Chapter 11: 2300 Jackson St Part 1: Things I Do For You

I can't believe it's already morning. Last night was so weird and awkward but, still we found a way to still enjoy ourselves. I'm always up before Michael. He fell asleep before I did. Of course I had to make him get up and make him go to bed. He didn't want to move he claimed he was comfortable but, I knew he was going to regret it later. So I had to pull his half sleep body to his room. I can't forget what happened though. It keeps replaying in my mind. I can't stop thinking about it and what he said. What did it all mean? What did he mean? I know he was half sleep but, did he think he was dreaming? 

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Even when he's half sleep he's very affectionate. I can't help but blush. But, he isn't making this any easy. This boy just don't want to assist me in getting him in bed. Like he's drunk or something. 

"Michael." I whine once we make it to the door of his bedroom. "A little help please."

"I'm sorry Maya." He says half sleep. 

He reaches for the door knob and turns it. He pushes the door open and we both walk in. I get him in the bed and he lays down. 

"Maya lay with me please. I can't sleep without you." He says with his eyes still closed. 

He gets more comfortable on the bed. 

"I'm coming Michael." I say. 

I turn off the light and crawl into the bed beside him. 

"Maya." He calls out in the dark. 

"I'm right here." I say touching his arm. 

"I need you. I need to feel your warmth."

I can't help but smile as I pull my body closer to him. I feel him lay on his side. He pulls me completely to him. 

"I need you closer." He says as he pulls me on top of him. 

"Michael." I say shocked. "What are you doing?"

"Please Maya." He whispers. "I need you. I need you so bad that it hurts. It hurts so much. I just.." He sighs heavily. 

"Michael, you've been doing that a lot. You don't understand what it does to my heart." I say truthfully. 

"I know and I am so sorry. I promise you I'm not going anywhere. I just need some more time. You just need some more time. We both need some more time for us. But, I am here and I need you I honestly do. I just don't want to hurt you. Please be patient for us. I know what we have is magical. Know that I am here."

"Michael." Is all I can say. 

What does that even mean. 

"I just can't help myself when I am round you. I need you close to me at all times. I have to feel you. To know that you are real. I'm scared I can be dreaming and I'll wake up and you'll be gone."

What? Oh Michael. I swear he makes me feel things I never felt before. I pinch him. Just so he realizes this is more real than anything. 

"Ow." He says. "Maya why?" He whines. 

"Did that feel real?" I ask. 

"Yes and it hurt."

"So no more doubting that this isn't real. What we have is real." I say. 

 "My sweet Maya." He says intertwining his hand with mine. "Come closer to me please."

I move up more on him towards his face and he grunts. Oh no did I hurt him?

"Did I hurt you?" I ask scared. 

"Far from it." He says kissing my hand. 

He lets go of my hands and I feel them on my thighs. 

"Michael, what are you doing?" I ask confused. 

"I just need you closer to my face." He says and pushes my body up closer to him from my thighs. 

He didn't even move his hands off my bare thighs. I just lay there with my head in his neck. My hands on his chest. 

"Maya." He breathes out as he slightly squeezes my thighs. 

What is this man trying to do to me. I bite my lip. I wonder if he can feel how wet I am becoming. I don't have any panties on under my spandex. I place my hand on his neck as I tilt my head and place a kiss on his chin. 

"Mm Maya. kiss me again please."

My eyes grow wide but I kiss him again in the same spot. 

"Thank you. I swear I can't get enough of you." 

What is he doing to my heart right now. His hands are still on my thighs. My other hand finds his curls.  

"I wish we could stay like this forever." He yawns. "I love the feel of being this close to you. The way you make me feel is so magical."

What does he mean by that? He places a kiss on my forehead and his hands are still on my thighs. I know I am making his shirt wet. 

"Never stop needing me Maya. Please just have faith in me. Understand that I want this more than anything. We just need more time. Just never let go of the magic. Feel the magic. Because I am yours forever."

"I'm in way too deep anyway." I say lowly. "I am yours too Michael. Need me and no one else please.

"Girl, I wouldn't have it any other way." He says giggling. "We should really get some rest."

"Hmm." I hum. "You are keeping me up mister. Your arms aren't around me holding me close to your heart."

"Your heart is in my chest like I hope mine is in yours. Because my heart needs you to beat."

I don't want to move. I'm so comfortable. So I place a small kiss on his neck. What is happening to me. 

"Maya." He whispers as his arms wrap around my lower back. 

What is that poking me? Is that his? No can't be. Can it? I feel one of his hands find my curls. I sigh into his body. Is it weird that I feel like our bodies are molded together? Like we just fit so well. For the rest of the night we just laid in silence til we fell asleep. 

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It's now time to go and I am so nervous. Of course Michael tells me at the last minute to pack a bag because we are staying the night. I swear sometimes I can't stand this boy. Which is rarely. He is too much. We were actually sharing a bag. So that means if he goes in the bag to get something he will see my bra and panties. I'm going to be so embarrassed if he has one of them in his hands. I could die. I'm going to meet his whole family. What if they don't like me? What if I have a panic attack? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I do the wrong thing?

"Maya. Get out of your head please." Michael begs as he strokes my face softly. 

I look at him. I was so engulfed in my own head I couldn't even realize we were already in the car and heading to his mother's house. I know I'm going to screw it up. Doing something stupid. I might lose Michael forever today. I can't. I can't lose him. I don't want to lose him. I need him. Regardless of me fighting these feelings oe not. I need him to be right here with me because of my sanity. 

"Maya." He says pulling me into his embrace. "Please don't cry. Everything is okay. I know you are nervous. You just need to relax and be yourself. Everyone will love you. You are an amazing person. I believe in you." He says. 

I didn't even realize that I'm crying. It's just the thought of losing him really hurts. I need him so bad. It really hurts my heart. 

"Please breath Maya. I'm going to be right here no matter what. So please I am begging you." He says with so much worry in his voice. 

"Hand in hair please." I say. 

I take a deep breath and bury my face into his chest. His long fingers mesh in my curls and I sigh in relaxation. I swear I can survive with just him in my life. Right by my side. I need him so bad. 

"I'm here Maya. Never forget that. You made me realize this is more real thing anything. How magical this really is."

I wrap my arms around him. 

"Never let me go." I say into his chest.

"Never." He says. "I need you too bad to ever let you go. I'm never going to let you slip away. I need my sweet Maya so much. So bad that it hurts. Just the mere thought of losing you. Breaks my heart."

I look up at him with my arms still wrapped around him. With my chin resting on his chest. I smile at him. 

"Are you trying to make me cry again."

"You were crying about me?" He asks shocked. 

"Yes. I'm so scared that if I screw up today I might lose you forever." I say feeling my tears burn the corner of my eyes. 

"Maya." He says and leans down and presses his forehead against mine. "I never want to lose you. I can't lose you." He says as his eyes get watery. "I need you so bad. I don't think you understand how I feel about you."

Yeah you only see me as your best friend and nothing more I say to myself as I look away from him. 

"No please look at me." 

I look back at him and his tears are now streaming down his face.

"What's wrong Michael?" I ask feeling my own tears. 

I can't stand it when he cries. When he hurts I hurt. When he cries I cry. I feel so connected to this man. 

"Do you no longer need me?" He asks with so much hurt in his voice. 

"Michael, don't even think that. I told you I'm always going to need you." I say. 

I wrap my arms around his neck pull him close to me. His arms wrap around me. 

"Why would you make me think that Maya?" 

"I didn't mean too. I'm just so nervous. I'm afraid I'm not going to make a good first impression. I'm afraid I might lose you forever because of it. That thought breaks my heart and it makes me terrified." 

"Maya." He says and kisses me on the cheek. "I told you there's nothing in this world that can break what we have. I need you too much to just let you slip through my fingers."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Michael."

"I got you Maya. I will never leave your side today. I will never let go of you hand. You will not only see me there but you will feel me right there beside you."

"Thank you so much Michael. I really need you right now." 

"I got you my sweet Maya." He say running his fingers through my curls. 

"Do you guys need a few minutes." Bill says with the car door open. 

I didn't even realize we had stopped or made it to his Mother's house. 

"Yes, Bill" Michael says never once removing himself from my hold. 

"You got it boss man." He says before closing the door. 

"Are you okay Michael?" I ask.

"Yes. I just need you to hold me right now." He says holding me tighter. "Are you okay?" He asks. 

"Never let me go and I will be." I say holding him tighter.

"I promise my sweet Maya. I'll never let you go because I need you and I'll never stop needing you."

"Forever."

"Forever and ever." He says. "Now favorite thing please." He says giggling. 

My fingers find his curls before he could actually finish his sentence. We just stay like that. Frozen in time. I need him so bad. I crave this man so much. How did I get myself so deep? How is it even possible to care about someone so much like I do. Never let me go Michael. Please I can't be without you.

"How are you feeling?" He asks. 

"I'm not ready yet." I say quickly. 

"Then come closer my sweet Maya." He whispers to me.

I place my legs over his lap and he brings me closer.

"No closer." He whispers as he places me on his lap. 

"Michael." I say surprised. 

"Shh. I need you Maya." He says squeezing me a little. "I need you so bad." 

"Michael." I say. "Never leave my side today. Please. I need you so bad right now."

"Maya." He breathes out. "I swear I breath you."

"Michael." I say running my fingers through his curls. "As long as you stay by my side. I can do anything. Thank you. For being my strength."

There's a light tap at the car door before it opens. Neither one of us let go of each other as we looked to see who disturbed us. It was one of his older sisters and some girl behind her. She doesn't look too happy right now. Michael sighs heavily but his grip on me doesn't loosen. 

"Michael." I softly say. 

"Shh. Maybe if we don't talk they'll go away." He says. 

"Michael." I say shocked but sternly at the same time. "You can't be so mean. That is still your sister." 

"You are right. I am sorry my sweet Maya."

"Apologize to them not me." I say.

He sighs heavily. 

"Are you ready?" He asks. 

"Not really." I say honestly. "Just don't let go of my hand. I need to not only just see you but feel you right by my side." 

"I promise I will never let it go. I need to hold your hand. I need to hold you. I need you right by my side."

"Okay handsome. Let's go. We've been sitting here too long anyway."

With my hand intertwined with Michael's we climb out the car. Him leading us. He keeps we close to him as we stand in front of his sister and someone else. Why is she staring at Michael so hard? He's not even paying any mind to her. He's looking at his sister smiling. I grip the sleeve of his sweater pulling him closer to me. He looks at me smiling.

"Just for a moment I gotta let go. I promise just to hug my sister." 

Awe he's so sweet. He kisses me on the cheek before we parted and my hand misses him already. I miss his warmth already. Yeah I got it bad. He gives her a quick hug before returning to my side. His big hand engulfs mine and our fingers intertwine. 

"LaToya." He begins with a huge smile on his face. "I want you to meet someone so very dear and special to me." He says and kisses me on my cheek.

Where his lips linger for a while. I swear this man gives me so many butterflies. All I want to do is be in his hold and run my fingers through his soft curls.

"My best friend. My sweet Maya." He says smiling from ear to ear.

Gee thanks Michael. I shouldn't even be upset. That's all I am to him and that's all I'll ever be to him. Just his damn best friend. I smile at her.

"It's so nice to meet you." She says smiling at me. "I didn't even know Michael has a best friend."

"Hello, it's nice to meet you too. I hope we can become friends." I say reaching for her hand.

We shake hands.

"I wasn't ready to share her Toya. I was so afraid that this wasn't real and I would wake up from a sick dream or something." His free hand cups my cheek. "But she has shown me this is more real then anything. I know what we have is magical."

Awe Michael. Yeah I'm starting to think this man is trying to make me fall in love with him. He gotta know the things he is saying to me is making me feel things. He just gotta know that I have feelings for him. That I like him so much. Damn it Michael.

"Hey Mike I hope you didn't forget about Hannah." She says smiling. 

Who's Hannah to him? Awe man I feel jealous. No point in denying it. She's so beautiful.

"No, I didn't forget your friend. How are you Hannah?" He says. 

His hand is still on my cheek. I hope she isn't an ex or someone he was talking too or is. I can't handle any of that right now. 

"Hi Michael." She softly says and waves at him. "I'm good Michael. Thank you for asking. How have you been?" 

"I'm more better then ever." He says as he looks at me smiling big. "Words can't express how happy and blessed I am right now. With my sweet Maya right by my side." 

Awe boy stop it. 

"You're not going to give her a hug. I know you haven't seen her in a few days." Latoya says before looking at me. 

A few days ago? How many days? We have been together everyday for almost two weeks now. 

"That's only because you stopped by the studio with her." He says to her. "But I won't be rude." 

With my hand in his still he reaches his arm out and gives her a half hug. Once he is right by my side my body clings to him as I stand slightly behind him. My head against his shoulder. I just want him close. I need to feel his warmth. 

"Are you okay?" He asks. 

I stand on my tippy toes coming closer to his ear. 

"I need to feel your warmth." I whisper only for him to hear. 

"I swear you are too cute." He says giggling at me. "Are you ready to meet everyone else?" He asks. 

"As long as you are right by my side. When you are close I feel different, happier, like I can do anything." I whisper to him. 

"My sweet Maya. I swear I don't deserve you." He says smiling at me. 

"You are stuck with me mister." I say laughing once my feet are back on the ground. 

"I love that idea." He says smiling at me. "Okay let's get this over with. The sooner we introduce you to everyone the sooner you can be doing your favorite thing." He says giggling. 

"Just my favorite thing." I say giggling and wiggling my eyebrows at him. 

"Yeah you are right. It's my favorite thing too." He says and sticks his tongue out at me. "Come on beautiful." He says. 

He leads me to the front door. I can't help but be in awe at how beautiful his mother's home is. Elegant furniture and beautiful works of art on the wall. 

"Everyone is in the backyard." He says as we walk through the sliding door. 

Oh my gosh. I forgot he has such a big family. I can't help but smile at his beautiful family that are laughing together. I wish I had a family. I guess I do but they hate me. I feel him squeeze my hand a little. My hand is still clinging to his sweater and I'm still behind him. I'm so nervous to meet everyone. What will they think of me? I want to make a good first impression. But, I'm afraid I'm going to do something stupid. I always do. I'm nothing but bad luck. My eyes grow wide when I feel Michael's hands cup my face. 

"Michael." I say surprised. 

"Please get out of your head." He says and wraps his arms around me. "Please Maya. Everything is going to be okay. Put your arms around my neck." He says holding me close. 

I wrap my arms around his neck and I sigh into his embrace. I swear he's all I need. All I am ever going to need. 

"All I need is you Michael." I say into his chest. "All I am ever going to need is you."

"My sweet sweet Maya. Thank you. Because I swear you are I will need ever. Just know I got you. No matter I am right here for you and only you." He says into my neck. 

I never want him to let me go. I love it when he holds me so close to him. Like I am the only person in the world he will ever need. Damn there's that word again. No falling in love with this man Maya Nicole Marbles. Mm he smells so good. I can't get enough of this man. 

"Mm Maya, I swear I love having you so close to me. I swear I am addicted to your warmth." He says into my neck. 

Damn it Michael. Why me? 

"Hey Mike." Someone says. "Is this Maya." She says. 

He's been telling people about me? We pull away and his hand quickly grabs mine. It's another one of his sisters. 

"Janet." He says with a smile. "Yes, my sweet Maya." He says smiling at me. "Just for a moment." He says. 

His hand parts from mine and they hug each other. Before his hand can be in mine again she hugs me tight. I can't help but, smile and hug her back. She pulls away smiling at me. 

"I'm sorry we hug in this family. But, Michael has told me so much about you and I feel like I already know you. Mike wasn't lying you are incredibly beautiful."

"Thank you so much. Michael has told me so much about you too. He says you two are the closest." I say smiling. "That's how My brother and I were." I say lowly and look at the ground. 

I miss him so much. In four days it will make another year. Michael's hand finds mine and all my pain instantly goes away. I smile at him. 

"Thank you." I say to him. 

"I got you Maya." He says and kisses me on the cheek. 

"Awe y'all are too cute. So I take it you finally...." 

"Janet no." He says covering her mouth.

What? I'm confused. What was she about to say? I look at him and he just smiles at me. 

"Dang Mike." She says pushing his hand away. 

"Finally showed your face." Someone says walking up to us. 

It's one of his brothers. 

"Really Jermaine." 

"I'm only joking. How's it going little bro." He says. 

"Words can't describe." He says smiling at me. 

Boy, you are going to stop doing that.  I swear my cheeks are on fire right now. 

"Mike finally got himself a girlfriend." He says smiling. 

"No, she's just his best friend." Janet says. 

Damn girl. Way to go stabbing me right in my heart. 

"This is my sweet Maya." 

"Hello there sweet Maya." He says reaching out his hand. 

Michael pulls me close to him and my eyes grow wide. 

"No she's my sweet Maya. She's all mine. Get your own."

I can't help but laugh. Laugh a little too loud. 

"Dang Mike that is how you introduced her to him." Janet says laughing. 

"I swear he's too adorable for words." I say as my fingers find his curls. 

"Mm, Maya save that for later please." He says into my neck. 

"Okay handsome." I say as I retrieve my hand from his hair. 

"But, stay close to me. I need you." He says. 

Our hands intertwine again and once again I cling to his arm. 

"Something is going on between y'all." Jermaine says. 

"Something Magical." Michael says smiling from ear to ear. 

"Whatever. It's nice to meet you Maya." He says extending his hand out. 

I reach for it and and he places a quick kiss on it. 

"We usually give hugs but I know Mike isn't going to let you go."

"Never." He says quickly. 

"I don't want you too either." I say rubbing his arm up and down. 

"Y'all are too much." Janet says laughing. "Well everyone else is over by the pool. Let her meet everyone. I know mother can't wait to meet her."

"There's so much I have to show you too." He says smiling at me.

With my hand still in his we walk down the path leading to the pool. Where the music and laughter grows louder. I miss things like this with my family. Before my brother got killed we use to have family cookouts and Sunday dinner a lot. Now they treat me like I'm the biggest mistake in the world. It hurts, it really hurts bad that I will never be good enough for anyone. I'm nothing but bad luck. I cause pain and destruction where ever I go. My chest hurts. I grip the sleeve of his sweater as I feel my grip on his hand loosens. 

"Maya I got you." He says pulling me close. "I'm right here. Just close your eyes and count to ten. I promise you I will be still holding you when your eyes open."  

I do what he says and my emotions and heart comes to a calm.

"Thank you so much Michael." I say wrapping my arms around him.  "I'm sorry I put you through so much and make you worry about me so much."

"Maya don't ever be sorry for things you can not control. I worry because I care about you so much. I'm always going to care about you because I am always going to need you. You just need time to heal and I will be right here with you through the whole journey my sweet Maya." He says. 

I pull away smiling at him. I swear he's too good to me. I can never get rid of these feelings now. I'm screwed. He cups my face and wipes away my tears with his thumbs. I bite my lip as we stare into each other eyes. I can seriously get lost in his beautiful brown eyes. He leans down and places a kiss on my forehead. These butterflies are getting too much for me. I swear. His lips linger there and I swear I love it when his lips are on me. Damn it there's that dang word again. I'm really hating myself for letting myself fall for this man. But, he's so sweet and charming. He's so good too me. Damn it Maya. He pulls away smiling at me. I come closer to him as I stand on my tippy toes. His eyes grow wide as my lips meet his cheek. 

"Maya." He softly whispers as his arms wrap back around me. 

I go to pull away but he holds me close. He leans down with me as my feet touch the ground. 

"No stay right there please. I need your kisses." He softly says. "I love the feel of your lips on me." 

What is this man doing to my heart right now? Gosh, I feel like I just melted in his arms. My hand touches his other cheek holding him in place. My thumb softly caress his cheek. I swear I get so lost in this man's embrace. My free hand finds his curls and he sighs in satisfaction. He pulls me closer to him like that's even possible. 

"Michael." A women says. 

We pull away to see who it is. Oh my gosh its his mother. I bury my face in his chest and he holds me close laughing. He sways us back and forth as he strokes my hair. 

"I swear you are too cute my sweet Maya." He says giggling. "Are you okay." 

I'm mentally dying of embarrassment. 

"I got you so I know I'm always going to be okay."

"I swear you are too sweet to me. That is why you are my sweet Maya."

"Michael." I say blushing. "Don't embarrass me now."

His mother starts laughing and I pull away from his hold. He looks at me confused. I know he needs to hug her. He smiles at me then at his mother. He pulls her close as they hug longer then his hugs with his siblings. He kisses her on the cheek before pulling away and reaching for my hand. I take his hand in mine and cling to his sweater once again. I stand slightly behind him once again. His mother smiles at me. 

"Wow, Michael is right you are incredibly beautiful." She says. 

"Thank you ma'am. I see where Michael gets his good looks from. He looks just like you. Beautiful smile and eyes. I swear he's so handsome."

"Oh my." She says giggling. 

"Maya." He says shyly. "Please don't embarrass me." He says blushing. 

"Awe I swear you are too adorable." I say touching his face softly. 

He looks down at me blushing. Awe Michael. 

"It's finally nice to meet you Maya." His mother says breaking our intense stare. 

"Yes ma'am." I say smiling at her. 

"Michael has told me so much about you." She says opening her arms to me. 

"I hope it's all good ma'am." I say hugging her. 

Awe I see where Michael gets his incredible hugs from. 

"Yes sweetie." She says letting go. "How are you doing?" She asks me. 

"I'm a lot better. Thanks to Michael. He been amazing helping me through everything. I swear I owe him so much for being by my side when I buried my grandmother yesterday. How about yourself ma'am?" 

"I am wonderful. Thank you and I'm so sorry for your lost sweetie." She says looking at me with sad eyes. 

"Thank you ma'am." 

"Please call me Katherine." 

"Are you sure ma'am."

"Yes I am."

"Thank you Ms. Katherine."

"You are well mannered." She says smiling at me. 

"My grandmother raised me right and growing up my brother always made sure I spoke to my elders with respect."

"Next time bring your brother with you. The more the merrier." She says. 

My heart literally falls to my stomach. No please don't cry. You already did so much of that today and yesterday.

"I'm sorry sweetie did I say something wrong?"

"No ma'am. How I wish he could be here. I wish that more then anything he was still alive. But, he was murdered."

"Oh my. I'm so sorry Maya."

I take a deep breath. 

"It's okay. It happened almost three years ago. I'm okay."

"I feel terrible." She says. 

"No don't. It's not like you knew. As long as your amazing son stays by my side I know I can handle anything life throws at me."

"From the things Michael has told me. You don't ever have to worry about him leaving your side." She says smiling big at him. 

"Mother." He says shyly. 

Awe he's blushing again. 

"I won't keep you any longer. Introduce her to everyone else. I know she needs some fun right now." She says smiling at me. 

"Thank you ma'am. It was wonderful meeting you."

"Awe sweetie. I know we will be seeing a lot of each other."

"I hope so."

"Come one beautiful. So many other's too meet." 

With my hand in his. We walk up to his older sister and three of his brother. 

"My sweet Maya, I would like you too meet my sister Rebbie and three more of my brothers Jackie, Tito and, Marlon." He says smiling down at me. 

Each on greets me with a hug. I cling to him again as he talks to his siblings. I just stand there close to him. I just loving being in his arms. There's that damn word again. 

"Hey where's Randy?" Michael asks. 

"Some where with his new girl." Marlon says. "Oh wait there he is." He says pointing in the far end of the backyard by a bunch of trees. 

"Were going to go say hi to me. There's so many things I need to show her today."

"You got it bro." Tito says. 

With that we take off walking to the other end of the yard where he was talking to a girl who looks oddly familiar. We approach them and my heart stops from the site of her. Lilly? I haven't seen her since my brother got killed. I don't know if I can handle this right now. I take a deep breath. 

"Randy." Michael says with his hand up in the air. 

"How's it going bro." They says greeting each other with a hug. 

"I'm better because this amazing woman is by my side." He says kissing me on the cheek. 

"Yeah, I know that feeling." He says smiling at Lilly.

She gives me a sad look and I look away from her. I don't know if I can speak to her. We use to be so close. 

"I would like you too meet my sweet Maya." He says smiling big. 

"It's nice to finally meet you. Michael speaks so highly of you."

"So I've heard." I saygiggling. 

"Mike this is my girl Lilly." He says. 

"Nice to meet you." He says giving her a side hug. "Randy speaks highly of you too."

"I hope it's all good."

"Don't worry it is."

"How have you been Maya." She asks me. 

I hide behind Michael. Just clinging to him more. 

"Wait you too know each other?" Randy asks shocked. 

"Maya?" Michael says. 

I sigh heavily. 

"We went to the same school." I say into his back. "I knew her older brother." 

"Maya." She says sadly. 

"Are you okay." He asks turning to face me. 

He just stares into my eyes waiting for me to answer him. I stand on my tippy toes and places a quick kiss on his cheek. 

"I told you with you by my side I can do and handle anything. I'll always need you."

"Thank you my sweet Maya." He says hugging me. 

He hugs me tight and I can't help these damn butterflies. 

"I always said you two were destined to meet." Lilly says. 

We pull away and look at her. She always did say that. I give her a half smile. 

"Mike, Randy mother needs us." Marlon says walking toward us. 

He looks down at me. 

"I will be okay. Only for your mother will I let you part from me." I say smiling at him. 

"I promise I won't be long and I will try to stay where you can see me."

We kiss each other on the cheek and part ways. Man I miss him already. I lean against the tree Lilly is standing next too and watch them walk away. 

"Hey Maya I'm so sorry about your grandmother."

"Thank you. I swear if it wasn't for that man I don't know if I would be standing right now."

"How did that even happen?" She asks looking at me.

"I should be asking you the same thing."

I see Michael watching me from the distance and he waves at me smiling. I wave back smiling. 

"Maya."

"Hm." I say never taking my eyes off of him. 

"I'm so sorry about Eddie. About that night in general." 

I step away from the tree and her. I stand there looking at her. 

"I blame myself. You really needed a friend and I pushed you away."

"All of you ditched me. How could y'all ever had called yourself my friend. I told ya'll countless times I wasn't comfortable but, you pushed my feelings aside like they never mattered. I haven't seen or heard from y'all since that night three years ago. How were you going to expect me to react. Just hug you like nothing ever happened."

I grip my head in frustration. Here's that pain in my chest again. 

"Maya please calm down." She says reaching out to me. 

"No." I say backing away. "Do you know how I felt watching my brother take his last breath in my arms. I blamed myself. My whole family disowned me." I say lowly. 

I'm trying so hard to fight my tears right now. 

"Please just breath Maya." 

"Don't act like you care now." I say angrily. "Just tell me why? We were so close. I actually considered you my best friend." 

Man, hear comes the tears. I can't seem to win. I can't seem to get my breathing under control. Why me? I knew I was going to do something to embarrass him. Here I am about to have a damn panic attack. 

"Maya I.."

"Maya." I hear Michael yell before his arms wrap around me. "I'm so sorry. I should've never left your side."

I wrap my arms around. Trying to keep my cries low. 

"I'm so sorry Maya." She says crying. 

"What happened?" Randy asks. 

"It's all my fault." Lilly says. 

"I need you Michael. I need you so bad right now. It hurts. It hurts so damn bad." I say crying hard. 

"I got you. I'm right here."