MAYA

Several hours later, Violet drove us to the party and from the scene in the parking lot, it was basically the same as all the high school parties I saw in movies. Loud music, underage drinking and smoking plus a lot of nudity. The party was being hosted at one of the football players house whose parents apparently didn't care if teenagers puked their guts all over the lawn, broke a few windows or they destroyed the furniture.

"Stay close to me and don't wander off. But just incase we do get separated meet me here at exactly ten thirty, apparently dad and Mama G were cool with us leaving but we still have an eleven pm curfew."Violet told me as we got off the car.

She didn't need to tell me twice, I didn't know anyone at the party so I was staying by her side all night.

I tried pulling the grey dress I was wearing down but it didn't do much so I left it. I had paired it with a long heavy plaid shirt since the evening was a little chilly and I kind of felt naked wearing just the dress. To complete the look I'd worn a pair of brown air Jordan's and a white baseball cap since I hadn't retouched my dreads yet. I would get to them before school.

Violet was wearing a similar dress to mine except hers was white and she'd paired it was with a black denim jacket and a pair of lace up stiletto heels.

We walked inside the huge mansion and I was immediately hit by the smell of sweat, alcohol and smoke. Definitely not a good combination. Violet took my hand and we made our way through the drunk bodies dancing to the excessively loud music.

"Do you want a drink? I'm the designated driver so you can drink if you want."Violet asked me and I immediately shook my head no.

There's no way I was breaking my promise to Aunt Gloria and uncle Ted about no drinking.

"Too bad you can't drive, I would have gotten wasted but no matter, let's go. I want to introduce you to everyone."Violet declared pulling me with her.

She definitely knew the house well because she had no issue finding her at around. Finally we entered what seemed to be an indoor pool room and thankfully it was quieter in there. There were at least a dozen people in the pool swimming and an equal amount just lounging around drinking and talking. There was a couple making out on a sun lounger in the furthest corner which was to be expected for a high school party.

The atmosphere changed the moment I became aware of my surroundings. I could feel him, he was definitely in there somewhere if not within close proximity. He was even closer than he had been earlier when we were shopping. I tried to look around for him but I couldn't spot his ginger red hair anywhere. I didn't even get time to properly look as Violet was already calling people over to meet me.

The first one to approach us was Wade. I already knew him from photos and I'd talked to him once on facetime while Violet and I were video calling. And boy was he tall. I knew I was short but he was around 6'2, towering over me. He had short dark hair, grey eyes, a sharp jaw and he was very heavily built.

"Oh my God, she's even tinier in person. Nice to finally meet you in person Maya. Vee never shuts up about you so I feel like I know you already."Wade introduced himself and I immediately liked him.

He seemed like a genuinely nice person, I didn't get any weird vibes from him.

"Likewise Wade, pleasure is all mine."I replied politely holding my hand out for a shake.

He disregarded it, pushing my hand away and pulling me in for a hug. When he straightened up with me in his arms, my feet lifted off the ground and I squealed. Thankfully he put me down fast.

A few other people joined us and Violet introduced me to basically half the football team and all the cheerleaders. They were too many for me to recall all their names but I would have enough time over the coming weeks to get to know them. To put it simply, they were all tall, gorgeous white people, with athletic builds, straight teeth and different colored hair and eyes.

"I love your accent."Olive, a long legged brunette commented.

I remembered her name because she she was one of Violets closet friend and the captain of the cheerleading team.

"Thank you."I replied politely.

Movies taught me not to trust cheerleaders so I was still skeptical of her. Violet was the exception as she was my cousin but the rest would have to wait awhile until I could fully make up my mind on them.

"Show them, please show them."Violet pleaded and I immediately knew what she was talking about.

"No, I can't."I replied quickly feeling embarrassed.

"Please show us, whatever it is."Another cheerleader, Suzanne, I think begged.

They didn't even know what they were asking for but suddenly everyone was begging me to show them. I didn't like being the center of attention and that's what I was at the moment.

"Okay, fine, I'll show you."I relented in a loud voice so they could all hear me and shut up.

Everyone went quite so I took a deep breath and said. "Hello my name is Maya Adaobi, nice to meet you all." But instead of using my Nigerian accent I used a flawless American accent.

Everyone looked at me gobsmacked, eyes wide open and jaws on the floor.

I had developed a Nigerian accent because of living there for eight years even though I'd been born in the States. I could switch my accent whenever I wanted to and it was flawless either way.

Suddenly the spell was broken and everyone cheered as they demanded I say their name in both accents. I obliged because, well, it was fun.

Ten minutes later the excitement dissipated and everyone got back to their business so I was left with Violet, Wade, Suzanne and Finn who was the offense wide receiver in the team.

Violet got us canned Sodas and as much as I didn't like drinking soda, it felt weird staying empty handed while everyone was drinking so I took it.

"You really are small, what are you, like four feet tall?"Finn who still couldn't get over my height teased.

"I'm 5'5."I replied defensively.

It's not my fault they were all so tall, gravity just liked me better.

"Don't get too worked up doll, it's actually a compliment. How about I take you out on a date and we can try to make some brown babies. With your genes and mine, they will at least be able to get on rides."Finn asked and I couldn't hold in my laughter.

"You're so cute but no thanks, I already have a boyfriend."I shut him down.

"He's all the way back in Nigeria, he'll never know."Finn insisted.

"The fact that you're okay with me cheating on my boyfriend speaks a lot about your character and not in a good light. And no he's not in Nigeria, he's here."I replied.

"Damn girl, you really move fast, you've been here less than a week."Finn laughed chosing to focus on that part of my insult and not my comment on his questionable morals.

I didn't bother replying, just shrugged and sipped on my soda.

"Finny are you disturbing my cousin?"Violet asked.

"No I just asked her out and she said no because apparently she has a boyfriend here in Ohio, and don't call me that, it's childish."Finn scolded.

Violet stuck her tongue out at him and he just rolled his eyes at her.

"Her imaginary boyfriend? Even I have never met him but she says she doesn't date because of him."Violet pouted.

"He's real."I yelled defensively.

He was real.

"Yeah sure girlie, then how come I've never met him, or seen pictures of him."Violet asked.

"You will soon."I assured her.

"I can't wait."Violet said but I could tell she didn't believe me.

She didn't have to, that was okay because only I knew the real truth. I'd had the same boyfriend since I was nine. Sure our relationship was forged under the influence of an intense sugar rush but to me it was everything. Technically Elijah and I never broke up so were still boyfriend and girlfriend in my mind.

"You and Olsen would make the perfect couple, he has an imaginary girlfriend too."Wade laughed and everyone agreed with him.

Olsen? Elijah Olsen. Could it be the same person? I knew I'd felt him but I thought that was just my mind playing tricks on me. What if my Elijah was the Olsen they were talking about? Could fate be that kind that he was right under my nose and I didn't know.

"Olsen?"I asked innocently trying to control the excitement in my voice.

"Yeah Elijah Olsen, he plays offensive tackle for our team. Giant of a dude but best damn player on the team, except for me of course. He should be around here somewhere."Wade explained and for a minute my heart stopped.

Everything around me disappeared but I could hear Finn get defensive about not being called the best but his voice was low as if he was a muted TV in the background. My mind was just replaying his name over and over again in my head.

I felt like I was gonna be sick so I quickly asked for the bathroom and excused myself. I could hear Violet calling out to me, asking if I was okay so I just gave her a thumbs up saying I would be back shortly. Thankfully no one was in the bathroom so I locked myself in there for a few minutes trying to gather my thoughts.

He was close, oh so close. If I closed my eyes I felt as if I could touch him. It was so scary to think that I had been prepared to look for him all over the country if I had to but he was still in the same place, going to the same school I would be going to and having the same friends I would probably make. It's like destiny was reminding me that we were indeed meant to always find each other.

Someone started banging on the bathroom door so I quickly washed my hands and face. She scowled at me when I opened the door to let her in and barged past me slamming the door closed behind her. She must have had a real emergency to be that rude.

I looked at the long hallway filled with people on both sides and couldn't remember which way I'd used. I had been too preoccupied to pay attention so I decided to head right. Everyone was pretty much heavily intoxicated so besides some inappropriate comments towards me no one bothered me.

I got even more lost and ended up on the deserted side of the mansion. I opened a door to where I could hear someone making some weird hitting sounds hoping the could help me get back to Violet. When I opened the door I immediately stopped because the sight in front of me was both scary and unexpected.

Standing shirtless in the middle of the home gym, with only a pair of blue jeans on, wearing boxing gloves as he relentlessly hit a punching bag over and over again was none other than Elijah Olsen. My imaginary boyfriend according to Violet, my childhood best friend and my savior, my life, the reason for my breathing. My heart was beating so fast I could practically hear it in my ears. There was no denying that it was him, every fiber in my body was telling me that it was him.

He looked completely different from that tall lanky ginger haired boy I had seen eight years ago. He was tall,taller than everyone on the team including Wade, he looked almost seven feet tall and built like a freaking mountain. The room was dimly lit so I couldn't see his face but it was impossible to miss that ginger red hair anywhere.

He was listening to music so he didn't hear or see me watching him. He also looked angry as he punched the bag over and over again relentlessly.

I had waited so many years to see him, to thank him for saving me but not like this, not with him looking so angry. I wanted to stay longer, watching him and possibly talk to him but I defied my instincts and just turned around walking away from the one person I wanted to see more than anyone.

I had no idea how I found myself outside but there's no way I was going back to the party so I just sat on the hood of Violets car and waited for her. I really tried holding it in but I couldn't so I broke down, right there. Heavy sobs wracked my body and the more I tried controlling them, the more I cried. I had no idea why I was crying but I just couldn't stop.

Violet found me that way ten minutes later.

"Maya, I've been looking everywhere for you. Shit, why are you crying. Did someone hurt you? I will kill them, just tell me who."She demanded switching from scolding to murderous in a flash when she saw my tears.

I shook my head no and hugged her. I needed to be held because even I didn't know why I was crying.

She held me for five minutes straight as I cried myself dry.

"Are you okay love? Who did this to you?"She asked when we pulled away.

"No one, I just....." I had no idea why I was crying so I just shrugged.

"It was too much, I'm sorry."I apologized.

"Don't be sorry, come on lets go home."She said unlocking the car.

"What about your friends?"I asked getting in the passengers side.

"They were helping me look for you, you were gone for over an hour. I'll just text them and let them know that I found you and we're going home."She replied reaching for her phone.

After she texted them, she drove us both home.

"I'm sorry I pushed you to go to that party with me, I should have known you weren't ready."Violet apologized looking said.

Oh no, I couldn't let her blame herself for something that wasn't her fault.

"Vee, no, it wasn't the party. I actually liked your friends and meeting everyone, including Finn."I chided and we both laughed.

"Are you sure?"She asked uncertainly.

"Totally, stop blaming yourself. I'm glad I came."I assured her.

"Okay good, but I'm here in case you want to talk about what made you cry like that. I was so scared, I thought someone had hurt you."She cried.

"Thank you and I'm fine, really."I insisted.

"Great, so what did to think of Wade?"She asked changing the subject immediately.

"I liked him, he's great for you. You guys make a very cute couple."I replied and she beamed.

Thankfully the conversation about my hysterical crying was dropped and we discussed lighter topics. But amidst all the talk I couldn't get the image of Elijah out of my head. He looked so angry and broken in there. I had wanted nothing more than to comfort him but I also didn't want to invade his privacy. Our meeting would have to be on neutral ground because I had no idea how he would react to seeing me. Hopefully he would be as happy to see me as I was when I saw him, minus the crying and overwhelmed emotions of course.

Violet got us home and Aunt Gloria was pleased to see us home before curfew. Violet didn't mention my crying and I was grateful for it.

Later after my nightly routine when I finally settled in bed, I kissed my parents rings and asked for them to help me and guide me as I dealt with a new school and reintroducing myself back to Elijah. I needed all the help I could get.