MAYA

I skipped into the kitchen whistling to myself, the smile on my face permanently etched there. I didn't expect anyone to be awake considering it was a Saturday but my aunt was already up and about.

"Good morning auntie."I greeted in a sing song voice reaching opening the fridge to get a bottle of water.

"For someone who got home only a few hours ago, you are in a chipper mood."She commented looking up from the pancake batter she was mixing.

"I never did thank you for extending our curfew last night. I really did appreciate it aunt."I thanked her taking a seat in one of the stools.

"You're welcome. Elijah had already asked me and told me his plans so I couldn't say no."She replied.

"I had fun, it was the best birthday surprise ever."I gushed remembering every detail of the previous night.

When Elijah had asked me to drop by after dinner with my family I'd expected a quiet evening with him, not a whole surprise party. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. Then he had added the cherry on top by declaring his feelings for me and asking me to be his girlfriend. I had almost said no because of everything I was yet to tell him but after seeing all the love he had for me, my mind was immediately changed. So I was now officially Elijah Olsen's girlfriend and that single thought made me feel all giddy and warm inside.

"Why are you smiling like that and why are you already dressed this early in the morning?"My aunt asked noticing my outfit.

"I'm happy because Eli and I are a couple now and I'm dressed up because we're spending the day together in part two of the birthday celebrations."I answered.

My aunt immediately stopped whipping and looked at me.

"So you told him everything?"She inquired.

"Not exactly no."I replied taking a sip of my water.

"Ada you've started a relationship with this boy and there's already secrets between you two."My aunt reasoned.

"He knows there's stuff I haven't told him and I really tried to reject him last night but he wouldn't have it. I will tell him aunt, when the time is right."I assured her.

"The time will never be right Ada. This isn't a simple secret, his life and yours is involved. It's not something you can keep from him, he deserves to know."Aunt Gloria insisted.

"I know that and I will tell him, just not today."I sighed.

"The sooner the better Ada for both your sake."Aunt Gloria expressed giving me a disappointed look.

I already knew that I had to tell Elijah everything and I would, just not today. I had no idea how Elijah would react to the truth and I didn't want to ruin the prefect day we had planned. He would know everything, when I knew that he was ready to hear the truth and the time was right.

The familiar rumble of Elijah's car engine alerted me of his arrival and I jumped from my seat.

"See you later aunt."I declared kissing her cheek.

"You won't wait for breakfast?"She asked me.

"No, Elijah and I already have plans. Have a good day auntie."I replied.

"You too and don't forget what I said. The sooner the better."She reminded me.

"I won't forget."I assured her skipping to the door.

I opened it to reveal Elijah who had his hand raised ready to knock. He smiled when he saw me his eyes raking over my body with approval.

"Good morning girlfriend."He greeted bending over to kiss my lips.

Yeah we were also doing that now and it felt great. Elijah's lips were soft and plump and when we kissed I was left feeling tingly everywhere.

"Good morning boyfriend."I beamed loving how good it felt to hear him call me his girlfriend.

"You ready to go?"He asked and I nodded.

He held his hand out for me and I linked my fingers with his following him to his car after closing the door behind me. He opened the passenger side door for me and I slid in, letting him close it softly once I was seated.

"Waffles or pancakes?"Elijah asked me once he was settled behind the wheel.

"I'm not picky and can eat anything so you decide."I replied.

"Okay."He grinned starting the car and driving off after putting on his seatbelt.

I did the same relaxing in my seat and taking my small bag off my shoulders to put it on my lap. My fingers were locked on top of my lap until I felt Elijah put his free hand on mine and pull them away. He linked our fingers together and put them on his leg. My face was hot at the gesture but I managed to gather my wits and look up at his face. He wasn't even looking at me, his eyes were trained forward on the road.

I should have looked away but I didn't, just admired and ogled my now boyfriend. He had a very sharp jaw and a very nice side profile with long and dark lashes definitely to be envied.  He definitely didn't have a bad side.

"I can feel you staring."Elijah commented sparing me a fast glance.

"Sorry."I mumbled looking away.

"Don't be, look all you want. I'm just disappointed that I can't look back."He reassured me.

He definitely had smooth moves when he talked like that.

"Do you feel weird?"I asked Elijah looking at him again.

"What do you mean?"He replied his face scrunched up in confusion.

"I mean we are dating now not just best friends. We can do things we didn't do before..." I replied but he cut me off.

"Like what?"He asked with a teasing smile.

He was just messing with me but I refused to be flustered by him.

"Like kiss, make out and maybe even have sex one day. So is it weird for you?"I explained.

Yes I had considered the possibility of having sex with Elijah but that was way into the future. We weren't quite ready for that yet.

Elijah took a few moments before he replied.

"Honestly no, it not weird. I feel like we have upgraded our friendship to something more. I've been in love with you from the moment we met thirteen years ago. I didn't understand what I felt then but now I'm older and I totally get it. You've always been my girl Maya and now I get to show the whole world that."He confessed making my heart grow three times bigger.

Unable to stop myself, I leaned over the console to kiss his cheek. Elijah didn't let me move away because he turned his head and cupped my face kissing me directly on the lips. I kissed him back, sinking my hands into his hair so I could tug at his locks. He groaned and pulled away looking at me with hooded eyes.

"Don't do that bug, we might just not get out of this car if you do."Elijah warned his voice deep and husky.

At the mention of the car I immediately jerked back and looked around alarmed. I sighed in relief when I realized that we were parked outside a cafe. I hadn't even realized that we had arrived.

"You've got to give me some credit. I would never put your life at risk."Elijah assured me when he realized why I had panicked.

"I know, I know. I'm sorry."I said with a shy smile.

"It's okay now let's get you fed, we have a full fun day ahead of us."Elijah grinned undoing his seatbelt.

I did the same and got out of the car. Elijah rounded the hood of the car and took my hand leading me inside the cafe. It was spacious with quite a few tables, a huge glass display with an assortments of food at the front. The seats were aligned against the wall but there were a few more private booths.

There weren't that many people in there so Elijah and I found an empty booth by the window so we had a view of a pond. We sat across from each other not having to wait long before a waitress was there to get our order. Elijah already knew what he wanted so he rambled out his order fast while I was still struggling.

"Should I order for you?"He asked when he saw my scrunched up face.

"Yes please."I replied putting the menu down.

"We'll have two full English breakfast platters, a chai for her and a coffee with milk and cream for me."Elijah ordered flawlessly.

"Coming right up."The kind looking waitress replied walking away.

I trailed my eyes from the menu to look at Elijah who was already looking at me.

"What?"I asked shyly tucking a loose dreadlock behind my ear.

"You're beautiful."He confessed making me blush.

"Thanks, you ain't so bad yourself Olsen."I replied.

"You didn't answer your half of the question. Is it weird dating me?"Elijah inquired.

That was a complicated one but Elijah had been honest with me and I owed it to him to extend the same courtesy.

"Kind of yes."I replied honestly.

Elijah frowned and I realized my mistake.

"Sorry I probably should have put that in a different way. Okay how about this. Yes it's weird but it also feels right. I was so focused on you forgiving me that I didn't have time to imagine us as a couple. I definitely thought about it but only for a fleeting moment. We only rekindled out friendship a few weeks ago and now we are dating. Is it too fast? Maybe. But it's also perfect because it's with you. My best friend is also my boyfriend and that to me is everything."I explained.

"I love you."Elijah replied to my long confession his bright green eyes boring into mine.

"I love you too."I replied making him beam.

He took my hand and kissed the back of it before enclosing it in his large hands making mine disappear completely.

"You are so small."Elijah grinned looking at the size difference of our hands.

"I'm average size. You are the giant."I defended.

"You're my little elf, my bug."Elijah smiled looking at me.

"You have a way with nicknames Olsen."I teased.

"I know."He grinned looking very proud of himself.

Before we could delve more into the nickname topic, our food arrived.

"This is too much, I'll not be able to eat it all."I cried to Elijah once the waitress had left.

"We'll finish it together, just eat what you can."Elijah assured me.

A full English breakfast considered of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, sausages, beans, mushrooms and roasted tomatoes. It was definitely a lot but I had a seven foot giant seated across from me who would help me.

Conversation was light as we ate and the food was delicious. I ended up eating more than I thought possible but Elijah still had to help me finish it. He paid the bill once we were done, leaving a nice tip for our waitress.

"Next stop Columbus zoo and aquarium."Elijah declared as he started the car.

"Two birds with one stone, I like your thinking Olsen."I teased putting on my seatbelt.

"I know, it's a gift I have."Elijah grinned.

He handed me his phone to connect with the car so we could listen to some music. I was surprised to find that his wallpaper was the same picture he had gifted me for my birthday.

"Cute wallpaper."I commented with a smile.

"I know."Elijah replied with a smirk.

After putting on some music that I liked, I started taking selfies with Elijah's phone and sending myself the ones I thought I looked cute. Elijah even posed for a few with me. We looked really cute together, even I had to admit that to myself.

"Does our height difference bother you?"I asked randomly.

"You have some really fire questions today."Elijah replied with a laugh.

"Sorry."I mumbled embarrassed by my mouth diarrhea.

"Don't be, I want you to be free with me and to answer your question, no, it doesn't bother me. I find you cute and adorable, like I can pick you up, put you in my coat pocket and protect you forever."Elijah confessed making me smile.

"You are definitely intimidating but even when you were younger you were always taller than me. It makes me feel safe so it doesn't bother me either incase you were wondering."I explained to Elijah.

"Glad to know that because you're definitely not growing any taller so I'll always be significantly taller than you."Elijah reasoned.

"I don't mind."I replied with a shrug.

After that it was quite for a few minutes as we enjoyed the drive and good music until Elijah broke it with a very serious question.

"I know we have lots to talk about but there's one thing I really want to know."He started.

I sat up straighter alarmed at what he was about to ask.

"What is it?"I inquired quietly.

"When you left you didn't tell me anything, we didn't have any secrets between us Maya but you kept that from me. You didn't even give me the chance to say goodbye. Why?"He asked his voice filled with hurt.

"Because I didn't know."I confessed matching his tone.

"What do you mean by you didn't know?"He insisted.

"Exactly that, I didn't know that we were leaving the US. My mom drove me to your party directly from the hospital so I didn't even go to our house. I hadn't been home for two weeks so I had no idea what they had been planning. When my mom picked me up later, she drove by our house to pick up my dad. When we arrived I saw boxes everywhere and a sold sign on the front yard. My aunt was there too, she wasn't married to Ted then. I was confused but no amount of begging made them explain anything to me. My aunt and mom swapped places and she drove us away from our house with only a couple of suitcases. I was hyperventilating at that time because I had no idea where we were going so my mom gave me a few pills to help. I thought they were my meds turns out they were sleeping pills. When I woke up I was in Nigeria. I came to find out that my parents had sold everything to cover my medical bills because I wasn't insured. They used the last bit of the money they had left to buy us tickets back home."I explained surprised I had been able to explain all that without breaking down.

It hurt remembering all that had happened but I had moved on. I had hated my parents for a while for taking me away from Elijah but I had come to understand them after a while. They had done it for my own good.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know."Elijah consoled taking my hand in his.

"It's okay, I didn't know either."I replied swiping away the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"But you still could have kept in touch when you were in Nigeria. We lived in the modern times Maya, there are international calls, emails and Skype. You could have mailed me all those letters you wrote."Elijah reasoned.

I looked at him with a sad smile on my face.

"I wanted to more that more than anything but you still don't understand one thing. We were broke Elijah, like dirt poor broke when we arrived in Nigeria. My parents had sold everything. It was so bad my aunt had to financially support us for the first two years while we were there. We didn't have phones or laptops and we relocated to the village. It was very hard Eli. Plus when we arrived I was so sick, close if not already dead and wasn't myself for a few months. By the time I came to I convinced myself that you already hated me for leaving so even if I wanted to I couldn't reach out. I told myself you had already forgotten me so I forced myself to keep away until I could see you in person."I explained.

The car was quiet after that, Elijah just holding my had as he tried to come into terms with what I'd just told him.

My parents had taken me away from him but they had done it for my own good. They didn't tell me we were leaving because they knew I would have done something drastic to stay with Elijah and they hadn't been wrong. I didn't like how they had handled the whole leaving in the middle of the night thing but I understood why later.

"I'm sorry you went through all that. I'm also sorry that I gave you such a hard time when you came back, I had no idea."Elijah whispered sparing me a sad glance.

"I didn't either and I don't hold it against you. I have you back now, the past doesn't matter."I assured him.

"I'm glad you're back. And for the record I could never forget you even if I tried. It's only even been you Maya and always will be."He confessed looking at me with so much love erasing every voice of doubt in my mind.

He stopped at a red light so I took that chance to lean over and give him a quick kiss.

"I love you."I whispered our lips a breath apart.

"I love you more bug."Elijah replied as he bridged that gap between our lips and kissing me again.

I desperately wanted to deepen the kiss but had to pull away when the car behind us honked because the light had turned green.

There was a lot more to tell him but I'd already said enough for the day. The rest could wait.

Elijah and I arrived at our destination an hour later for our fun day at the zoo slash aquarium.

"I haven't been here since we were nine."Elijah commented as he paid for us to enter.

"Really?"I asked surprised.

I'd always assumed that he went with friends or his sisters after I left.

"Yeah I couldn't get myself to come here without you. It wouldn't have been the same."He admitted.

"What about your birthday?"I inquired already afraid of the answer.

Elijah shook his head and my face fell. Had I really broken him that much? Eight years without celebrating his birthday or visiting one of his favorite places because of me.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."I cried burying my face in my hands.

"Hey, hey, bug. Stop it. It wasn't your fault, I know that now."Elijah soothed pulling me into him arms.

I buried my face into his chest, wrapping my hands around him crying my heart out at how much I had hurt him. I knew we were in public and I was probably embarrassing us but tears just wouldn't stop.

"Bug stop it, that's enough. Stop beating yourself up. It's just like you said. It's all in the past."Elijah reasoned.

He took my hands in his and unwrapped them from around his torso. He cupped my face lifting my teary eyes up to meet him.

"We're both guilty of something but we can't keep beating ourselves up about it. We're back together again so how about instead of crying about the lost time, we try to create new memories. We can make up for lost time by having twice as much fun."Elijah proposed.

"Okay."I sniffed.

"Good."Elijah grinned handing me a handkerchief.

Boys still carried those with them?

It was handmade with delicate patterns so probably Oma's doing.

I cleaned my face the best I could and put the handkerchief in my bag.

After making sure I was okay and done with crying, Elijah kissed my forehead then took my hand leading me to our first stop of the day.

Elijah and I spent the rest of the day together walking through the park and enjoying all the amenities it had to offer. They even had food courts so we didn't have to leave the park to go eat. We bought a couple of souvenirs because it was a day neither of us wanted to forget.

Elijah and I turned our day around and definitely made up for all the lost time. We had a blast together and hopefully it was the first of many to come.