Maya vanilla's Arc

Chapter 2 of 2

Maya stood in front of her mirror and practiced speaking to her reflection. "I need to tell you something," she said, watching her lips form the words. Her voice cracked. She tried again. "I really like you." The words felt clumsy in her mouth, like stones she couldn't swallow. She needed to get better at this before tomorrow at the mushroom house. Practice was the first step. Outside, Maya walked through the snow until she spotted the tea house with paw prints painted on its walls. She pushed open the door and sat at a small table near the window. The empty room felt safe. No one could hear her mess up here. She spoke into the quiet space. "I have something important to say." Her hands shook. She tried again, louder this time. "You're my best friend, but I feel more than that." The words came easier without anyone watching. After an hour, Maya left the tea house and made her way to the ice castle that sparkled in the distance. She'd hang lights along its towers tonight so her best friend could see it glowing when he arrived tomorrow. As she strung each light, she whispered her feelings into the cold air. The castle seemed to glow brighter with each word. Maybe speaking to the ice and snow was good practice too. On her way home, Maya stopped at the meditation pool. The thick water looked calm under the moonlight. She sat on the smooth copper disc that floated in the center and took a deep breath. Tomorrow she would tell him. Tomorrow she would say the words that mattered most. Her voice was ready now.