Seven Fights, One Love.

Chapter 3: Two Hearts, One Problem

Maya met Luna at The Daily Grind the next day. She was so nervous that she arrived thirty minutes early. She changed her shirt three times that morning and almost called in sick to work.

Luna showed up at exactly three o'clock, wearing ripped jeans and a vintage band t-shirt. She ordered a black coffee and sat across from Maya in a booth by the window.

They talked for four hours straight.

Luna was an artist. She painted murals and did graphic design work. She moved to Portland because Seattle felt too crowded, too noisy. She wanted somewhere smaller and more creative. She loved old kung fu movies, spicy food, and thunderstorms. She had a motorcycle, just like in Maya's dream, though it wasn't silver—it was red.

Maya told Luna about the band, about her dreams of making music, about how she felt most alive when she was behind a drum set.

"You should play for me sometime," Luna said.

"We have a show this Saturday," Maya replied quickly. "At The Underground. You should come."

"I'll be there," Luna promised.

When they finally left the coffee shop, the sun was setting. Luna got on her red motorcycle and handed Maya a helmet.

"Want a ride home?" she asked.

Maya had never been on a motorcycle before. She climbed on behind Luna, wrapped her arms around her waist, and held on tight as they rode through the city streets. The wind whipped through her hair. She felt free. She felt alive.

When Luna dropped her off at her apartment, Maya didn't want the day to end.

"Same time tomorrow?" Luna asked.

"Yes," Maya said. "Absolutely yes."

They started seeing each other every day. They went to art museums where Luna explained the paintings. They watched old samurai movies at the independent theater. They ate at food trucks and walked through parks. Luna came to band practice and watched Maya play. Jordan gave Maya knowing looks the whole time.

Maya had never been happier.

But there was a problem she kept pushing to the back of her mind: Tommy.

She was still technically dating him. He still texted her every morning. They still had plans to go to the arcade on Friday. Maya knew she had to break up with him, but she kept putting it off. She didn't want to hurt him.

Finally, after two weeks of dating Luna in secret, Maya knew she had to do the right thing.

She met Tommy at their usual arcade. He was playing a racing game when she arrived, his face lit up with concentration. When he saw her, he smiled big and ran over.

"Maya! I haven't seen you much lately. You've been busy with the band?"

"Yeah," Maya said quietly. "Can we talk outside?"

Tommy's smile faded a little. "Sure. Is everything okay?"

They sat on a bench outside the arcade. The neon lights flickered above them. Maya took a deep breath.

"Tommy, you're a really sweet guy. You've been nothing but kind to me."

"Why does this sound like a breakup speech?" Tommy asked, his voice small.

"Because it is," Maya said gently. "I'm sorry. I've been seeing someone else. I should have told you sooner. That wasn't fair to you."

Tommy's eyes filled with tears. "Did I do something wrong? I can change. I can be better."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong. This is about me. You deserve someone who's as excited about you as you are about them. That's just not me."

Tommy wiped his eyes. "Is it that girl? The one with silver hair who came to your band practice?"

Maya nodded. "Her name is Luna."

"Does she make you happy?" Tommy asked.

"Yes," Maya said honestly. "She does."

Tommy stood up. "Then I guess that's it. I hope... I hope she's good to you."

He walked away before Maya could say anything else. She watched him go, feeling terrible but also relieved. It was done. Now she could be with Luna without any secrets.

But Tommy didn't take the breakup as well as Maya hoped.