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"She loved reading. It allowed her to cry over someone else's sadness when she could no longer identify her own." - Nina Parks

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💫 Maya 💫

I sat down on the ledge of the porch after my walk, just wanting to be alone for a while longer.

I don't know why, but Lucas feels safe, he is the kind of person that feels everything three times as intense as others. The kind that knows exactely how it feels when you don't know how to express yourself.

It was exactely the kind of person I needed.

It was exactely the kind of night I needed.

After waking up, still in Lucas' arms on the porch, I look up and see he is just looking up at the night sky.

"Lucas?" 
He looks down and smiles, "Sí mariposa?"
"What time is it?"

He lifts his arm and looks at his watch, "00.30, want to go inside?" I give a small, tired nod and lift my hand to rub my eye, it just feels nice. 

Still in his arms, he looks down and smiles a little, "Are you tired mariposa?". Giving another nod, I stand up and walk towards the door, pulling it open for Lucas. 

He just takes over the door and motions for me to get inside, dad raised him right. 

When we get inside I see dad sitting in the lounge. When he hears the door he looks up and smiles "Hey there, how are my bebés doing?"

Lucas answers for the both of us "We're fine, dad. Maya is tired so she's going to bed, right mariposa?" He looks down at me with a small smile.

I nod at the both of them and walk into the hallway. 

By the time I'm in bed I get out my phone and play some music to help me fall asleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I checked my phone to see my missed messages from yesterday

                                               Procrastination Station
Yesterday

Landon: What's everyone doing today? 

Aella: Not much, wanna hangout tonight?

Sofia: Yeah sounds good! Everyone in?

Landon: I'm in!

Noah: I'm in too! Maya?

40 minutes later

Aella: Maya, want to hang out tonight? My house is available

50 minutes later

Noah: I don't think she will respond, heard from my brother there was an incident at training yesterday, something which got Mister Sanchéz and the oldest brother out.

Aella: Oh shit, that doesn't sound good. Maya, are you okay?

An hour before they were supposed to hang out

Sofia: I don't think we should hang out without hearing from Maya first, it feels wrong to leave her out.

Landon: Yeah I feel the same.

Aella: Agreed.

Noah: Okay, let's wait until she responds, maybe we can hang out tomorrow instead?

Today

                  Me: Hi guys, sorry for not responding. I'm okay and I would love to                      hang out today!

Aella: OMG Maya, I'm so glad to hear you're okay. Is everyone free this afternoon? Where can we chill? Mine is not available unfortunately.

Landon: Yup! Can't be here though, parents are having friends over.

Noah: Not here either....😢

Sofia: Can we hang out at your place this afternoon Maya? 

               Me: I'm not sure, need to check with my dad first. 

When I put my phone away I get out of bed and change into some fresh comfy clothes, it's 9.30 so I guess almost everyone is still sleeping because the house is really quiet. 

Entering the kitchen I see dad making a sandwich, he turns around when I knock on the doorpost and smiles at me, "Good morning mi hermosa amore." 

I give him a smile and walk towards him, okay, you can do this, it's only 7 words, you have said more yesterday, you got this, "Can some friends come over this afternoon?"

He looks a little surprised but after a second the biggest smile enters his face, "Of course they can come over, mi amore. What time will they be here?"

I put up two fingers to let him know they will be here around 14.00. "Okay, sit down, mi amore. I'll make you a sandwich."

After breakfast I sent a quick text telling my friends they can be here at two and decide to wander around the house, looking at something to do with my flexible hours untill family lunch at 12.30. 

After opening a few doors I find a big, beautiful library with a reading corner in front of very big windows looking over the garden. How have I not found this place earlier?

I was never really a reader, never had the time, but seeing all these books I decide to just give it a shot and grab one with a nice sounding story about two sisters going to a magical circus of some sorts. 

After reading for what felt like ten minutes but was apparently two hours I hear some footsteps behind me. 

When I turn around I see Martín standing there with a big smile on his face, "There you are, preciosa. Nice to see someone is using the library. It's a shame to let all these books go to waste."

It really would be a shame to let all these portals into different worlds go to waste. 

"It's almost time for lunch, be there in ten?" I give him a nod and he walks away, closing the door behind him. 

I quickly finish my chapter because closing a book while in the middle of a chapter is something that just feels wrong, and get to the dining room for lunch. 

When everyone is finished with their food they keep talking for a while. I sometimes nod or shake my head at questions but it's mostly just the boys talking about hockey or school related stuff. 

At around 13.30 dad turns to me, "Maya, can I speak to you in my office please mi amore?" 

Shit, did I do something wrong? What if he wants to talk about me not saying anything now that he knows I can talk. Shittt. 

Dad stands up and I follow him to the study. I've learned the home office is Daniel's and the smaller study is dad's place to work at home. 

He opens the door for me and points to the chair infront of the desk while he takes a seat at the big chair behind the desk, "Take a seat mi amore."

I sit down and focus my attention on my hands, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. 

"Maya, nothing is wrong, I just want to talk to you about next thursday." Next thursday? What's happening next thursday? Next thursday is 19 october, I don't remember that being a special day.

He notices my confusion "I know you don't like it when you don't know things a few days before, so I thought I would tell you now. None of the boys know this so don't tell them! I don't want them to know beforehand."

I am totally confused now, what the hell is happening thursday? 

"Next thursday is Hugo's birthday, the 19th. I have invited the entire family for dinner and to stay for two nights so they can watch the first hockey game of the season on de 21st." Oh, okay, so they will be here the 20th as well. 

But the entire family? How many people is that? I don't think I can deal with a lot of new people if I'm honest. "How many?" I ask, I need to be able to prepare myself.

"I have two brothers and a sister, my brothers have four kids and my sister has two kids. Plus the grandparents and spouses, there will be 18 people coming here in total, excluding you, me and your brothers, mi amore. Do you think you will be up for it? If not we can always try to arrange the dinner to be in a few weeks, Hugo's birthday can be celebrated later if you're not up for it, mi amore."

That feels wrong, taking away Hugo's birthday celebration because I can't handle meeting some new people. I wonder if they will make such a celebration on my birthday as well, the 20th. 

I knew Hugo and I were close in age, but a year and a day apart is really close. That means mom left Hugo when he was still in his diapers while I still got 9 years with her. It's unfair if I take away his birthday celebration as well. 

"It's okay." I tell dad while looking in his eyes, hoping he won't ask questions if I try to be confident. "Good, mi amore. If you change your mind, feel free to say so at any moment. Now go get ready, your friends are almost here." He says with a smile that grows bigger with each word.

He's really excited for me to hang out with my friends.

A/N - sooo the family is coming overrrr, ready for some drama?? ;)

I love you <3