MAYA

"Heavenly father I thank you for this meal we are about to share together as a family. Thank you for always taking care of us and bringing us together in love. We also thank you for bringing our little mouse Maya back to us safely after all this years. Amen. Oh and ps, forgive my son for his rudeness, have mercy on his soul and give him a forgiving heart. Amen."Florence prayed and everyone chorused Amen except for Elijah who looked even more pissed than ever.

"Did you have to specifically put me in your prayers?"Elijah complained to his mom.

"Yes because you are behaving like a twat. Now eat your food."Florence responded.

Thankfully it didn't stay awkward for too long. Elijah had dampened the mood a little with his outburst but soon enough it was forgotten as everyone got involved in different conversations. Elijah was still sulking and glaring at me every chance he got but I tried very hard to ignore him no matter how hard it was. We were linked and always would be so I was bound to always feel his presence especially if he was close to me.

"Maya it really is good to see you, last I saw you, you were a sick tiny baby."Florence commented as if she was talking about a toddler.

I hadn't been that small but I wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise.

"I'm all better now."I replied with a smile resisting the urge to add that it was all thanks to Elijah.

"Good, now we just have to feed you and make you bigger. You are too small."Grandma Mabel commented.

"You can try but I think I'm stuck at this size."I said with a smile.

"Oh nonsense, you see all these giants around the table, that's all me and my cooking. Just you wait, some more of my food and you'll become taller with some meat in your body."Grandma insisted.

"Looking forward to it."I agreed even if I knew was impossible.

I would probably never grow bigger than the size I was currently at and I was okay with it. Now everyone else in my life, including my aunt and the Olsen's just had to accept it too.

"How are you doing back at school? I know acclimating back with the American education system after being in Nigeria for eight years must be challenging."Valerie who was an elementary school teacher commented.

"Not so much. my cousin Violet and the guide I got have made my first week easy. Plus all my teammates in the track team are of great help too."I replied.

"Wow, you're in the track team already?"Bernard asked.

"Yeah, I kind of got into running while I was back home and when I arrived, I had to chose an extra curricular activity so I tried for the track team and I got in."I explained.

"That's wonderful Maya."Florence praised looking like a proud mama.

"Thank you."I smiled basking in her praises.

He probably didn't mean for it to be heard but Elijah scoffed. He tried covering it up with a cough but everyone had already heard him. My smile faded because I had no idea what his scoff meant. Was the track team so bad? Or was it just me in general as always?

"Elijah one more sound from you and I am smacking the living crap out of you. Who raised you? I am very disappointed in you."Florence commented and in that moment both Elijah and I were feeling the same thing. Embarrassment.

Me for putting him in trouble and him for getting into trouble and being called out on his rude behavior. He gave me one long glare before turning all his attention to his food. Maybe dinner wasn't such a good idea but I was already there and wouldn't be allowed to leave until it was over so all I could do was suck it up and try to make the best out of it.

"Maya this rice is amazing? Did you make it?"Grace who was a chef asked.

"No, my aunt did."I replied.

"Well it's really good."She complimented.

"Thank you, I'll be sure to let her know when I get back home."I said.

"You're staying with your aunt?"Grandma Mabel asked and I nodded.

I already knew what question was coming next so I braced myself for it.

"Yeah I'm staying with my aunt Gloria, her husband Ted, my cousin Violet and twin cousin boys Cole and Dylan."I explained.

"What about your parents? Are they back in Nigeria?"Florence asked.

Yeah that question.

"Actually no, I lost my dad when I was fourteen and my mom passed on last year."I replied with a sad smile my hand automatically going to the necklace around my neck.

The whole table went silent once more and for once Elijah looked at me with an emotion that wasn't hate.

"I am so sorry darling, we had no idea."Florence apologized.

"It's okay, they are in a much better place now and they are together."I said.

Yeah there was no recovering from announcing that I was an orphan. Elijah looked at me like he felt sorry for me and that look on him was worse than his anger towards me. I didn't want his pity. I wasn't the poor orphan girl. I was the girl that had defeated death itself and survived losing both her parents only to come out stronger.

"How did they die?"Ivy asked.

"Ivy?!"Grandma Mabel scolded but I was quick to defend Ivy.

"No it's okay, I don't mind. My dad died in a work related accident when a faulty machine he was working on exploded killing him instantly. The doctors said my mom died from a heart attack but she died from heartbreak after losing her soulmate. She just couldn't exist in this world without my dad so her heart gave out here so she could join him in the next world."I explained with a bitter sweet smile.

It always hurt talking about them but I was happy for the years we all had together as a family, I would always treasure them.

"Oh you poor sweet girl."Grandma Mabel sobbed.

For the next five minutes it was emotional as everyone tried to console me even if I wasn't crying and offering me their condolences. They all meant well but it felt like they were peeling the skin off a healing wound and it wasn't helping. Tamara came to the rescue before the conversation became too unbearable for me and started talking about one of Jessica's upcoming matches.

"Will you come Maya? I'll get you a good seat."Jessica asked.

"I'll be there. I actually watched the match you had in South Africa, you were really good."I praised.

"Thank you."She beamed.

"Did you know that Elijah boxes too? He's just not as good as me."Jessica said looking very smug.

Elijah rolled his eyes at her but you could see the admiration he had for his sister.

And no I didn't know that he could box, I didn't know much about him anymore because he refused to talk to me. Even during dinner all he did was glare at me probably wishing I'd disappear and never show my face.

For dessert Grace had prepared apple slices dipped in chocolate that everyone seemed to enjoy except for Elijah. He just sulked in his seat since he hated apples and refused to get up and get himself some ice cream.

"Eli, it's your turn to do the dishes."Florence declared as soon as we were done eating.

"No it's Ivy's turn."Elijah argued.

"I did them last night. It's your turn."Ivy insisted.

"No you didn't, I did."Elijah yelled.

"Elijah don't make me tell you again. What has gotten into you today?"Florence asked looking appalled by her son's behavior.

"Fine."Elijah grunted.

He got up as and started collecting the stacked up dirty plates. He disappeared into the house with a mile high of dirty dishes in his hands.

"I'll help him."I mumbled deciding to take that chance to get some alone time with him.

"Thank you dear."Florence smiled at me as I picked up the last pile of dirty dishes.

I carried them inside to the kitchen and found Elijah grumbling to himself as he rinsed them on the sink before putting them in the dishwasher.

"Here I got the last ones for you."I said carefully setting them down in the sink.

"Thank you."He mumbled dismissively but I didn't leave.

"I'm sorry. I'm not sorry that I came today because it was great seeing everyone and catching up but I'm sorry that you didn't know I was coming."I apologized but he just shrugged at me.

Wow, tough crowd.

"Are you ever going to talk to me?"I whispered my voice an octave lower.

"Probably not."He replied.

"Why? All I'm asking for is a chance."I pleaded.

Apparently my question was too much because Elijah dropped the plate he was holding and started walking away from me. Like the fool that I was I followed him and blocked his path.

"Get out of my way Maya."He growled.

"Not until you talk to me."I replied.

"Get out of my way."He repeated again louder this time.

"Why won't you talk to me?"I pleaded.

"Because you left."He shouted so loudly I took a step back.

But he wasn't done.

"You left, you fucking left me Maya. You were my lifeline and when you left me, I drowned so don't stand there and pretend that everything is okay."Elijah yelled his fists clenched in anger, his jaw ticking as he tried to reign in his emotions.

"Joey, please..." I begged remembering the sweet nickname I used to call him when we were kids.

"No! You don't get to call me that anymore. Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be in Nigeria buried in some cemetery somewhere. I mourned you Maya so seeing you back here is too painful to bear. Please just leave me alone."He spat spitefully.

"I came here to see you Jo.. Sorry.. I'm here for you Elijah, for my best friend. I know I messed up when I left and didn't keep in touch but I've missed you and I want to fix things."I pleaded.

"No!"He gritted out without even giving a second thought to my plea.

"No?"I mumbled already seeing the rejection coming.

"Yes, No! You don't get to come back and pick up where we left of."Elijah demanded.

"That's not what I want, please just hear me out Eli, please, for old times sake."I begged.

"I can't, please just leave. Seeing you makes me want to hit something so please just leave before this takes a turn we both won't like."He requested in a broken tone that tugged at my heart strings.

I knew that my leaving had hurt Elijah but seeing him push me away made me realize just how much. Had I really lost my best friend? I wouldn't give up just yet but I had pushed him enough for one day. I would leave and pick up the battle another day.

"Okay fine, I'll leave but can I please say one last thing before I leave you alone."I requested politely.

"What?"He asked impatiently.

He wouldn't be nice or change his tone so I decided to just say my piece and leave.

"Thank you."I replied smiling at him.

He looked taken aback by my words but I was being sincere. I was grateful to him. I owed him my life even if he didn't know about it.

"For what?"He inquired his tone getting a little softer but not losing its tight tone completely.

"For being my lifeline."I said my smile getting bigger.

Deciding that the damage was already done, I decided to take one more risk. I kissed the tip of my fingers and lifted them up to his cheek since he was too tall for my own lips to reach his face. He froze at the physical contact and I pulled away fast before I made him angrier. With one last sad look at him, I mumbled a quick goodbye before turning around and leaving him standing at the bottom of the stairs. I could feel Elijah's eyes on my back the whole time until I turned the corner to walk into the backyard. I knew he was confused but until he let me fix things between us, he would keep being confused.

I really needed my best friend back. We had both changed a lot over the years but deep down I knew he was still that sweet boy with a stutter and not the seven foot giant with a permanent scowl on his face.

"Guys I'm leaving."I announced to everyone who had clearly overheard my conversation with Elijah.

"Stay a little bit longer darling."Grandma Mabel requested.

"No I better go but I will visit again soon."I promised.

"Okay dear."She conceded and I smiled waving goodbye at everyone.

"I'll walk you out."Tamara said getting up before I could turn her down.

As she walked with me to the door I sent a quick text to Violet asking her to pick me up fast.

"He will forgive you, he still loves you."Tamara said when we got to the door.

She was his sister and knew him best so her words encouraged me.

"And I love him too so I won't give up on him."I assured her.

"Good because you two are meant to be. You made it back to him so just be patient. He's only pushing you away because he doesn't know how to deal with you being back after he thought you were dead or never coming back."She explained.

"I get it."I said.

"I'll see you around Maya, take care. Don't be a stranger now and don't disappear again."She requested.

"I won't."I smiled hugging her goodbye.

I left the house and stood in the driveway waiting for Violet. I looked back at the house and my gaze wandered up to the attic. I saw a shadow at the window but it was only there for a second before it disappeared. All I wanted was my best friend back but it looked like I would have to fight for him a little bit longer.

Violet arrived a few minutes later and I immediately got out of the cold and into the warm car.

"How did it go?"Violet asked driving away.

"Great with his family but horribly with him."I replied.

"Just give him time."She consoled.

"That's what everyone keeps saying and I agree too, he needs time but it hurts getting rejected over and over again."I confessed.

"I know Maya, I'm sorry."Violet sympathized.

"It's okay, it's not your fault."I mumbled sadly.

"Time to turn that frown upside down."Violet declared.

"I'm fine Vee, I just want to go home."I insisted.

"And home we shall go but first we're going to get some ice cream."She declared.

"I'm full, I already had dessert."

"You can never have enough dessert."Violet grinned.

She would probably have a reason to counteract everything I came up with so I surrendered and let her lead. We ended up finding an open ice cream truck and while she got two scoops of ice cream, I just had one. Violet did succeed in cheering me up because at the end of the night I was smiling and feeling more hopeful about the future of my friendship with Elijah.