justis76: Thanks for the post, stopped me from doubly posting.



Chapter five


She hurried after him having no idea what she’d say when she caught up to him. To make matters worse, she didn’t have long to think of something since, due to Phoenix’s fitness (or lack of), he’d already collapsed against the wall in a sweat by the time she reached him.

“Nick…can we go inside and sort this out like adults?”

“Let me think about that…No.”

“Are you for real!? You’re actually turning this around so I’m the bad guy?”

He smirked, “Well, turnabouts have always been my specialty…” He paused awkwardly for a minute. “Okay…we can talk inside, then.”

…

Maya slumped down on the sofa lazily and Phoenix perched anxiously, as if worried about what Maya was about to say.

“Nick…what’s all this about, really?” she asked, mimicking Phoenix's anxious look.

“It was all stuff I said before, but…There’s something else that was bothering me, too.”

“What was that?”

“When Hugh asked you out…my mind suddenly seemed to zip forward to the future…I suddenly started worrying about marriage and children and what I’ve done with my life so far. You’re younger than I am; I suppose I was really worried you were going to choose a life with Hugh and Pearl in Kurain over a life here with me…I know I would in your position.”

He sat there, desperately waiting for her to put her hand on his shoulder and tell him he was wrong. That she never wanted to leave him and had never even considered that possibility. He glanced over, but all he could see was her biting her lip and pointedly looking down at the floor, avoiding his gaze.

“Maya?”

“What do you want me to say?” she responded in a tiny quiet voice.

He knew exactly ((I don't think word-for-word was necessary here)) what the honest answer was. Instead, he simply said, “I want you to tell me the truth; the whole truth.”

“I was going to leave a few days ago…you know, get my stuff from Kurain and tell them I don’t want to be the master…and then find somewhere else to live. Maybe Hazakurain, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“I-I changed my mind…do you remember the night Hugh asked me out?”

Phoenix smirked, “A little too well, yes.”

“Well, before he got there, we were having such a nice time…curled up on the sofa together…Don’t get me wrong, I only wanted to leave because I hated how I wasn’t in control of who I lost. By leaving, I got to decide what happened…I just couldn’t bear to lose more people I cared about…and it’s always my fault!”

“Oh Maya, it’s not! Please don’t leave! If not for me, for Pearl?! You two are my family at the very least. Don’t go…”

“Nick, you broke my trust and I wish I could get over that, but every time I think about it I just feel so…angry!”

Phoenix really wasn’t sure what to say back, she’d basically just dashed his hopes that she’d forgive him. She wanted to leave…How was he meant to fight that?

“Maya…I understand that, and I know that nothing I say will ever make you forgive me-“