Mya

The last few weeks have felt longer than a lifetime, the silence stretching out like an unbearable weight. Jordan has been distant, and it’s becoming impossible to ignore his absence. I’ve tried not to overthink it, but the gnawing feeling in my chest keeps screaming, What went wrong?

At least Lucas has been a saving grace in Venice Beach. He’s shown me hidden gems tucked along the coastline, laughter often replacing the silence I feared. Our friendship has grown into something unshakable solid and genuine, like siblings.

But today, my heart is heavy. I’m leaving for Malibu. It’s just for the weekend, I remind myself, but the ache is real.

After brushing my teeth and taking a long, steamy shower, I slip into my matching purple Nike tracksuit. The fabric hugs my curves comfortably, perfectly fitted and flattering in all the right places. My purple Nike sneakers complete the ensemble. I sit down, applying my makeup with a practiced hand a dewy base, softly lined eyes, and a nude lip that makes me look fresh, yet effortlessly striking. My hair falls in soft, defined waves, cascading down my back like dark silk.

I glance at the clock. No appetite to eat, no time to dwell. I grab my bags luggage, a tote with essentials like my notebook, sunglasses, perfume, and a favorite novel.

As I lock the apartment door, Lucas pulls up. He steps out of his car, his face breaking into a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I run to him, and he catches me in a tight hug, his arms solid and warm. For a moment, we both hold on like it’s more than just a short goodbye.

“I’m really going to miss you, Mya,” his voice cracks slightly.

“Lucas, it’s just for the weekend,” I assure him, pulling back to meet his watery gaze. “I’ll be back before you know it. Next time, you’re coming with me to Malibu I promise.”

“I can’t wait,” he forces a small smile. “Just… be safe. And call me when you get there.”

“I will. I love you, Luca,” I say, my voice soft but sure.

“I love you more, Mya.”

Our love is pure platonic and strong, the kind you rarely find.

The airport ride is silent, emotions hanging in the air like fog. When we arrive, Lucas helps with my bags, and that’s when I lose it. I bury my face in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt. He clutches me tightly, his own shoulders trembling slightly.

“Don’t cry,” he murmurs, his tone breaking. “You’re making it hard for me too.”

I wipe my tears and promise to call as I head inside.

The flight to Malibu is quiet. I lean my forehead against the window, my thoughts consumed by Jordan. Why has he been avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Questions I can’t answer keep circling in my mind. Sleep eventually claims me, but when I wake up, my thoughts pick up right where they left off.

I distract myself with music, scrolling through my Spotify playlists until Latto’s songs fill my ears.

Arriving at my Malibu apartment brings a rush of bittersweet memories. The air smells like home, but the silence echoes louder than ever. I toss my bags on the couch, my gaze wandering around the space Jordan and I once shared. My chest tightens.

The memories are everywhere. His laugh. His touch. The way he looked at me like I was the center of his world. Now, all of it feels distant taunting me with what I can’t reach.

After cleaning the apartment top to bottom, I take a short nap, hoping it will clear my head. When I wake, I grab my car keys, eager to drive my baby again. The engine purrs like music, and for a moment, I feel a sense of control. I take her to the car wash, watching as every inch of her gleams under the sunlight.

Later, I call James.

“Hey James,” I say, my voice light despite my swirling emotions.

“Mya! How are you?” he responds warmly.

“I’m good. I’m back for the weekend and was hoping to see you and Kate.”

“Well, you’re in luck. We’re at my parents’ house. They insisted on throwing a party for Johnson’s birthday. You should come.”

Guilt hits me like a wave I forgot my godson’s birthday. “I’ll be there.”

Back at the apartment, I take my time getting ready. I want to look my best no, be my best. After another quick shower, I stand in front of the mirror. My dress the dress is nothing short of stunning.

The golden gown glimmers under the light, hugging my body like it was stitched onto me. The beaded bodice cups my curves perfectly, the delicate details shimmering with every slight movement. The high slit reveals one toned leg, the gold anklet and strappy heels completing the look. My hair cascades in waves down my shoulders, framing my face with effortless beauty. My makeup is flawless highlight catching the light, eyes smoldering, lips glossy with a hint of color.

I glance at my reflection and inhale deeply. I look powerful. Beautiful. Unapologetic. He’ll see me.

Arriving at the Graham mansion, the place is alive with music and laughter. I find a spot to park before stepping out, the heels clicking softly against the ground. The dress flows behind me like a golden river, the slit parting gracefully as I walk.

The children spot me first Johnson and Gabriella.

“Aunty Mya!”

They run to me, arms outstretched, and I crouch down to hug them tightly.

“Happy birthday, Johnson!” I kiss his cheek, my smile sincere.

“I thought you forgot,” he pouts.

“I could never. Tomorrow’s our day I’ll buy you whatever you want.”

His face lights up. “Really? You’re the best, Aunty Mya!”

Gabriella chimes in, her little Barbie outfit sparkling. “You look like a princess, Aunty Mya!”

I smile warmly. “And you look like the cutest Barbie ever, sweetheart. Johnson, you’re killing that Black Panther outfit!”

Inside the mansion, the atmosphere shifts. My heels click on the marble floor as I enter, holding my head high. James’s parents greet me warmly, but the tension is undeniable.

My eyes find Jordan instantly. He’s standing with Emily her hand clutched possessively in his. His gaze locks on me, widening slightly as if he’s seen a ghost.

I hold his gaze, my expression unreadable. My heart pounds, but I don’t falter.

“Emily,” I say, nodding politely. She doesn’t respond. Instead, she glares at me, as though I’m the dirt beneath her designer shoes.

“Jordan,” I add, my voice softer.

“Mya,” he says quietly, his tone laced with something I can’t place.

I smile faintly, turning toward Kate and James. Kate looks uncomfortable, her smile tight, while James pulls me into a warm hug.

“You look beautiful,” James whispers.

I pull back, meeting his kind eyes. “Thank you.”

As I stand there, the children slip away, whispering something that makes them giggle before running off. I can feel Jordan’s gaze burning into me, but I refuse to look back.

The laughter of Johnson and Gabriella echoed through the yard, their small hands pulling me in every direction as we ran across the soft, trimmed grass. My heels were long forgotten, kicked off by the porch, leaving my bare feet sinking into the earth. Gabriella’s giggles rang like chimes in the wind as I swung her into the air, her tiny fingers gripping mine with trust. Johnson was chasing us, pretending to be a superhero, his little voice booming, “I’m gonna get you, Aunty Mya!”

For a moment, the knot in my chest loosened. This is where I belong where I can forget for a second.

But the spell broke the moment I saw Kate and James approaching us. Their smiles were soft but didn’t reach their eyes, and I knew something was wrong before they even opened their mouths.

“Kids,” Kate said gently, “go play with your friends for a bit. We need to talk to Aunty Mya.”

“Ahhh, but we’re having fun!” Johnson whined, his lips turning down into a pout.

Kate gave him a look only mothers could master, and both kids groaned before running off reluctantly. I watched them disappear, their figures small against the sprawling lawn, before turning back to Kate and James. The heaviness in their expressions made the knot in my chest pull tight again.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. I crossed my arms, bracing myself for whatever it was.

Kate glanced at James, the exchange lingering for a moment too long, their silence gnawing at my patience.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” My voice cracked slightly, and I hated how small I sounded.

James sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “Mya… you know Kate and I would never keep anything from you. We’ve been planning on telling you, but…”

“What is it, James?” I demanded, my heart thumping wildly.

“Okay, please don’t be mad at us, okay?”

“Just talk, James!” My voice rose an octave, teetering on the edge of breaking.

He exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Well… Jordan’s been avoiding you because of Lucas.”

The words hit me like a blow to the chest. I blinked, my lips parting, but no words came out.

“He told us he feels like you’re… replacing him,” James continued cautiously, his voice low as if speaking louder might break me. “You seem happy with Luca, Mya. And when he saw the pictures and videos of you two on social media…”

Kate’s hand reached out to squeeze mine, but I pulled back instinctively, unable to process the weight of what I was hearing.

Replacing him?

“He got angry, Mya. Jealous,” James said carefully. “We reprimanded him for how he’s been acting believe me, we did. He wanted to apologize, but as soon as he saw those photos… well…”

My chest tightened as if someone had placed a heavy stone on it. The word jealousy echoed in my mind like a cruel joke.

Kate stepped in, her voice softer but no less crushing. “And Mya… Jordan has been well, seems to have been happy lately. Emily’s… changing.” She hesitated, her eyes full of pity. “She’s been doing her best to win him over, and the past few weeks, they’ve been spending time together. A lot of time.”

I swallowed hard, the sting in my throat intensifying with every word. My body froze, my thoughts swirling in a storm I couldn’t control.

Happy? With her?

“I’m sorry, Mya,” Kate whispered.

I shook my head, taking a step back. “No… it’s not your fault. Okay?” My voice wavered, but I forced it out anyway. “I just ” I inhaled sharply, trying to suppress the tears welling in my eyes. “So… he was ignoring me because of Lucas? Really?” I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and unfamiliar. “Since when did Jordan become this… person?”

I felt numb, my body and mind no longer connected. James and Kate watched me carefully, their faces clouded with concern. But I didn’t want to hear anything more not now. I needed to leave before I broke in front of them.

“I’ll be okay,” I lied, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll come and pick up Johnson and Gabriella. I still owe Johnson his gift, and I want to spend the day with them.”

Kate opened her mouth to speak, but I held up my hand. “I’ll be fine. Really.”

They reluctantly nodded, and I turned, walking briskly toward the front of the house. I needed to get out of there. Fast.

But as I reached the gate, a small voice stopped me.

“Aunty Mya!”

I turned, blinking back tears as Johnson ran toward me, his little legs carrying him as fast as they could. He stopped in front of me, his wide eyes searching mine.

“Why are you leaving so soon?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with concern.

I crouched down, cupping his tiny face in my hands. “Well, baby, I need to go somewhere, and it’s urgent.” My voice cracked, but I plastered on a smile. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning to pick you and Gabriella up, okay? And we’ll spend the whole day together. Just us.”

“Promise?” he whispered, his lip trembling.

“I promise.” I kissed his cheek softly, holding back the sob threatening to escape. “Come here.”

We did our secret handshake three taps, a finger snap, and a hug. I held onto him longer than I should have, my chest aching with every beat of my heart. When he finally ran back to his friends, I straightened, wiping the tears from my cheeks.

And then I saw him.

Jordan.

He stood across the yard, his figure tall and still, watching me like he wanted to say something but he didn’t. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared.

I wanted to scream at him. To ask him why. But as the tears spilled down my face, I knew I couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

His expression softened, his brows furrowing in concern, but I couldn’t bear to look at him any longer.

I turned and ran. My bare feet carried me to my car, the cold ground biting against my skin. The moment I got in, I slammed the door and gripped the steering wheel, my sobs breaking free like a dam.

“Why?” I whispered through my tears, the sound drowning in the silence of the car.

I drove back to the apartment on autopilot, my mind replaying his face over and over again. And in that moment, all I felt was betrayal.

How could he think I would replace him?

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