Chapter 1
Hi, I'm Maya.I still live with my parents while saving up to renovate the house my grandmother left me.
I only have one sibling, my older brother and somehow, that’s the only world I’ve ever really known. I never thought I’d fall in love with a girl… until she walked in, and something in me quietly shifted.
Birthdays were never really my thing.
I only came to stay with my brother during the holidays because my parents insisted. Once the break was over, I’d go back to school and continue my computer science classes like nothing happened.
But tonight, Charles decided to throw me a birthday party.
And by party, I mean he invited practically half the city.
I didn’t know most of the people there except Charles and his best friend, Alex. Everyone else was just loud music, unfamiliar faces, and too much laughter packed into one house.
I sat quietly by the counter with a cup of juice in my hand, already counting the hours until the night ended.
Then she walked in.
A beautiful blonde girl stepped through the front door, and suddenly my drunk brother rushed toward her like she was the only person in the room.
He wrapped his arms around her dramatically.
I blinked.
Okay… so that was his girlfriend.
I knew Charles had one. I just didn’t expect her to look like that.
Pretty wasn’t even the right word for her.
She had soft blonde hair falling over her shoulders, clear eyes, and this calm kind of beauty that made people stare without realizing it.
I quickly looked away and took another sip of my juice.
“Maya!” Charles shouted from across the room.
I nearly groaned.
“Come meet my girl!”
People moved aside as I walked over. Charles pulled me closer with one arm while the other stayed wrapped around her waist.
“This is my beautiful little sister, Maya,” he said proudly before looking at her. “And Maya, this is my sweetheart, Grace.”
Grace smiled softly and stretched out her hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from your brother.”
Her voice was smooth. Calm.
I shook her hand carefully. Her skin felt soft against mine, and for some reason, she held my gaze a little longer than normal.
Like she wanted to ask me something.
Or maybe I was just imagining things.
“Well,” Charles yelled suddenly, already tipsy, “it’s time for cake!”
Everyone gathered around singing loudly while I stood there pretending not to be embarrassed.
“Happy twenty-first birthday, Maya!”
After cutting the cake and making a quick wish, I grabbed my slice and escaped to the kitchen.
Finally.
The kitchen was darker and quieter, lit only by the soft light coming through the window. I sat on the counter sipping my juice in peace.
Until someone walked in.
“Oh—sorry,” Grace said when she noticed me. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
“It’s fine.”
She leaned against the counter across from me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be out there with your friends?”
I laughed quietly. “I don’t really have friends here.”
“And crowds?”
“Not my thing.”
She smiled a little at that.
For a second, the silence between us felt strangely comfortable.
But before either of us could say anything else, Charles stumbled into the kitchen.
“Babe,” he slurred dramatically, grabbing her arm. “There you are.”
Grace sighed softly before letting him drag her back to the party.
I watched them disappear into the crowd again.
Hours later, the party finally ended.
Charles was completely drunk, barely able to walk, while Grace struggled to carry most of his weight alone.
I could’ve helped.
I should’ve helped.
But instead, I just stood there watching her drag him upstairs step by step.
And honestly?
I didn’t know why.
Grace’s POV:
Charles was heavy.
Annoyingly heavy.
I nearly tripped twice trying to drag him upstairs while his sister stood there staring at me like this was some kind of movie scene.
A little help would’ve been nice.
But apparently not.
After finally getting Charles onto the bed, I pulled off his shoes, loosened his belt, and tossed a large shirt over myself since I didn’t bring extra clothes.
I was exhausted.
So I headed downstairs for water.
That’s when I noticed Maya sitting quietly on the stairs.
For a moment, I thought about asking if she was okay.
But remembering how she watched me struggle with her drunk brother made me decide against it.
I grabbed my water and headed back upstairs. When I looked toward the stairs again, Maya was no longer there.
Well… I guessed she had gone to sleep.
Then suddenly......
I bumped into someone turning the corner.
Maya.
She almost fell, but I caught her quickly by the waist.
“Careful,” I said with a small laugh. “Don’t fall and break those pretty teeth.”
Her cheeks turned red instantly.
Cute.
“Watch where you’re going next time,” I teased softly before walking back into Charles’ room.
Maya’s POV:
I couldn’t sleep after that.
Not after the way Grace grabbed me.
Not after the way she looked at me.
I kept touching the spot where her hands held my waist like my body refused to forget it.
Does she like me?
The thought hit me so suddenly I almost laughed at myself.
Because this was ridiculous.
Grace was my brother’s girlfriend.
And I needed to bury whatever this feeling was before it became something worse.
