Chapter 28

All I could do was stare at him, dumbfounded.

I was completely caught off guard, I never expected him to say that out of all the things he could had said.

Oh shit what should I reply what do people normally say in these situations? "You mean you like me like a crush? Like like me?" That's so dumb! Oh no he is waiting what should I say. Wait, do I like him?

Maybe, I'm not sure. I mean I don't not like him but- Urgh. Why is this so confusing. I need time to think oh no but I'm running out of time shit oh no shuck.

Dam I wish Maya is here, I really need her help Urgh why Maya. Can I stop time? I wish I have-

"Laura?" He asked after a long pause, he rubbed his neck nervously, his glance shifty.

"I have no idea how to reply to you." I answered helplessly. He ducked his head, hiding behind his mop if blonde hair, and said nothing. My bed suddenly seemed too tiny despite the fact that it was almost queen size. He was too close, the presence of him alone was clouding my thoughts.

I started to panic, "It's not like everyday someone confess to me. And the alcohol is making me not think straight." Yeah, right. Alcohol. Blame it on the alcohol, good job Laura. "And I just seriously have no idea how to answer you. I'm so sorry."

"Laura, it's okay. I don't know what I was expecting but I clearly was not expecting this." He tried to joke to lighten the mood which I was glad for.

"Why me? Why do you like me out of all people?" I asked, trying to make sense of the swirl-wind of emotions inside of me right now.

"I-I don't know, you are just different from the rest." He said, a small smile dancing on his lips. "You don't care what others think about you, you won't let anyone step over you and the way you held yourself in school? That is amazing. You are never afraid, you were the only person brave enough to go against me."

I scoffed at that and muttered, "Egotistic much?"

He chuckled lightly at that but continued on, "You are so wise, wiser than anyone beyond your age. You never judged me."

"I did, at first. But then I realized you are not who you are trying to portray yourself to be." I corrected him. But he just shook his head, disagreeing with me.

"And you are so honest, you never hide yourself."

I was about to interrupt him again but he cut me off with a look, "And there is just so much more of you that I... like. I like you, all parts of you. The parts you think are bad, good, all of it. I like you for you." He finished, those intense blue eyes never leaving mine.

I was once again speechless; how do you reply to that? I sat there gaping at him, probably looking liked a startled goldfish that was suddenly thrown onto land.

I had never expected anyone to say this to me, this seemed too surreal. Doesn't things like this only happens in stories?

"Asher, I-" Once again I was cut off, but this time was by the worried voice of my mom, "Laura? Laura!"

Wow why do all parents have such great timing.

I couldn't tell if I was more glad or annoyed, most likely a mixture of both.

"Mom, I'm in my room." It was a split second decision, and I added, "Asher is also in here with me."

Asher jumped off my bed liked it was on fire and scrambled on the chair near my desk.

"Oh hello Asher, this is surprising...but it's nice to see you." My mom seemed uncharacteristically off, something was seriously wrong. I frowned, she didn't ask why Asher is here, which she normally would.

"Mom? What's wrong?" I couldn't think of anything bad that could have happened. Wait, where was dad?

"Is it dad? Did something happened?" I got off my bed and sat on the edge, I couldn't think of anything that could go wrong; and what Asher had said was still on my mind, louder than all other thoughts.

"No, dad is completely fine." Mom reassured me.

I let out a relief sigh, I could feel a weight lifted off my chest, "Then what is it?"

"It's Maya, she was in a car accident." My mom said, not beating around the bush.

"W-What? What do you mean?" I couldn't comprehend what she had just said. Maybe I heard it wrong.

Asher and her eyed me worriedly but I barely noticed.

"Maya was in a car accident." My mom said slowly, pronouncing each word, as if trying not to startle me. All I could think was, Maya. Car accident. Maya. Death. Maya.

"Maya? Is she- is she okay?" I shot straight up, my mind was malfunctioning, I couldn't think straight. Car accidents didn't necessarily means death right?

"It happened half an hour ago, she was sent to the hospital, but the signs are not good." She said with so much sadness, it was liked she already accepted it. I didn't. I wouldn't.

"Okay, there's a chance that she can survive right? Right?" I asked, trying to find a silver lining to cling onto. I could never imagine a world without Maya, never.

"Laura-" my mom's phone rang, interrupting her sentence.

She went out of my room to take it, she closed the door and I couldn't hear the conversation.

For the first time ever, my mind was completely empty. I had no idea how to process the information I just received, it seemed impossible. But I would never believe that Maya is dead. She would never ever leave me. She promised.

"I should probably go." Asher once again, interrupted my thoughts.

I had completely forgot that he was here, I was too caught up in my scattered thoughts.

"Yeah, probably." I said absentmindedly.

"Okay." He sounded uncertain. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but changed his mind. He got up; gave me a helpless, lingering look and left the room quietly.

As soon as he had left, I got out my phone and texted Maya.

Maya!!

Guess what?

He really did confess!

You were right this whole time, come and say I told you so to me.

Come on Maya.

Reply me.

Please.

I waited for what seemed like years for it to be read, but it never was.

Trying to distract my raging mind, I went online and searched about the accident. Reports had stated that a drunk driver had hit them in the highway. Their car was completely wrecked, Maya's parents immediately died from the crash and couldn't be save but Maya still had a very very weak pulse when the ambulance arrived. Reporters stated that her chance of survival was not high.

Birthday miracles can happen right?

I noticed the time was 11:11. I remembered briefly that this was a holy or angelic time; a time when some people would make wishes, maybe I could try.

I pressed my palms together tightly and kneeled on the floor. As I closed my eyes, I started to pray for the first time in my life; I was not a religious person but if there was a god out there, I really hoped he would help me.

Dear god, please, please let Maya get through this. I don't know if I can go on with life without her. She is my everything. My best friend. My sister. She has so much more to live for. She doesn't deserve to die this soon. She has a very bright future ahead of her. Please god. If there's a god. I beg you. Please.

I had no idea how long I had been wishing and praying. I checked my text messages and they still hadn't been open.

"Laura," my mom went back into my room, "Dad is in the hospital and he just called and told me that Maya- Maya couldn't make it." She said shakily, struggling to get the last part out.

Those little words were worse than any weapon in the world - bullets, grenades or whatever weapon humans had made; because, those little words had just made my whole world came crashing down.