Shorts

Part 4

Maya's POV

I brought my knees underneath my chin and hugged my legs. I've been staring at my wall for hours. And I'm not exaggerating since it was pitch black when I began and the sun is shining high right now. Even though I was drunk, I didn't fall asleep. I found that sleeping while drunk leads to major hangovers. But it wasn't about avoiding a hangover. It was more like I couldn't sleep after my interaction with Soph. I sighed and rested my forehead against my knees.

I'd engage in light drugs, but something tells me my trip won't be enjoyable because of my sour mood. I heard a knock on my door, so I looked towards the entrance. A small smile graced my lips when Leila entered. She smiled and held a plate of eggs and toast. I scooted over and patted the spot next to me. Leila made her way next to me and handed me the plate.

I wasn't very hungry, but decided to indulge my sister. I took a bite of the toast and lowered it back to the plate. Leila smiled and lied next to me. She was silent, which was unlike her. She stared at the ceiling while I gazed out my window.

"Why have you been so sad lately?" Leila asked, causing me to look down at her. "You've been lying about Soph, haven't you? She's not coming over anymore, is she?" She sadly asked.

"No." I averted my eyes.

"What happened?"

"I honestly don't know, peaches." I played with her hair. "One day we were great and then summer happened and she began dodging my calls and messages. She didn't want to be around me anymore. I tried talking to her about it, but I did something and she doesn't want to be friends with me anymore. It's been killing me not knowing what I did, but it was clearly something terrible for her to not want to be friends."

"I'm sorry." Leila hugged me.

We hugged in silence for a while. Leila placed her head in my lap while I combed my fingers through her hair.

"Peaches, want to know something that I haven't told anybody?" Leila perched up. "Do you want to know why it hurts even more not having Soph in my life?"

"Why?" She whispered.

"Because I love her." I sadly smiled.

"Of course, you do." Leila laughed. "She's your best friend."

"Ya, but I love her even more than a best friend." Leila was slightly confused. "I love her like how mommy loves daddy."

"Huh... like Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird or Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger?"

"How do you even know those people? You aren't into soccer." I was shocked she knew about them.

"Oh, Soph told me about them." Leila shrugged. "So you're in love with her... that's cute. Does she know?"

"No." I shook my head. "But I'm wondering if she found out and that's why she's distancing herself. The thing is that I was planning on telling her over the summer. My plan was to take her on a romantic outing and tell her. I had everything set up and texted her to meet me at the park. I waited, expecting her to show up. And then I tried calling her, but she didn't answer. I waited hours for her, but she never came." A tear slipped down my cheek. "And she's been ghosting me ever since. But the most recent thing that sticks out in my head was when I confronted her in the cafeteria. We were talking and I wanted to let her know I was there for her, so I placed my hand on her thigh. She then immediately jerked and jumped up like my touch burned her. I think she's disgusted by me." I looked down.

"No." Leila shook her head. "She's never been disgusted by gay people. She always tells me to be open minded. We watch a lot of Tom Daley and Lance!" I chuckled at my sister's excitement. "She wouldn't throw you away for liking girls."