Ha, this girl followed me so calmly. That easy?
"And again—hello, Maya!" She was standing in front of me, staring at the floor. Realizing she was completely calm, I stepped away from the door and took a step toward her. She lifted her head. I couldn't see her face.
"Don't worry, I just felt like talking to you."I just need to make her drop her guard.
Silence. Absolutely nothing. I waited—maybe she'd ask a question or at least look at me—but there was nothing at all. I want to see her face. I want to see her eyes again.
I took another step closer. She immediately moved toward the door, completely ignoring me. Good thing I locked it.
I lunged toward the door and blocked it with my arm. I was right next to her now. Hmm. I pressed even closer. I could feel her tense body. She was a little shorter than me—for girls, I'd always been too tall—but she wasn't tiny. Around 170–175 cm, I'd guess. Definitely. I should tease her.
I leaned in closer."Scared?"
Silence again."Scared?" I repeated, pressing her harder against the door.
She raised her head, abruptly turned toward me, and I recoiled. With both hands—like steel—she shoved me in the chest.
What the hell…
It was just a shove, but her movements were precise, rough. I was shocked. She could see that in my eyes. How dare she raise her hand to me, this girl…
The anger from that shove went straight through me. The spot where her palms had touched was burning, like it wasn't a push but a slap. I wanted to rub my chest, but if I touched it, she'd know I actually felt a girl's shove.
"Hey, you." I had never hit a girl, but no one had ever treated me like that.
Maya, meanwhile, was completely calm. She lowered her hands, which had been held out in front of her for a couple of seconds. After a push like that, she should've been breathing heavier than usual. I'm not small, after all. But it was as if nothing had happened. She raised her head and looked straight at me.
I saw her eyes again—cold eyes. They cooled my rage. I don't know why, but looking into them, my anger ebbed away. They were beautiful, and at the same time… frightening. Her face was partly hidden by her bangs, but she was actually quite pretty. She was looking at me, yet it felt like she was looking through me.
Who the hell is she?
"Listen, you—" I was about to remind her who I was when I noticed a bag on the floor. A swimming club bag. An orange towel with childish patterns stuck out of it.
"You swim too?" I stepped closer again. She didn't react. "I've never seen you at the pool—what, you train in the kiddie section?"
And there—finally—a reaction. She sighed heavily. Her first real response. Did I guess right?
"Come on, hahahahahahaha." I really couldn't help laughing—it was too funny.
Maya picked up her bag, turned, and once again tried to leave. I couldn't let her—not now. I blocked the door with my arm again.
"Let me see what you've got." I slid my hand under her sweater and felt her shirt—tight against her slender, yet somehow solid waist. "I knew there was something worth hiding under there. Don't hide it—"
But before I could finish, she slapped my hand away, turned, and shoved me in the chest again. Same exact spot as before. Honestly, I didn't even know how to react. My chest started to burn again—but was it physical pain? How did she even dare to pull something like this in San Eros? She's just a scholarship kid.
"I don't think you fully understand what you just did." My voice was no longer pleasant—it was filling with rage.
Silence. Why was she quiet? It was infuriating.
"Girls like you should be grateful for my attention."
Nothing from her—no emotion, no words. NOTHING. Her silence only made me angrier. I thought maybe I should show her exactly who I was.
What the hell? The girl simply brushed off her sweater, grabbed her bag, and walked quickly out of the room.
I… I… I… I was furious.
"Who… are… you… Maya?" The anger pierced through me, boiling over. For the first time, I wanted to toy with a girl.
Alright, Maya. You don't want the nice way? You'll get the bad way.
I stormed out of the room and, to my surprise, Ricky was standing nearby. I was so angry I just headed for the exit.
"Come on. We'll talk in the car."
Rage and fury filled me, but I needed to stay rational. Ricky definitely saw my state and just shuffled along behind me.
"What the hell!!!" I couldn't hold back and shouted. My legs were almost running toward the car, but my eyes were still scanning the area for that girl.
I got in, slamming the door so hard it felt a little better. Ricky climbed in slowly, hesitantly.
"Talk!" I couldn't think about anything but my anger.
"Huh?" Ricky looked surprised and stayed quiet.
"The girl I asked you about—did you find out?" My breathing was starting to calm.
"You mean Maya?" he clarified. I clenched my teeth.
"Yes. Exactly her." My voice was evening out.
"Her info's in the main database, so it was easy to pull…"
"Just talk already!" My fury cut him off.
"Maya Simpson. Fifteen years ago her parents moved to Shanghai, opened a business, but couldn't handle the local mafia. They fell deep into debt. Seven years ago, her parents died. All the debt was put on Maya. San Eros offered to help—her entire scholarship goes straight to the people she owes…"
"Then where does she live, if all her money goes to the gangs?" My voice was still feral.
"She…" He hesitated. I shot him a savage look. "She works part-time, pays for a room in a ruined building. Only her room's intact. No bathroom. No toilet. Just a one-by-one meter space."
"Where does she work?"
"She's a swimming coach for little kids at a public pool. About two or three times a week."
"So she has nothing, right?"
"Yeah." Ricky's voice was quiet, uncertain.
She has nothing—and she pushed me away just like that? Probably pride. I'll break her completely… I'll break you completely, Maya Simpson.
***
Breathe, Maya. Don't let it show you care.Why did he drag me in there?Why didn't I push him away right from the start?
I darted into the restroom. Thankfully, empty.
I locked myself in a stall, dropped the lid, and sat down.
Breathe… just breathe.It'll help.Normal breathing. Warm air. Count to five. To ten. To twenty.
Why?Why did he do that? What does he want?Doesn't he get enough attention already? Now he's lowering himself to people like me?
I just… need to stay silent.Ignore him. He won't talk to an empty space. Won't touch what doesn't exist.
Only then will he leave me alone.Only then will I keep what little I have.
But why?Why does the spot on my waist where his hand was still burn?Why did my heart race when he was behind me?Why?
I don't know. And I don't want to know.
I've been through too much already.I won't break. Not now.
Please… just let me be a student. Let me enjoy this short peace. Please, Leon. Just not now.