Chapter four: Jealousy and Understanding

The weeks had begun to blur—slow in feeling, fast in passing. Before they realized it, two whole months of school had gone by.

Maya stepped onto the bus, scanning the seats. Only one was free—next to a guy from her class whose name escaped her. Not wanting to stand at the back with the notorious playboys and divas, she paused beside him and gave a little nod. He moved his bag silently, and she slid into the seat, already uncomfortable with how little space there was between them.

Later, when Luke and Emma boarded, there were no seats left. Luke stood right next to Maya, unbothered by the crowd, dropping kisses on her head and hands like they were alone. Emma stood on the other side, clearly tense from the atmosphere.

By the time they got off the bus, Luke was still practically glued to Maya’s side. Emma had had enough.

Emma: “Okay, can you just stop clinging to her?! She's not going anywhere, and you know she's not into all that skinship.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. The three of them stopped right in front of the school benches, tossing their bags down as the air between them thickened.

Luke: “Is it wrong to show my girlfriend I love her?”

Emma: “That’s not what I said. And don’t twist it. You know damn well Maya’s loyal—the most loyal person I’ve ever met. She’s not going anywhere. But you? You can’t wait fifteen minutes for a kiss, yet after school, you vanish like smoke.”

Luke: “Who says I want to?”

Maya: “Okay, both of you, enough. Emma, I get why you’re upset. And honestly, I agree—Luke, you’re being way too clingy. It’s a bit much. But Emma… you don’t get to accuse him like that.”

Emma: “You see each other for three hours a day and he's all over you, but the moment school ends, he disappears! You two barely talk outside of this!”

Luke: “Of course I’m clingy. It’s the only time I get to see her. And you? You’re jealous. Admit it. I don’t like you and never have, and you know I only want Maya. So why lash out? Can’t you be happy—for her at least? She puts up with your mess all the time, and you know exactly what I mean.”

He leaned in, voice low now.

Luke: “I’ve known Maya longer than any of you. She never talks about her problems because she’s too busy carrying ours. So stop trying to break us apart. If you can’t support me, at least support her.”

His face was flushed—part rage, part regret. Students nearby had turned to listen, because of course they had.

Maya: “Hey... babe, please.” She gently took his hand, tracing little circles into his palm. “She’s stressed. Let’s not do this here, okay?”

Luke looked down at her and softened a little.

Maya: “What are you looking at?!” she suddenly snapped at the gawking students. “Mind your business!” The crowd flinched and quickly scattered.

She turned back to Luke.

Maya: “Go to class.”

Luke: “I won’t kiss or hug you anymore... thank her.” He shot Emma a sharp glare before storming off.

The girls stood in a thick silence.

Maya: “What the hell was that? Both of you. Seriously—what’s going on?”

Emma: “I... I’m sorry.”

Maya: “No. No more ‘sorry.’ What happened between you two? Tell me. Now.”

Emma: “We have class in five—”

Maya: “Do I look like I care?! Spill. Or I’m walking away.”

Emma sighed, heavy and tired.

Emma: “You know I liked Luke. You know when I started liking him. So I won’t repeat that. But about a year ago—maybe January—I told him how I felt. He let me down gently... at first. But I kept pushing. I was desperate. I knew you liked him too, but your bond with him felt unbreakable and I panicked.”

She paused. Maya’s eyes didn’t move.

Emma: “So I kept reminding him of how much I liked him. Over and over. He got annoyed... and then he exploded. Told me he never liked me, never would, because there was someone else. I knew it was you. After that... everything changed between us. We don’t even like each other anymore. I know what I said today was wrong, but... you looked uncomfortable. I just reacted. I yelled.”

Another pause. Maya exhaled sharply and stood up. Emma looked at her, unsure. Then Maya stretched out her hand. Emma hesitated, then took it.

Emma: “You’re not mad?”

Maya: “If everyone held grudges, no one would have any friends left.” She smiled.

Emma smiled back, and they walked toward the building.

---

As they stepped into their classroom, they were greeted by a smug voice.

Mark: “Heyyy new kids. Still here? I saw that little fight. Gotta say, Emma—you’re really jealous. How could you do that to your BFF, huh?”

Maya: “Zip it, Asia. We don’t need therapy from someone who cuts his hair with a bowl and safety scissors.”

Mark’s smirk dropped into a frown.

Mark: “You little smurf. You’re really getting on my nerves. I think it’s time someone put you in your place.”

He snapped his fingers, summoning his two goons.

Maya: “Oh? What’s wrong, Karate Kid? Can’t fight your own battles?”

Mark: “You think I won’t hit you?”

Maya: “Do you?” She raised a brow, arms crossed, eyes locked onto his.

Mark stepped toward her, face darkening.

Mark: “Listen here, brat. Respect your elders or suffer.”

Maya: “I treat people the way they treat me. Even if they’re 20 years older. If you think you can scare me, try again—I’m more than I look.”

They stood eye to eye, the class holding their breath. Then Mark blinked, just once—and Maya smirked.

Maya: “I win.” She tossed her bag onto her desk and plopped into her seat, ready to ignore everything that came next.

Mark just growled and sent death stares at her in every class that day.

---

By lunchtime, things hadn't cooled.

Mina: “Why’s Luke ignoring you? Did something happen?”

Maya: “You don’t wanna know. I thought the whole school knew by now…”

Kerrie: “Oh, we heard. Luke yelled at Emma over jealousy or something…”

The two girls looked at each other, then gave the art duo the full recap.

Mina: “Emma… that was kinda harsh. He only gets to be close to her at school.”

Emma: “Yeah, yeah... I know…”

Kerrie: “I’m not shocked you liked him. But that desperate? You made him hate you.”

Emma: “Alright! I get it! Jesus…” She stood. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Maya: “I’ll take your tray, don’t worry. Just cool off—we’ve still got three more hours.”

Emma nodded faintly and walked off.

---

On her way to the bathroom, something felt off. Nausea twisted in her gut. She sensed a presence, and when she turned, there he was—Johnny. One of Mark’s cronies.

Johnny: “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I heard about the drama with your crew. I can take your mind off things.”

He stepped closer. Emma braced herself, but before anything could happen—

WHAM.

Johnny was flying across the hall, knocked clean off his feet.

A familiar blur of blue hair appeared in front of her, arms crossed, smirking.

Maya: “That felt good.”