Chapter Text
Otis has just caught up with Maeve in the school corridor and they exchange awkward greetings, still remembering the recent events between them. She delivers the happy news that she has been accepted into the «Gifted and Talented» program, he congratulates her, because he is aware that she deserves it. Unfortunately, she is unable to afford the trip and this makes her approval pointless. Otis brings up the subject of ignored messages, he seems to be trying to keep a positive attitude, but it is noticeable how worried he is when he asks about it. Maeve apologies for this, looking for words to continue, and the guy already has a feeling that this conversation isn't going to lead to what he wishes. She talks about the unexpectedness of what happened and how she likes Isaac. Otis struggles to contain his worries, for him their kissing, has become a hope of being with her. He confessed his love for her, for the second time, just the first time she didn't hear it, thanks to the person she's choosing now instead of him. "It can't be true," he thinks, "I can't lose her again" and goes for the final step, hoping to awaken the feelings of the other night in her:
– So... let's forget about what happened? – he asks softly, studying her face and waiting for an answer.
And she simply answers:
– Yeah.
He thinks she does it easily, almost without thinking, but it's not easy for Maeve either, she barely slept last night thinking about it. Something breaks off in Otis, his heart feels like it's not in his chest, and his soul begins to ache, scrambling away. They hear the announcement of the gathering, and move towards the hall. There's just no face on the guy, but he tries to hold himself together, thinking, "It'll be fine, I've been through something like this, I'll go through it again. Most importantly, it's clear now what not to expect... Reciprocity." Otis shakes his head a little, trying to push the thoughts away and concentrates on not bumping into anyone.
While the headmaster is saying horrible and unthinkable things about the students, Maeve glances at Otis, trying to understand his reaction to this, but he just stares ahead of him, not noticing anything or anyone around him. The guy looks so detached that it seems if the room flares up, he won't even notice. Concern slips over Maeve's face: "He's going to be all right? It's like he's lost and it's understandable why...". But as they leave the hall and she answers the phone, her concern for him recedes into the background.
Otis is beside Maeve, he hears the concern in her voice, and though Isaac's name comes up, which is like a bullet wounding him in the chest, he realizes that she may need him now, and is ready to put his shoulder up. Maeve finishes the conversation, explains to him confusedly what is going on, of course she is upset, and he of course offers his help. When she holds onto his waist while sitting on his bike, Otis feels like a real masochist. He feels good to sense her touch, her embrace on him, but he also feels that soon he may never be able to experience them again, and it drives him crazy. "Here she is, so close and so far away," the boy thinks, hearing directions from her in the background.
And here they are in the driveway, with a policeman in front, a woman who seems to be Anna, and, of course, Isaac. "That damn Isaac," Otis thinks, stopping farther away, getting off his bike and helping Maeve off. She hands him the helmet, and after thanking him for her delivery, heads off to this small group, and he just nods back at her, still trying to keep his emotions under control. Otis looks forward just as Maeve's arm slides over Isaac's shoulders, just greeting him, such a simple gesture, but it's the one that finally knocks him out of his mind. He's shaking, it feels like he's about to have a nervous breakdown, good thing no one is looking at him at the moment. How angry Otis is:
at Isaac, who supposedly cared about her, but now stood, well sat, whatever, between him and his beloved;
at Maeve, who found out about the voice, and said nothing to him - which might not have come out at all, had they not been forgotten in France and of course, that she had chosen him, of all people, the one who sabotaged their friendship and possible relationship, and then also forgiven him for it;
but most of all angry at himself, for all those moments and opportunities with Maeve, already missed, through his fault or other circumstances, if, like in a fairy tale, one could rewind time...
Watching them side by side, just next to each other, he can't stand it: "Fu..ck.. I can't take it anymore... I can't... I can't think, about her, about them... fuck me", his thoughts resemble a disorderly knot that tightens ever tighter.
The motley crew are about to enter the house when Maeve notices that Otis isn't around, and looking up to where they came from, sees him frozen with his bike, and calls out to him uncertainly:
– Otis?
But he doesn't answer, as if arriving in a trance and staring at the ground in front of him. Worried, she says to go in without her, that she will join them soon and walks towards Otis. Isaac stops at the front door, waiting for her to return and watches her. As Maeve gets closer and calls his name a few times, Otis wakes up and says in a shaky voice:
– I'll... prob-bably go Maeve... hope you f-find your sister and mum soon... – as he says this, Maeve feels like he's only a shell of Otis before her, that his beautiful blue eyes, now hidden behind a shroud of something she can't recognize. She asks hopefully, asking otherwise:
– You're not staying?
After a short pause, as if gathering his strength, he answers her just as stiffly:
– I have to go... I'm sure... you'll manage without me, – he says, trying to force a smile, but not very well, – let me know when it settles.
He puts on his helmet, gets on his bike, and with one last look in her eyes says:
– Bye, Maeve.
There is so much sadness and sorrow in these words that the girl is stunned for a few seconds and only responds when he is on his way down the street:
– Bye, Otis.
She still couldn't make sense of what was going on with him and with them in general, so much had come over her all at once: the program in America, her sister's disappearance, the mess in her personal life. Maeve herself was in turmoil at the moment, but she was certainly holding up better than her friend. "Friend? That's all?", she thinks, and decides she will definitely talk to him about everything, when the big problems have receded. Turning around, the girl walks towards the house, where Isaac is still waiting for her at the door.
The next day, Maeve arrives at the school; last evening's talk with the police didn't bring her any comfort, so she has to wait for the news. Last night she stayed at Anna's, but she never got a good night's sleep, worry and anxiety eating away at her. Seeing Aimee walking beside Steve from afar didn't make her feel any better, after France, they had never talked, it was their first fight and Maeve felt guilty about it, they would definitely have to sort things out. Looking around the corridor and then his locker with her eyes, she doesn't see a familiar lanky figure. "Weird, I don't think I've seen him today," goes through her head, but she's distracted by the phone call.
It was her mother Erin who called, and after a difficult and frustrating conversation, Maeve got an idea of where she might be. It's time to ask Aimee for help, perhaps it was selfish of her to ask for help now, but she doesn't have many friends she can confide in. Of course, her friend doesn't turn her down, and within minutes, they're riding in her car. The girls discuss their quarrel, apologies to each other, and pretty quickly reconcile, getting back to their, friendship. As Aimee drives and Maeve occasionally asks her to watch the road more closely, the blonde asks:
– So, what's going on between you and Otis? What happened after you two kissed?
Maeve sits in silence for a while, contemplating what to say. Right now, on top of that, she's got so much on her mind that her head feels like it's about to burst. But while they were driving in the car, there was nothing to be done, and she answered her friend:
– The next day at school, I told him that I liked Isaac, and when he asked if we should forget the whole thing, I said yes, – Maeve's voice grows quieter towards the end, her last words almost a whisper.
Aimee's eyebrows twitch in surprise, and once again, she stops watching the road, staring at her friend.
– Did you mean it? You turned him away???
Her friend's reaction surprises Maeve, she hadn't expected such a reply from her, and for the hundredth time, reminding her of the road, she replies:
– I really like Isaac, we have a lot in common, he understands me well...
She notices Aimee exhaling disappointedly and rolling her eyes, surprising Maeve again, her friend didn't often do this, it was usually her own prerogative. She asks in amazement:
– What's the matter with you, Aimee? Why the sudden reaction and behaviour to Isaac? – the girl doesn't ask with annoyance, but rather with curiosity.
– Everything you said could be said about Otis, too. I have nothing against Isaac, of course, but I always thought that if the stars finally aligned one day you'd be with the Pleasure Master, – her friend says with a smile, but when she continues, she seems already upset, – and you let him go so easily, that's where my behavior comes from, sorry if that offended you.
Maeve, who had been looking at Aimee before, now stares out the window, gathering her thoughts, until she finally speaks:
– It's all right, you just surprised me... And it wasn't easy, I was thinking about it all night, in my head was all mixed up, like I was tangled in a web, and after we talked, he seemed so detached, I'd never seen him like that... By the way, did you see him at school today? – sharing her experiences and observations, asks Maeve.
– I don't think I saw him. And of course, he was detached, he loves you, or he did, I don't know what's going on with you guys.
– Last time in France, he said he still loves, – Maeve admits softly.
Aimee whines sadly a few times and tells her upset:
– Stoooop it, you're killing me. Let's hope you don't regret your choice, – her friend says one last time, not for the first-time surprising Maeve. She doesn't say anything back, and continues to stare out the window, tuning in to see her mother, and the boys, they can wait.
Maeve was right in her hunch; they found her mother and sister. After a conversation, difficult and in some ways touching, they were able to pick up Elsie and head home. On their return, Anna was able to let out her worries and fears, and was just glad that the girl was back safe and sound. She even suggested that Maeve, take the spare room to be closer to her little sister. The girl didn't think long, and agreed. She also called Isaac with the good news, he congratulated her and praised her for her ingenuity. Maeve told him about Anna's offer and that she would be picking up her things from the trailer park soon. He could hear that he was a little upset by the news, but tried his best to support her. The girl assured him that she would be sure to visit him, that promise seemed to calm him down a bit. They said their goodbyes and Maeve lay down on her new bed, looking up at the ceiling. "It's been a rich day, I'm glad it's all resolved so quickly," she thought, feeling relieved. But something in the back of her head still doesn't give her complete peace of mind, as if she had forgotten the little matter on her list and now it's stuck in her head, reminding her of itself at every opportunity. With these thoughts in mind, she remembers what Otis asked for and picks up the phone and sends him a message:
«I found my mother and sister, Elsie is safe! It all worked out pretty well».
Putting the phone away, she starts thinking about him again, about what their last goodbye was like and how complicated things are between them now. She misses him, but understands that she has distanced him from herself. A new message arrives and she immediately unlocks the phone to see it, but there is disappointment on her face, the message was only:
«Emoji: thumbs up».
That's not enough for Maeve, so deciding in a friendly way to ask around, she sends another message:
«I don't think I saw you at school today, are you all right? You're not sick?»
Having sent it, she keeps looking at the screen, expecting a quick reply from him, but her message remains unread. Deciding to look again after the shower, which she just needs to take, she goes to the bathroom. Back in the room, the first thing she does is check her phone, the message is still unread. "Strange, maybe he's already gone to bed, though it's still early", she ponders and decides to leave it until tomorrow, "I'll ask him tomorrow at school". With these thoughts in mind, she begins to get ready for bed, after such a difficult day, she has almost no energy left.
The next morning Maeve wakes up rested for the first time in days, she has slept well and now is in a good mood. As she gets ready for school, she has breakfast with Elsie and Anna, such an unfamiliar, but so pleasant morning. As she gets closer and closer to the school buildings, her excitement about meeting him grows, she convinces herself that it's just a friendly worry, "Like you've never seen this muppet before, settle down, he's fine," she admonishes herself. By lunchtime, when the girl still hasn't seen him in any of her classes, her anxiety has already taken shape, and noticing Eric, she sets off resolutely towards him: "He certainly knows where Otis is".
Walking up to him, she says hello:
– Hi Eric.
Seeing that Maeve is in front of him, the boy spins his head around and smiles awkwardly, then replies:
– Hi Mave. How have you been?
– All in all, not bad. I have to ask you, I haven't seen Otis in two days, is he all right? – she tries to sound as casual as possible.
At her last words, Eric's face changes, visibly confused and also sad. Noticing this change in his best friend's face, Maeve tenses up and asks again:
– What is it, Eric? Don't keep me in suspense, is he okay? – now her voice definitely doesn't sound casual, but rather worried.
The guy looks at her puzzled and, trying to explain intelligently, begins to speak:
– I think so... it's just that... – Eric doesn't seem to fully understand what he's going to say or why, – it looks like he's left, – Otis' friend finally finishes, himself not believing what he's just said.
Maeve stands stunned, this is not at all what she expected from this conversation. Her head was starting to get all messed up, because she didn't know where to start. Her lips open slightly, as if about to say something, but she doesn't make a sound. "What does that mean? Did he say leave? Where? When? And for how long? Why?", the thoughts rush through her head one by one, and she can't decide which question to voice first. At that moment, the bell for the next class rings, and Eric starts to move towards his class, and Maeve looks at him as if he is doing something stupid, like showing off his skills on a banana again. She grabs his arm and asks irritably:
– Where do you think you're going? I don't give a shit about this bell. Explain the fuckin' thing normally. What do you mean he left? Where? – her voice is rough, but also broken, out of incomprehension.
Eric looks at her suppressed and says:
– Yeah, sorry, I wasn't thinking, – he says with sadness in his voice, and Maeve calms down a little, seeing that it's not easy for him either, – I don't fully understand what's going on myself. I got back from a trip from relatives yesterday, and I get a text from him.
"Not even a personal goodbye to Eric, it all stinks," she thinks, while she herself asks in impatience:
– So, what did he say in the message?
Eric replies with confusion and sadness:
– That he flew to America.