XXVI

Maya let out a small scoff, shaking her head as she looked up at the sky. "Yeah, here I am. Wonder how that happened."

Danielle turned her head slightly, watching her. "Maybe you just like my company."

Maya made a face. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Chiron."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "You know, if you're gonna keep calling me that, you could at least explain why."

Maya smirked. "Because you roll up in that car like you're untouchable. Like you're some kind of mystery. Expensive, out of reach. But the thing is, no matter how fancy it is, it's still just a car. And you..." She trailed off, tilting her head slightly as she looked at Danielle. "You're still just a person."

Danielle blinked. She hadn't expected that.

Before she could think of something to say, Maya sat up, stretching her arms over her head. "Anyway, this has been fun, but I should probably head home before Riley texts me a novel about how she misses me already."

Danielle sat up as well, brushing some grass off her sweatpants. "I'll drive you."

Maya gave her a look. "Oh, so I get the royal treatment now?"

Danielle smirked. "I thought you said it was just a car."

Maya narrowed her eyes, amused. "Touché, Chiron."

They walked to Danielle's car in comfortable silence, and as they pulled onto the road, Maya tapped her fingers against her knee.

The rest of the drive was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Maya messed with the radio, skipping through songs until she found something she liked, and Danielle just let her.

When they finally pulled up outside Maya's building, the blonde didn't move right away. She leaned back against the seat, staring out the window.

"You know," Maya said after a moment, "your house is pretty. I'll admit that."

Danielle raised a brow. "That sounded painful for you to say, even though you said it earlier."

Maya smirked. "A little. But it's still true. Kinda ridiculous how big it is, though."

Danielle hummed. "Yeah, well, you really don't know what being rich is like, huh?"

Maya turned to look at her, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, no, I totally get it. It must be real hard having all that money. Bet you wake up every morning just struggling to carry the weight of your wealth."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Okay, I walked into that one."

Maya grinned. "You did."

Danielle shook her head, amused. "You gonna get out of my car or do you need me to personally escort you upstairs?"

Maya scoffed, reaching for the door handle. "Please. I've been getting home by myself for years."

Danielle watched as she climbed out, but just as Maya was about to shut the door, she hesitated.

"Hey, Chiron," Maya said, resting her arm on the top of the car door. "Thanks for the ride. And for not making this weird."

Danielle met her gaze. "Anytime, Hart."

Maya gave her a small smile before finally shutting the door and walking toward the entrance of her building.

Danielle watched her go, drumming her fingers against the steering wheel. Then, with a deep breath, she shifted gears and drove off into the sky.

Danielle pulled into her long, driveway, shutting off the engine and just sitting there for a moment. The silence was heavier now—without Maya's teasing, without the faint hum of the radio, without the quiet warmth of shared company.

She let out a slow exhale, tilting her head back against the seat.

It was late, but not too late. The house would still be empty. Izzy was probably passed out, from working late 'cause she's a CEO.

The loneliness settled in quickly, the kind she was used to but never really got comfortable with.

Finally, she climbed out of the car. She made her way inside, locking the door behind her before heading straight to the kitchen.

A note was on the counter, written in Izzy's neat, precise handwriting.

Going upstairs. Hope you had fun with your girl. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry. ;)

Danielle's lips quirked slightly at the effort, although with a roll of her eyes. She wasn't really hungry, but she appreciated it.

She grabbed a bottle of water before heading upstairs to her room. The second she shut the door, she kicked off her shoes, shrugged off her jacket, and flopped onto her bed.

The silence in her room felt different from the quiet in her car. This was heavier. More suffocating.

She reached for her phone out of habit, scrolling mindlessly until she landed on a message thread.

Maya Hart.

She hesitated for half a second before typing.

Chiron🚗

You find your way inside okay, Hart? Or did you trip over your own feet?

It only took a minute before the typing bubbles appeared.

Chirp🐦

Rude. I'm very graceful, actually.

Chiron🚗

Uh-huh. Sure.

Chirp🐦

You're just mad you didn't get to walk me to my door like a gentleman.

Danielle huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head.

Chiron🚗

Next time, then.

Maya didn't reply right away, and Danielle wasn't sure why she had even said that. Maybe she was just tired. Maybe she liked the idea of a next time.

Before she could think too much about it, her phone buzzed again.

Chirp🐦

Yeah. Next time.

Danielle stared at the screen for a moment before setting her phone down, rolling onto her side.

The house was still quiet. Still empty. But, for the first time in a long time, it didn't feel quite as lonely.

Danielle was in bed, curled up under the covers, half-asleep but refusing to move. The room was quiet except for the occasional hum of the air conditioning—until her bedroom door suddenly swung open.

She groaned. "Izzy, ever heard of knocking?"

Izzy strolled in like she owned the place, arms crossed, an amused expression already in place. "You have some nerve asking me about manners when you're the one who had an unexpected guest turn up."

Danielle blinked, suddenly much more awake. She pushed herself up onto her elbows. "I didn't know Maya was coming nevermind, knowing where we lived.

Izzy smirked. "Oh, you didn't know? She's cute, you know."

Danielle's stomach flipped, but she kept her expression neutral. "So are a lot of girls..."

Izzy shrugged. "Yeah but she's the only one you've made an effort with. You sure you don't have a thing going on with her?"

Danielle grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. "Oh my god, no. She had some boy issues anyway, and I have a reputation to maintain."

Izzy dodged effortlessly, laughing. "I'm just saying... That's not normal Danielle behaviour. Even Elle behaviour.

Danielle rolled her eyes, "Maya doesn't like me like that, she's straight. I think..."

Izzy gave her a knowing look. "Right. And I'm the Queen of England."

Danielle flopped back onto her bed, groaning. "Explains why we are so rich."

Izzy grinned. "Rich enough to cook her a meal, yet?"

Danielle was silent for a moment, staring up at the ceiling.

Izzy took the opportunity to drive her point home. "So, when's the wedding?"

Danielle sat up, grabbing another pillow and chucking it at her aunt's face. "Get out!"

Izzy laughed, dodging again as she backed toward the door. "I'm just saying! She clearly cares, and you—you, Miss 'I don't get attached'—actually keep texting her."

Danielle glared. "Do you just live to annoy me?"

Izzy grinned. "It's one of my greatest joys in life."

Danielle groaned, grabbing her phone from the nightstand and unlocking it. Sure enough, there was a text waiting for her from Maya.

Chirp🐦

You alivr yet, Chiron? Or is your rich self still in a coma?

Danielle sighed, shaking her head, but her lips twitched into a smirk.

Izzy, still watching, wiggled her eyebrows. "Go on, text your girlfriend back."

Danielle grabbed another pillow. "Get. Out."

Izzy laughed all the way down the hall.

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A/N

I give up with gifs. There isn't a lot of Maya ones, and Camila's are over 3gb whatever it the max is.

Anyways kinda caught a sick bug that's going around so I'm off school for a bit. More updates yay!!

and I love whoever caught my version of the Sabrina lyric😋