The weekend arrived with clear skies and a gentle breeze, setting the perfect backdrop for our hangout. I woke up early, my nerves and excitement making it impossible to sleep in. The previous day's events still played in my mind, but I pushed aside my doubts about Maeve and focused on the fun ahead.
By noon, I was ready and waiting at the corner of my street, where Maeve had promised to pick me up. She arrived in her red car, waving enthusiastically as she pulled up.
"Hey, Joanne! Ready for a fun day?" she called out, her smile as bright as the sun.
"Absolutely!" I replied, hopping into the passenger seat. "Where to first?"
"We're meeting everyone at Sophie's house. She has a great setup for movie nights," Maeve explained, turning up the music. "But first, let's grab some snacks."
We stopped at a local convenience store, loading up on chips, candy, and drinks. Maeve's banter kept the atmosphere light, possibly avoiding a topic about yesterday's encounter.
I was looking for the right flavor of Tasty Potates for Sophie until I felt Maeve's presence behind me. I looked up at her, curious why she was behind me till I noticed that she seemed to be looking for snacks on the shelves above me. I continued on with my own business as she spoke.
"So, uhm, I didn't ask you this since it seemed to be a sensitive topic, but...what's your relationship with Rachel?" She asks, her tone seemingly off but casual.
"Well uh- about that, I'm actually not sure…I'd say that we're just acquaintances." I say doing my best to sound nonchalant, though my mind raced with the memory of Rachel's possessive behavior.
Maeve paused, her eyes scanning the shelves but clearly focused on our conversation. "Just acquaintances, huh? She seemed pretty interested in your business these past few days though."
"Yeah, it was... unexpected," I admitted, grabbing a bag of Tasty Potates and tossing it into our basket. "I think she's just looking out for me, in her own way."
Maeve's eyes met mine as if looking for something hidden underneath, she looked earnestly and placed a few snacks in the basket as she spoke. "I didn't think she'd care huh.."
She trailed off, her voice thoughtful. I couldn't quite read her expression, but I sensed a mix of curiosity and possibly worry. I'm not entirely sure. "Yeah, it's been... interesting," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "But enough about Rachel. Let's focus on having a good time today."
Maeve's smile returned, and she nodded. "You're right. Today is about fun. Let's go check out and get to Sophie's."
We paid for our snacks and headed to Sophie's house, the atmosphere between us returning to its usual playful banter. The group was already gathered when we arrived, and they greeted us with cheers as we walked in with bags of goodies.
"Look who finally showed up!" Max teased, grabbing a bag of chips from Maeve. "We thought you were already getting ahead of Liam and made out."
I blushed at Max's statement and was about to react till Maeve interjected. "Hey, we were making sure we got everyone's favorites," laughing as she handed out the treats.
The living room was set up for maximum comfort, with blankets and pillows strewn around. A projector was ready to play movies on a large white sheet pinned to the wall. Sophie had even made popcorn, which filled the room with a delicious, buttery aroma.
"Joanne! Glad you could make it," Sophie greeted me with a hug. "Make yourself at home."
Max went to Liam and arranged the snacks on the coffee table while Sophie fussed with the TV. Maeve joined in, helping to set up the sound system. I stood back for a moment, taking in the warm, inviting atmosphere.
"Alright, movie time!" Liam announced, gaining our attention. The girls huddled on the couch while the boys sat on the floor nearest to the food.
I glanced at where to sit until I noticed Maeve gesturing me to her side but was drowned out by Liam's call, "Joanne! Come sit with us we have the food!"
Not having any choice, I looked at Maeve with a genuine sorry look, and she gave me the thumbs up to say that she was alright with it. I sat down beside Liam and smiled at him as Max took over the remote.
"What's first on the agenda?" Max asks as she looks up at Sophie
"How about a classic horror?" Sophie suggested, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Everyone agreed, and soon we were all settled in, the lights dimmed as the opening credits rolled. As I sat beside Liam, our shoulders touched lightly. The sense of ease from earlier returned, and I felt myself relax into the moment despite the jumpscares emerging from the movie.
The afternoon flew by in a blur of laughter and popcorn fights. The movies were entertaining, but it was the company that made the day special. Maeve sat next to me at some point, her presence a comforting constant.
During a break between movies, we took the opportunity to stretch and chat. Liam regaled us with random trivia about the actors, while Sophie shared funny stories from school. Maeve leaned in close, her voice low and conspiratorial.
"Having fun?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Definitely," I replied, feeling genuinely happy.
"I'm glad you came," Maeve said softly. "Me and the gand really enjoy spending time with you, Joanne."
Her words made my heart race, but Rachel's warning lingered in the back of my mind. I smiled, trying to keep things light. "I enjoy spending time with you guys too."
As the sun began to set, the group decided to take a walk to a nearby park. We grabbed a frisbee and a soccer ball, eager to make the most of the remaining daylight. The park was alive with the sounds of laughter and chatter as we played, the warm evening air filled with the scent of blooming flowers.
At one point, Maeve and I found ourselves sitting on a bench, watching the others play. The sky was painted in hues of pink and orange, a perfect backdrop for the serene moment.
"Joanne, I wanna tell you something" Maeve said, her tone serious.
I looked at her, with curiosity. "Go on"
"I really like you." She says in a clear soft voice.
Her eyes shined against the bask of the Sunset. Her eyes reflecting the pink and orange hue.
Maeve's confession hung in the air, mingling with the sounds of the park. The warmth of the evening seemed to intensify, but inside, I felt a cold knot of uncertainty.
I took a deep breath, searching for the right words.
"Maeve, I... I appreciate your honesty, truly," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "But the truth is, we barely know each other."
Her face fell slightly, but she nodded, urging me to continue.
"It's not that I haven't noticed you or appreciated our moments together," I said, choosing my words carefully. "But what I've felt so far has mostly been flustering moments that I chalked up to, well, normal gay panics."
Maeve gave a small, understanding smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment.
"I have a lot on my plate right now," I went on, feeling the need to explain fully. "My studies are my priority, and I know myself well enough to realize that being in a relationship would take a lot of effort that I'm not sure I can give right now."
I paused, watching as Maeve processed my words. There was something else, an unspoken reason lingering at the back of my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to mention Rachel's warnings or my own doubts about Maeve's character. It felt unfair to burden her with something so personal and unverified.
Maeve nodded slowly, her expression a mix of understanding and sadness. "I get it, Joanne. I really do. I just... I had to tell you how I felt."
"I respect that," I replied softly. "And I hope we can still be friends. I enjoy spending time with you, and the gang, I'd like to get to know you better, without any pressure."
Maeve smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'd like that too," she said, her voice gentle.
We sat in silence for a moment, watching the sky deepen into shades of purple and blue. The others' laughter and shouts echoed in the background, a reminder of the world continuing on around us.
Finally, Maeve stood up. "Let's join the others," she suggested, holding out her hand.
I took it, grateful for the gesture. As we walked back to the group, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The evening had taken an unexpected turn, but I hoped that with time, things would settle into a comfortable rhythm between us.
For now, all I could do was take things one step at a time, navigating the complexities of emotions and relationships as best as I could