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I look toward the front door to my grandfather's mansion."
"I'm not far. I went to get something to eat. Why?"
She's probably with the Xena.
"I'm here with Xena. Mya doesn't get back until next week from Italy."
"Is she good?"
I don't want to talk about why she has been in Italy since she graduated high school. It's not my story, but I need to make sure she is okay.
"Yeah, she's good. She doesn't want to come back. You know why."
"I can't blame her, eh? I wish things were different right now. I'm taking care of some things. I have been thinking of what you said, and you know…"
"Yeah, I get it."
"Yeah. Don't be surprised you don't see me around as much. Don't ask me why in front of the guys okay"
"Why?"
"You know why. I'm taking everyone's advice."
I don't want to tell her everything. Not yet. I'm figuring this all out on my own. I've already made the right decision and don't want to discuss it anymore.
"Oh," she says, but I hear the concern in her voice.
She looked at me the other day after class when she saw me in the parking lot, and I ignored her and drove home where I could forget.
"Yeah. It's for the best, you know... it's best for everyone."
"You know it's not like that. I didn't mean for you not to hang out with us."
"It's all good, Mia. I get it. I'm embarrassed, to be honest; I didn't realize how stupid I looked holding a torch for a guy that can't stand to look at me."
"That's not true, Elena. You know he cares for you. I know you saw the video, and I'm sorry. We all saw it, but that is the way the guys are. Our dads weren't any better growing up. It's a phase."
The bridge of my nose burns. My eyes blur. "Does Mya think it's a phase?”
"That's different, and you know it."
"I don't think she feels the same, but I know... I'm the one who needed to understand it. It's why you all wanted me to see it."
"Elena…"
"It's okay, Mia. I'm good. It's over."
Tears fall because it hurts, but I swallow it like the pain from his words and the way I've let him treat me all these years.
"What are you talking about?"
The front door opens, and Maxim appears.
"I gotta go." Ending the call and wipe my face.
The interior light turns on when the passenger door opens, and Maxim slides inside. "I spoke to your grandfather, and he filled me in. You were right and…" I look down and sniff. He turns in his seat. "Shit. Elena." I press the button to place the car in drive, and quickly, he pushes the park button, causing the car to jerk forward. "Look at me," he says softly.
I turn and see his expression soften. "You know… I like the Girl' I saw back in the east telling Leti to get out for questioning us. I like that version of you better than the one I saw outside my parent’s house with tears in your eyes." He snorts. "You know, it's funny..."
