BEFORE YOU READ:
Hello everyone! If you haven't read the other books that are part of the Hidden Attraction series, I recommend you do so before reading this one! You don't have to, but if you decide to read this one first then make sure not to read the comments, as I'm sure there will be spoilers <3

1. My Brother's Best Friend
2. In Five Years
3. The Perfect Timing

Hope you enjoy!

_________

I've been in love with Maya Garcia since I saw her for the first time in seventh grade. I know it's cliche, and I know it sounds unrealistic, but I swear it's the truth.

She was everything I wanted in a girl and more, and It didn't take more than three hours for me to figure that out. Maya was feisty, outspoken, confident, and she didn't change herself for anyone. She was undoubtedly herself, and it was intoxicating. She was perfect.

But there was just one tiny thing getting in the way of having her all to myself: Maya Garcia just so happened to be my sister's best friend, which made her completely, one hundred percent off limits.

What are the fucking odds, right?

_______

I still remember seeing her for the first time like it was yesterday. I had just gotten home from school, and my best friend Cameron and I were playing video games like we normally did. The only reason I knew my sister Maddie had a friend coming over was because my mom was in a cleaning frenzy. She almost never did that unless company was on the way.

"Now you boys need to behave yourselves." My mom warned, picking up the leftover soda cans that were littered on the coffee table. "You guys got back home only an hour ago and have already gone through four mountain dews? No wonder the grocery bill is so high!"

"Sorry Mary." Cameron laughed. "I'll make sure to drink water until dinner."

Five minutes later we both heard the front door shut, and Maddie came into the kitchen with her new friend following close behind. "Do you want anything to drink?" She asked. "Water? Soda?"

"Not the Mountain Dew, Mads!" Cameron called out, turning to face them both. "Your mom just lit into us for drinking them."

Maddie's face got red from embarrassment. "Oh, okay." She muttered. "Um, Maya that's Cameron, and that's my brother Ethan."

I just then decided to turn around, and as soon as I got one look at Maya I felt my mouth dry out. I thought it was just teenage hormones at first, but this wasn't like seeing girls in gym class in short shorts. It was... much more than that. Much more than anything I've ever felt before.

She was beautiful. Absolutely stunning. She wasn't wearing any makeup, but her skin looked like she had just tanned in the sun all day, and her brown hair was swinging in a long ponytail, almost reaching the end of her spine.

I didn't want to look like I was checking her out though, so all I said was, "hey."

"Hi." She smiled, and instantly I felt my chest get all tight, like I almost couldn't find the room to breathe.

"So, water?" Maddie asked her again. "Apparently the soda is off limits. Sorry."

"Oh, nonsense!" My mom hurried back into the kitchen after having just changed into a completely new outfit, acting like a different person. "Have whatever you want, sweetie."

"I'm okay. Thank you though." Maya replied, and then she glanced at the television. "Is that Zombies?"

"You play?" I asked.

"I'm excellent." She said smugly, like she had all the confidence in the entire world. "I bet I could beat you."

"Now this I would love to see." Cameron reached over to grab the controller he was playing on and held it out to her. "Please, show us what you've got."

Maya looked at Maddie and shrugged her shoulders. "Do you mind if I school your brother real quick?"

"Not at all." Maddie said, and Cameron stood up to go and talk to her while Maya took his seat beside me.

She smelled like honey, or daises... I don't know what it was, but it smelled incredible. I found myself shifting on the couch as I started up another game, anxiously awaiting it to begin.

Normally I found myself awkward around girls. I never knew what the hell to say, but as soon as the game started up Maya began to trash talk me, and suddenly I forgot she was a girl at all. We were laughing so hard as we both tried not to die, and eventually I ended up going down first, impressed as hell when she was actually able to revive me.

"You're terrible!" She screamed. "Go to the toy box. Get another weapon."

"I'm trying! I have no jug. Give me a second."

It was no use though. It was only a matter of seconds before I went down again, and eventually Maya died too, but it was clear as day that she was, in fact, better than me by a long shot.

"And that is how it's done." She cheesed an obnoxious smile at me before she stood up, and my god I wish she hadn't. Her ass was perfect. It was full and round, and since I still hadn't learned to control my hormones I grabbed a pillow that was sitting next to me to cover my lap.

Maddie cheered and danced side to side, proud of her new friend for beating me. Cameron sent me a knowing look as his eyes moved from the pillow on my lap to Maya, already having pieced two and two together.

"Okay, we're going up to my room now." Maddie said. "Bye." And then she dragged Maya by the wrist to go upstairs, disappearing out of sight.

I let out a sigh and sat back onto the couch, attempting desperately to get myself to calm down and think of anything other than how incredibly attractive she was. I've never met a girl that played call of duty, and I've especially never met a girl that was better than me at it.

Cameron took a seat on the love seat beside the couch, letting out another laugh before he said, "well, you're in deep shit now, aren't you?"

"You have no idea." I muttered.

_________

And now that brings us back to the present, five years later. I'm a senior in high school, and you'd think that I would have made a move by now, but I'm still a helpless idiot, head over heels in love with someone that doesn't even know it.

I stare across the cafeteria as Maya and Maddie eat their lunch, loving the way that Maya looks today. She has no makeup on, she doesn't need it, but her hair is curled, falling into waves down her back, and she's got this yellow sundress on, making her tan skin just gleam underneath the fluorescent lights. She's perfect.

"Would you stop staring at her like a fucking stalker?" Cameron sits down beside me, his tray landing down in front of him. "It's so fucking obvious, bro. Maddie is going to figure it out eventually."

Seeming how Maddie has been clueless to it so far, I highly doubt she'll figure it out now, but I don't bother to say anything to try and defend myself. He's right. I am practically a stalker.

"Your parents are out of town for the weekend for that anniversary thing, right?" Cameron shoves his mouthful with a bite of pizza as I nod. "So... party?"

From middle to high school a lot has changed between Cameron and I. He went out for the football team the summer before our freshman year and convinced me to do it with him. I didn't want to, but I was afraid of losing my best friend, so I did it anyways. I didn't love football like Cameron did, and it definitely showed. He was the star of the team, and I just tried hard enough to remain on the starting lineup. I don't think football is what I want to do for life, but I'd never let Cameron know that.

So that's why I shrug my shoulders to the idea of this party. I don't want to be looked at as lame, and even though I know Cameron would accept me regardless, the popularity we both had got to my head as much as I didn't want it to. Without it I don't know who I'd be. It's like everyone expects me to be a certain way, or act a certain way, and sometimes I feel like I'm putting on a show.

"I heard from a little birdie that Jennifer has a thing for you."

"Cheerleader Jennifer?"

"Oh yeah." He grins. "I'll definitely be inviting her tonight. You know I've got you."

Truth be told I don't want to hook up with Jennifer. I've never had a girlfriend, and although Cameron has slept with the entire senior class basically, I haven't slept with one. I lied and told Cameron that last summer at one of the cheerleaders parties I slept with this girl Maggie from a different school. In reality Maggie didn't exist though, but I'd never tell him that.

Instead I thank him, slumping back more into my chair as my eyes again seem to find their way to the yellow sundress.

I just want to get tonight over with.

A/N:

Ahhhhhhhhhhh I am SO excited about their story!!!

Did you guys expect that from Ethan?!

What did you think?!

PLEASE comment/vote since this is a new story! <3

I can't freaking wait to release the rest.

As for an update schedule, this one I have to take more time with because it has to coincide with the first book of the series. I have to keep bouncing back from this book to the other one, so updates won't be as frequent as it was with the last story! I am thinking of updating Thursday's and Monday's. I know that it's not 3 days a week, but I'm trying y'all. Hopefully that's okay!

PLEASE COMMENT AND VOTE <3

If you're looking for other stories to read of mine in the meantime while you're waiting for updates, here are some recommendations!

Before I Met You
After I Met You
Love Always, Ella.

All of these stories are completed! Just go to my profile and they are listed under my works :) oh! And while you're there you might as well hit that follow button, right?!

SEE YOU MONDAY !!

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