"God, I'm horrible at this." I laugh, staring at the big F on the screen.
"I can't even find the lie to make you feel better." Max laughs as he gets off the small stage.
I turn around and get off as well. He takes our tickets, well, he's probably the only reason we got them.
"I think-" I trip and fall into his arms.
He helps me stand straight, his eyes not leaving mine. There's a small smile glued to his face and he's still holding on to my arms.
I look away and he releases my arms and awkwardly scratches the back of his head.
"I can barely walk, how am I supposed to dance?" I laugh and he joins in.
"Wanna play a different game?"
"No,", I shake my head, "I like this one. Again!"
I throw my hands in the air and he chuckles before taking out two coins. I quickly climb back up and he follows. This time, he chooses a song and the game begins.
I miss almost each step and jump a second too late. Max chuckles and I shoot him a glare.
The game ends and there's my big 'F' on the screen. I fold my arms and pout but quickly start laughing.
"Man," Max laughs, "I think this is the first time you're getting an F."
I gasp and look back at the screen. "I will master you, oh dance game."
"Is it your first time playing this game?"
"Surprisingly, yes." I frown. "I never played it when I went to the arcade."
"Any game you don't suck at?" He chuckles. I push his shoulder back and laugh.
"Let's go play that one." I point to the basketball game.
"May," he arches a brow, "I've seen you throw."
"Insult my skills one more time and I'll be throwing you into the hoop instead of that ball." I point my index finger at him.
"Sorry." He raises his hands in mock surrender and I chuckle. I take out our tickets before turning to him.
"Let's go." I hook my arm around his and pull him towards the game.
He inserts a coin and we each grab a ball. I throw mine first and it enters through the net. I hear Max hum, sounding impressed and I smile.
He throws his in and it also goes through. We continue and he misses a couple of shots but each one of mine goes through.
"How are you so good at this game?"
We finish playing and I rest my back against the metal. He mirrors me and stands next to me.
"My therapist had a hoop in her office. It was meant for kids but she said teenagers also liked it. We both know I spent a lot of time there so I got to learn and sharpen my new skill."
"Maya." I look up at him. When he's this close, I have to crane my neck a bit. He's almost as tall as Mason. "Maya, I'm really sorry."
"No, please, we've been over this. Stop it with the apologies."
"I know but-"
"I'm hungry. Are you hungry?"
He slowly nods, realising that I really don't want to talk about this. What if we end up talking about Mason? I don't want to keep this secret from him but I also don't want to tell him, not yet.
"We can go have lunch in there." I point to the pizza restaurant opposite the arcade.
"I have an even better idea. C'mon, let's get our prizes and then we'll leave." He shakes the tickets in his hand.
***
After receiving our order of a large pizza and drinks, Max and I left the mall. We're driving to a nearby park which he says he loves.
I can't help but keep thinking of the park back home. I'm only realising now that I actually haven't been to park in years.
Why do I have to connect everything to him?
I can't believe I actually saw him yesterday. He was right in front of me.
Perhaps I shouldn't have demanded he tell me where he's been. This is hard for me to think and talk about, perhaps it's just as hard for him.
He left you. He didn't find that hard to do, he could at least tell you why he did.
I look up at Max, he's humming to the song playing on the radio and drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
Am I being selfish?
I lost the boy I am...was, in love with. Max also lost his best friend. He deserves to know that he's here.
I open my mouth to speak but he beats me to it.
"We're here." He says, looking out the window.
He turns to me and smiles. I return his smile before looking out.
"This place is beautiful." I say, looking around the area.
I grab the box of pizza before opening my door and getting out of the car.
There aren't many people here. My eyes rest on an elderly couple sitting on a bench under a tree. The woman looks up at the falling leaves and a huge smile forms on her face. Her husband watches her, also smiling and I can't help but feel a sense of joy.
"It is." Max stands behind me.
"Let's go." I begin to walk towards one of the benches.
We sit down and I open the box, my hunger suddenly elevating. I hand him his bottle of soda and he thanks me.
I grab a slice and begin to eat. I close my eyes, relishing in the taste of the melted cheese.
I open my eyes and see a familiar figure in the distance. I stop chewing and stare at it with wide eyes as it approaches. It slowly enters the park and when it's closer, I realise it's not who I thought it was.
I release a sigh of relief and continue to chew.
Stop seeing Mason everywhere!
Maybe I should've cut my day with Max short so I could go look for Mason.
I shake my head and continue eating.
This was a good day, I haven't had this much fun in ages.
"May," I turn to Max, "are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just-"
"I swear to God if you tell me you're just tired..." He sighs.
I look away, feeling a bit embarrassed. I really have overused that excuse.
"It's nothing."
"Is it home? I know this is your first time spending such a long time away from your parents." He smiles warmly at me.
"Yeah," I nod, "it's that."
"We can drive and go see them, even if it's just for the day."
"Max, no." I shake my head. "I'll be fine. I need to learn to be away from them."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I don't want to go home."
We continue eating and I look at the couple across us once more. They look so happy and in love, even after probably spending many years together.
I look down and smile sadly.
Once, I imagined Mason would come back and we could be together.
I feel a lump form in my throat and I take another bite of my pizza. We continue to eat in silence and I try to focus on anything but the couple and not think about Mason. Once we're done, Max gets up and throws our box and napkins in the nearby bin.
He sits down and stares at me.
"What?" I ask with a confused smile.
"You're..." he stops midway and shakes his head. "Nothing. It's nothing."
"Maxwell." I whine and he chuckles.
"Maya." He mimics me. His smile falls and he seems more serious. "You've been distracted the whole day."
"I'm sorry. Did I ruin your day? It's just that I'm thinking about M... My parents." I hold the sigh I want to release.
"It's okay." Max puts his hand over mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. "You didn't ruin my day. Any time I spend with you makes me happy. Just don't worry too much, everything will be alright."
"I know." I smile and place my head on his shoulder.
***
I walk into my room, a huge grin plastered on my face.
"Somebody had a great day." Zoe sits up on her bed.
"I did. I needed that." I put my backpack on the chair.
"So I take it you and Mason talked things over." She claps excitedly.
"Mason....uhm...about him."
"Yes?"
"I've changed my mind." I state, sitting down opposite her on my bed.
"You don't want to see him anymore?" She arches a brow. "Wait, didn't you go see him?"
"Yes and no. Yes, I no longer want to see him and no I did not go to see him. I figured, he probably doesn't want to see me so why should I want to? If he did, wouldn't he have come looking for me? I don't want to get disappointed."
"Maybe he was... Uh... Uhm..."
"No, Zo, don't try to make excuses for him."
"So where were you the whole day?"
"I spent the day with Max."
"Max?" I nod.
She remains silent for a few seconds, looking down at her bed. When she looks up, there's a knowing smile on her face.
"Is it that you're scared to go back to your past or you have present replacements?" She plays with the tassels of her headscarf.
"Huh?" I frown.
"Do you no longer want to see Mason because you're afraid or because of someone else?"
"Someone else?"
"Maya, for a smart girl you sure can be slow."
I pout and cross my arms and she laughs.
"I'm sorry but I mean, don't you see it?" I shake my head. "Maxwell."
"Zoe, what about Maxwell?" I whine.
"He likes you."
"No way." I shake my head violently. "We've just been through a lot together and-"
"And nothing. He likes you, everyone but you can see that."
"That can't be..." I let the words trail off.
"What I want to know is, what are you going to do?" I give her a questioning look and she continues. "You're still in love with Mason and here's Max, who may be in love with you."
"I'm... I'm... Not..." I stutter. "I no longer love Mason."
I swallow hard and feel a sinking feeling in my stomach when I say those words. Zoe archs a brow, seeing my expression of panic.
Oh my, I still love him.
How are you guys doing😊?