Chapter 29: Already Home

(Present Day- Maya’s POV)

I stood by Carter’s grave his letter was in my hands. Tears were streaming down my face. I couldn’t believe it had been a year since he died.  It felt weird standing here knowing I had betrayed him by moving on and getting engaged again. The cool wind blew and leaves fell from the trees. I loved autumn weather in Nebraska, but today it made the mood more miserable. “Carter, if you can hear me I love you,” I whispered.

“He’s always with you,” I heard someone say from behind me, I turned around and saw his sister, Katelyn, standing there with a smile on her face. She walked over and hugged me. “I’ve missed you,” she told me. “I’ve missed you too,” I assured her. After a few seconds I stepped back. “What brings you back here during wedding plans?” She asked. “Today I felt like Carter needed me, they all understood.” I explained to her.

(Liam’s POV)

I was back in LA while Maya took a day to spend time with Carter’s family.  Everyone wondered why it didn’t bother, but they are like her second family and today marks a year since he died I would want to be surrounded by people who understand how I’m feeling as well. I was going to fly back but my family was still in town and Maya’s family was as well. Our families were very understanding of Maya flying back to Nebraska to spend a day alone to honor Carter. “Lunch is ready!” my mum yelled from the kitchen.

Liam: Hope you are having a great time, if you need anything just text me or call me. I miss you and love you. XOXO

I hated being away from Maya, and I couldn’t imagine going away and not having her with me. When she was in the hospital and I would try to sleep at the house I always ended up back at the hospital, because I couldn’t stand to be away from her. I got up from the couch and went out to the kitchen to get lunch from my mum. “Thanks, mum, it smells amazing!” I said with a smile .

“You know Sophia would love to come to the wedding,” My mum said as we ate lunch. “Please, just stop,” I groaned. I had already decided that I didn’t want Sophia at the wedding, it would just be awkward.

(Maya’s POV)

“Do you ever have weird dreams about Carter?” I asked Katelyn as we drove to her parents’ house. “What do you mean?” She asked me. “Well one night awhile back I had a dream where he was a ghost and took me places and yelled at me,” I sighed remembering that awful dream.

(Flashback)

 “Well, well, well, congrats on the ring!” Carter exclaimed. “I’m sorry I didn’t know it would upset you!” I cried. “I loved you first Maya! You were supposed to marry me!” Carter yelled. Next thing I knew both of us were standing in my old room. Carter started pulling our pictures off the walls through his tears he would scream a cuss word or two. “Why, Maya, why? Why did I do such a stupid thing? Why did I let myself hurt you?” He cried as he broke everything in sight. Fear ran through my body but soon we weren’t in my room anymore we were at his grave. “Soon you will marry Liam and I’ll be here like I have been. You will forget all about me and live your perfect little life. You’re memories of us will soon fade away and it will be like I have never existed!” Carter cried as he kicked his head stone.

“I will never forget you, Carter! I will always love you! No matter where life takes me I will never stop loving you! I was put on this earth to find you! You will always be my everything, trust me please.” I begged. He started to disappear and soon I was back at his funeral. I yelled for him, but no one could hear me. I saw myself hug his mom and tears streamed down both of our faces. I closed my eyes hoping I would be able to escape this, but I couldn’t. “Funny right?” Carter appeared and asked me. “What’s funny?”I asked him. I couldn’t take my eyes off myself. “Funny how you were carrying my baby and never told anyone, but then again that little bundle of joy didn’t get to see life did it?” He snapped.

(End of flashback)

“That’s just freaky,” Katelyn commented. “I know, I haven’t had one since but I don’t like it that’s for sure,’ I sighed. 

Liam: My mom thinks Sophia should be invited to the wedding.

Maya: Babe, maybe it’s time you two set down and talked.

Liam: We have nothing to talk about.

Maya: Lee, I know you and I can tell you have questions to ask her. I don’t care if she comes to the wedding, but I would care if you didn’t sit down and try to work things out with her.

Liam: Why are you pushing me back to my ex?

Maya: I’m not pushing you back to her, today has just got me thinking and maybe it’s better late than never.

I knew Liam wouldn’t sit down with Sophia if his life depended on it, he was stubborn, but I think it would be good for him since Sophia is a friend of the family, she is always going to be around. “Are you sure your parents are home?” I asked Katelyn as we pulled up to what looked like an empty house.

“Well, they said they were going to be, but I don’t see any cars,” she sighed.  She parked the car in the driveway and then ran inside to see if anyone was home. “The house is empty,” she said in disbelief as she got back in the car a few moments later. “Empty like how?” I asked her confused. “Like there is no sign anyone had been living there,” she told me.

“Where would they have gone?” I asked her in shock. “I’m not sure, but it doesn’t seem like them to just up and move without telling anyone,” she was almost in tears. You could tell she was scared by how her voice trembled. The expression on her face gave it away as well. “Are you going to call them?” I asked her.

“I’ll try, but you know they never answer their stupid phones,” she mumbled. “Well, just try,” I begged her. I scrolled through Instagram and Twitter as she tried to get a hold of them. “Straight to voicemail,” she sighed. I looked over a few tears had escaped her eyes. “Kate, it’s going to be okay,” I assured her. “Why would they run away on a day like today!” she screamed. “When was the last time you talked to them?” I asked her. “Last night when I told them I was coming down to visit,” she said. You could tell she was in disbelief by this whole thing. “Did you talk to them on the house phone?” I asked her.

“No,  I called my mom’s cell phone since she was still at work,” she mumbled.

(Liam’s POV)

I paced around the living room waiting for Sophia to show up. I couldn’t believe I had talked myself into this. The door bell rang and my mom let her in. “Hi,” I mumbled as she walked into the living room. “Hi,” she said without a smile.

“You can sit down, do you need anything to drink?” I offered. “No,” she said practically a whisper. I nodded and set down. “So I just wanted to say I hope there are no hard feelings and Maya would love it if you came to the wedding,” I said.  She just looked at me. I didn’t say anything. “Is that what you want?” she asked me. Do I tell her the truth and tell her I don’t want her there, I don’t even want her now? Or should I lie and tell her I would love for her to be there.

“If you want to come then well come I can’t stop you,” I said. “You haven’t changed one bit Liam, and I don’t know how Maya puts up with you,” Sophia said and then left. I didn’t move I stayed in my spot on the couch.   “What the heck did you do now!?” My mom yelled as she walked into the living room. “I invited her to the wedding,” I mumbled.

(Maya’s POV)

Katelyn ended up driving home she was too upset to deal with anything else. She dropped me off at my car. I walked back over to Carter’s grave and set down next to it. “Carter, I miss you so much.” I whispered. I let all my tears out and sobbed for at least a half hour. “Carter, I wish you could come back.” I whispered. I saw a few flashes and heard cameras go off.  Where is that coming from? I looked around and saw someone sitting in a bush. I got up and walked over to the bush.  

Whoever was in the bush started running as I came closer. “Stop!” I yelled. Surprisingly they stopped running. “Turn around!” I demanded. They didn’t move. “Now!” I hollered. “I can’t,” they mumbled. I recognized the voice but I couldn’t remember where I had heard it. “If you don’t turn around I swear I’ll do something neither of us will like!” I threathened. I didn’t plan on doing anything to whoever it might be but I didn’t want them to know that.  They slowly turned around and took their hat off. I stood in shock. I couldn’t believe who was standing there in front of me. 

(Liam’s POV)

“Shouldn’t Maya be getting on her flight soon?” Harry asked me. “I think so, I’m so glad she will be home tonight,” I told him. “Me too, it’s so quiet around here without her,” Harry said. He was true.  Maya always lit up the room without even trying and her laugh could make anyone’s bad day turn into a good day.

Maya: Would you hate me if I came home tomorrow instead?

When I read Maya’s text it made my stomach drop. I didn’t want her to come home tomorrow I wanted her to come home tonight, I really missed her.

Liam: what happened to coming home tonight?

Maya: Carter’s family is missing no one has seen sight of them and the empty is completely empty the only thing left is the money the owed on the house. Katelyn needs me.

Liam: Well we need you here too.

Maya: Oh my gosh, Liam! I thought you would understand over this whole thing!

Liam: I’m trying to be Maya, I just want you back. I want you home already.

Maya: I miss you too, Liam, but please just give me another day.

Liam: I guess.

Maya: Please don’t be mad.

Liam: It’s kind of hard not to be.

Maya: I just need one more day, Lee, that’s it.

Liam: One day turns into another and that day turns into another and then you know how it goes.

Maya: It won’t happen this time, please Liam, I promise.

Liam: If Katelyn left then who are you going to stay with?

Maya: I’ll be at my parents’ house.

Liam: Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow then.

I slammed my phone down on the kitchen counter. “Are you okay?” Harry asked me. “She is staying another day because Carter’s family went missing and she feels like it’s her job to find them,” I sighed.

“What the heck?” He mumbled. “We were suppose to have lunch with everyone tomorrow, but it seems like she forgot or this is more important than everyone here,” I sighed.

(Maya’s POV)

“But why would you be taking pictures of me?” I asked. I couldn’t believe he was standing there looking back at me. “I need some extra cash and I heard you were coming back to visit, so I just decided to sell you out to the tabloids,” he exclaimed to me. “Really?” I asked, the words coming out of his mouth hurt.

“But you…we…,” I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. “Yeah, I know,” He sighed.  “How?” I sighed. “Maya, look, you came to me when Carter died and I really thought we had something but one day you just stopped returning my phone calls and text messages, and I gave up hope. The next thing I know everyone is saying you are dating some musician and how I am suppose to feel about that one?” he snapped.

“Chase, please don’t do this,” I begged. “No, I need the money I just lost my job,” he cringed.  I stood there and looked at him and soon all of the memories came flooding back.

(Flashback)

Maya: Are you home?

Chase: I was just about to ask you the same thing.

Maya: Can you come over?

I knew it was wrong to ask Carter’s best friend to come over, but I needed someone who understand exactly why I was going through. Chase and I had always been good friends because of Carter.

I went into my room and changed into some yoga pants and a Husker football sweatshirt. I threw my hair up into a top knot and brushed my teeth.  Soon there was a knock on my door. I quickly made my way from my bathroom to the front door.

When I opened the door and saw Chase standing there I don’t know what came over me but I soon became very attracted to him.  “You look cute,” He chuckled as he came in. “Thanks, you don’t look to bad yourself,” I laughed. I followed him into the living room and set down on the couch next to him.  As the night went on the attraction for him grew. One thing held to another and he ended up staying the night.

(End of flashback)

“I got to go,” I mumbled. “Yeah, me too,” He sighed. “Look, Chase, I’m sorry,”  I said. “You know I always thought about what this would be like, but I always knew you would apologize but never mean it,” he groaned and walked away.

*Hey guys! Wow, this chapter has a stressful one to right just because my life is CRAZY! I’m working all time and every time I try to sit down and write I end up distracted by something. It’s crazy, but I keep throwing plot twist at you guys, because it’s fun and it keeps the story from getting boring and ordinary. XOXO*