Chapter 35: When the past comes knocking

(Maya’s POV)

“Only 48 more hours and you will be Mrs. Liam Payne!” Serra exclaimed. “Oh shush, I can’t believe this past year has gone by so fast!”  I exclaimed as we boarded the private jet.  “Believe it, because in just two days you will never be able to escape the One Direction madness!” Niall joked as he followed behind. “It’s not too late to run now is it?” I laugh. “Everyone just move on in, we need to get going!” Paul demanded from the back of the line. When we all took our seats the jet took off.

“Nervous yet, Liam?” Harry asked. “No,” Liam said sounding sure of himself. “Just wait, you will be,” Harry swore.  Eventually everyone fell asleep on the plane.

(Flashback)

“Oh c’mon Maya! You have to go! Carter would be mad if you didn’t go!” Serra whined. “Yeah, why waste the tickets?” Makayla cried.  I couldn’t imagine going to a concert with tickets bought by Carter. “It will be a great time! A night you’ll never forget!” Serra assured me.  I set up on my bed and gave them a death glare. “I know you have been keep something from us and you don’t have to tell us, but you need this concert tonight!” Makayla snapped. I just stared at them. “Please, Maya, you know you want to go. You love One Direction! You know you really can’t pass up a chance to see Liam in person!” Serra said. 

“Okay, okay! I’ll go!” I pleaded as I got off of my bed. If it was going to get them to shut up then I would go.  “You won’t regret this!” Makayla said as she pushed me towards my closet so I could find something to wear.

Chase: Maya, you have to talk to me sooner or later…what’s done is done and so let’s just sit down and work it out. I miss you.

I must have tried on a ton of outfits before I settled on one. “Okay, you need major work down to your hair,” Serra sighed. “Honestly, guys, I got this,” I sighed as I walked into the bathroom. “Are you sure?” Serra asked. “Yeah, I need some time alone anyways. I need to process all of this.” I said as I shut the bathroom door.

I stared in the mirror. Right before Makayla and Serra had arrived I had returned from the doctor, I had received some of the worst news ever and now I had to act like nothing happened and go to the One Direction concert. I curled my hair and did my makeup before I left the bathroom.

Maya: Chase, stop.  All of that was a mistake and I can’t go through with that. Sorry, but you’re his best friend.

Jane: Have fun at the concert tonight! Wish I was going!

Chase: Maya, don’t push me out! I need you! You need me!

Maya: I don’t NEED anyone Chase! My life is falling apart as it is, why would I take anyone down with me?

Bri: Have fun tonight girly! I need pictures!!!!!

(End of Flashback- Liam’s POV)

I woke up to find everyone asleep. I looked over at Maya, who had fallen asleep mid text message, and I couldn’t help but smile soon. We would be married and we would be able to put all the drama and trash behind and start our lives together as a married couple. Everyone kept asking if we would return to Nebraska while One Direction went on holiday but I wasn’t sure what Maya wanted to do.  I honestly wouldn’t mind living in Nebraska for awhile, I loved it there and I loved getting to spend time with her family.

I scrolled through my twitter and favorite some tweets from fans and even replied to a couple.

I did it randomly and I love the fans reactions when they noticed me in their notifications. Making them happy made me happy because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today and I would have never met Maya.

Sure Maya and I have had some rough times, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love her. Each fight we have, each time I go to bed holding back words I know I would upset her, each time I push her away, it makes us stronger. She makes me a better person and I couldn’t imagine going through life without her. Maya has been there for me when I don’t want anyone to know what’s going on. When I won’t even tell the guys what is wrong, she understands and gets me in away no one has ever been able too.

She doesn’t see me as Liam Payne member of the world famous boy band One Direction. She sees me as Liam Payne  the guy whose dreams came true but still a normal guy.  She never tried to use me for the fame or free stuff. All of the actually scared her, she hated being in the public eye, but for me she dealt with it.  She handled it better than I ever thought she would be able too. 

Maya changed me. I don’t how and I don’t know when, but she did. She helped me in a way I will never be able to thank her for. She has never given up on me, not even when times were rough and if I was here I would have left me.

(Flashback)

“Maya! You can’t just go telling everyone our business! That’s how rumors start! They want you to talk about the wedding and our future plans because they want to spin your words and make new stories!” I yelled. I was furious I couldn’t believe this. Maya’s eyes were red from crying and she would mad at the world.

“It was an interview, Liam! An INTERVIEW!” She yelled. “Well, you shouldn’t have answered that question!” I yelled. “Liam, sometimes I don’t understand you! We can’t just live our lives in secret because we are famous, that’s not how life works!” she cried. I couldn’t bring myself to look at her.  I started to walk towards her but she kept backing away. “I can’t deal with this right now.” She sighed. “Maya, stop,” I begged. “No, I can’t believe how big of a selfish idiot you are acting right now,” She said. I stopped and looked up at her. Her makeup all messed up, black covered her under eyes. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and her face was red.

“Just give me space,” she begged and left the room. I nodded but I didn’t move just liked she asked me too.

(end of flashback)

Maya shifted in her sleep and rested her head on my shoulder. “You are my world and I hope you know that,” I whispered. She slowly blinked her eyes up and smiled up at me. “I know,” she whispered. I kissed the top of her head and then rested my head on hers. “Lee, I’m sorry for always been a pain when I shouldn’t be,” she stated. “You have nothing to be sorry about,” I assured her.

“But I am sorry,” she assured me. “I know, but it’s okay, I love you just the way you are.” I told her. “I love you too,” she yawned. “But I love you more,” I insisted. “Not possible,” she said as she drifted back to sleep. “It’s possible,” I chuckled to myself.

Bri: Is my invite to the wedding still valid?

Liam: Why are you even asking me?

Bri: Because I know Maya wouldn’t reply, but I want to be there. We use to be best friends I want to be at her wedding.

(Flashback)

I had just gotten home from the gym when I found Maya in the kitchen making dinner. “There you are Love!” I cheered as I kissed her check. “How was the gym, babe?” She asked with a laugh. “It was alright, wish our gym was finished so I didn’t have to leave the house,” I told her. “Well, maybe if you guys actually worked instead of messed around it would be done by now,” she joked.

“Well, sorry, but you should know by now that won’t happen,” I laughed. I heard her phone go off, it must have gone off twenty times since I’ve been home. “Who is that?” I asked her. “What?” She asked me as she peeled potatoes. “Who is texting you?” I asked her as I grabbed another peeler to help her. “Oh, Bri, but its nothing,” she shrugged.

“What does she want this time?” I asked her. Maya didn’t say anything she just continued to peel the potatoes and put them in the boiling water. “Babe, what did she want?” I asked her. “I don’t know, honestly, I’m ignoring them,” She sighed as she put the last potato in. “Why would you ignore them?” I asked her.

The phone sounded again and we both just looked at it.  “Read them, Maya,” I said. “Give me a second?” She asked. “Yes, I need to shower anyways,” I told her, as I left the room. When I got to the hall, I heard her break out in tears. Maya’s anxiety always made her very emotion and Carter’s death just made it worse.

No matter what she would say when I entered the kitchen I knew I had to go back, I wanted to go back and help her. “Maya, what’s wrong?” I asked her. “I asked for a second,” She pleaded. “I know, and It’s been a second,” I told her as I walked towards her. “Maya, you’re bleeding!” I gasped.  “It’s nothing I accidentally picked the knife up on the wrong end.” She said. “You never make that mistake, you could cook in your sleep, what happened?” I begged for information.

“Bri happened!” She cried. I helped her clean her hand, and we had to put our dinner on pause so she could get some stitches. “Now tell me what happened?” I asked on the drive home. “Bri,” She whispered as she looked out the window. I squeezed her hand. “Maya, I’m going to need more information than that,” she said.

“She kept asking about the wedding and if she could come and then she said she had been seeing Chase and she was only telling me because she thought I had a right to know, and  I honestly don’t care about any of that, but she wouldn’t let it go. She kept talking and talking and I never responded to her, wouldn’t that give someone the sign to stop texting someone? I don’t want her at the wedding I don’t care if we use to be best friends or not, she walked out, that was her choice.” She sighed.

(end of flashback.- Chase’s POV)

“Bri, just calm down, Liam will let us come,” I pleaded. “No, honey, I don’t think it works like that,” She sighed. I couldn’t believe our one night stand turned into a three month relationship and we actually got along very well, and I loved being with her.  “A couple weeks ago when I kept texting her and I finally told her about is I saw later she was at the hospital. What if I sent her there?!” She cried.

I stared at her hoping she would get my message without me saying a thing.  “Chase, c’mon think about it. Maya has terribly anxiety and anything can set it off. WE both know that FIRST HAND,” Bri pointed out.

Did she know what happened between Maya and I? I thought Maya never told anyone, and I certainly never told Bri. “What do you mean I should know?” I questioned her I had to find out if she knew. “I mean you should you were Carter’s best friend you probably more than you realize,” she said as she set down on the couch.

“Yeah, well Carter was never really open to talk about him and Maya when he was around,” I sighed and I leaned up against the wall. “He wasn’t?” Bri asked sounding surprised. “No, that’s what I never got. They were like the “it” couple but he never really seemed proud of her or their relationship,” I shrugged. “Do you think?” Bri asked me. Even though she didn’t finish the question, I knew exactly what she was asking. “He was.” I admitted.

(Maya’s POV)

We finally landed and I had never been so nervous to step off a plane. “This is it!” I chimed as I squeezed Liam’s hand. He smiled at me. “I can’t wait!” he assured me. We filed into the limo that was taking us to the venue. There was a separate house on the property we were going to stay at.  “Let’s get going!” Paul chimed as we all took our seats. “Now, guys we have stuff to get done when we get there. We are meeting the wedding planner there,” he informed us. “Paul, its our wedding we’ll give the directions,” Liam chuckled. “Good, cause I’m getting tired of it,” Paul joked.

Bri: Soo…is our invitation still open?

Maya: I wouldn’t imagine getting married without you there, Bri.

Bri: Really?!

Maya: You better come before I change my mind.

I noticed Liam smiled as he read over my shoulder. I smiled back at him. “That’s my beautiful bride,” he snug. “Everyone say cheese!” Lou chimed from the other end of the limo. We all scrunched together and took a picture. “That’s going on Instagram for sure!” Lou laughed. “Can’t we see it first?” Harry asked. “You will see it when I post it,” she informed him.

“What if my hair looks bad?” Harry questioned her sounding really worried. “Well, that sucks now doesn’t it?” Louis chuckled.  “Louis! Be nice to the lad!” Eleanor demanded. “Oh, c’mon, El, is anyone nice to Harry?” I asked her. “Very true,” she agreed with a small laugh. “Guys, just because I’m the youngest here doesn’t mean a thing!” Harry pouted. “Oh, Haz, stop the tears right now,” Liam said using his “dad voice”. 

(Bri’s POV)

“He cheated on her? When?” Bri asked me. “Just once. It was a girl from his therapy circle. It was very early on in the relationship, but he carried the guilt until he died. He didn’t tell me right away. I had to get him to tell what was wrong with him.” I explained to her.

“Why didn’t you tell me or anyone?” She asked me. “He was truly sorry that it happened, I didn’t want it to get back to Maya. They were having problems as it already.” I sighed. “So you just let her continue to think he was a perfect guy like she thought he was,  but all reality he wasn’t?” she cried.

“I know, I know, but I thought he would stop he really loved her, Bri, we all saw the way he would look at her.” I pleaded. “I don’t know, Chase, looking back now some things don’t add up,” she sighed. “What do you mean?” I asked her.

(Liam’s POV)

When we arrived at the venue we all just stared. It was breath taking. “Oh my gosh, Liam, I can’t believe we are getting married here!” Maya gasped. We were torn between getting married in my hometown or her hometown. I’m not really sure how we decided but when we saw this place Maya instantly fell in love and it was set.

We were having a reception in Nebraska for her family that wasn’t able to attend the actual wedding and even her family that able to make will be at the reception in Nebraska. “Can I get married here too?” Serra asked. “That would be a copy cat move,” Harry stated. Serra stuck her tongue out at him.

We were greeted by the staff and we were taken to our rooms to put our stuff away. “Maya’s family will be here later,” I informed, Stacey, the wedding planner. “No problem, I would like to speak to you alone anyways,” she told us. We both nodded.

(Chase’s POV)

After Bri and I had our little talk she had to go to work. I decided to pack since we would have to leave tomorrow.  I went into the bedroom and saw Bri had left some pictures out. She must have been trying to put something together for Maya. I set down on the bed and looked through the pictures. They really had gone through everything together. I hope they could mend their friendship. They really need too. I picked a picture it was from homecoming. The four of us stood there. Smiling ear to ear, we looked like nothing could bring us down, little did we know only a year later our lives would change forever. I looked at Carter, I studied his face, sometimes I forget what he looks like or what he was like, but then I remember something and it feels like he never really left. He’s just on a super long vacation.

I still will never understand why he was always hush about his relationship with Maya, I mean if they were the “it” couple. Everyone wanted what they had, was it an act the whole time?

(Flashback)

“So you and Maya are celebrating two years soon?” I asked Carter as we drove home from football practice. “Yeah,” he said. “That’s incredible, man,” I told him. “Sure is,” he replied.  “You don’t sound very happy,” I pointed out as I stopped at a red light. “I am,” he said bluntly, not one ounce of emotion. “Do you even love her?” I blurted out. “Why would you ask that stupid question? You know damn well I love that girl!” Carter yelled. “You never talk about it, you never talk about her. How am I supposed to know?” I asked him.  “I just can’t,” he said. “You can’t what?” I asked him. “I can’t open up, and you know that,” he snapped.

(end of flashback)

From that day on, I just kept what he said in mind, but I never understood why he wasn’t happy to talk about a girl like Maya, if she was my girlfriend I would have bragged about her all the time.

*Hey lovelies! Hope you didn’t mind the wait! I wanted this to be perfect! I love this one! I love the conversations between Bri and Chase. I love having Bri and Chase in the story because it opens up the door to the past and shows you what Maya’s life use to be like. I have created a playlist on Spotify called “Starting Over”. Go check it out my username is gabriella101911 i add new music to it all the time. If anyone knows if you can change your username let me know, that would be great! XOXO! There will be wedding bells soon, but not without tons of drama of course and you are all invited!*