Chapter 5
They pulled away from each other, Liam's arm still wrapped around her waist. He stared into eyes intensely as if trying to read into her expression.
She looked away nervously,her heart beating like a drum so loud,she thought he could hear it.
She didn't know what to think of what had happened, what it meant or what would come after.
"Maya". Liam called his voice very tender.
She looked up at him and quickly pulled away from his grip.
"It's getting late". She mumbled her voice almost denying her.
She bit her lips nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
She turned away as if trying to walk away but he pulled her back, slowly raising her head towards his face.
"Hey, I don't understand". He paused gazing at her with an expression that indicated he was hurt. "Did I do anything wrong, I'm sorry for kissing you, I didn't know what came over me.
His pleaded his voice breaking.
"No it's fine"
Maybe he saw it as a mistake she thought.
She heaved a deep sigh tucking her hair behind her ear.
She didn't know what to think of what had happened,she didn't know if they both felt the same way or if it was because she reminded him of her sister.
Frustration hitting her deep,sinking into her bones.
Were they on the same page or it just felt felt different for both of them.
"Take me home". She muttered under her breath.
He slowly nodded his head without any word coming from his mouth.
He didn't know what to say or how to react but he felt different.
He felt a way he hadn't feel in a long time.
Anger welled up in him, he didn't understand why he kissed her,why he did that.
Obviously she looked like his ex girlfriend but was there more to this.
His thought wandered around trying to find an answer, an answer he didn't know nor have.
They hopped on the bike and he ignited the engine,which roared to life.
The night was cold and quiet, stars glistening in the sky, insect chirping as if trying to tell them a story.
The ride to her dorm was as quiet as a grave yard, with none of them letting out a word from their mouth.
They both stayed quiet, as silence was what they had to offer to console the feeling ravaging through their heart.
They got to her dorm around past 8.
"Bye". He said waiting for a response.
"Yeah". She replied and walked away slowly without looking back.
A feeling of disappointment crept through his mind while a feeling of rage crept through hers as they parted ways.
She got to her room and was welcomed by Katie who sat on the bed as if she had been waiting for her.
A mischievous look on her face as she grinned widely.
"So how was it". She asked curiously smiling sheepishly.
"What?"
"Don't what me..I can smell something on you,something different".
A smirk appeared on her face as she went over to sit closer to Maya.
Maya chuckled slightly letting out a sigh.
She was trying so hard to hide her nervousness .
"I don't know… it was".she paused looking very shy.
Katie kept grinning as she played with her hair twisting it.
"What….complete it"
She laughed her voice echoing through the room.
"We kissed ok".
She blurted out rolling her eyes. Immediately Katie squealed jumping on n her.
"Omg I'm so happy,you've graduated girl". She squealed.
Maya stared at her in disbelief letting out a laugh which sounded sarcastic.
"So why the long face, you should look happy". Katie asked with a questioning look. She narrowed her brow fixing her eyes on Maya who countenance had changed.
"I don't know I'm happy honestly but I just don't know how to feel about this. Like regret keeps lingering in my heart and can't seem to shake it off. I know I'm happy but".
She plunged into her bed in frustration, groaning out loud.
"I'm so stupid". She muttered
"Don't say that, you ain't stupid you know. It ok to feel this way but let me tell you, I know Lee looks at you differently. I don't know what has happened in the past between two of you but I know you are special to him"
Maya didn't know what to believe, obviously Katie didn't know about the past.
She knew if Liam looking at her specially like Katie said was only because of how she looked like her sister.
She knew she reminded him of Mia that was obviously one of the reasons he left their town.
She sighed as she snuggled up close to Katie who was surprised but didn't push her away.
"It fine girl, time will tell,time will be the best judge and whatever decision you make just know I will support you". She said almost in a whisper as she stroked her hair gently which felt soothing to her as it comforted her.
.....
Liam stopped at a shop which had a sign 'downtown tattoo shop'.
He walked into the shop there he saw Alex drawing tattoo for a guy.
Alex was a tattoo artist when he wasn't studying in school, it was like a side job for him but he was still an apprentice.
"Hey man". He said shaking Liam's hand.
"Hey"
Alex stared at him with shock as he went over to grab a seat.
He was surprised to see Liam at the shop, if Liam was ever at the shop it was because he had forced him to tag along so he could use his body for practice.
All the tattoo on Liam's body were all his idea for practice and Liam didn't mind.
"Did something happen cause you came in here on your own accord"
Liam shrugged giving him a serious look as he grabbed a magazine on the table beside him.
"I'm here for a tattoo"his replied his tone rather cold.
"Ohh wow"
A smirk appeared on Alex face as he hurriedly grabbed his tattoo. "So Uhm practice?".
He glanced at Liam whose attention were focused on the magazine.
"No, my idea"
"So what do you want me to draw"
"A compass tattoo". He muttered as he slowly dropped the magazine.
Alex stared at him, raising his brow and his arm crossed.
"So is there a meaning behind this"
"Yeah". Liam paused and heaved a deep sigh.
Clenching his fist as stood up suddenly a smile appeared on his face.
Alex wondered if he was alright cause this was the first time the air around him felt different.
The Liam he knew was always cold and aloof.
Like his eyes was always empty and he was barely hanging in there.
All knew that an incident in past changed him, which hunted him deeply.
So seeing him like this felt new which wasn't bad though.
"I'm finally trying to navigate through the hellish storm in my heart". He replied,his voice very low.
Alex smiled and gestured for him to take a seat.
"I would like to know the reason for this change". He said slowly nodding his head.
Liam sat quietly as he let Alex do his thing.
He didn't know what was happening to him but he knew Maya was the cause.
He didn't know whether to feel happy or relieved, or he deserved this cause his past still lingers in his heart and he didn't whether he was confusing the past for the present.
"So my grandpa will be going on a road trip with his buddies from the navy, so I was thinking we should go for a summer trip to his beach house". Alex said as he tried focusing hard on what he was doing.
"Yeah sounds good"
"I'm also planning on inviting Katie and Maya". He added.
"Maya?"
This summer was about to be different and this two had no idea whatsoever ever what it had in store for them.