MAYA

"Sunflowers? Aren't those a bit bold for a boy?"Violet challenged as we drove to school.

"Since when are flowers gender biased?"I retorted.

"You're right, it doesn't matter anyway since he will toss them away like the rest."Violet expressed bitterly.

"I'm willing to take that risk."I said.

"Girl at some point you will have to give up or try a different strategy because the flowers clearly aren't working."She suggested.

"Yeah, maybe."I shrugged.

"So have you thought of ideas about how you'll ask Elijah to the hoco dance?"Violet asked.

"Not really, I still have the whole of this week and next week."I replied.

"Yeah you're right but it doesn't hurt to get a head start."She advised.

"I'll get to it."I assured her.

"Perfect, let me know if you need help, I'm very good with glitter."Violet offered.

"I'm not going to use glitter but thanks for the offer."I said laughing.

I ran my fingers through the delicate petals of the sunflowers and my smile faded to a pout. When I bought the flowers from Amanda earlier, she had apologized again for her brother's behavior and requested me not to give up on him. I wouldn't but Elijah wasn't making it easy for me. He kept making it harder and harder for me to try and fix things. A girl could only get rejected so many times before she gave up. I didn't want to give up but if Elijah didn't at least try then there would be no use for me to keep trying either. I wasn't there yet, it had only been a week as compared to the eight years he had suffered so I would push on a little bit more.

"We're here."Maya announced parking in her usual spot.

I knew for a fact that the school didn't assign specific parking spots to students but everyone I knew parked in one specific place. It was probably one of the unwritten rules.

I got out of the car with my bag and flowers in hand. I felt him before I even saw him making my heart beat faster and my eyes immediately find him amongst our friends. He looked up and our eyes met meaning he had felt me arrive. He might deny me all he wanted but we would be linked forever and there was nothing he could do about that. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for more rejection and joined everyone with Violet by my side.

"Good morning dudes and dudettes."Violet greeted and everyone mumbled their response.

I was about to greet them myself when Violet exclaimed loudly cutting me off.

"Jesus, what happened to you Olsen? Did you run into a tree trunk or something?"Violet asked.

I took a good look at Elijah and that's when I noticed the huge bruise on his jaw. It looked black and painful explaining a lot of things. I'd had a dull ache on my jaw all weekend, nothing alarming but I'd just assumed that I'd hurt myself sleeping but seeing Elijah's injury made more sense to me.

"I sparred with Jessica and it got out of hand."He explained looking at me for a fleeting moment as if he was accusing me of something.

What did I have to do with him sparring with his sister?

"Last time you got a concussion, Eli you've got to know when to stop."Wade pointed out.

"I will, the day I beat her."He said.

"Good luck with that, your sister is too good at what she does."Jace gushed and it was clear that he had a crush on Jessica.

I would too if I was a guy, she was tall, beautiful and graceful.

"Are those for me pumpkin?"Finn asked reminding me of the flowers in hand.

Everyone knew who the flowers were for but I didn't want to give them and watch him toss them away. I would rather sneak them in his locker so he could toss them away when I wasn't watching, it was less painful that way.

"No."I mumbled looking at Elijah through my lashes.

He was looking at me too, and everyone was looking at us making the whole situation very awkward since we were the center of attention.

"Who has a knife? We need to cut through this tension so we can breath?"Violet teased and I rolled my eyes at her.

I decided not to give Elijah the flowers and just wait until later when I would put them in his locker but apparently he had other ideas.

He held out his hand shocking me
The whole group went eerily quiet waiting to see what I would do. My hands were frozen in place because I couldn't believe that Elijah was actually making the first move. I had been praying for a miracle and it was happening. He wasn't exactly jumping into my arms but he was making the first move which was all I needed to keep hoping that we had a chance.

Someone gently nudged my shoulder and I stirred from my thoughts. Elijah was looking at me with a raised eyebrow and I realized that its because I was hogging the flowers all to myself. I held them out shakily towards him and hoped with all my might that it wasn't a trick.

"Thank you."He said addressing me directly and in that moment I swear I died a little, went to heaven and came back.

Elijah had actually taken the flowers, kept them and said thank you.

I had no idea what had happened over the weekend to make him actually want to try but whatever or whoever was responsible had my gratitude.

Everyone else in the group was shocked too especially Violet who was fanning her face as if to stop herself from crying. She was probably already naming our first born in her mind but she had to cool down. Elijah taking the flowers was a big step but it didn't mean anything except that he was trying or at least going to try. That's all I needed anyway, I could work with that.

The warning bell rang interrupting the sweet moment and we all had to rush to class but I was floating on a sea of euphoria. Wendy had to hit me a few times during class to bring me back from my thoughts but honestly I didn't care. Everything was looking up and I was very hopeful for my relationship with Elijah.

Elijah and I didn't sit together for Biology since Miss Yvette had us sitting according to a chart but that was okay, I was happy staring at the back of his head the whole lesson.

"You'll flunk biology if you keep this up. I get it, he took the flowers but he's not worth failing class for."Wendy scolded as we walked out of biology to the next class.

"You're right, I'm sorry. I'll pay attention in the other two classes."I assured her.

"Good."Wendy said but I could see that she was skeptical.

It was hard but I did it. I kept all thoughts of Elijah at the back of my mind for the next two lessons until lunch time. I was also saved by the fact that he wasn't in those classes making concentrating so much easier.

Wendy and I were the last to sit down at the table for lunch since everyone else was already there. I sat across from Elijah and gave him my usual shy save and instead of ignoring it as usual he winked at me. It was so subtle, I almost missed it but there was no denying it. Elijah was actually acknowledging me. Finally after a whole week of begging, we were making progress and that's all I needed. I would be patient and go with his pace but at least he was trying.

I just wished I hadn't been so hopeful and excited about it because in the next few minutes it all came crumbling down and we were back to square one because of one stupid question from Finn .

"So Maya I've got something to ask you. I know it's a little bit early but I wanna shoot my shot and beat everyone else to the chase."Finn started and I turned my attention to him.

"What?"I muttered confused as to what he was driving at.

"Will you go to homecoming with me?"He asked and I choked on the strawberry I was having.

No one had expected him to ask me that especially me. I looked at Elijah to gauge his reaction and he was glaring at Finn.

"So what do you say Maya. Me, you, hoco?"Finn asked again when I didn't say anything.

Everyone turned to me putting me on the spotlight once more.

"Umh, I..." I stuttered feeling like a cornered animal.

Elijah was also looking at me waiting for my answer and I didn't like the look he had on his face.

"Has someone already asked you?"Finn asked and I shook my head no.

"Then will you go with me?"He asked.

"I can't, I'm sorry."I apologized.

Elijah visibly relaxed while Finn looked like a wounded puppy.

"It's okay but can I at least ask why?"Finn asked.

"Because I'm planning on asking someone else."I admitted knowing Finn was not going to let it go.

"Who? Elijah or your imaginary boyfriend that we haven't met yet?"Finn asked his voice turning icy.

"Finn that's enough, she already said no, accept it and move on."Wade demanded in a commanding tone.

Finn sulked pouting like a disgruntled teenager but he was the least of my concerns, the murderous glare Elijah was throwing my way was. Why was he glaring at me like that? I had said no to going with Finn because I was planning on asking him. What did he have to be mad at me about?

Without warning Elijah abruptly got up from his seat and stormed out of the cafeteria. He had walked away from me so many times before and I'd never chased after him but not this time. I got up too and ran after him hoping Violet would return my dirty tray for me if I didn't get back.

"Elijah wait."I yelled after him in the fairly empty hallway but he wouldn't stop.

Good thing I was a fast runner because I caught up to him in no time blocking his path like I had a few times before.

"Hi, we should stop meeting like this."I grinned but was only met with another icy glare.

"Tough crowd."I muttered my smile fading.

"What do you what Maya?"Elijah growled.

"To talk and apologize. Why did you storm out like that?"I asked.

"None of your business, now get out of my way."He demanded but I didn't move.

I was getting used to his yells and demands thus getting a thicker spine.

"You took the flowers this morning?"I asked surprised at his behavior.

"Yeah so?"He retorted.

"So I thought you were going to try. Why are you being like this?" I whispered.

"That was a mistake and you thought wrong now get out of my way."He growled.

Usually when he used that tone, I just moved to let him cool down and try again later but not this time because I didn't even know what had set him off.

"Not until you tell me why you are so angry."I demanded.

"I don't owe you any explanations."I scoffed.

"You're right you don't, that's why I'm asking politely. I felt like this morning we took a step forward and another at the beginning of lunch but when the homecoming topic came up we took seven steps back. I said no to Finn so I don't know why you are angry."I explained.

"Maybe you should go ask that boyfriend of yours."Elijah spat and it suddenly all made sense.

"You're jealous?"I asked smiling because if he was it was cute and he had it all wrong.

It also meant that he cared more than he cared to admit.

"No I'm not jealous, I'm furious."He admitted.

"Why?"I asked again.

"Because I fucking waited for you and you didn't."He replied.

"What are you talking about?"I asked confused.

"Eight years, I waited for you, it was only ever you but you didn't even try. But you know at I am done and I'm serious this time. I thought I could get over it but I can't because you don't deserve it. Stay away from me and this time I mean it. No more flowers, no more trying to talk to me, none of it. You think I'm angry now, test me again and you won't like what I do to you."He threatened barging past me.

He hit me on the shoulder so hard, I stumbled back and fell on the floor. I didn't even have the energy to pick myself up, just say there nursing my bruised feelings and bum. Elijah had never been that angry at me before so I knew that he was serious about his threat. How had we moved from him taking the flowers to him threatening to do God knows what if I approached him? What had I done wrong?

"Maya Oh My God. What are you doing on the floor?"Violet asked in a panicked voice.

"I fell over."I replied.

She helped me up and quickly checked for injuries and found none because there weren't any.

"Are you okay? What did Elijah say or do?"She asked.

The real question was, what hadn't he said?

"He accused me of not waiting for him. What does that even mean?"I replied confused.

"I'm going to need more context."Violet replied and I summarized my conversation with Elijah for her.

"Isn't it obvious?"Violet asked with a smile once I'd told her everything.

"Definitely not to me so tell me what is wrong with him."I requested.

"He's jealous."She proclaimed.

"He said that he wasn't."I argued.

"And you believed him? Maya no man is ever going to admit that he is actually jealous."Violet explained.

"But what is there to be jealous of?"I asked again.

"Umh, how about the fact that you keep chasing him around with flowers and apologies yet you have a boyfriend."Violet pointed out and it all made sense to me now.

Elijah was stupid for acting that way since he and my imaginary boyfriend were one and the same thing but he obviously didn't know that.

"He should have just said that and I would have explained to him that there's nothing to be jealous about."I exclaimed.

"I feel like there is something I'm missing here. Why are you convinced that Elijah shouldn't be jealous of your boyfriend who I've yet to meet by the way?"She asked suspiciously.

I realized that while I had told Violet about my connection with Elijah when we were kids I had left out a few details, like the part about us dating and kissing.

"You've met him."I mumbled.

"No I haven't, believe me, I would remember meeting your boyfriend Maya."Violet said.

"You've met him because he is Elijah."I rushed out.

"What do you mean he is Elijah? Is there another Elijah at this school? What is it with you and boys named Elijah?"She asked.

"Vee no, it's the same Elijah you know. Elijah Olsen is my boyfriend."I explained and to say she was shocked would be an understatement.

Her jaw literally fell to the floor.

"You've got to give me more than that. Start from the beginning."She demanded.

We still had a few minutes till lunch was over and the hallway was beginning to fill so I pulled her aside and told her the story of how Elijah and I became boyfriend and girlfriend.

"So I've been making fun of you all this time for nothing. Girl you had a boyfriend even before I had my full set of teeth."She teased and I hit her arm.

"That's not even logical. You're older than me."

"Sorry I couldn't help it but seriously what are you going to do?"Violet asked.

"Do as he said, I'll stay away for a few days and give him time to cool down."I replied.

I had known my relationship with Elijah couldn't be fixed overnight but this was a huge set back.

"That's wise, will you still ask him to the homecoming?"Violet inquired.

"I'm not sure anymore but we'll just have to wait and see."I answered.

"You should just tell him that he is jealous of himself."Violet reasoned.

"How when he won't even talk to me?"I retorted.

"You're right but for now let's get to class. We'll figure out the rest later."Violet declared taking my hand and leading me to our first class of the afternoon.

I was bummed that my journey to fixing my relationship with Elijah had taken a set back but I would be patient. I'd already waited eight years, I could wait a few more days.