MAYA

"Come on May, you've been holding out on me all weekend. Tell me what happened between you and Elijah?"Violet asked for the umpteenth time that morning.

We had left home earlier than we usually did making us the first ones to arrive at school for once.

"Nothing happened."I replied rummaging through my book bag to find some lip gloss.

"Something did happen, you two danced together on Saturday looking all cozy and cute. He also drove you home."She pointed out.

I hadn't told anyone about my night with Elijah because I couldn't believe it either. We had actually shared a normal conversation for once and he had promised me to try his best so we could fix things. Then he hugged me, oh the hug. I had never felt such a rush in someone else's arms as I had felt when Elijah held me. I would probably be hugging him as much as I could now that I knew how good it felt to be in his arms.

We hadn't talked much the whole time we had been out in the field but I was glad we had cleared up a few things. Elijah finally knew that he was the boyfriend I was always talking about and the look on his face when he found out had been hilarious.

Our dance hadn't been the most graceful because of our height difference and my inability to dance but we made it work and it had been magical nonetheless. I wouldn't change anything that happened Saturday night because it had all led to Elijah taking me home at the end of the night. He had promised that he would try and I would do my best to make his effort worth it.

"You're thinking about him aren't you? Come on just tell me."Violet begged.

Had I been that obvious that she could tell Elijah was the only one in my mind?

"We talked, danced and he promised to try and fix things, for real this time."I replied.

I finally found the lip gloss, applied some then put the tube back in my bag and zipped it up.

"You already told me that. I want the juicy details."Violet insisted.

"There are no juicy details."I laughed.

"Seriously? You guys didn't kiss?"She asked and I nearly choked on air.

"No we didn't kiss, just hugged and talked."I replied remembering Elijah's lips on my forehead.

They were so soft and would probably feel even softer on my lips, my neck, elsewhere.....

Violet had unleashed a monster and I had no idea how to vanquish it.

"Not so bad but still boring. At least its progress in the right direction."Violet commented disappointed that I didn't have any naughty details for her.

Elijah and I were barely even friends so thoughts of him and I dating were very foreign in my mind. Entertaining those thoughts would only complicate things so for the moment I pushed them to the back of my mind.

We weren't alone for very long because Wade, Finn, Olive and Suzanne arrived at the same time.

"Maya I am not pleased with you this morning."Finn scolded me foregoing greetings.

"What did I do?"I asked with a frown.

"You promised me a dance on Saturday but you disappeared, without even saying goodbye."He explained.

"That's because she was too busy humping a seven foot pole."Violet commented.

"Huh?"Finn asked confused.

I stomped on Violet's foot making her howl in pain. Yeah that's what she got for butting her nose in my business.

"What was that for?"Violet hissed pain etched on her face.

"Not minding your own business. Finn as Violet was obviously trying to say, I got distracted, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you."I assured him.

"You better."He demanded and I nodded.

I had no idea how I would make it up to him but I would find a way. When he wasn't hitting on me, Finn was actually a really nice person with an amazing and goofy personality.

"Maya where did you disappear to on Saturday? I didn't see you at all that night."Wendy asked when she joined us and I realized she was right.

I hadn't seen her that night at all and only one person was to blame but I wouldn't tell them any of that. Violet was about to give another one of her smart replies but I quickly shut her down.

"I was busy, I'll tell you about it later."I said hoping she'd get the hint and drop it.

She did but others especially Finn and his nosey self didn't.

"I want to know too."Finn insisted.

"You won't like it, it's girl talk."I replied and he immediately got a disgusted look on his face.

"Like menses and stuff."He asked and I nodded even if he couldn't be more wrong.

"You're right, I don't want to know."He said with a green face and all of us girls burst out laughing.

Boys were so easily manipulated sometimes. It's a good thing they couldn't handle period talk, it was the ultimate conversation stopper.

I was saved from any more weird conversation when we all heard the familiar rumble of Elijah's engine. He was always the last one to arrive and I guessed it was probably because he didn't like all the chitchat. Even before when he had his stutter, he didn't talk much so it was no shock that that hadn't changed. I was glad that he could talk fluently now, but I missed the stutter, it had been so cute. I had to remember to ask him how he lost it.

"There's your new boyfriend."Violet whispered next to me so only I could hear.

I was about to hit her again but she jumped just in time before I drove my elbow into her. She moved away putting Wade between us as she stuck her tongue out at me.

I ignored her to look at Elijah but was met by leather covered wall. How had he gotten to us so quickly? And why was he so freaking tall?

I trailed my eyes from his stomach, to his buff chest all the way up to his smiling face. I waved shyly at him since I didn't have any words in that moment. He smelled manly, like citrus, the woods and aftershave.

"Morning everyone, hi little mouse."He greeted.

"Hi Joey."I replied after everyone had replied to him.

"Little mouse? Joey? Can someone please fill me in. I feel like I've walked into an alternate universe where Elijah is actually nice to Maya. Wait is that a smile? Oh Lord."Wendy gasped dramatically.

I laughed while Elijah scowled at Wendy.

"I got these for you."Elijah said ignoring everyone else as he pulled a perfectly arranged bouquet of orange roses from behind his back.

I was surprised at first but couldn't stop the face splitting grin that graced my face.

"They are beautiful thank you but you didn't have to."I replied taking them from him.

"Yes I did, you deserve them."He insisted.

"Thank you."I said again since I didn't have anything more to say.

They were gorgeous and the fact that they had come from Elijah made them even more beautiful in my eyes.

"He's the one giving the flowers now! Are we in the right school?"Finn asked dramatically reminding me that we had company.

I blushed and busied myself with smelling the roses so I wouldn't have to answer any of their questions. I didn't know what to say to them.

"Maya? Elijah? What's going on?"Wendy asked again.

"Nothing."Elijah replied when he realized I wasn't going to say anything.

"That's not nothing. You just gave her flowers, that is something, a very big something."Wendy insisted.

Elijah ignored her and so did I making her frustrated.

"Violet, Wade, maybe you to can fill us in."Finn asked.

"We're just as in the dark as you are."Violet replied and Wade shrugged.

They were all getting too personal with our business and I didn't feel comfortable sharing what was going on between us with everyone. The information was limited to Violet and maybe Wendy but not everyone else around.

"Can I walk you to class?"Elijah asked probably noticing my anxiety about the whole situation.

"Yes please."I replied taking his arm.

Everyone's jaw fell to the floor as we walked away making me smile because of how comical they all looked.

"I'm sorry about them."I apologized even though it wasn't my fault they were so intrusive.

"It's okay, they are my friends too."Elijah reassured me.

We were already a safe distance from them so I made a move to lift my hand out of Elijah arm but he held me with his left hand stopping me. I couldn't help the smile that that little move enticed. It was all in the little gestures.

"How was your one day weekend? I realized yesterday that I didn't have your number so I couldn't check in on you."Elijah asked.

He wanted my number? Well he hadn't asked for it but he had hinted on it. What did that mean?

Focus Adaeku.

"I slept in all morning then helped the twins with a school project in the afternoon. How was your Sunday?"I asked in reply.

"Good I guess. My grandma dragged me shopping with her, it was exhausting but she loves it so I bared it for her."He replied with a groan.

Elijah adored his grandmother so it was no shock that he did stuff he didn't like to make her happy. Family meant a lot to him, it was probably why my leaving had affected him so much. I had been his family for five years then left without goodbye or communication after. Yeah I was the worst but I had the chance to fix it and I was not going to ruin it.

"She has been asking about you by the way, everyone has but especially Oma, she keeps asking me to bring you cookies."Elijah mentioned.

"It would be nice to see them again and get my cookies."I replied with a smile.

"Feel free to drop by anytime."Elijah invited shocking me.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude."

"You wouldn't be, you are family after all."He assured me.

"Okay, thank you for the invite. I'll be sure to cash it in soon."I replied making him smile.

Elijah walked me to my locker to switch off my books and leave the flowers before we both headed to class. I noticed people giving us strange looks which was to be expected as I was the new black girl walking hand in hand with the brooding football player. Yeah it was definitely a strange sight but Elijah didn't seem to care so I tried my best not to either.

In class we both sat together and when Wendy came in she had to find another seat. She didn't seem to mind but I knew I'd be up for some grilling later.

"Is this weird for you? Talking to me I mean."I asked Elijah as we waited for the teacher to start the class.

"Hmmm... Yes and no because you are so different yet still the same. So much has changed yet at the same time it feels like nothing has changed at all. I don't know if that makes sense."He answered.

"It does because I feel exactly the same. It's like going back home after being away for very long. You are a different person but home is still home."I replied.

"Exactly."Elijah agreed with a nod.

"You are different. You don't have your stutter anymore. Besides you being a seven foot pole, Violet's words not mine, I think that was the biggest shock when I saw you again."I commented.

"I'm 6'8 so not seven feet and believe me, I'm so glad I don't have the stutter anymore. It took me years of speech therapy with Tamara to speak fluently but I finally did it."He explained.

"I'm glad you did, it's boosted your self confidence but I do miss the stutter. It was cute."I admitted.

"It had to go, as did a lot of things when you left."Elijah gritted out in a tight voice making me flinch.

"I'm sorry."I apologized when I realized that I'd talked too much and triggered him.

We were doing good, so good and I didn't want to ruin things. Sure we couldn't always avoid the hard topics but I didn't want Elijah using some tones on me. It was scary that I brought out that side of him.

"No, I'm sorry. I promised to try."Elijah replied.

"And you are. It will not be all sunshine and rainbows but we will get there."I assured him.

"You're right but still, I'm sorry. You don't deserve me talking to you like that."He apologized again.

"We're good."I said puting my tiny hand over his that was gripping the corner of his desk tightly.

Elijah was being so hard on himself but he had forgotten that I was to blame for him being like that. I did deserve his wrath but he was trying and that meant a lot to me.

He turned his hand over linking our fingers together. He stared at our joined hands as if it was the most fascinating thing ever.

"You are so small."He commented still looking at our hands.

"No. you are the giant."I retorted making him snort.

I knew I was small and that would never change but it didn't mean I liked people pointing it out all the time. Elijah on the other hand was a giant to everyone around him but especially to me because of my size and height.

We didn't get to talk much after that because the class started but Elijah and I kept sneaking glances at each other the whole lesson. It was a hustle trying to concentrate but we managed it nonetheless.

"See you at lunch?"Elijah asked as we walked out of biology class.

"See you then."I replied smiling at him.

He surprised me by kissing my forehead then walking away leaving me gaping at his back.

"Okay enough suspense, details now." Wendy demanded pulling away from the door and into the next class.

She pulled my thoughts away from Elijah and his surprise kiss so I had no option but to tell her everything. I told her as much as Violet knew leaving out the details that were limited to Elijah and I.

"So you guys are good now?"Wendy asked.

"Not exactly but we are getting there. We are just in a better place than we were last week."I replied.

"That's good because I was about to sign up for karate classes so I could beat his ass the next time he made you cry."Wendy threatened.

"Thanks girl but I don't think you could have taken him down, he's a boxer."I commented.

"I could have managed all I needed to do was learn just one killer move, take him down forever."She assured me looking very sure of herself.

"You can't kill him Wendy or you'd kill me too."I replied.

"Awe, you love him that much. Okay, I'll reduce it to seriously injure him."She grinned.

I smiled back even if it was fake because there's no way I would have allowed her to do that even if she was just imagining it. Elijah's death was my death too. We were linked body and soul so if he were to die, I would die with him. Elijah had to be safe always otherwise there would be no more Maya.

"Okay, no more boy talk. It's time for class and after seeing you messing around with Elijah during biology, you need to concentrate in this one."Wendy demanded.

"Yes ma'am."I promised her.

I didn't want to admit it but she was right. Elijah was very distracting so as long as he wasn't by my side I had to try my best not to think about him.

I succeeded, I managed to push all thought of Elijah to the back of my mind until he sat next to me for lunch. Key note to point, he sat next to me and not across from me like he usually did and that's what I like to call progress.

"This fucking school needs to learn how to do its math right. What am I supposed to do with an apple?"Elijah cussed staring venomously at the apple on his tray.

"Eat it."Finn replied with a shrug earning himself a murderous glare from Elijah.

I knew about Elijah's hate for apples so I swapped it for my orange stopping him mid sentence from ripping Finn a new one.

"Thank you my little elf."Elijah said with a cheeky grin.

I didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing his not so cute nickname had gotten to me. I'd gone from a mouse to an elf, that was probably an upgrade but I was definitely taller than an elf and by far.

"So you guys refuse to tell us what's really going on between you two?"Suzanne asked and the rest joined in except for Wendy, Violet and Wade.

Elijah and I looked at each other, shrugged then dug into our food ignoring them, adding to their frustration. It felt good knowing that we could keep them out of our business. They didn't need to know everything about us. Sure with time they would figure it out but for the moment it felt good keeping them at bay.

Some minutes later while Finn was in the middle of telling us an embarrassing story about his big brother we were interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind us. The whole table went silent and we noticed Violet and Wade who were sitting across from us looking behind us. Elijah and I both turned around coming face to face with the girl he had tried to kiss on Saturday night. Yeah definitely not one of the good memories. I had no idea what she wanted from our table but I didn't have a good feeling about it.

"Hi Elijah, I'm Patricia, the girl you tried to kiss Saturday night."She introduced herself and the whole table went berserk.

"The girl he what?!"Finn exclaimed loudly but no one was paying attention to him.

"Anyway sorry to disturb you but I told my friends about what happened Saturday night and they think you might have a crush on me but you're too shy to act on it and so they insisted that I should ask you out instead."She explained and my eyes went wide.

Elijah tensed next to me and I held my breath waiting for his response. I had to give it to the girl though, she was really courageous.

The rest of the table was a quiet as I was waiting for Elijah's reaction.

"I have a girlfriend."Elijah stated curtly shutting her down in one statement.

Patricia's face fell in disappointment and I really felt for her. I was glad that Elijah hadn't accepted her request because it would have devastated me but I also knew how it felt to be rejected especially by Elijah.

"Oh, okay. Have a good day then."She whispered and turned around to leave.

It didn't feel right letting her leave like that so I nudged Elijah and pointed at Patricia.

"What?"He mumbled.

"Apologize."I hissed.

I didn't expect him to actually listen to me but surprisingly enough he did.

"Patricia wait."Elijah called out.

She turned around and faced us with a hopeful smile.

"I'm sorry about saturday and leading you on. It was not my intention to use you like that. I have seven sisters who I love and respect and wouldn't like anyone using them like I did you. I'm sorry I did that with you."Elijah apologized sounding sincere.

"Thank you and you're forgiven. You're girlfriend is a lucky girl."Patricia said looking at me for a fleeting second with a smile on her face before leaving but this time with a smile on her face.

"I'm proud of you."I whispered to Elijah when Patricia left.

"For what?"He asked.

"Apologizing and accepting that you did wrong."I replied.

"I was going to apologize but thank you for pushing me. She is right about one thing though, you are a lucky girl."He commented with a grin.

I connected the dots about what he meant and raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm not your girlfriend."I mumbled.

"Then I'm not your boyfriend."He retorted with a frown.

"Did we just break up?"I asked shocked at what was happening.

"You wish! You're stuck with me shortie."Elijah grinned.

"Still not short and still not your girlfriend."I teased.

"Keep telling yourself that."Elijah scoffed.

We were just kidding around but still its not like our relationship was legit. We'd forged it at ten years old while high on sugar, that didn't apply, we just used it as an excuse not to date other people.

"Okay lovebirds enough chit chat. Will either one of you fill us in on what just happened?"Finn asked.

"Nope."Elijah and I replied at the simultaneously.

"You two are mean, match made in heaven indeed."Finn grunted when he realized we weren't going to tell him anything.

Well he should learnt how to mind his own business, it would work wonders for him.

"You should apologize to Malcolm too."I pointed out.

"Who the fuck is Malcolm?"Elijah asked with a tight face.

"The guy I was dancing with when you interrupted us rudely."I explained.

"That twat is not getting an apology for having his hands all over you."Elijah demanded ticked off my by request.

I definitely wouldn't push him on it. Elijah was obviously still pissed off by my encounter with Malcolm for one reason or another and I wouldn't insist. Looks like Malcolm wasn't getting an apology.

"Okay."I mumbled picking up my carton of milk.

The tensed environment around lunch dissipated fast and soon we were back to teasing each other and listening to Finn's hilarious stories.

Elijah and I would be just fine, it wouldn't be a smooth road but as long as he was trying and I didn't give up on him then all would be well.