The Book of Willow- Princess of the West

12.

"You seen Chance?" Miles asked Alex as he wrapped his coat around Maia's shivering shoulders. She fidgeted nervously, her parents would string her up by her toes. They'd been blowing up her phone since eleven. It was just after three in the morning and way past her curfew. Time had a tendency to fly when she was with Miles and tonight was no different. 

"Nah, Bruh. Not since he had that run-in with Jared and shit." Alex's bloodshot eyes squinted against the brightness of the lights and he swayed on unsteady feet. 

"He a couple of drinks. He's probably sleeping it off in the car," Maia said turning for the door. 

"She's probably right, Bro. I dunno what's up with Chance, but he's been all in his feelings lately. Maybe it has something to do with Kirsten hooking up with Brian." Alex offered, shrugging his wide shoulders. "Anyway, thanks for coming."

"Yeah man, sick party," Miles clapped his hand around Alex's and pulled him into a brief one-handed hug. "See you, Monday." He turned to open the door, ushering Maia out. 

They walked together in silence. Although Maia was within arm's reach she never felt further away. After what was arguably the most impassioned moment of his life, Maia withdrew. Retreating further and further within herself. Since the incident with Chance, he could count the number of words she'd spoken the rest of the night on one hand. 

The further they walked, the more unbearable the quiescence became. With the car in sight, Miles stopped. He peered at her. His brown eyes appearing onyx in the dim light of the street lamp. He stroked the back of his head and licked his lips. Her gaze followed the mesmerizing movement of his tongue.

"Maia, we need to talk about what almost happened tonight," Miles uttered. She eyed him as he rubbed his hands together nervously. She didn't like where this conversation was headed. Fear coiled tightly in her chest as she waited for his next words.

"Listen, Maia, this isn't easy for me. I've never really...Not like this. But. You matter to me-" Maia's finger rushed to press against Miles' lip. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Miles, please don't say something we're both going to regret. For the first time in what feels like forever, I have a friend. And I don't want to mess that up." She stared up at him praying her earnestness would reach him.

He looked away, folding his quivering bottom lip inward. His disappointment, clear as his wide shoulders slumped. Something within Maia shriveled. His pain mirrored within her. She wanted nothing more than to see his effervescent smile return. 

Maia stepped forward, sliding her arms around his waist. She was aware that the action may be confusing but she couldn't abide his heartache. He meant too much to her. 

"Miles," she mumbled against his chest, "You mean the world to me. The best friend I've ever had. Please don't force me to choose between you and our friendship." 

The longer he stood unmoving, the harder the fear of losing him gripped her heart. She let out a breath and a heavy sigh of relief when she felt his arms close around her. The familiar serenity emanating from him enveloped her. 

With eyes shut, she felt the chaos of her mind and heart quiet. The steadiness of Miles' heartbeat drew her further into the moment. She allowed his energy to seep into her very being. 

"You'll always have me, Maia. Whether we're friends or more," His lips pressed to her forehead. 

 She stared at Miles as they continued back to the vehicle. He turned giving her a quick smile. He really was unusual. His mental fortitude and endurance were unyielding, regardless of what was happening. He was virtually immune to stress, anger, hatred, or sadness. 

Maybe he did have a superpower she pondered. Clutching his hand, she tried her best to use her feelers to figure him out. She chuckled at herself, relieved nothing more had come of this day. His only superpower was extraordinarily being human. 

"Hey, Chance. You sober?" Miles asked pulling open the driver's side door. 

Chance rested slumped over the steering wheel. He blinked opened his groggy, red-rimmed eyes. "Hey, dude." He sat up leaning his back against the seat, his head dropped heavy against the backrest. "I'm-I'm moderately functional."

"Ok, he's drunk. I guess I'm driving home. Come on buddy. Let's get you some shut-eye in the back." 

Maia rushed to open the door for Miles as he helped Chance stumble then plop against the back seat. Her phone was ringing again. She sent it to voicemail. Amber and Brom would a field day when she got home. She rushed around the vehicle to the passenger side when Miles called to her. 

"Maia, hey. Can you please sit with Chance? I don't want him to throw up back there. He'd kill me for letting him ruin the upholstery." 

Maia slammed the door, "Ugh... Miles, you are so lucky we're friends."

She carefully wiggled into the back seat next to Chance. His long body draped limply over nearly the entire row, leaving a small space near his head. Maia grew accustomed to the penetrating incessant waves of heat that assaulted her every time she was within a foot of Chance but with him this inebriated it felt different. It was tolerable. Even, if she dare admit, remarkably pleasant. 

Miles went over a speed bump a little too fast. Maia bounced painfully in her seat. Chance groaned, blindly reaching overhead. His arms clasped around her. The weight of his head found its way to her lap. 

His face pressed directly to the gap between her thighs. Maia gasped, anxiously trying to move his head out of her crotch. He took in a sharp inhale, as she pushed his forehead away from her. His hands squeezed around her in a painful grip. 

"Maia," She thought she heard her name. "Did you say something, Miles?"

"Me? What? No." Miles yelled quickly over the music playing softly in the car. 

"Maia..." She heard again. She brought her head near his face. He was asleep. His lips fastened shut. 

"Chance?" She called tentatively.

"Maia...don't leave me." It was Chance and somehow, he was reaching her telepathically.