I’m crazy. Maybe I should just forget about this whole thing. But I can’t shake that feeling in my gut telling me to take one more chance on this girl.
I lay down on my floor to think. My eyes fall in the crack between my bed and desk, and I pinch my eyebrows, seeing a folded-up piece of paper I haven’t noticed before.
Curious, I grab it, unfold it, and read:
Grant,
You were right about a lot of things. I do appreciate our friendship, more than you’ll ever know. But right now, I think it’s just best if I disappear for a while. Again. This time, I’m not coming back to Green State. I’m truly going to start over.
Like you taught me, every new ending—every little death—is actually an opportunity to regenerate our lives and blossom from our cocoons into something new and wonderful. I’ll forever be grateful to you for the life you’ve shown me is possible to live.
Thanks for everything you’ve taught me, Mr. Shaman. You’ll always have a special place in my heart.
Yours,
Maya
There is a P.S. with a scratch out at the bottom that I try to decipher, but I can’t quite tell. I hold it up to the light.
Do I see her writing the L-word?
A wild feeling of hope-filled adrenaline fuels through me. I believe the universe sends you signs. And this was the sign I needed.
Grabbing my pack, I head out. Two hundred miles to Chicago. A full tank of gas. I start my engine.
As I hit the open road to Chicago. I feel this tremendous excitement rocking me to my bones, and my only regret is that I didn’t figure this out sooner. Maybe my plan will get thrown right back in my face.
But there’s a chance it won’t.
At least I’ll go down swinging.
36
Maya
Eliza smiles. “I’m staying at my boyfriend’s place tonight, so feel free to have one of those naked dishwashing parties you like to have.”
I giggle. “They’re not naked. Usually I do wear a shirt.”
“Right…Maya, you’re a freaking weirdo. And I love it.” Her gaze drifts off, like she’s remembering something. “Oh, and, uh, this guy named Grant messaged me on Instagram. Said he was looking for you. Should I reply or are you trying to keep him away?”
My body warms just at the mention of his name.
Absolutely not fair.
“Just tell Grant I’m doing really well and I’m just on a social media fast for the foreseeable future.”
“So, he’s a friend?”
I nod. “A really good friend.”
Much more than that.
“Okay, good. I was worried because his ’Gram account is really shady. He has no picture and zero followers.”
My heart tumbles again, but I try to be nonchalant. “Grant made an Instagram account…for me?”
“For you? Well, to be fair, he’s following like three people. Who knows. Wait, so if he’s such a good friend, why doesn’t he have your phone number?”
“Oh, remember, I changed my number when I got to Chicago. I had some stalkers.”
“So Grant is cool?”
I feel my throat grow thick. “He’s the best friend I’ve ever had. It’s a long story.”
“Wow. Far out.” She notices the time on the wall. “Oh, man, I’m going to be late for dinner with Chuck. Tell me next wine night, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Oh, and Maya?”
“Yeah?”
She winks. “You rock. See you.”
When Eliza closes the door, I’m left with an empty feeling but also feeling adventurous. What will I do tonight?
I have no classes to study for, no student loans or tuition payments to worry about, and no scarlet letter looks from students. I might head out on the roof to do some painting in my new studio.
I just knew there was a reason Eliza and I vibed from the start.
It’s funny, you can tell everything you need to know about a person within the first fifteen seconds you’ve met them.
I pick up my phone and hover my hand over Grant’s number, which I programmed into my new phone.
I didn’t respond when he sent me those texts before I changed my number. I wanted to respond, to tell the truth. But I couldn’t think of what to say. So, I ghosted him for a day. And then another day. And another.
All of a sudden, those days piled up and I still didn’t know what I could say to him.
Sorry for turning you into a viral phenomenon? Sorry your baseball career will never be the same, because if you get famous people will definitely figure out that’s you? And sorry I freaked out and ran away from you?
Of course, that’s assuming people