Maya hugged Kira tightly as she opened the door. It had been two long years since they last saw each other, and the emotion of the moment washed over both of them. Kira pulled back, her eyes wide with surprise and admiration.
"Damn girl! You look stunning!"
"You too," Maya responded, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Everyone's been dying to see you. You were missed, sweetheart," Kira pouted, her voice filled with affection.
"Aww. So, is everyone coming?" Maya asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Mostly. Don't worry, cheer up, okay?" Kira said, her tone reassuring. Then she added, almost as an afterthought, "Oh, I need to make a call."
"Sure," Maya said, nodding, her mind already racing with thoughts of the reunion. Kira pulled out her phone and called Steven Stone, one of their college classmates and her cousin.
"Hey, Steven?"
"Hm?"
"You finally answered. Are you coming tonight?"
"No."
"Alright. Don't regret it later."
"Why would I?" he asked, puzzled.
"Because she's coming."
There was a long silence.
"Steven, you still there?"
Silence.
"Hello?"
"Oh?"
"You coming now?"
"So, where is it?" he finally asked, his voice quieter.
After hiding from the truth for two years, Maya knew it was time to face it. Everyone already knew what kind of jerk Emmett was. She didn't want anyone judging her. Holding Kira's hand, she took a deep breath and entered the restaurant. The familiar faces from her past, now slightly unfamiliar, turned towards her. She had forced herself to forget the memories from college, but they came rushing back all at once.
Everyone looked at Maya as she entered, finding herself in the middle of a known crowd. She shivered a little. A familiar face approached; it was Dylan, Kira's partner in crime during college.
"Wow, you look gorgeous," he said, patting her head.
"Thanks, Dylan. I see you've changed a lot. You used to have a buzz cut all the time."
"Doesn't this new haircut suit me?" he asked, furrowing his brow.
"It does. You look even more handsome now," Maya smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her.
"Thanks. I wanted to hear that. Let's go meet everyone," he said, guiding her further into the room.
Kira scanned the room for Steven, and her eyes met Martin's, Steven's closest friend. She raised her eyebrows at him, and he gave her an X sign, meaning Steven wasn't there yet. Kira sighed, feeling a bit anxious.
"Oh Kira, what is it? Are you looking for someone?" Maya asked, noticing her friend's eyes darting around.
"Um, Steven. He's not here yet," she replied, trying to sound casual.
"Oh Steven!" Maya's mood dropped again. Steven was another person she wanted to avoid. Even though Steven did nothing wrong to her, she still wanted to avoid him since he had witnessed her at her worst.
Flashback
That night, Steven had a drink with Emmett and some colleagues from work. Emmett drove him home, but Steven left his phone in Emmett's car. When he went back to retrieve it, he found Maya and two others in an unfortunate state.
He never talked about this incident to anyone, not even Kira or Martin. He didn't want to gossip about the girl he loved. Yes, he loved her. Kira knew, Martin knew, Dylan knew, but Maya never could tell. It was always one-sided.
End Flashback
"Maya, you okay?" Kira snapped Maya back to reality.
"Oh, yeah. I just don't recall him being a social person," Maya laughed, trying to shake off her nerves.
"You're right, and you are too," Kira said, pinching Maya's cheek playfully.
"Ouch, that hurts," Maya said, rubbing her cheek with a small smile.
Maya sat in a corner, trying to get comfortable, chatting a little with friends she hadn't seen in a long time. They were all talking about their jobs and then asked Maya if she was working.
Maya scoffed before answering, tucking her hair behind her ear, "I'm not working right now. But I have an interview the day after tomorrow. I passed the primary selection round. I'm really hoping to get the job."
"What company is it?" Kira asked excitedly.
"Not gonna tell you until I get the job. But it's a really good company. I might have to move out of my parents' house if I get it," Maya responded.
"So, it's a bit far?" Dylan asked.
"No, not really. But I want to live alone for the betterment. I'd have to work late hours. So, yeah, that's it. Let's see," Maya said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"So, it's in Washington at least," Martin guessed.
"It is," Maya confirmed.
"Why worry? You have an apartment. You can live there," Kira said, trying to reassure her.
Yes, she had an apartment, but she worried because she didn't know how to approach a conclusion with this apartment where she didn't belong. She sat quietly while everyone exchanged glances.
"I don't know," she said softly.
"Don't worry about what you're thinking. That jerk already sold his share to someone else," Kira's words made Maya choke on her drink.
"What?" Maya exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you not relieved now?" Dylan asked.
"To whom? How could I not know anything?" Maya furrowed her brows, confusion clouding her features.
"I thought someone had no plan on going back there," Kira joked.
"Well, that's true. But I have to know, do you know who he sold it to?"
"S—" Kira was about to say the name, but Martin interrupted, spotting Steven at the entrance.
"Hey, Steven!"
Maya looked at Steven wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans, black sunglasses, looking totally sassy as he always did. While everyone else wore formal clothes, he was completely casual. Slowly, Maya's eyes diverted to a shadow behind Steven, a familiar shadow she recognized immediately. It was Emmett's. She gulped seeing Emmett looking at her, biting his lower lip next. She averted her eyes to Steven, watching him approach their table and get all the attention from every corner of the restaurant. She didn't know why, but she wanted to see those blue eyes of Steven's. It had been two years since she last saw them. Steven took off his glasses, placed his hands on the table, and looked at Maya. He smiled. She gulped and tried to smile back.
"Steven, you're late," Martin scolded.
"My bad. Why didn't you order anything?" Steven asked.
"We waited for you to come," Dylan replied.
"I'll go and order then," Steven said, heading towards the counter. He knew what they would normally eat at a restaurant, and he knew what Maya's favorite dish was. While Steven was gone, Emmett came to their table, keeping his eyes locked on Maya. She didn't notice him coming as she was browsing her phone.
"Long time no see, Maya Larson."
Maya knew who it was, whose voice it was. She closed her eyes, taking a moment to face the reality she hated the most. She looked him in the eyes, "Yes, it's been a while, Emmett Owen."
"Oh, you remember my name! I'm honored," he joked.
Kira wanted to get up and beat Emmett up, but Dylan noticed. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her an assuring smile to let it go.
"Well, you do too," Maya answered.
"You've become prettier. I guess breakups are a glow-up medicine."
"Yes, and you've become more pathetic than I thought. I guess the medicine didn't work for you well," Maya's savage reply made her friends laugh.
Steven was already behind Emmett. "Having fun, huh?" he said.
"What?" Emmett asked.
"What you're doing here, being a jerk!" Steven smirked.
"Watch who you're talking to," Emmett gritted his teeth.
"Yes, I know. I think I already told you not to bother her," Steven said.
Everyone looked at Steven with confused expressions.
Flashback
"Steven, isn't it?" Emmett called.
Steven ignored him. "Oiiiiiii Steven. You cannot be this cold to your friend."
"Friend? Tch. I seriously cannot believe you came today!" Steven said.
"I heard Maya is coming, so why not meet my ex?"
"Do not dare to bother her here," Steven said and walked away.
End Flashback
Maya took a deep breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She looked at Steven with gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks, Steven," she said softly.
Steven gave her a small nod, his expression softening. "No problem. Just want you to have a good time."
Emmett, realizing he was outnumbered and not welcome, sneered at them before turning away. "Whatever. Have fun with your little reunion," he muttered, walking out of the restaurant.
As the door closed behind Emmett, the tension in the room seemed to lift. The friends shared a collective sigh of relief.
Kira took Maya's hand, squeezing it gently. "You okay?"
Maya nodded, her eyes still on the door where Emmett had disappeared. "Yeah, I think I am."
"That jerk hasn't changed a bit, has he?" Dylan murmured under his breath.
"It's alright, Dylan. I was not expecting anything good from him either."
"What do you expect, Maya? Running away from this won't heal your heart. You have to be strong." Kira retorted.