Chapter 18 – A Deal with a Kiss

The next day dragged like wet socks in a dryer. Everything just felt... off. Like the school was a snow globe someone shook too hard and walked away.
Why did everything happen?
Do they know everything now?
Is it over?
Is it just beginning?

Maya walked the halls alone, backpack slung low, eyes scanning. Emma had class early, so she was flying solo.
But then—
There it was. That annoyingly perfect black comma hairstyle she could spot in a hurricane.

Her steps grew heavier. She tapped his shoulder firmly, her voice low but pointed—loud enough for the whole friend group to hear.

Maya: “We need to talk.”

He turned. Scowled. That classic Mark frown.

Mark: “Why would you need to talk to me, Smurf? Scram.”

Oh no.
He did not just—

Maya’s eyes flared. That look. That look. The one that made even high schoolers remember why middle schoolers were terrifying creatures.
She hadn’t felt this kind of fury in a long time—and it ignited.

She smacked the back of his head.
Hard.
The thwack echoed like divine punishment.

Mark: “OW—!”
His hand flew to the back of his head, his whole body tensing like a scolded cat.

Maya (unleashing hellfire): “Try acting like that again and that’s the nicest pain you’ll feel today. I said we need to talk. And if you think being rude and edgy makes you cool? News flash: these guys don’t give a damn about your ‘bad boy’ image. They care about themselves. You could talk to a calculus textbook in a tutu and they’d still follow you around if it made them look cool.”

She stepped forward, her aura volcanic.

Maya (dead serious): “So. Top floor. Now.”

Mark blinked. Gulped. And started walking, no questions asked. The hallway watched in stunned silence.

But Maya turned toward Jason—the unfortunate soul who once dared to mess with Emma.

Maya (quiet venom): “Hurt my best friend again, and I will personally rip off your shrimp dick, run it through a cheese grater, boil it in my piss, and serve it with lemon zest. Understand?”

Jason turned ghost-white. His ancestors felt that one.

Then she spun on her heel and ascended the stairs—empress of fury.

---

The top floor was quiet. Always was. Only computer labs and dusty admin offices.
It smelled like silence and forgotten rules.

Mark waited at the end of the hall, shadows cutting sharp lines across his face. Maya walked up, heart still sprinting but unsure why.

Mark (quietly): “What do you need?”

The politeness stunned her.

Maya: “Excuse me? You think acting all polite now’s gonna stop me from being pissed? Please. Try harder.”

Mark: “...Sorry. I’m just not used to us talking... like, normally. Not screaming. So. What’s this about?”

Maya: “Everything. Mark, you have powers. Only Emma and I know, right?”

Mark (softly): “My grandma knows. That’s why she hates me. Thinks I’m a freak.”

Maya blinked.
That was what she sensed, back when she overheard his thoughts. She softened just a little.

Maya: “Sorry... that sucks.”

Mark: “Eh. It’s cool.”
He paused. Tilted his head.
Mark: “Do your friends know?”

Maya: “Yeah. All five of them.”

He frowned.

Mark: “Five? Is there someone outside school who knows—?”

She laughed.

Maya: “You, dumbass. Everyone who knows my secret is a friend. A real one. Because I know they’ll keep it safe.”

He looked away, but she caught the smile he tried to hide. It didn’t work. It never did.

Mark (suddenly serious): “So we’re just friends?”

Maya: “Wha—”

Mark: “Don’t pretend. I know you can read minds. I know you know I like you. We almost kissed. More than once. So don’t play dumb.”

Her brain short-circuited. She stared.

Maya: “I—...uh...Mark...Okay. Yes. I like you. But. I don’t want my heart broken again. You saw what happened the last two times... and what if you’re number three?”

Mark (stepping closer): “I’m not some basic 21st-century guy, Maya. I don’t talk to girls just to flex. I don’t want followers. I don’t want clout. I don’t even care what’s trendy. I make my own rules. My own lane.”

He took a breath. His hands were moving now, passionate, wide-eyed.

Mark: “And weren’t you the one who leaned in first? Most of the time?”

She blushed so hard it could’ve powered a small city.

Maya (laughing nervously): “You’re adorable, you know that?”

Mark (instantly): “I’m not cute. I’m hot.”

She snorted.

Maya: “You look like you’re asking me to babysit you, not date you.”

Mark (pouting): “C’mooonnnn. Just one chance?”

Maya: “Mark... I like you, yes. But I’ve had two dramatic breakups this semester alone. You’re amazing. If I didn’t have so many scars, I’d kiss you right now.”

She hesitated. Then the words came rushing out.

Maya: “But I know how it goes. You act all sweet, all poetic—just like now. But after a month? You drift. Because I won’t sleep with you, or I won’t do your homework, or you think I’m mad and cheat on me—"

Mark (interrupting):
kiss

It was soft. But solid. Like gravity pulling puzzle pieces into place. Their lips moved slow, almost unsure—but oh, it worked. It fit.

When they broke apart, the hallway seemed quieter. Time had briefly stopped to watch.

Mark (soft): “I get it. You need time. Honestly? Me too. I’ve never been in love before. But even if this takes forever... I got to kiss you. And I’ve never felt anything kissing someone before. But just now? It was like... like driving on a straight road—then you hit a small rise and your stomach does that weird giddy flip?”

He held her hands, eyes locked.

Mark: “That’s what I felt.”

Silence. A beat. Two.

Maya (smiling): “Let’s make a deal.”

Mark: “I’m listening.”

Maya: “If you pass this year—so we’re in the same class next year—I’ll let you kiss me again. As your girlfriend. But for now? I need to prep my friends. Adding a former enemy to the gang might short-circuit them.”

Mark: “Wait—new member?!”

Maya: “You’re not hanging with those losers anymore. One of them hurt Emma. If you wanna pass? You need brainy people.”

Mark (grinning): “That’s rich coming from you.”

Maya: “Watch it.”

They laughed. Then—

Mark (sincere): “Can I kiss you again?”

Maya (giggling): “Not gonna work, mister. But soon... maybe.”

He slung an arm around her shoulder, grinning like an idiot.

Mark: “I just want people to know you’re mine. They don’t need to know it’s temporary. But they do need to stop staring at you—which happens a lot, by the way.”

Maya (teasing): “You’re suddenly so poetic. It’s kinda cute.”

Mark (groaning): “Stoooppppp.”