The air in the office was thick with tension. Papers lay scattered across the desk, a half-drunk glass of whiskey sitting untouched beside the telephone. Maya's father ran a hand down his face, exhaustion etched into every line. He had spent the entire night making phone calls, reaching out to anyone who might have seen Maya. But no one had.
"She didn't just disappear," he muttered under his breath. "Something must have happened to her."
Magali sat on the couch, her legs crossed, watching him with carefully concealed boredom. "She's probably with one of her little friends, sulking. You know how she is—dramatic."
He shot her a glare. "She's been missing for two days she threw herself from a freaking moving car , Magali. I don't need your opinions right now."
A knock at the door interrupted them, and Jackie stepped in, dressed for school. She barely spared Maya's father a glance before moving to grab her bag.
"Where is Maya?" he asked, voice sharp.
Jackie paused, tilting her head as if considering. "She should be at school today. She was suspended for a week, remember?"
His stomach twisted. "You'll call me the moment you see her," he ordered.
Jackie put on her sweetest smile. "Of course. I'll even bring her home myself."
He nodded, but something about her tone made him uneasy. Still, he couldn't just sit here. He needed to do something. His fingers clenched around his phone, and suddenly, an idea struck him.
The grandmother.
His pulse quickened. He hadn't spoken to her in years. But if anyone could know where Maya was, it would be her.
Within minutes, he was in his car, speeding through the city. The old neighborhood was just as he remembered—narrow streets, peeling paint on the buildings, an air of forgotten memories hanging in the silence. He stepped out, heading toward the small house where Maya's grandmother lived.
He knocked once. No answer. Twice. Still nothing. Frustration boiled inside him, and without thinking, he pushed the door open and stormed inside.
The living room was dimly lit, the scent of old books and herbal tea filling the air. And there she was, sitting in her chair, watching him with a look of disapproval.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," she said coldly.
He didn't have time for pleasantries. "Is Maya here?"
The grandmother scoffed. "Do you think she'd come running to me after everything you've put her through?"
His jaw tightened. "I just want to find her."
She set her teacup down with a quiet clink. "And why is that? Because you love her? Because you're afraid of what could happen to her?" Her eyes bore into him. "Or is it because she reminds you too much of her mother?"
His entire body went rigid.
"You blame her for looking like the woman who left you," she continued. "You push her away, punish her for it, thinking that if you control her enough, she won't leave too."
His hands curled into fists. "That's not true."
The grandmother laughed bitterly. "Then why does she fear you? Why does she run the moment she has the chance?"
He had no answer.
"Get out," she said, voice firm. "You don't deserve to find her."
He stood there for a moment, staring at the woman who had always despised him, then turned on his heel and left.
The ride to school was unbearably quiet. Eddie kept his eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel too tightly. Maya sat beside him, her legs crossed, fingers playing idly with the hem of her skirt.
"Thanks," she said suddenly. "For everything."
Eddie swallowed, his thoughts a tangled mess. "Yeah."
She turned to him, studying his profile. "Are you always this awkward, or is it just around me?"
His grip tightened. "Just… pretend you don't know me when we get there."
Maya blinked. Then, slowly, a smile curled her lips. "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me, nerd?"
"It's not like that."
"Then what is it like?" She leaned in slightly. "Afraid people will think we're dating?"
His face turned red, and Maya laughed. "Relax. I don't mind playing strangers. You should've asked sooner."
Eddie exhaled, annoyed. "Good."
The moment they stepped onto campus, Maya was immediately intercepted by Jackie.
Jackie smirked. "Where have you been? Oh wait, I don't care. Honestly, I was hoping you just stayed gone."
Maya rolled her eyes. "Wow, you miss me that much? I'm flattered."
Jackie's expression darkened. "Your father's been looking for you. You should've just disappeared for good."
Maya's smirk didn't waver. "Jealous? I'd be too if my stepdad still preferred me over his own daughter."
Jackie's face turned red with rage, but before she could snap back, Maya was already walking away, linking arms with Luna and Sally.
Sally glanced at her. "So… you spent the night with Eddie?"
Maya shrugged. "Yeah."
Luna gasped. "Wait. Wait. Did something happen?"
Maya hesitated. Then, with a small smile, she said, "I think I like him."
Both girls screamed in unison.
After school, Eddie was waiting in his car. Maya slid into the passenger seat, throwing him a grin.
Jackie and Vic were nearby, watching. Jackie tugged at Vic's sleeve, her voice soft and coaxing. "See? She's over you. She's with him now."
Vic's jaw clenched as he watched Eddie drive off with Maya. His hands curled into fists, anger simmering beneath the surface.
Inside Eddie's apartment, Maya sighed, kicking off her heels. "That was a long day."
Eddie watched her, unsure of what to say. But before he could, her phone rang.
Her mother.
Maya's smile vanished as she answered.
Her mother's voice was sharp. "Your father called. He's looking for you."
"I don't want to go back."
Her mother sighed. "Stop acting like a brat and go home."
Maya clenched her teeth. "Why do you even care?"
Her mother didn't answer that. "Just go."
The line went dead.
Eddie watched her, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to go."
Maya met his gaze, the weight of everything bearing down on her. "I do."
"No, you don't."
She turned away, fighting the lump in her throat. "You don't get it, Eddie."
She gathered her things, the finality of it hitting her. No matter what, she had no place here. Not with Eddie, not with her family. She was stuck.
And when she walked out the door, she couldn't help but wonder how much longer she could keep pretending everything was okay.
When she arrived home, her father was waiting. He reached for her, but she shoved past him, going straight to her room. Jackie was already there, but Maya wasted no time throwing her things out.
Jackie gasped. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Maya didn't answer.
Jackie ran to her mother. "She's throwing my stuff out!"
Their father didn't even look up. "As long as she stays, I don't care."
Jackie's face burned with frustration.
That evening, her father asked her to attend a business event with him.
"No," she said coldly.
Jackie's mother suggested, "Take Jackie instead."
Her father shook his head.
Jackie fumed. "Why her and not me?!"
Maya smirked. "Because I'm the favorite."
Her father sighed. "Enough. You're coming."
Maya's smirk faded, a familiar ache settling deep in her chest. She glanced out the window, seeing nothing but darkness. The feeling of being trapped, of being caught between two worlds, lingered. She didn't want to go to that event. But what choice did she have?
And deep down, she knew—this was only the beginning of something worse.