Chapter 5
1354 Words
The laughter of three girls echoed through the upscale estate as they strolled leisurely down the quiet, tree-lined street. The sky had dimmed into a soft twilight, and streetlights flickered on one by one, casting golden halos on the pavement.
"Okay, so boyfriend-hunting was a bust," Jade said, linking arms with Maya and Faith. "Not a single eligible hottie in sight. What kind of rich-kid haven is this?"
"Maybe they hide inside their gold-plated man caves," Faith quipped, tossing her braids over one shoulder. "We’ll need bait next time. Maybe you in heels."
Maya giggled, the sound light and genuine. For the first time in a while, she felt almost... normal. With Jade's easy sarcasm and Faith’s unwavering loyalty, the sting of the prank and Sienna’s ultimatum began to blur at the edges.
"Still," Maya said, smiling, "this was fun. I needed the fresh air. And girl talk."
"And chocolate ice cream," Jade added. "Can’t forget that."
They rounded a corner, still giggling about the completely hypothetical boyfriends they were supposedly scouting for, when a familiar figure came into view, leaning casually against a black motorbike.
Maya’s breath hitched.
"No. Freaking. Way," Faith said.
Jade let out a sharp whistle. "Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear. What are the odds?"
Jace West looked up from his phone, one eyebrow raised like he hadn’t been standing there waiting on purpose. "Evening, ladies."
He was wearing dark jeans and a navy hoodie, hair tousled like he hadn’t even tried—though Maya knew better now. That effortless cool was curated.
"Do you... live here?" Maya asked, voice faltering.
Jace shrugged. "Something like that."
"Seriously?" Jade blinked. "You live in this estate?"
He hesitated. "Just staying with someone. For now."
Faith narrowed her eyes. "With who?"
Before Jace could answer, a sleek black car purred down the street and came to a halt beside them. The tinted window rolled down, and a girl with chestnut curls and movie-star cheekbones leaned out.
"Jace? Oh my God—Jace West?"
Maya felt the temperature drop.
Jace stiffened slightly, but forced a smile. "Hey, Natalie. Long time."
Natalie climbed out, all designer denim and confidence. She glanced at the girls, eyes lingering a second too long on Maya. "Didn’t think I’d run into you here."
"Neither did I," Jace replied evenly.
"I’ve missed you. We should totally catch up. I’m around for the weekend."
"I’ll... think about it."
With a wink, Natalie slid back into her car and drove off, music thumping as the car disappeared into the night.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between them. Faith arched a brow. Jade chewed her gum slowly.
"Friend of yours?" Faith asked, too innocently.
"Ex," Jace muttered.
Maya’s stomach turned.
She laughed nervously. "Small world."
"Too small," he said, and glanced at her, like he could read her mind. "I didn’t know she’d be here."
"It’s fine," Maya lied.
But it wasn’t. The moment had shifted. The warmth had cooled.
Jace shoved his hands into his pockets. "I should go."
He walked off before anyone could say another word.
---
Later that night, back in Faith’s room, the girls were silent. Jade lay across the massive bean bag scrolling through t****k. Faith was painting her nails an aggressive red. Maya stared at the ceiling.
"You okay?" Faith asked softly.
Maya didn’t answer right away. "Why do I feel like I’m the joke again?"
"You’re not."
"Then why does it feel like every time I try to believe he might be different, something—or someone—shows up to prove me wrong?"
Jade looked up. "It’s just bad timing. You can’t judge someone by their exes. Or their estate memberships."
Maya gave a small smile.
"Do you like him?" Faith asked, more serious now.
Maya hesitated. "I think I do. But I don’t know how to feel."
"Then don’t decide yet," Jade said, standing. "People will talk. Sienna and her minions will stir drama. But only you get to decide who’s worth your heart."
Maya nodded slowly.
They changed the topic after that, switching to a silly rom-com on Faith’s giant flat-screen. But long after the credits rolled, and Jade had fallen asleep snoring softly, Maya stared at her phone.
There were no new messages from Jace.
She didn’t know if that made her sadder or relieved.
---
The next morning dawned overcast and grey. Maya sat at Faith’s breakfast table, staring into her tea.
"You’re spiraling," Faith said, buttering toast. "Over a guy. And not just any guy. A guy who’s helping you be the lead in a play you were tricked into."
"I’m not spiraling. I’m just... confused."
"You’ve been quiet since last night. Jade’s worried."
"I’m allowed to process."
"True. But don’t process yourself out of the play."
Maya bit her lip. She had considered it. The idea had lodged in her brain like a splinter.
"I just don’t want to get hurt again," she whispered.
Faith softened. "Then be careful. But don’t disappear."
Maya nodded. "Let’s go."
As they left the estate, she glanced over her shoulder.
No sign of Jace.
---
School was a minefield.
The whispers started the moment they walked in.
"That’s the girl who stole Sienna’s role."
"And Jace’s heart?"
"Bet she bribed someone."
Maya held her head high, but every comment was a pebble thrown at her self-esteem.
By lunch, her appetite had disappeared. Faith stayed close, a silent shield. Jade had practice but sent a string of threatening texts promising to fight anyone who looked at Maya wrong.
Still, nothing stung quite like seeing Natalie again, this time in the cafeteria, laughing with Sienna like they’d been besties forever.
Maya turned and left.
She needed air.
She needed space.
She found it behind the gym, tears prickling the corners of her eyes. The breeze cooled her flushed face.
And then she heard it.
"You think she’ll actually last till opening night?"
Sienna’s voice. Sharp. Smug.
"Please. Jace probably just feels sorry for her," Josh replied. "That girl screams desperate."
Maya’s chest ached.
Faith stepped around the corner like a lion unleashed.
"Excuse me?"
Sienna jumped.
"You have a problem, Brooks?"
"Yeah. You. And your pathetic gossip."
Josh smirked. "Touchy."
Faith crossed her arms. "Say one more thing and I’ll make sure you regret it."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "You’re all so sensitive. No wonder she can’t handle a little attention."
Faith stepped forward. "Try me."
They backed off eventually, but the damage was done.
Later, as the final bell rang and rehearsal loomed, Maya felt raw. Like she was unraveling.
But Jade met her outside the auditorium.
"You made it," she said. "Good. Because someone else didn’t."
"Jace?"
Jade nodded. "He’ll show. He always does."
Rehearsal began. Maya did her lines. Fumbled a few. Caught herself. Again.
When it was done, Jade offered gently, "I can help you rehearse. At your place. If you want."
Maya hesitated. "My parents still don’t know yet. They’d make a huge deal, remember?."
Faith chimed in, "Come to mine."
And just like that, Maya found herself back at Faith’s mansion, standing in a mirrored practice room.
"Voice projection," Jade began. "Isn’t about shouting. It’s about energy. Belief. Say your line like it means something."
Maya tried. Flubbed. Laughed.
"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou so... fine?"
They burst out laughing.
Jade clutched her stomach. "You’re ridiculous."
Faith leaned on the piano. "But improving."
Hours passed like minutes. The practice was good. Real. Safe.
As the sun set, they wandered out onto the estate’s winding paths.
"Let’s explore again," Jade said. "And maybe find Maya a rich, sensitive poet."
"I’m retired from boyfriend hunting," Maya said.
"Yeah, right," Faith muttered.
Then Jade froze.
"Uh... guys?"
Ahead, near one of the fountains, stood Jace. Again.
This time, he wasn’t alone.
He was talking to a man in a suit. The man looked vaguely familiar. Powerful.
Jace glanced up, and their eyes met.
Maya’s heart skipped.
"What. Is. He. Doing. Here. Again?" Faith whispered.
Maya didn’t have an answer.
But she had a feeling the next chapter of this drama was about to get way more complicated.
- Writer
