by MADISON HAL
But then I turned away, and he seemed a little upset.
He said, “You don’t want to kiss me?”
I blushed, and then I thought of an excuse to tell him.
Yes, I wanted to kiss him, but I was definitely shy.
And then he turned my face to see him. He cupped my face and kissed my lips, and what a kiss. This was an amazing kiss.
He pulled back for a moment and then he told me he really likes me a lot.
I told him I liked him too.
He said, “You know we will be really great together.” I started having the feeling of where this was going to lead to. He asked if I was okay because I seemed a little cold.
I said, “It’s a frosty night, and it’s been a long day from school to the movies, but I had a perfect night.”
He leaned in again and gave me a kiss.
And then he pulled back again.
He said, “There’s something I want to ask you?” My heart thumped fast in my chest.
I thought, Freaking hell, what’s going to happen now?
He said, “I know this is really crazy but I would like to take you home.”
I felt a little relieved.
I thought he was going to talk about the problem and I didn’t want him to ask or say anything.
He said, “I had so much fun tonight I could take you home now.”
We got into the car and then I said, “You have to take me home.”
He looked at me with widened eyes and said, “Why, what do you mean?”
I said, “As crazy as it sounds, I need to get back to the mall to pick up some items from work.”
He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Really? This late? You sure about that?”
I took a deep breath, exhaled and said, “Yes.”
He looked at me and said, “Well, if that’s what you want then I guess it’s what I’ll do.”
I said, “Yes.”
I leaned back in my seat.
I couldn’t believe it.
If someone had told me my first kiss would be with Noah Vanderbilt, I’d never have believed that.
What’s even crazier is that I think everyone likes him and maybe we could go to the mall or to the prom together. He insisted on dropping me at home, but I told him, “I’m sorry, but that will not happen.”
He finally relented and accepted the fact that I won’t let him drop me at home.
He said, “Well, I guess I'll take you over to the mall, even though it's closing soon.”
I said, “It’s okay. Just drop me over there. I find my way home.”
He said, “I can’t do that, Maya. I can’t leave you out there at night. I'll take you home.”
I insisted once again that he didn’t need to do that.
“I have a shared ride and I have a way to get home and besides, I might be there longer because they are closing off the store and I would help them clean up and all that.” I gave all these excuses.
He said, “I honestly only thought you worked at the library.”
I swallowed, knowing fully well he caught me in a lie.
And that’s when I told him, “I got a job at the mall as well and it’s really great. It pays a lot.”
He said, “Okay, if you insist, let’s go.”
I nodded, and with that, he drove to the mall.
Once we got there, I immediately got out of his car.
Then I turned back, leaned over the window and said, “Thank you for a wonderful night. I had fun.”
He leaned up and kissed me.
I kissed him back.
He pulled back, grinned and said, “I did too. Are you certain you don’t want me to wait for you? I can wait.”
I told him it was really nice of him, but he should go. He asked if I was certain and I said yes.
And with that, he drove away.
That’s the moment I looked up and my eyes widened to see a familiar face staring at me.
It was none other than Michael. Holy hell, how will I get out of this now?
Michael frowned.
I slid my hair behind my ears, trying to figure out what to tell him. Hell, I guess I am stuck. I can’t possibly get out of this. If I lie to him, what will happen next?
Chapter 9
Maya
Seeing Micheal standing there stunned me. I stared at him and asked, “What are you doing here so late?”
“I should ask you the same question. What are you doing here? And with him so late.”
I scoffed and said, “You are not my dad.”
“No, but I have to look out for you. You know you don’t need to be with Noah, he’s not what you expect. And you don’t need to be with Hunter either, Hunter has deep emotional wounds.”
“Oh, and how do you know that? Have you been researching them? I really need to get home.”
“No, but I asked a few friends. So if you are so confident about being with Noah, why didn’t you have him drop you off at home?”
“You know why.” I responded by shooting him a dark stare.
He looked at me and said, “Well then, don’t try going around it. You can’t tell me you told your folks about this.”
“What I do is none of your business, Micheal. You are my best friend, but you are not in charge of my life.”
“Are you seriously telling me this Maya after everything you and I have been through? I have been there for you from the start! You and I go way back. These guys can’t take you seriously. You are just not their type.”
“Oh yeah, and what is their type? Girls like Veronica and Lisa…”
“You just want your ego stroked,” he interjected.
Shocked by his words, I argued with him. I told him, “What are you talking about? What ego?”
He said, “All I’m saying is that you need to check your ego at the door because it’s definitely overflowing.”
I couldn’t believe I was standing outside arguing when I needed to call a shared ride.
I still had to get home to face my mom.
I know I told her I was going to be late at work, but today it just seems to be so late.
He looked at me and then he said, “Don’t expect me to be an alibi tonight.”
Angered by his words, I frowned and folded my arms.
I said to him, “I don’t need an alibi, so you have nothing to worry about.”
He fumed and said, “Fine, if that’s what you think. Maya, don’t call me when you need help.”
I said to him, “Let me be clear, I will not need your help. I would never need your help. And as you suggest, you say nothing to anyone.”
He shook his head.
Then he said, “You can’t control what I have to say Maya, you can’t.”
Stunned by his words, I blurted out, “Maybe we shouldn’t be friends then.”
I stood there trembling and watched as he looked hurt, staring back at me.
He replied, “That sounds just like a great idea Maya. Maybe we shouldn’t be friends.”
His words rang true in my head all evening.
As I watched him walk away to his car, I thought he would ask me to go with him, but he didn’t.
Eventually, after 20 minutes of all staring at each other like we had something to say, he asked, “So are you going to go with me or not?”
I shook my head and said, “No, I think you should go ahead.”
He looked at me exasperated and asked, “Are you sure about this?”
I said to him, “Yes.”
“You really need to check yourself,” he said.
I replied, “Don’t worry about me. Worry about you.”
He said something that hurt me to the core.
He said, “You’re going to lose what’s good for you. They will take advantage of you. Maybe you were never my friend.”
I raised my hands in the air, thinking where was this coming from.
But before I could say another word, he started his car.
I almost stepped towards him, but my pride
wouldn’t let me. So I watched him drive off. I shook my head and tried calling a shared ride when he pulled back and said I could give you a ride.
I told him don’t bother and walked away.
Angered, he drove off. That’s when I realized my phone’s battery was low and I haven’t called the shared ride yet.
I thought to myself, “What am I going to do now?”
Chapter 10
Maya
I walked home, scared as hell. I hoped when I got home my mother would be asleep.
But no such luck. I walked into my home and just like in the movie, the lights came on. Mom asked me where I had been all day.
Nerves flutter in my belly.
I told her I was at work, and things got a little hectic.
I really want to blow my meeting with Hunter in the morning.
I had to study with him, or rather teach him.
My mom looked at me and folded her arms.
She said, “I hope you’re not lying to me, Maya. Because if you’re lying, you have yourself to blame, eventually.”
I swallowed and said to her, “No, I’m not lying.”
She said, “Okay, well go get ready for bed and then tomorrow I need you to help at my shop.”
And that’s when I looked down to the floor then I said in a low voice, “I’m sorry mom, I have to study with some people in the school library tomorrow.”
She frowned, then she said, “Oh, okay. I didn’t know you’d be studying with anyone. Is it with Michael?”
I feigned ignorance and said, “He would probably be there too.”
She smiled and said, “Well that’s good, I’m glad you’re honest with me.” I didn’t say another word; I told her I was a little tired and I wanted to go to bed. My mom said, “That’s okay, go ahead.” And with that, I hurried upstairs and let the door close behind me.
I was so glad mom did not notice the cologne on me. It was a rough time getting back home.
After that long walk home, I hurried to my room, slumped into my bed and stared up, thinking oh my goodness; I need to get some sleep. I just hope tomorrow. My meeting with Hunter would work out perfectly. The next day, I got up early and had a quick breakfast before hurrying out the door. My dad asked me, while I was on my way out, if I was up to anything today. I told him I just had to study with some friends.
He said, “Great, say hi to Michael.”
And with that, I hurried out, got into a shared ride, and headed over to Hunter’s family mansion.
The moment I got there, my eyes widened. The place was fantastic.
Seated on top of a hill, it was a magnificent structure.
I wonder what it was like to live in such a glorious home? I’m not complaining about my accommodations.
My parents did the best they could consider in their circumstances, but this was something else. The gates opened and the shared ride drove in.
As the car moved in, Hunter walked out. He looked really handsome. The driver looked back at me through the rearview mirror and said, “Wow you are really lucky to have friends here. You must be rich.” I ignored his words, thanked him and got out of the car.
He welcomed me to his home. I walked in and then I asked if he was ready to study. He said to me, “Yes, why don’t we study over here. My parents are not home this weekend.”
I thought, oh my God; he was incredible. I had to take my eyes away from looking at him and focused on what we had planned. I started, I pulled out the books from my book bag and started teaching him. Rather, studying with him, but he wasn’t paying attention. He kept looking into my eyes as we sat on the couch. I told him, “You will get nothing from this lesson if you keep doing that.”
He laughed and said, “I don’t think I want to get anything anyway. I was just wondering how I got so lucky to have someone like you in my life.”
And with that, I blushed and then I said to him, “Don’t get too excited. This is studying, there’s nothing more to it.”
But who was I kidding? I was lying to myself because I found him incredibly attractive. I could tell he was attracted to me too.
He smirked mischievously and asked if I wanted to go to the prom with him.
I told him I hadn’t thought about it.
I kept looking at him as my heart raced fast.
He asked, “Will you go to prom with me?”
I bit my lower lip and thought for a moment and then finally I said, “Maybe.”
That’s when I realized I probably won’t even be able to go to the prom unless I go with Michael. My parents would never let me go to the prom with Hunter. I wondered if he was certain he wanted to go with me to the prom.
What would his parents say? I did not want to spoil the moment, and then I also thought about how much the prom cost, the dress and everything. My parents would probably think it’s too expensive, anyway.
“Maybe? Is that a yes?”
So I started to speak thinking, should I tell him I can’t. But he looked so cute with his pleading eyes.
So I said, “Yes.”
He smiled and leaned forward and hugged me and the next and I knew he cupped my face and kissed my lips.
He was definitely a good kisser.
I felt an instant attraction to him.
He pulled back and said, “I really like you a lot, Maya, and I’ll be honest, I’m super happy to have you in my life. I know I chanced it, but you know, can I kiss you again?”
I couldn’t believe he asked. He was such a gentleman.
I nodded and said, “Yes.”
And with that, he kissed my lips and pulled me close.
I kept the kiss going and then I pulled back.
I said, “We really need to study. The test comes up on Monday.”
He laughed and said, “I don’t care.”
He kissed me again and then I pulled back and said, “You will care when you don’t get the grades you require.”
And that’s when he leaned back on the couch and said to me, “It’s not a big deal. The University Foundation is funded by my parents. I don’t see any problem getting in.”
And then that’s when I said, “Why am I here in the first place?”
He said, “You’re here because I wanted to see you. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
I chuckled and said, “No, it’s not a bad thing. But I need to study because I don’t have your parents’ wealth. You’re really lucky, you know.”
And that’s when he looked away.
I wondered why. Why did he look unhappy?
Chapter 11
Maya
I couldn’t stop thinking about what Hunter said. I couldn’t believe how amazing things seemed to be. I thought about him quite often, so much so I got a little distracted in class. I could barely stay still when suddenly an elite girl, Rebecca, stepped up to me.
She said, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
I asked her what she was talking about.
She said, “We are watching you. You know we are.”
Confused and angered by her insinuation, I shook my head, trying to figure out what she was talking about. Obviously it was about Hunter or Noah, still I didn’t care. If she has a problem with me, she should take it up with them.
She said, “You know, you need to leave, you must leave the guys alone. You are a nobody. Do you understand that? You’re not part of the social class and you never will be part of the social class. They’re just going to use you.”
I frowned and told her to step away from me, but then Rebecca grabbed my arm and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to grab your arm but listen, Noah and Hunter are totally off limits. Besides, you need to be with an elite girl to be with them and judging from what I see, you are nothing like that. You don’t have it in you."
I swallowed, discreetly clenched and unclenched my fist.
Then I stared at her.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I said to her, “I don’t think you should be the judge of that.”
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She laughed wickedly, and suddenly Michael stepped up to us.
He said, “Just leave Maya alone.” Rebecca flinched and looked at him.
She said, “Oh really. I need to leave her alone? How about you tell her to leave guys alone? Okay, it’s one thing to be at an elite school with a scholarship and it’s another thing to think you are now part of the establishment. You are not part of the establishment and you never will be part of the establishment. It’s a mistake to think differently.”
Michael frowned.
He clenched and unclenched his fist.
Obviously he would do nothing, but then he interjected and said, “Listen, regardless of what you have to say, Maya did nothing unheard-of. You need to tell your guys to stay away from her. She doesn’t need anyone, she’s going to go to a great university and be something and she doesn’t need daddy’s help to get to college.” And with that Michael turned to me, held my hand and we walked away from Rebecca.
The way Michael acted in front of Rebecca really pleased me.
It showed that he really cared. I thought to myself, maybe there is something to Michael that I missed. He is obviously a fantastic guy.
But then again, I’m caught in this triangle.
Now who will it be?
Maybe I made a mistake of thinking I could go to the prom with either Noah or Hunter.
Perhaps I should give Michael a chance.
Besides, he’s right here and if he asked me, my parents would definitely agree to my going to the prom.
Normally, my parents would never allow me to attend the prom, but with Michael as an option, hmm, I know my mom might allow it. I should really consider Michael. I thought, why not go for it, besides he is so cool and is my best friend. I loved the way he stood up for me. Please don’t judge me. I’m not a pushover. I just didn’t want to say anything that would offend the girls and hurt my scholarship.
Back to my reality. Michael looked at me and asked, “Are you all right?”
Still a little shook up, I said to him, “Yes. I’m perfectly okay.”
He told me, “Hey, don’t let them get to you.”
It quite surprised me Michael helped me out considering how we left things off, but it seemed like our conflict was in the past.