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As the screams and yells are getting louder inside her house, she feels number than before.
With extreme care, she walks away and closes her bedroom door. A defense mechanism she adopted without knowing it.
Her usual composed face, the result of it.
When she was younger, she usually would have cried til morning. But now? Now it only hurts, however she doesn't have any tears left in her.
The usual remarks of 'She just isn't the best!' or 'That's not enough' were getting stuck outside of her bedroom, her door being used as an imaginary shield to protect her from those hurtful words.
The knot in her throat made it difficult to her to focus on something else, aside from the fact that her father was engaged in a discussion with her mother she just couldn't made her mind into something else.
And that's why she always has a book on her hands. To distract herself when something is bothering her. Or just to distract herself.
Instead, at this exact moment she wanted to scream and cry until her lungs make her stop. She wanted to go away from the Tendou's household.
From her father.
Being an only child didn't make it any easier, all of the Tendou's eyes were on her, watching every single step she takes.
She was used to being asked more, never once being congratulated for her achievements. Not even a simple 'good job'.
That changed, in school. Her friends saw her as equal, they cared about her well being. She was loved.
But also she was the target of the hatred and envy of some girls.
Maya had it difficult some days. Struggling with her father's letters, asking what is she doing at school and if she is still the top student in her class.
Was it too difficult to ask how is she doing? How does she feel?
Those days, to her bad luck the bullies would appear to make her life worse. And to Maya's despair there is nothing she can do without drawing attention to her.
She knew, deep inside her, that if her parents were to know about her being bullied. It would be Maya's fault. They would not do anything to help her.
She slips softly against the door, to sit in the floor hugging her knees. Oh how she misses Claudine right now.
If Claudine could only be here with her.
If only Maya could have stayed in Seisho's dorms, with Daiba Nana, eating baumkuchen. Listening the ramblings of the lively Aijou Karen and the mutters of Kagura Hikari.
How Hoshimi Junna would quote an extravagant phrase. The little quarrel Kaoruko Hanayagi has with Isurugi Futaba in the morning.
She felt she didn't belong anywhere in her house.
Her father always had this motto in his life. "Perfection is the key to success."
Maya didn't want to be perfect.
She wanted to reach happiness.
Her star, as she claimed in her revues with her friends was always to aim higher places. Somewhere she belonged to.
Position zero made her feel complete. Like sleeping in Claudine's arms.
It was the same feeling.
She remembered how Kaoruko made a joke about her family.
"The girl with daddy issues."
Maya smiled fighting against the tears in her eyes. She couldn't cry. She wouldn't.
Pride. She was so full of it.
She enjoys the look of displeasure in her father's face whenever she is being congratulated in front of him.
Deep in her heart, she knew that when she reached the highest place in her life. She would brag about it.
She won't be humble.
And certainly she would erase her last name. Her merits have to be directed to the only name of Maya. Her father's last name didn't need to be addressed.
That's why she works so hard, to show off later.
Her cellphone starts vibrating at her side. She can still hears his voice hissing to her mother though.
In the screen appears a photo of Claudine smiling and blushing.
Maya smiles, the tears starts to flow down her cheeks. The blonde always did know when to call her.
"I'm sorry Ma Claudine, it's not a good time today." She whispers looking longingly at the picture on her phone.
The call stops. And the bubble of messages shows up.
"Maya???"
"Are you busy???"
Maya sighes, the tears don't stop. And her heart is beating fast in her chest.
"Maya pick up!! I want to talk to you about something..."
Then again, her cellphone starts vibrating again. The shouting outside her room, dies a bit.
"H-hello?" Maya mumbles trying to regain her regular rhythm of breathing.
Claudine is waiting anxious on the line. And she can recognize the cracks in Maya's voice quickly.
"Hello my love." Claudine whispers, her cheeks bright red. Thanks God the brunette cannot see her.
She hopes her mother won't show up to mess with her. It would be more embarrassing.
And after a couple of minutes she is greeted with silence. Claudine changed the call into a videocall. Knowing the Top Star, she wouldn't use her camera if she was feeling bad.
"Hey, Tendou Maya!" She says with her usual challenging voice. "Don't you dare leave me waiting!"
Maya smiles and chokes her tears. She turned on the video too, but instead of directing her camera into her face, she directed it to the sailing.
"Right. H-happy now?"
Claudine pouts, her worry increasing inside of her. But as the master as she is in acting, she pretended to be angry.
"I want to see you." The blonde declares. "I want to see your beautiful and chubby face."
Maya chuckles. This sweet side of Claudine's personality usually show up when the brunette was feeling really low.
"Aw Maya, c'mon." Claudine says pouting still. "Show me those amethyst eyes you are so proud of having."
Maya rubs her eyes with her hands, trying to clean up the mess her tears have made. "J-just give me some m-minutes."
Claudine doesn't push her. After all, she knew all too well the brunette, Maya would eventually open up to her. They are partners. She knows how to dance this sad ballet.
"It's fine Maya." She says and Maya feels the knot tighten in her throat. "I don't know what has happened, but trust me. Everything will be okay."
Maya can't get a hold of her tears again, and starts sobbing softly. Her phone now in her lap, showing Claudine her face without knowing it.
In Claudine's side, she felt awful. She groaned, frustrated with the distance. Maya needed her.
She needs to be there for her.
To show her.
To make her be her proud self again.
"My love. Stop crying, I will blackmail Banana to make you some baumkuchen." Claudine exhales, focusing on the tears that don't stop, Maya chuckles again between salty drops. "If you stop crying I promise I will do whatever you want to."
Maya hiccups slightly. "W-whatever?"
Claudine nods smiling brightly. "Yes, Ma Maya."
Maya rubs a little bit her eyes again with her hand dorso. "I want to be with you."
Claudine's smile waver, the things she would do to be there with her! How she misses her isn't healthy at all.
"We need to resist one more week and then we will be back at Seisho. I miss you so, so much." Claudine feels her heart shattering into a million pieces, her Maya wasn't like this.
Her Maya was strong, beautiful, stunning, prideful charming and undoubtedly a gentle woman. Her heart has this heavy cover, but on it's inside you can find the softest place to rest.
The blonde came to one conclusion. She didn't like one bit Maya's parents.
"I hate vacations, Ma Claudine." Maya whispers, her tears started to cease.
Claudine beams in agreement. "I hate them too, because they won't let me kiss you at night."
Claudine felt she was embarrassing herself. Saying such cheesy things, to Maya. Of all people.
But it had a strange effect on her brunette.
Her crying stopped and her cheeks were getting red, Claudine didn't know if it was because of her tears or because of her sweet as honey words.
"Really Tendou, I am literally dying over here, I haven't sleep well without you crashing me-"
A sudden 'Claud' made the blonde jump in surprise.
"Oh La la~ It's Maya-chan!" A melodic voice says, the brunette cleaned her face.
"H-Hello Ma'am." Maya says weakly.
"My poor child is acting so love-sick on this side. Would you mind to come with her to France next time Maya-chan?" The older woman says, while pinching Claudine's cheeks. The half French girl scoffs blushing.
"Maman, please don't embarrass me."
Maya smiles. "It would be a pleasure Miss."
Claudine pushes her mother playfully to the side. "Maman! leave us alone."
"But you are my only child! Who else will I pester with her girlfriend if not you?" She says smiling and pinching her cheeks again. "Look!" The woman says pulling out of Claudine's hair a lilic ribbon. "She even sleeps with this on!"
Claudine flushes bright red and starts rambling in French. Maya chuckles at her complaints.
She loves this.
"Maya? Are you already asleep?" Comes a voice from the other side of the room.
Maya gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. To not make a single sound. She mutes her phone, her mother waited outside for an answer and when nothing came out the steps started to fade away.
When she returns her attention to her cellphone, there's only a flustered Claudine waiting almost angrily.
"Please forget everything you saw."
And Maya starts giggling. "Alright má cherie."
Claudine huffs. "I can't wait to kiss you."
And that's how the blonde made Maya forget about her uncomfortable routine at home.
One week passed really fast.
And when she returned to the dorms Nana Daiba was waiting for her with a slice of baumkuchen in her hands.
"Welcome home Maya-chan~" She said smiling. "Mahiru-chan brought some potatoes from her family's farm."
The brunette nods in her direction. Still feeling a little down. The whole week that passed was still stressful.
"Kuro-chan arrived from France yesterday. She has been waiting in the living room." Nana informs her with a warm smile on her face.
Maya smiles and whispers a soft thank you.
Once she reaches the sofa Claudine is sleeping at, Maya stands in front of her.
Claudine's features were usually defiantly. But while sleeping, into Maya's eyes she looked like an angel.
Maya kneels down, to fetch some blonde curls and slide them behind her ear. But Claudine is faster and wraps her arms around her neck.
"Uh, you took too long." She mumbles half asleep. She cups Maya's face in her hands. "Now come here."
Claudine kisses her lazily. Her lips dancing slowly with Maya's.
"Promise me you are mine." Claudine breathes against her mouth. Maya hums in contempt.
"Why are you so cheesy and jealous Ma Claudine?" Maya teases smiling, bumping their noses together.
"You are the jealous one." Claudine says pouting. "And what do you expect? I'm a half French girl. And that means I'm all about romance."
Maya feels her heart healing from the past pain. All thanks to the beautiful smile Claudine was giving her.
This is her reward.
Claudine nuzzles close to Maya's face, not wanting the intimacy to end. The bags under Maya's eyes are too obvious to ignore. Knowing her parents, they must have pushed the brunette into practicing without a second to relax since the beginning of their vacation.
And knowing the brunette she must have endured it without a single complaint.
"Come here, you infuriating woman." Claudine mumbled bringing Maya atop of her in the sofá.
"If someone comes they will have a bad impression of what we are doing." Maya says softly, the smooth of Claudine's skin welcoming her into an embrace.
"Like I care about it." She grumbles. "My parents already knows about us."
Maya shifts her position, she hides her face in the blonde's neck. The scent of cherry blossoms filling her nose. "Well, but mine don't and if they find out we will get into trouble."
Claudine sighs. Truth be told, her parents have accepted her, and Maya. In fact if it wasn't because of her mother constant teasing about why does she talk about Maya quite a lot, she wouldn't have known sooner her feelings.
But Maya's parents were another story.
If the school ever inform them about Maya's activities and a possible love relationship. She will have punishment.
And it consists on talking with the teachers about not letting her being near her possible love interest. And even warning the school about taking her out.
The Tendou last name must not be tainted.
But right in that instance, Maya didn't give a damn about being discovered. They were just hugging, laying in the sofa together. Not doing anything weird.
She feels her eyelids heavier than before, and without wanting, she starts to fall sleep on Claudine. The soft pound of her heart soothing her into a sweet slumber.
"Maya, do you want to go upstairs?" Claudine murmurs stroking some chocolate strands of hair between her fingers.
Maya hums.
"If you are this tired we should get in bed." The blonde insists.
"I don't wanna move má cherie."
Claudine blushes a bit. "I will carry you up if I have to."
Maya groans displeased. But she got up being the most dramatic possible, Claudine rolled her eyes at the sight of her girlfriend face furrowed.
She took the brunette's hand in her, intertwining their fingers. She guided her into her own room, her bed was bigger than Maya's.
"Where are you going Kuro-ko?" Futaba says coming across them. "Sensei is going to come at night to check on us."
Claudine lifts their intertwined hands, and Futaba smiles nodding in her way. Maya just tilts her head in her direction to acknowledge her presence.
Both took out their shoes when they arrived at her room. Maya was specially silent today, and for Claudine it was a bad signal.
"How was it?" She says softly and Maya just stares at the floor.
"I..." Then she bows her head down. "I'm not feeling well still."
Claudine nods, and both take the same positions like when they were in the sofa.
"Do you remember that I wanted to talk with you about something when I called you a week ago?"
Maya's silence was something she expected.
"Maman... Insisted that you were coming home with me next time." Claudine says embarrassed, she knows too well that Maya will reject her. She wasn't even sure if she liked the idea.
"I would love to, Ma Claudine." Comes a low wine.
Claudine smiles, her heart started to beat faster. She gazed at Maya's face, the brunette was fighting to stay conscious above her. And if she was being honest with herself, Maya looked rather funny.
"Do you really want to go?" She asks feeling unsure.
Maya let out a huff. Then Claudine felt a light kiss on her neck.
That was her yes.
"Awesome." She whispers, a rush of happiness washing her body. Suddenly she felt relieved.
Maya's tensed shoulders relaxed slowly, her breathing became softer and her eyes were closed. Claudine could distinguish little tears forming in her eyes.
She wrapped her arms around her.
The half French girl let her sleep. But she didn't right away, in her mind there was a plan to convince Maya's parents into letting her go to France.
A knocking on her bedroom door awaken both of them. Claudine glanced quickly at the clock on her shelf. It marked 8:30 Pm
"Saijou Claudine?" It was Sensei's voice.
Claudine pushes Maya down, to cover her with her mattress.
"What?" She tries talking, but Claudine's hand covers her mout.
"O-oui?"
"I have to pass, are you feeling alright?" Her teacher says, the knob starts to move.
"Oui!" She answers sitting down, she takes some pillows to hide Maya's body from her teacher eyes.
She enters and scans the room throughfully. No signs of a mess or anything like that.
"Have you seen Tendou Maya come today? Her parents informed the school she was supposed to arrive in the morning but she didn't notify me anything."
Claudine bites her lower lip, thinking about a reasonable lie. Maya forgot to check her entrance to the dorms, because sleeping with Claudine seemed like a perfect idea instead of doing her check up.
"She told me! S-she is..." A soft squeeze on her hand. "She is asleep!"
"Her bedroom door is locked." The teacher says looking suspicious.
"O-oui! She said she didn't want to be bothered!"
Claudine feels a chill running down her spine at the feeling of Maya's lips against her palm.
The teacher nods in her direction. "Alright, make sure to eat dinner then. Daiba Nana told me neither of you have eaten yet."
Claudine nods and the teacher closes the door. Maya comes up from under the sheets, with a smirk on her face. Her eyes more lively.
"So, I asked specifically to not be bothered?"
Claudine hits her with one of her pillows. "Geez, I saved your life Tendou Maya!"
Maya giggles, and the French girl feels her heart about to explode by the beautiful view in front of her. The brunette girl had a mess on her hair, her eyes swollen because of her sleep.
She strokes her cheeks against hers, gently. So gently that her skin feels like the wings of a butterfly. Claudine closes her eyes and moves her lips lightly across her face, barely touching so that her whole mouth begins to tingle. Maya closes her eyes too, takes a long deep breath and lets it out very slowly.
Claudine's lips follows a path down her neck, into the hollow beneath her collarbone. Maya's fingers tighthen around hers and she let's out a small gasp. The French girl raising her head, softly kisses the corner of her mouth before moving across her face. Her mouth follows Claudine's and the blonde teases her, refusing to allow their lips to meet, until Maya's breathing quickens and she releases her hand to cup her cheek and coax her mouth towards hers.
They finally start to kiss, soft, gentle and fluttery kisses. Shivers of pleasure run through Claudine's whole body and Maya's hand trembles against her cheek. Her breathing deepens, wanting to kiss Claudine harder, but the blonde resists, trying to draw their kissing out for as long as she can.
Maya runs her fingers over her cheek, caressing the skin beneath them. Claudine opens her eyes a bit, and the look of concentration on Maya's face makes her feel warmer than before.
Maya's blush extends from her cheeks to her ears.
Claudine feels the urge to take Maya down her, and the brunette doesn't put any resistance. The blonde breaks their feathery kisses and stares into amethysts eyes.
"Maze." She mumbles, and Maya is staring at her lips completely dazzled.
"Maze?" She repeats without understanding.
"Oui." Claudine closes her eyes and swallows. "Our revue... You asked me in what aspects I was puzzled."
Then Maya's eyes ignite with sparkles. "Yes, I remember."
"I told you, you were the one full of puzzles." Claudine leans down, and brushes lightly her lips against Maya's.
"Mind to explain?" Maya whispers.
"I figured you out."
Claudine smile was as brilliant as the sun. And Maya felt her heart ached with all the heavy weight of her love for the blonde.
Maya couldn't wait for her future alongside her beloved Claudine.