Maya’s POV

Okay, I was already pretty sure that Matt was avoiding me on that evening when I burrowed his laptop. But it didn’t stay just at that night, no he was doing it all the time, not even a small chance to get close to him since then.

It completely stayed that way, and it made me realize that he wasn’t just mad because I didn’t tell him for what I used it, he seemed disappointed and hurt…
And when I came to think about everything, I felt even worse than before… I didn’t want him to feel that way, I didn’t want to hurt him or make him feel bad…

Matt had every right to be upset and mad at me, but then why did he tell me he wanted to be my friend, that I could ask him for anything and he would help me out, when in the end, it ended with him putting a huge distance between us…

This distance he had formed felt to me like a brick wall, a wall he had brick for brick built up, and where I couldn’t find a way to go through or around, would he continue like that all the time I was with them? Was he trying to shut me out, and forget about me again? About us… I mean… our friendship?!

I sighed loudly and looked at my reflection in the mirror, I looked awful, deep circles under my eyes, from way too less sleep and I couldn’t even put a smile on my lips if I really wanted to.
This whole situation had never been easy, but right now, without having Matt beside me to cheer me up with his sheer presences it was nearly unbearable.

I made my way to the after party and slowly walked around the area, Brian was slow dancing with Ave in his arms and I smiled, they both looked so happy… I couldn’t remember having seen Ave this happy with James just once…
Even though I really liked James, this scene right before me told me and everyone else, that these two belonged together and there could no one get between it, not ever.

My eyes wandered over the crowd until I met Matt’s eyes across the room, he held eye contact for a split second, and then quickly turned away, grabbing himself a drink and walking off towards Jason and Jimmy, beginning a conversation immediately, to not even give me the slightest chance of talking to him, or even thinking of talking to him as it seemed.

I just wanted to apologize and tell him that I was stupid and shouldn’t have put him in such an uncomfortable situation. That I hated the way we behaved with each other now and that I already started to… miss him.

What did this mean? I missed him, when he was only 10 feet away from me… why did I seem to miss him even more then my actual boyfriend that was more than hundredths of miles away?!

“A penny for your thoughts?” MB held a drink out to me and I sighed “You don’t wanna know what’s going on in my head, MB” I told him and he laid his arm around my shoulder.
“Well, then tell me why are you standing all the way here, while Matt is standing all the way there? Something happened? Did the English man give you a limit of getting near your ex?” MB chuckled and I shook my head.

“More my ex gave me that limit” I mumbled and MB looked at me confused.
“Never mind.” I gave him a weak smile, but he didn’t buy it “Don’t pull that fake smile out for me, M. We know you better than that, if Matt and you got something to talk about, why not dance with him, he could never say no to you asking him for a dance… He has this very weak spot for you, no matter how hard he tries to not show it right now… I don’t know what happened between you two, but maybe you should try… and let me quickly talk to the DJ, I’ll put a nice song on so you can talk”
With that MB vanished and I drank the cup in one go, letting the alcohol burn down my throat nicely before I deeply breathed in and out and made my way over to Matt.

I would do as MB suggested, all I wanted was a few minutes with him, just he and I so I could apologize and tell him how I felt about the way we were acting, and about… this weird feelings, if I would get the chance.

The music changed into a slower song and I was only a few feet away from Matt, it seemed like he had put his back to me, so he wouldn’t have to see all evening, which really hurt, and I swallowed against the tears that wanted to form, stupid emotions!

I tapped him lightly on the shoulder, but he didn’t react, “Matt?” I asked softly and his body stiffened.

He turned a little to the side and gave me a quick glance “Sorry, I’m in a conversation here…” He was about to dismiss me when MB walked past us, and shoved me into Matt’s embrace, he caught me around the hips and MB chuckled while walking away.

“Will you dance with me?” I asked looking up to him, giving him the hint of a smile, one I meant honest and Matt seemed to struggle with himself.
Was it really that bad to spend just a couple of minutes so close to me now?

When he pulled his hands away, about to shake his head, I took his hand in mine, and just pulled him towards the dance floor, now his only chance was either, let me stand there all alone on the dance floor between all the couples, or put his arms around me and dance.

“Maya…” My full name, no petname and no M., that I got so used to, it didn’t even bother me that he was still calling me babe, even though I knew he shouldn’t be doing that.
“Please, just one dance.” I added, not wanting to scare him away right now with saying too much.
“Fine” He nodded and laid his arms around my waist, I pressed myself against his body, my arms around his neck, softly swaying to the music.

It felt so good, his strong arms around me, his scent in my nose, his body pressed to mine, I just wished to hear his voice in my ear, but he kept his quiet, after a minute or two of dancing I looked up, Matt had his eyes closed, his expression was unreadable to me.

“Matt?” I whispered and his eyes snapped open, and he looked down on me, like I had pulled him out of a dream.
“I wanted to apologize, I shouldn’t have asked you for your laptop and that I didn’t tell you for what I wanted to use it… I wanted to tell you that-” I started and Matt immediately pulled his hands away.

“Don’t” He said and shook his head, I kept a hold to his arm but he pulled away “Wait, Matt” I told him again, I wasn’t finished, I wanted to tell him not to shut me out, but before I could open my mouth, he looked to the grown and with one final tug on his arm he slipped from my grip and headed away from the dance floor.

I saw him turning around when he was at the far end of the dance floor, looking at me with another sad expression, taking a step back to me, but then shook his head in frustration and he was gone from my view.

The rest of the evening Matt took every chance of standing as far away from me as possible and I felt the wall getting higher and higher, thicker and thicker, making my heart start to ache.

“Why such a sad face, M?” Ave sat down beside me and I gave her a small smile but didn’t answer.
“I normally never see you sitting in a corner of a party, I mean… that is a first” She nudged my shoulder and I nodded.

“I know” I told her and leaned back against the cushion, normally I was in the middle of the party, having the time of my life, but right now, my life didn’t feel like party at all.
“What’s going on, M? You and Matt are behaving really weird… Will you tell me what happened?” Ave asked and pulled me a little closer to her, her blue eyes searching in mine and I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t get out of this talk anyway.

I told her about the conversation with Ben, how I tried to find a laptop and ended on Matt’s door and how everything went down the drain since then.
“Oh Maya… Really? You do realize that Matt is still-” Ave started by I stopped her.
“I just wanted to apologize, since that evening, I tried to talk to him, tried to tell him that I understand that he is mad, I shouldn’t have asked him. I wanted to tell him, that I am sorry, but he won’t let me, as soon as I come near him, he walks away, or just dismisses me standing there. It hurts, Ave” I said finally out loud and Ave nodded.

“I bet it hurt him seeing and hearing you talk to Ben, Maya… and since you didn’t tell him what you wanted… what if he thought you wanted to spend time with him afterwards, and then you dismissed him cause of Ben… and he had no idea about it.” Ave said and I nodded.

“I-I didn’t mean that… I mean…That’s why I wanted to tell him how I feel… That I am sorry… That I hate to see him take such a distance to me…”
“But what else can he do, Maya? You are taken, how should he behave?” Ave asked and I held my head my hands, I had no idea.

“I just wanted to know, when I talk to Ben if it will change something, I mean… I do miss him, but even though I know we are a couple, something inside me is telling me, it might not be right… and I just want to give it enough of a try… but it’s getting worse and worse, what is this? Why is this happening?” I asked her and Ave shook her head.

“Maya, can’t you see that? Just remember the last days since you were here, don’t think about today, the ones before, how did you feel?” Ave asked and I closed my eyes thinking about the arrival, spending the time with Matt, my friends…

“At home” I said softly and when I opened my eyes Ave had a smile on her face “That’s it, right? I feel the same… and that means something, M. You just have to finally embrace it again, because it seems like you are stuck.”
“But-” I started but Ave held her hand up to silence me.

“M, think about it… Matt is standing across the room, you stare at him all night, all day, you want him to talk to you, be close to you… you long for him, you miss him don’t you?” Ave named all this emotions I felt, but that couldn’t be right? I mean… Matt said he wanted to be my friend, and I was with Ben… But what if she actually was right?

What if I imagined what Ben and I had, was more than it actually was, why couldn’t I tell him those words back? That must mean something, didn’t it?

I know I had some feeling for Ben, or I would have never been together for him so long, even more then friendship and attraction, that was surely there, but was it really deeply founded love like I had with Matt?

“Knife Girl! Little Gnome! Come on, up! I need you” Jimmy stood suddenly behind us, interrupting my disturbing and maybe clearing thoughts?!

“What do you need us for Jimbo?” Ave asked with a smile and he just winked at her “I got you guys back, and my Knife girl here looks like, she needs some fun, so I will put a smile back on her face, and yours as well, when I’m already on it.”

Jimmy looked around his eyes narrowed “Where is Haner?” He asked and scanned the room again.
“He was with Zack, getting something to drink he had hidden somewhere in the bus. Should be back any minute” Ave said and Jimmy nodded.

“Good… That’s perfect. I told you I had a mission planned for us, right?” Jimmy asked and looked me in the eye, I nodded, even though I didn’t feel like any fun mission at the moment.
“Don’t worry, M. I will make you laugh and have fun, even though you don’t want to, I’ll take care of that” Jimmy winked and I closed my eyes, why could he read me so easily?!

“What mission?” Ave asked and frowned “The fun mission, Jimmy and his three Knife Angles, together with the Knife Twins, god this will be epic. But we gotta time this right, you and Maya, will head to the restroom… do your business, don’t be suspicious about anything, I will manage the rest… and GO!” He screamed and was gone from our view.

I stood up and held my hand out to Ave who looked confused “What are you doing?” She asked uncertain.
“Following the plan… or do you wanna risk the wrath of the Knife Master?” I gave her a small smile and Ave chuckled, “He was serious, wasn’t he?” She asked and I nodded.
“Dead serious”

We walked past Jason to the restrooms and took really care of our business, I washed my hands and looked at Ave from the side “We need to speak about our future, Ave”
“I know… Have you thought about Zack’s offer?” She asked and I shrugged “Not really.”
“Maybe we should start with that, help him with some designs, some outlines and when we really know what’s going to happen… with me, we could still decide to open our business, or postpone it?”

Ave looked uncertain and helpless and I pulled her into my body when we left the restroom.
“Sounds like a plan to me, as long as we are working together, and if or if not some little Knife Twins are on the way, we can decide what to do…” Just when I finished the sentence a hand grabbed me and pulled me to the shadows.

“SShhhh… it’s me” Jimmy’s voice sounded in my ear “And me” Jess voice sounded a little distant, only a small whisper.
“Are you ready? Did anyone see you?” Jimmy demanded, letting go of Ave and me, and pulling us into a small circle he formed together with Jess and us now.
“Jason saw us go to the restroom, no one else.” I put my game face on and Jimmy nodded approvingly.

“Perfect. Then let’s go” Jimmy pulled us along but Ave looked longingly at the party.
“I need to tell Brian, he will freak out if-”
“He knows… well he will know, I promise, don’t worry…” Jimmy shrugged and pulled Ave forward and left with us the party area, off into the darkness, let’s see what adventure awaited us and maybe for a moment I could forget about the trouble with Ben… and especially with Matt.

Brian’s POV

“You feel so good in my arms, love. I can’t believe how I ever let anything come between us” I whispered into Ave’s ear and heard her hum in response.
“Just promise to never let me go again” She whispered back and I smiled down on her, this moment was perfect.
If anyone asked me what was the most perfect moment in your life, this would definitely make the top fucking ten.

“You know what’s up with Matt and Maya?” Ave asked and I shook my head, but that wasn’t right.
“I don’t know much, Matt’s pissed off… and as it seemed trying to put a distance between them. I haven’t seen them standing together since yesterday afternoon… Maya looks sad, do you think I should talk to her?” I asked Ave and she shook her head, “I will do that.”

“I mean, we made everything already pretty complicated, but these two are even worse, don’t you think? When we all know that there is no way, they don’t belong together…” I let my eyes wander to Maya who stared at Matt with love in her eyes, does she not realize that?

“Maya is stubborn… She thinks she didn’t give her and Ben enough of a try…” Ave said sadly and I sighed as well “Matt is stubborn too, that’s why they fit so perfectly, he won’t give up…”
When I let my eyes wander into the opposite direction I saw Matt putting his back to Maya, trying to shut her out even more, oh dude… that’s not how it works… not at all.

But then Maya walked over and they stood only a couple of feet away from us dancing, the music had changed to an even slower tune and I nudged Ave softly, making her look at them “Maybe, they already figured it out…”

But then Matt left her standing all alone on the dancefloor and both Ave and I closed our eyes “Or not?!” I said and Ave nodded “I will go to her and talk to her…” She gave me a quick kiss when the song ended and we both moved of the dance floor, before she could head into the direction Maya had gone to, I pulled Ave into my arms and kissed her more thoughtfully.
“Don’t be gone for too long, love” I whispered in her ear and she grinned “Why?”

“I might get jealous of the time you share with your best friend.” I said and Ave chuckled but then Zack interrupted “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this one.” Zack pushed his way between Ave and me and Avery started to walk away, supporting her friend, or lecturing whatever might fit best.

“Hey Zack, how about we get the bottle of whiskey I have in my secret stash?” I asked and Ave was still in hearing distance.
“I’ll be right back, babe” I yelled when Zack had nodded and she waved me away, getting the message apparently, but being not really interested in it.

On our way back I grinned to myself and clapped Zack on the back, it took me a moment to find it but, “I told you I had a fucking bottle of Laphroaig hidden in my bunk, you wouldn’t believe me… So where are my 50 bucks, Vee?” I grinned holding in one hand the bottle of whiskey and the other I held out to get the cash.

“Fuck off, how could you asshole, hide that? I mean, Christ can fucking smell alcohol a mile away?!” Zack pulled his wallet out handing me the 50 bucks, when Johnny suddenly stood next to us.
“Great, give it to me.” He tried to pull the bottle from my grip, but I shoved him away, holding the bottle over my head, and too far up to reach for him.

“Fuck off, Gates… Give me that!” He jumped and god, it was a sight to fucking see. Zack began to laugh, holding his stomach and I knew a good amount of people were turning our way already.

After a little longer moment of struggling I handed him the bottle, but not without promising me, to leave me a little of it and not drink it all alone, but I guess, I wouldn’t see that guy anymore tonight.
“So, where is my girl?” I turned around and scanned the area, not finding a hint of her.

“You seeing Ave somewhere?” I asked Zack and he shrugged also looking around.
“No, maybe she is out having a smoke… wait shit she is not smoking anymore, is she?” Zack asked and I frowned “No, I mean… I haven’t seen her smoking since…”

“Good, that’s good. I mean… anyway… maybe she is out having some fresh air, don’t worry, man.”
Zack walked over to Johnny to get also a little of my drink, but the feeling that anything happened wouldn’t leave me.

I walked around the dancing crowd and couldn’t find her, I asked MB who hadn’t seen her, walked outside, but there she wasn’t either.

My heart began to pound wildly in my chest and fear was squeezing my lungs, what the hell…
Where could she be?!
I went back inside and met Matt near the bar “Have you seen Ave? She is fucking gone” I gushed out and Matt frowned, “Not right now.. no” He shook his head, but he didn’t really seem to care either.

A thought crossed my mind “Maya? Have you seen Maya?” I asked and the hurt expression on Matt’s face told me no. “No same answer.”

I left him standing with that and made a final round around the area finding Jason “Dude, have you seen Ave and Maya? Did they say they would go? Or you saw them leave?” Jason frowned “No, well I saw them go to the bathroom, like 20 minutes ago, but didn’t pay any more attention to it.. since then not, no.” Jason shook his head and I made my way over to the bathroom.

Without thinking I walked in and found ever stall empty, no sign of Ave and Maya anywhere, oh god, please don’t let them just be gone… fuck!

I went back to Matt and grabbed his arm “You gotta find them with me!”
“What?” Matt looked confused.
“Maya and Ave they are gone…” I told him near panic now and Matt sighed, “Where is Jess?” He asked and scanned the room.

“Gone…” and then I knew what he was getting to… Jimmy… he is also gone. “There you have your answer” Matt turned away and I shook my head.

“No, we gotta go after them, Matt… She might be pregnant, what if-” More fear was squeezing my heart, and Matt took my shoulders in his hands “Brian, she is fine. Call Jimmy, if you want… I bet he is just doing one of his stupid trips or missions with them, and I told you I’m avoiding Maya, so I will definitely not going after her” So much hurt in Matt’s voice, and I heard the want to say he would follow, but then he shook his head dismissing me, but I couldn’t sympathy with him right now, I had to find my girl.

I pulled my phone out and saw a message from Jimmy:

My three Knife Angels and I are on a mission, don’t worry they are fine. If you wanna find us, follow the hints. The Knife Master

“I’m gonna kill that guy!” I walked past Zack who frowned “What’s going on?” He asked following me.

“I need to find Jimmy, he is playing stupid child games.” I said storming out, with Zack on my heels. “Should I come along?” He asked and I nodded “Yeah, we need to follow hints, to find them…” I said and another message appeared on my phone with three pictures in different directions, just where Zack and I were standing.

Title of picture one: Tacos
Title of picture two: Doritos
Title of picture three: Enchiladas

Which is my favorite snack? Follow the snack!

“That’s easy, he is a Taco man” Zack said and followed the picture in direction one, and I nodded agreeing, “If he is keeping that up all night, I’m really going to kill him.” I muttered while following the direction Zack went to.

We landed in the middle of some small town near our hotel in Italy.
I had no idea how it was called, it was dark but still a lot of people were around and some shops were still open, enjoying the tourists and making some good money with them.

We ate an ice cream, late at night, it tasted delicious, you should try.

“What the hell?” I read it again, “Is that a hint?” I asked Zack frowning and then we began to pace the area, looking for something where we could find ice cream at this hour.

I swear I’m gonna beat Jimmy’s ass as soon as I found him. Zack pointed to a Gelato stand, “That’s the one nearest and maybe the only one still open… let’s ask that guy”
We ran towards him and even before I could open my mouth he said, “Brian?” and I nodded with a frown “Yeah” I replied uncertain.

“Oh and a friend, here two ice for you from your friend Jimmy, he told me to tell you, he needs something to relax now, you should follow the street to the end, until you know what he means?!” The guy said in bad English and I nodded, taking the ice from him, he held out and what the hell, when I already had it I could eat it right?!

“Why is Jimmy never doing these trips with us? This is a lot of freaking fun, dude?” Zack said, eating his ice and looking like he never had this much fun in his lifetime, that I was about to freak out, cause I still had no clue where Ave was, seemed not to be relevant for him.

The road ended with two benches in a small park, on the ground laid a cigarette still with a glimmer from the fading fir at the end.
“Damn they had a joint?” Zack said pointing to the cigarette that I now realized wasn’t one, when the glimmer flicked out.

I tried to call Jimmy, but of course he wouldn’t pick up just another message.

Wait, I didn’t know you be that fast…

A moment passed and I paced before the bench, Zack finding a bottle of water and tequila making me feel slowly even more uneasy, did he drink with them here, or had the bottles been here before?! What happened with Ave?! Oh my god, I would get a heart attack!

Don’t worry, Ave didn’t get any of the fun part… Just M, I and Jess, had to let Maya loosen up a little. Is Matt with you? We might need someone to carry her later…
Anyway, don’t bother answering, just follow… and We’ll see…

How about another hint, we are nearly there…

What? That was the hint, they are nearly there?
“What did he say?” Zack asked and looked still longingly at the ground, he seemed to want something of that fun as well.

“They are nearly there, that’s it…” I said turning around and around… What does it mean?!
Here was nothing around…

The street ended here and to the left was just a bunch of houses and apartments and on the other side a huge hotel complex.

“Well, what would you do, if you were Jimmy, high and drunk and had three girls with you?!” Zack asked and his eyes had this twinkle in them and just when he spoke that sentence the fear began to intensify even more and I started off in a dead run towards the hotel.

Notes

Soooo some fun chapter for you guys?!
How did you like it?!
Brian and Zack, trying to find Jimmy and the Three Knife Angels :P