Chapter 13: When the Music Matches the Mood

The blue-haired girl stepped off the bus alone, her usual partner-in-chaos missing in action thanks to a stubborn flu. Maya exhaled deeply, the kind of breath that lingers in your chest. Her eyes drifted across the school grounds, landing on that small playground tucked into the corner—the very spot where she had officially ended things with Luke.

Her feet slowed, uninvited memories rolling in like fog on a quiet lake.

**Preschool Days – The Beginning of Something**

Lily: "Get away! You're like… a boy!" 
The four-year-old girl scrunched her nose like Maya had sneezed glitter on her. 
Nikki: "Yeah! Go play with boys, weird-o!" 
The little blonde Maya, heart freshly bruised, blinked rapidly before dashing under a plastic table, curling up tight like a wounded kitten. She pressed her knees to her chest, sniffling softly—until a gentle hand patted her head.

She peeked up through teary eyes.

A boy with the biggest blue eyes she'd ever seen was smiling at her like the sun. 
Luke: "Wanna come build a castle? Ours has a moat!" 
And just like that, her whole world shifted. The tears faded, and Maya stood, following him with a smile on her face and hope in her little hands.

The First Day of 7th Grade – A New Chapter

The light-brown-haired girl stood still in front of the massive building. Her expression unreadable, the weight of a thousand past echoes tightening her throat. This was where middle school ended and the next mystery began.

Her old school had stopped at sixth grade, so here she was again—new start, same story. Most faces would be unfamiliar now. She didn’t care. Not really. Maybe… except for one.

As names were called and lines formed, she scanned the crowd.

Luke: "Maya!!"
There he was—grinning like an idiot, waving his arms like she was a lighthouse and he was a lost ship.

Maya: "Hi Luke."
Luke: "We’re in the same class! You and me, fate, huh?"
Maya: "What a coincidence," she said, though her heart might’ve skipped a beat.

They joked about school, schedules, and the suspiciously tiny lockers, then walked into their new adventure side by side, unaware of how many things would break before they’d even understand the rules.

**One Tear at a Time**

Luke: "Sorry to hear that…" 
Maya: "Nahh, it's fine... I'm used to it." Her voice dipped low, barely audible under the weight of the lump in her throat.

Luke: "So this is why you're so closed up…"

Emma: "Yeah. Until fourth grade, she was a social butterfly. Then everything kinda flipped." 
Kerrie: "Don’t worry, Maya. You’ve got us now. We’ve got you." 
Zoe: "Exactly. You’re not alone anymore, okay?" 
Maya: "Thanks, guys..." Her voice cracked, but her smile broke through, letting herself be hugged by the only boy she truly trusted.

Energy Drinks and Stolen Moments

Maya: "You can’t catch me!" she yelled, laughing like the world had never hurt her. The tall boy chased after her—not her, technically, but her energy drink. Close enough.

Luke: "I'm an athlete! You know I can!"
Maya’s grip tightened around the can, but Luke moved faster than her thoughts. He wrapped her in a bear hug mid-run, nearly tackling her to the grass.

Maya: "Easy there, tiger! Okay, fine—but don’t chug it all. It’s all I could afford today."
Luke: "Don’t worry. When the others show up, I’ll buy you a new one."
Maya: "You sure?"
Luke: "Yup, because I'm finishing this one." And just like that, he tilted his head back and gulped it down with obnoxious enthusiasm.

Maya: "LUKE!"
Luke: "Oops," he said, wiping his mouth, grinning wickedly.

Now, standing there alone by the same schoolyard, her lips curved into a broken smile.

So many good memories—bitter-sweet like black coffee. But lately… the sweetness had been fading. Her thoughts wandered to Liam. He'd seemed so genuine. So soft. But even the softest people can leave scars. And lately, she realized that everyone wears a mask—some are just better at hiding it than others.

A tear slipped down her cheek, catching the sunlight just enough to glint like glass.

She stuffed her hands in her hoodie pocket and wandered to a familiar spot. The bench. Their bench. Hers and Liam’s. Now just hers.

She dropped onto the seat and let her hood fall low over her face, retreating into the music blasting through her ears—lyrics a little *too* relatable.

> *When I sleep, I don't wanna wake up...* 
> *Fell behind, please, no one wait up...* 
> *I just wanna show my mom I made it...* 
> *Every single day I close my eyes...* 
> *What if I'm never happy again?*

She didn’t sob. Not loudly, anyway. She just sat there, quietly crumbling, piece by piece.

Her mind jumped—flashing suddenly to *him*. Mark. The most confusing person she had ever met. Hot and cold. Cruel and kind. He infuriated her—but he’d also protected her, even when she hadn’t needed it. Even when she hadn't *wanted* it.

Why?

A soft smile tugged at her lips despite the tears. She was too tired to unravel him. Too tired to even try.

Someone sat beside her.

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t even lift her head. Maybe it was a ghost. Maybe it was fate. She didn’t care.

A warm hand touched her shoulder. Her body tensed—just slightly. Slowly, she pulled out an earbud and turned to look.

It was *him*.

Luke. Not the boy from her memories, but the boy still standing in the present, carrying the weight of their past like she was.

Maya: "What do you want?" Her voice came out small. Not angry. Just… tired.

Luke: "I might be your ex… but I’m still your oldest friend. And I won’t let you sit here crying without someone beside you."

That small smile. The one that used to annoy her. Somehow, it made her feel safe again.

Maya: "Thanks..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

She leaned into his shoulder, and he didn’t say a word.

They sat there, ditching class, ditching time, ditching the pain just for a moment—two old souls hiding from a world that never quite made sense.