Hallway Handwritten

"I promise, Caro, that’s not…” Maude’s sister, Caroline’s boyfriend nagged.

Maude, listening intently, saw through the lies and so did her sister. She tried shifting her focus to the laptop in front of her, which had turned off from the lack of use for the past ten minutes. Through the reflection on the black screen, she could see Isiah’s tall frame leaning against the kitchen doorframe, and right next to her laptop, she could see her sister’s fingers clutching the kitchen counter, knuckles turning white.

“Isiah.” Caroline said in a stern tone. “You came three hours late! I spent so long planning with you and you come three hours late! And this isn’t even the first time and you know I let it slide before, but not anymore, Isiah!”

“Look, Caro, I’m so sorry, I know I hurt you, but it was dad again, he wasn’t having and you know how it is… so just, I’m really sorry.”

Caroline huffed. She knew it was sensitive when it came to Isiah’s family. “Fine. I forgive you, but this better not happen again.”

“Sorry.” Isiah repeated. “And I’ll try my best, I promise.”

“Okay, but you missed the entire thing anyway.” She sighed. “I had it planned for a long time.”

…

After Isiah’s exit from their house, Maude’s concerned mother sat down on the chair opposite hers, and sitting next to her was Caroline.

“Caroline…” she smiled sympathetically at her. “You should have gone without Isiah.”

“But mom, you know I don’t do this stuff alone.” Caroline answered. “And I wanted to go with him. It’s not something small mom, and he needed the advice to help with his studies too. I thought I’d be great if we went to the admissions officer for help together and I had a bunch of other…” Caroline trailed off. “plans.”

Maude put on her earphones, walking over to the living room with her laptop in hand, focusing on her Model United Nations research. The event was coming up and she needed to finish her position paper in time.

About an hour later, Caroline walked out of the dining room, putting her striking ginger hair into a ponytail, visually frustrated. She flopped onto the couch beside Maude.

“I wish this was easy.”

Maude took off her earphones, looking sympathetically at her older sister. “It’s alright, Caro. I think they’ll have a new opening next month, you could take that opportunity.”

Caroline shook her head. “It’s not about that, I just wish it would be easier to deal with Isiah, mom and dad. I want them all to be happy, but I can’t fix his problems.”

“And he doesn’t want you to fix his problems.” Maude answered. “If he really loves you, then he wouldn’t want you to fix his problems and as far as I know, he wants you to focus on yourself.”

Caroline looked at Maude, disappointed. “Nobody’s getting me. Even you, Maude. Why is it so hard to understand that I care about him and I love him so much. I can’t see him suffer and focus on myself like that!” She stood up from the couch.

Maude shut her laptop, shoving it aside to stand up as well. “Caro, we all know you love him, but you can’t lose yourself for him!”

“Oh my goodness even you can’t understand me!” Caroline yelled, running to her room.

Maude stood still, shocked at her sister’s outrage. She blinked, processing what had happened before she walked over to her bedroom and knocked, then tried to turn the doorknob to find that the door would not open.

“Caroline!” She shrieked. “This isn’t fair, my shift starts in an hour. You can’t just lock the door, I need your straightener!” Maude facepalmed. “Sorry, I should have tried to understand what you meant but you have to open the door, I have to get ready!”

“Get out! Deal with it yourself.” Caroline shouted.

“You can’t just- ugh.” Maude rolled her eyes. “Okay sorry, please open the door, I’ll treat you to ice cream-“

“Get out!”

“Geez, fine. Sorry.” Maude sighed. Guess I’ll have to go with my hair curled today. She thought as she walked into her bedroom and shut the door to get ready.

…

Maude put on her apron, clocking into her shift for the day. The café was its usual self, the afternoon bustling with noise as bright, golden shafts of sunlight seeped in through the tall windows, embellishing the café with a warm shade of yellow that brushed over each object, and each face.

Carrying her tray with two cinnamon rolls, four caramel macchiatos, four cappuccinos and six macarons, Maude walked over to a table of young girls, distributing the plates as the girls paused to flash a smile at her.

“Your…” Maude checked her notepad. “Eight brownies will be here in about three minutes.” She smiled back at the girls, heading back to the counter, picking up the orders of other customers.

The café was known for being a hub for the students and the alumni of the prestigious private school of Gwydion, House of Caldreth, known better as Caldreth, where Maude was a junior (to be senior after the end of summer.)

The door bell rang, signaling the arrival of new customers. In walked a group of boys with a bunch of musical instruments inside their designated bags, strapped onto their backs.

The five boys were none other than Maude’s classmates. Among them were Mateo Ruiz, Kaelen Vance, Richard Ihnatoŭski, Ace Li and Cassian Finch.

The five of them moved into a dimmer side of the café, walking in with the usual calm confidence harbored by most Caldreth students. Ace Li’s tall and athletic figure catching fleeting eyes like nectar attracting bees. Beside him was Mateo, tan skin glowing against the warm sunlight, but Maude’s eyes were fixed on the tall brunette with an electric guitar case slung on his back, hair stuck to his forehead because of sweat, Richard, or better known as Ricky.

His eyes scanned the café, pausing when they landed on Maude’s. His eyebrows twitched, a small smile tugging at his lips, his gaze lingering slightly at Maude’s dark curls framing her face before his friends dragged back his attention to themselves.

Maude couldn’t help but feel amused, pursing her lips. She shook her head and dusted her apron before heading to their table. She regained her usual professional demeanor, offering a polite smile. “Hello, what would you like to order?”

“Marie, ah-“ Cassian was cut off by Ace.

“Maude, Marie’s her first name.” Corrected Ace.

“Right,” nodded Kaelen.

“Lads, what should we order?” Mateo asked the rest.

Ricky shrugged. “Something cold, what do you guys offer for cold drinks?” He asked, brown eyes meeting Maude’s icy blue ones.

She couldn’t help but pause, staring at him curiously before snapping back to reality. She was wondering what the class topper would be doing with musical instruments, who knows, perhaps they have a band. “Iced coffee, iced tea, milkshakes, smoothies, we offer soft drinks as well.” She replied.

The boys looked at each other, nodding. Kaelen turned to her. “We’ll take five cold drinks, sprite. You guys alright with Sprite?”

The rest shrugged. “Sure.” Replied Cassian.

Ace intervened. “I’ll take Fanta, I don’t like Sprite.”

Maude nodded. “Four Sprites and one Fanta,” she jotted down on her notepad. “Anything else?” She asked, biting the top of her pen.

“That’ll be enough for now.” Smiled Mateo after consulting with the rest.

“Right. I’ll be back in two minutes.”

Maude walked back to the counter where the soda station was, grabbing the crystal clear glasses, as she filled them with the soft drinks, her colleague and friend, Esha whispered. “He’s so into you.” She giggled.

Maude furrowed her eyebrows. “Who?” She asked, eyes landing on Ricky, whose eyes were also on hers.

“Him.” Esha answered. “He’s been staring since the second he entered the store.” She stated, sprinkling rainbow sprinkles over the strawberry ice cream cone in her hand.

Maude looked away, pouring Fanta into the last glass. “You think so?” She asked, eyebrows twitching.

“I know so.” She smiled satisfactorily.

Esha walked away, offering Maude a playful wink, she put straws of different colors into the glasses, feeling an odd sense of intrigue. She smiled slightly, feeling a boost in her ego.

She placed all the glasses on a tray, putting her hair into a bun shortly before picking up the tray and walking over to the table again.

She distributed the glasses.

“Hey, Maude,” asked Cassian. “Place a little bet for us on AS-levels. What do you think, are three AS-levels with top tier grades better or are four AS-levels with mediocre grades better?”

Maude pursed her lips, thinking of how to answer before replying. “Depends, but I’d say three AS-levels with top tier grades are much better than four with mediocre ones. Admissions officers wouldn't like to see four subjects that you’ve crammed together if you can’t do well in any of them.”

He nodded. “Thanks. I keep saying that to Ace, but he doesn’t listen.” “And when was that?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. “Shut it.” Glared

Cassian at Ace. “Your memory runs out faster than the taste of fruit flavored chewing gum.”

Kaelen snorted.

Maude raised her eyebrows, unimpressed. “Anything else?”

“Nope.” Replied Ricky. “Sorry about them, they’re just weird like that. Nice curls, by the way.” He smiled, flashing his dimples.

Maude chuckled. “It’s all good, and thanks.” She turned around, trying not to laugh at Ricky’s attempt at making himself look better than them.

Maude made her way back to the counter, putting the tray back in its spot. She looked around the café, finding some customers she had served a while ago had left.

Esha approached her once again, placing the tray in her hands against her chest. “How’s Caldreth?” She asked. “I feel nervous about starting there.”

Maude shrugged. “I don’t know how you’ll feel about it, but most people are solely focused on their academics, but there are a few more… unique crowds, I guess you could put it that way. They’re not too nice.”

Esha sighed. “I suck at studying.”

“No you don’t.” Maude nudged Esha’s shoulders. “You probably haven’t found the right techniques yet. You should believe in yourself, you know.”

She nodded. “Yeah, you’re right… I just hope I’ll fit in.”

“You don’t need to. Nobody cares, really, if you find the right people, that is.” Maude answered.

“We’ll have to see about that… oh, new customers.” The bell rang as the door swung open. “I’ll serve them.” Esha placed the tray in her hands in its section.

“Go on.” Maude patted Esha’s back reassuringly. She looked around, eyes landing on Ricky, who wasn’t looking, until he was.

She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. He put his elbows on the table, biting his nails.

Maude wondered why he was throwing her off, but she liked the new type of thrill that didn’t come with speaking in public and getting the perfect grades after days of stress and worry.

She bit her lip, wondering if it’ll keep going or if this was the first and last time she’d get his attention like that.

The bell rang once again, bringing Maude’s awareness back to the store. She stood straight, watching the elderly customer walk over to the counter. She smiled and walked over to him.

“Good afternoon, sir. What would you like today?”

He smiled sweetly. “Two vanilla ice creams with chocolate syrup. How much will it be?”

“Three euros for two vanilla ice creams with chocolate syrup.” Maude smiled back.

The man pulled out three small coins from his pocket, examining the coins to make sure they were the right amount before placing them in Maude’s palm.

She put the coins in the coin compartment of the cash register, handing the man the receipt. She was pondering where the cashier, Atlas, was. “Do you have anybody else with you?” She asked.

“My wife, yes. She’s sitting on the park bench.”

Maude smiled to herself, preparing the man’s order as she talked to him. “So one is for her and one for you?”

The man laughed. “Both for her. I have diabetes.”

Maude grimaced. “Oh, sorry.” She chuckled. “I hope you don’t mind me asking.” She drizzled chocolate syrup over the ice cream cones, handing them over to the elderly man.

“Thank you.” He smiled before taking his exit.

The bell rang twice, the first ring signaling the departure of the man from the café, and the second signaling the departure of three of Maude’s classmates, while Ricky and Ace walked towards the counter.

“How much will it be for the drinks?” Asked Ace.

“Twelve euros and fifty cents.” Maude replied.

Ricky pulled out his wallet, placing fifteen euros on the counter. “You can keep the change.”

Maude nodded. “Only you’re paying?”

“I don’t usually pay for the outings so… today’s my turn.” He smiled.

Ace snickered, muttering “You never pay.”, making Ricky cast him a dissatisfied glance.

“Also, do you guys not play music here?” Ace queried. “I mean, you know, summer. Lush Life, now I’ve found another crush.”

Maude put the coins in the cash register, handing them the receipt. “Sometimes we do.”

They nodded. “Well then, goodbye for now.”

…

Her shift came to an end and the sun bid farewell for the day. Maude was exhausted, as always. She took off her apron, stuffing it inside her tote bag.

“Today was so tiring.” Esha sighed.

Maude sectioned her hair into three sections, braiding it swiftly. “We’re getting paid for a reason.” She smirked. “Paycheck’s next week.”

“Can’t wait for that money.” She paused. “You’ve heard of the Caldreth summer trip to the beach?”

Maude recalled she had been added to a group chat named after the summer trip on 16th of June. “Oh yeah. Good thing you reminded me, I was going to tell you. You should come. It’ll be a great opportunity for you to get introduced to the rest of the students in our year.” She suggested.

“Wow… good idea, actually, great idea.” She smiled. “But you sure they’ll be fine with me there, you know since I’m joining the next session…?”

Maude shook her head. “It’s fine, really. You’ve been enrolled already, so you’re practically a student already. Plus this has happened on our older trips, so I think you’re just fine.”

Atlas, the cashier, entered the back door of the

“Okay, thanks Maude.” A beep interrupted them, Esha pulled out her phone. “Oh, my brother’s here to pick me up, got to go. Thanks again!” Esha passed by Atlas, bumping his shoulder. “Sorry,” she muttered, eyes meeting his ones for a fleeting second before she looked away and left the café.

Atlas watched her run out, turning around to face Maude.

“Where have you been all day?”

“Upset stomach.” He chuckled. “I have to do an extra shift today.”

“Good for you. Get better.” Maude said, slinging her bag over her shoulder before making her exit as well.

…

Maude entered the dining room to the sight of her sister sitting, head resting on the table.

She didn’t feel like dealing with her sister and her boyfriend’s problems, but at the same time, Maude felt bad not cheering her sister up.

“Sorry, Caro.” She apologized, hugging her sister from behind.

“It’s fine.” Caroline replied. “Okay now get off me, you know I hate being hugged.”

Unless it’s from your boyfriend. Maude thought, but didn’t dare say it when she knew her sister was upset. She placed her bag on the table, pulled out her phone, leaving for her room. “I got you some leftover macarons from the store.” She told her sister before entering her room and shutting the door.

Throwing herself on her bed, she found her laptop was on her desk, which was placed there by her mother. She got up, sitting at her desk to finish her MUN paper, sighing as she opened it.

Just as she opened her document, her phone buzzed with an unexpected notification.

“Ricky?” She raised an eyebrow.

What was more unexpected than the notification, was that she opened it, despite being somebody who ignored all notifications when it came to something related to her dream of studying at an Ivy League university.

She told herself she opened it because he isn’t one to text usually, perhaps he needs something.

Richard: Can I pay a visit tomorrow at the café?

Maude snickered.

Maude: You don’t really have to ask me if you want to come here, I don’t own the cafe you know.

Ricky: Thanks, nice to know.

She shook her head, chuckling as she put away her phone, but something kept her from continuing normally.

She bit her nail, blinking.

What was that?

She pursed her lips, thinking back at the events of the day.

Maybe I should just cut myself some slack. She thought, getting back to her work… but she couldn’t concentrate. Her mind kept wandering back to the afternoon at the café… but why all of a sudden? Maybe it’s a good thing this wasn’t happening during a school session. But at least it was summer, right?

Maude closed her laptop, heading to her bed with her phone in hand, opening her direct messages, but her mind kept interrupting.

Not normal.

Maude pressed the contact saved with his name, scrolling upwards to look at previous text messages.

06.05.2026

Ricky: Congrats on that public speaking award.

You did great btw.

Maude: Thank you so much x.

Maude pondered back on what Esha had said… was it true? She chewed on her lip, questioning her idea of asking Caroline about it, but she was in a bad mood.

Maude didn’t know much about Ricky, except she did know that he didn’t study the subjects she did and that he was the topper in his field.

She thought back to the other times they may have interacted…

17.07.2023

Ricky: Hey Teicher, did Ace tell you when the summer trip will be? He blocked me.

Maude: Right, he’s the organizer for this year. It’ll be on the 30th this month.

Ricky: Thanks a bunch.

Maude: Np x.

She remembered the summer trip from the end of their first year at Caldreth, ninth grade. He used to call her by her last name, though she couldn’t recall him calling her by her first or middle name before either.

But why did his presence suddenly hit her now? They’ve known each other for almost four years. Maude sat up, looking at herself in the mirror opposite her bed. She looked at her curls, bringing her curly hair over her shoulders, on top of her chest. It was much shorter when curly than straight.

Nice curls, by the way. She recalled him telling her that.

She blinked, looking at her own blue eyes that contrasted with her pale skin, black curly hair framing her face. Does he really like me? She thought.

Uh oh.