Wednesday afternoon, we laid on Liam's bed reviewing our lecture notes. I only then realize how incredibly quiet he's been, catching him staring at me.
"What is it Scott?"
"You see, Salvator. You're so beautiful that you made me forget my pickup line."
"How about you focus more on studying than at me?" I scoffed. He cheekily grinned, "I am studying. And my three levels of psyche say you should go out with me." I shook my head doubtfully, "Look, if you get an A+ in finals maybe I'll consider it." He fist-bumped the air and confidently replied, "Saturday night it is!"
Now here we are on Monument Mountain.
"We're here!" Liam cheers.
"Oh thank Jesus!" I said collapsing on the ground. Liam fed me bits of fruits while I bandage a cut on his ankle that he got from a branch on our way here. After resting and eating our snacks, we head back down. It starts to rain, causing the hiking trail to become slipperier. When we were a few feet close to the ground, Liam slips and falls off. "Liam!" I scream while rushing down to find him laying unconscious. Lifting the back his head, I feel a warm substance on my fingers.
Blood.
I reach into my backpack and fumble over my things. Fortunately, my phone's dry enough to call 911. I struggle to breath as my trembling fingers push Liam's hair away from his face. The constant ringing causing me to feel more anxious, making it hard for me to push away my panic attack. I squeezed my eyes from the sharp sting of the endless tears along with my nose becoming clogged. I put pressure behind Liam's head to stop the bleeding . My call was finally answered and was told the ambulance would be here in fifteen minutes. I put my forehead over Liam, trying to shield him from the rain. I kissed his lips. "It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay, so please stay with me," I whispered woefully.
————
"Hey Maya, how about The Vow? It's been a while. I remember it being your favorite movie." A month has passed after the accident. I flinched, "Why don't we watch something else?" Liam looks at me shocked, "You turning down The Vow? Since when? We'd watch it every weekend in college. You love that the story's all magical and romantic by how it's inspired by a true story of the couple falling in love again even after th-"
"Well it isn't my favorite anymore, okay? That's just a whole lot of bullshit so pick another damn movie for god's sake!" I yell. There was a silent pause between before Liam enveloped me in a hug. "I'm sorry. Is there something wrong? Wanna talk about it?" He worriedly asked. I took a deep breath and shook my head, "No, nothing. Just stress, sorry. Maybe we should do this next time. It's already late." Liam nods and gathers his things. Suddenly, he has a flustered look on his face.
"Oh yeah, I have something to tell you," he said excitedly, "Ella and I are getting married! I know it's fast but when it's the right person that's all that matters, right?" He radiates an overwhelming sense of happiness I haven't felt from him before. Flashbacks of him and Ella together as they laugh and stare adoringly at each other within the past month causes an ache in my heart. Once Liam left after his announcement, I couldn't breath.
I clutch my chest feeling like my lungs are giving out. Gasping for air only made things worse. I crumble to the floor, a heavy weight pressing down on me mercilessly as silent tears run down my cheeks. I wasn't aware of Ronnie's presence until I heard her scream. She kneels down, searching for something in her bag, "It's alright. You'll be okay. Stay with me!" Just before everything faded, Ronnie injects something in my arm. "Maya?" she whimpers.
Maya?
"Maya?"
His voice brings me back to reality. "Are you happy?" I whispered.
I can hear Liam's smile through the phone, "Happier than I've ever been. We're expecting our third child this August!" I ended our little reconciliation right as it started to rain. I stop staring at the ring on my palm and return it inside the box filled with other lost treasures of the past. I listen to the tempo of the raindrops tapping on the glass tauntingly as fresh tears follow its pace. Their trails painting me the image of what happened years ago today, haunting me once again. I lean my forehead onto the window and close my eyes shut. I pat my left chest to calm my heart despite it being completely numb, something out of habit.
