Between the Lines

3: Negotiate With Me

After class, Maya waited for Cain in the locker room after receiving a text that he’ll be at the field for practice and they can talk after. While sitting on the bench, she takes her phone to check for messages and for the time. It was about to get dark and she was waiting for about thirty minutes now. She wanted to leave and never talked to him again but she wanted to end things too. Maya doesn’t care about any of them, all she ever wants is to lift the baggage out of her so she can continue living the way she used to be. Frustrated, she checked the time again and when she decided to leave, Cain appeared in the door frame, leaning and looking at her attentively. His actions made Maya uncomfortable and totally cringy but most of all, it creeps her out. She never associated herself with boys ever since Devon and her took separate paths, thinking all the men in the world sucks and that includes her dad. For her, nothing is exempted.

Cain walked over, wiping himself with his towel. He was so close to her that she started backing away. He looked at her and only then Maya noticed how wonderful his eyes were. It was blue like the ocean and it gives calmness through you. Maya looks away, waking herself up before he thinks something’s wrong with her. She walked out of the room while Cain proceeded on changing his clothes. Again, she waited. A few athletes started coming in, talking and laughing with each other. When they saw Maya, they instantly thought she’s waiting for Cain who came in first. They looked at her, whispering to each other while smiling. When they reached the door, Cain came out fresh. He gave them a fist bump, saying goodbye to all of them before he walked away with Maya.

Since she’s smart, she knows exactly what those punks would think now. She’s dating Cain Tyson. She started thinking of something to retaliate in case they tell the whole school about it. But Cain’s presence seems to disturb her. She never felt this kind of disturbance before from a guy but he seems to be different. She stopped on track when she noticed they were about to leave the building. All she wants is to talk to him, what’s happening now? Why is she following him like a dog?

“You wanted to talk, let’s talk,” she said.

Cain looked back at her, looking around the empty hallway. “Yeah, we’ll talk, but can we get something to eat first? Practice made me so hungry,” he answered.

Maya crossed her arms, “stop making excuses. Just tell me what you want to say then get your meal after. I don’t care if you’re hungry now, let’s talk here and then,” she retaliated.

Cain sighed, “hey, I know you feel somewhat uncomfortable right now. I don’t want you to feel that way around me either, so can you just chill? I’m not gonna do anything to you just because you saw us making a mistake in the restroom. Besides, Kyla doesn’t know I’m meeting you so just chill out.”

Maya hesitated. She was hungry too since she directly waited for him after class, not bothering to get something to eat. She doesn’t want to go with Cain though. Then her stomach betrayed her when it started to growl so loud after hearing the word meal.

“Maya, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m apologizing to you, but I can’t think of anything right now. Let’s do this, okay? We’ll go somewhere we can have something for our growling stomach then let’s talk while eating. Besides, I was thinking of talking to you for a favor. You can send your location to your friends so you feel secure. Will that do?” he insisted.

She looked at him intently, looking for a reason for not going. In Cain’s eyes, all she can see is sincerity. There is no doubt or anything harmful in there as if he really meant what he said. This time, Maya decided to take a risk. She nodded at him and they continued walking out until they reached the road. There, Cain hailed a taxi. They got in and went to the nearest restaurant they ever found.

Maya is stunned at how cozy the place is. She has never been to the place ever since they got in nor to any place near the school. She kept staying in the school, eating what the cafeteria served, and enjoyed her time in the woods. Cain though used to live outside. He hangs out with friends, goes to parties and eats outside so she was never surprised for him to know such a place. Mila and Sora used to hangout with them. They usually meet at parties and have a couple of drinks together. That’s how Sora knew about Cain and his group. The place was made of wood. From the wall and ceiling to its decoration. The lights are warm and they’re playing jazz music that suits the ambiance. The two sit at a table near the window for them to see the view outside. A waitress came and asked for their order. Cain ordered their best meal while Maya ordered their best fruit shake. The moment the waitress left, Maya cleared her throat. She looked at Cain who’s fixing his hair as if she’s not right in front of him. Maya slaps the table, causing him to flinch.

“We should start talking now while waiting for the food,” she said.

Cain looked away, “fine,” he looked down at his fingers shaking, “what do you want me to do? I’m willing to do everything,” he said.

It wasn’t the reply Maya expected since just this morning he was desperate to keep her silent. What changed his mind? she wonders.

“Are you sure about that? You know I want to tell Devon what you did. That’s okay with you?” she asked.

This time, Cain looked at her eyes for her to see the sincerity inside. “Then tell him.”

Maya leaned back, “no. I’m not telling him. You’ll be the one to do it,” she ordered.

Cain chuckled in disbelief. She really is smart. “Why me? but fine if you agree to my favor,” he responded.

She could be smart, but he’s an opportunist.

“What favor?” she asked as she knit her brow.

Cain snickered. “Tutor me.”

Maya tilted her head as she took a deep breath. She knows this is coming. Many students, mostly from their room, want her to be their tutor. They offered many things, different for each student. One offered overpriced money, the other one offered land, while the other one offered a free shopping spree each month. She declined all of them. It’s not because Maya doesn’t want them to excel but because she just doesn’t like handling people. Sometimes it’s hard for her to handle herself, how much more another human being that is grown and well-taught.

“No.”

“Come on, Maya. I know you don’t take things like this but I need you. Badly. If my dad found out about my grades, he’ll surely send me to the military. I hate the military and he’ll make me abandon football.”

“I hated doing things I don’t like either but I strive hard not to be forced to do it as a consequence. You should have thought of that before you threw your grades in the window.”

“I know, I’m at fault. But please help me just this once. I will do everything you’ll ask me to do. I can pay you too, I swear. It’s just that, I can’t lose this opportunity, Maya. I don’t know if you understand but football is my life, my ambition, and the only future I can see myself. I need to be one of those players on TV being watched by millions of people around the world. If I lose this, I don’t know what’s the essence of living.”

Maya reconsiders. Here’s the thing, despite the number of students who asked her to help them, only Cain opened about his will to fix things. He confessed it was his fault and wanted to make it right.

She can ask him to start to make his life straight and do the right thing in exchange so that she can see him change over time. The idea itself makes her feel good. It doesn’t have to be money because she got plenty of it herself so maybe she can change someone’s life.

“Fine, but I have conditions. First, you have to tell Devon about the truth. You have one week to do that. Second, you have to give importance to your studies. I want you to help yourself too and don’t just rely on me. Third, don’t skip practice for our session. Your practice should come first so you should study if you want to pass. Once you get a low score on any of the activities given to us, forget about your football because I’m gonna stop helping you,” she said.

A spark of hope exists in Cain’s eyes. The thought of having to see Maya everyday seems to make his heart beat faster than it normally does. Some of the conditions are hard but he was

determined to keep her by his side so he has to give his best to everything and to life.