Ha, that girl followed me so calmly. Was it really that easy?
— And once again, hello, Maya! — she stood opposite me, looking down at the floor. Realizing she was completely calm, I stepped away from the door. Took a step toward her. She lifted her head. I could not see her face. — Don't worry, I just felt like talking to you. — I needed to make her drop her guard.
Silence, absolutely nothing. I waited, thinking maybe she would ask a question or at least glance at me, but there was nothing at all in response. I want to see her face. I want to see her eyes again. I took another step toward her. She immediately headed for the door, ignoring me completely. Good thing I had locked it. I rushed to the door and blocked it with my arm. I was right next to her. Hmm. I pressed even closer to her. I felt her tense body. She was a little shorter than me — I had always been too tall for girls — but she didn't seem short; about one hundred seventy to one hundred seventy-five centimeters, definitely. I needed to tease her. I bent even lower toward her.
— Afraid? — Again, silence. — Afraid? — I repeated, pressing her even harder against the door.
She lifted her head, spun sharply, and I flinched back. With both hands, like steel, she shoved me in the chest. What the hell… It was just a shove, but her movements were precise, rough. I was shocked. She could have seen it in my eyes. How did she dare lay a hand on me, this girl… The anger from that shove cut through me to the bone. The place where her palms had touched began to burn, as if it hadn't been a shove but a slap. I wanted to rub my chest, but if I touched it, I'd be letting her know I had actually felt a girl's shove.
— Hey, you — I had never hit a girl, but no one had ever allowed themselves to treat me like that.
Maya, at the same time, was completely calm. She lowered her palms, which had still been held out in front of her a couple of seconds ago. After such a shove, a girl should certainly have been breathing heavier than usual — I'm not exactly small. But it was as though nothing had happened. She raised her head and began to look intently.
I saw her eyes again — cold eyes. Her eyes cooled my temper; I don't know why, but my anger ebbed as I looked into them. They were beautiful, and at the same time frightening. Her features showed faintly through the bangs that covered almost her entire face. She was rather pretty. Maya was looking in my direction, but it felt as though she were looking right through me. Yes… who is she?
— Listen, you — I wanted to remind her who I was. But then I noticed her bag on the floor — it was a swimming club bag. From it stuck out an orange towel with childish drawings. — So you swim too? — I stepped toward her again. And she gave no reaction at all. — I've never seen you at the pool — what, do you train in the kiddie section? — And then she just sighed heavily. That was something. Her first reaction — had I guessed right? — Oh, come on, hahahahahahaha. — I really couldn't hold back my laughter; it was amusing.
Maya picked up her bag from the floor, turned, and again tried to leave. I couldn't let her go — not now. And again I blocked the door with my arm. And again we stood in the same position as a couple of minutes ago.
— Let me see what you've got — I slipped my hand under her sweater and felt her shirt, clinging completely to a slender yet stone-hard waist. — I knew there was something worth it under the curtain. Don't hide it—
But before I could finish, she brushed my hand away, turned, and again shoved me in the chest. Her palms hit the exact same spot as before. To be honest, I didn't even know how to react. My chest began to blaze, but was it physical pain? How did she dare pull something like this in San Eros? After all, she was just a scholarship student.
— I think you don't fully understand what you've just done — my voice was no longer pleasant; it was filling with anger. In response — silence. Why is she silent? It's infuriating. — Girls like you should be grateful for my attention.
From her side — absolutely nothing. No emotions, no words. NOTHING. Her silence began to irritate me even more. I think I need to show her who I am.
What the hell?… This girl simply brushed off her sweater, picked up her bag, and quickly left the room.
I… I… I… I am furious.
— Who… are… you… Maya? — rage pierced through me, a mad fury; for the first time I wanted to mock a girl.
Alright, Maya. If you don't want it the easy way, it'll be the hard way. I stepped out of the room, and to my surprise, Riki was standing nearby. I was so angry I just headed for the exit.
— Let's go, we'll talk in the car — rage and fury were overflowing in me, but I had to be reasonable. Riki clearly saw my state, so he just trailed behind. — What the hell!!! — I couldn't hold it in and roared. My legs were almost running to the car, but my eyes were still trying to spot that girl.
I got in the car, slamming the door hard — it even made me feel a little better. Riki slowly and uncertainly got into the car.
— Talk!!! — I couldn't think of anything but my anger.
— Huh? — Riki looked startled and stayed silent.
— Did you find out about the girl I asked you about? — my breathing was slowly returning to normal.
— About Maya? — he clarified. I clenched my teeth.
— Yes, exactly about her — my voice was beginning to calm.
— Her information is stored in the main computer, so it was very easy to get everything…
— Just tell me! — my fury cut him off.
— Maya Simpson. Her parents moved to Shanghai fifteen years ago, opened a business, but couldn't handle the local mafia, ended up in deep debt. Seven years ago, Maya's parents died. All the debt was put on Maya. San Eros offered her help; her entire scholarship is transferred directly to the people she owes…
— Where does she live, and on what, if all the money goes to the gangsters? — my savage voice wouldn't subside.
— She… — he began hesitantly. I shot him a fierce look. — Sometimes works part-time, which pays for a room in a ruined building. Only her room is intact. No toilet, no bath. Just a plain one-by-one meter room.
— Where does she work?
— She works as a swimming coach for little kids, in a public pool. About two or three times a week.
— So she really has nothing, then?
— Yes — Riki's voice was hesitant and quiet.
She has nothing, and she pushed me away like that? Most likely her pride. I'll break her completely… I will break you completely, Maya Simpson.
Breathe, Maya. Don't let it show that you care.
Why did he drag me in there?
Why didn't I push him away immediately?
I burst into the restroom. Luckily, it was empty.
I locked myself in a stall, lowered the lid, and sat down.
Breathe… Just breathe.
It should help.
Normal breathing. Warm air. Count to five. To ten. To twenty.
Why?
Why did he do this? What does he want?
Isn't there enough attention for him? Has he now stooped to people like me?
I just… have to stay silent.
Ignore. Become "no one."
He won't talk to an empty space. Won't touch what isn't there.
Only then will he leave me alone.
Only then will I keep everything I have.
But why?
Why does the place on my waist where his hand lay still burn?
Why did my heart pound when he was behind me?
Why?
I don't know. And I don't want to know.
I've been through too much.
I won't break. Not now.
Please… let me just be a student. Let me enjoy this short peace.
Please, Leon. Just not now.