Breaking Point

Chapter eighteen

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"Scars remind us where we've been. They don't  have to dictate where we're going." - David Rossi, Criminal Minds

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💫 Maya 💫

Thursday really gave me some peace of mind, it was one of the most normal days I've had in a week and a half so it gave me some time to recharge on my own. 

I did ask dad if I could watch a movie in the home cinema by myself and it was really nice. I watched Mulan and let me tell you, that movie is amazing. 

Today has been less than normal. Everywhere I look I see Leo, whether it's in the hallway talking with friends or in the cafeteria at lunch, he's everywhere. 

I think Aella noticed something was wrong because at lunch she asked "Maya, are you okay? You seem a little off today." I just quickly blamed it on period cramps, I'm not even on my period.

Opening my lunchbox I see a note from dad. 
'Remember, you ride home with the twins and Hugo today so don't forget to stay during their practice. Have fun at school, mi amore. - Álvaro'

He still refers to himself as Álvaro, probably because he doesn't like it if I called him dad.

My last classes fly by and before I know it I hear the final bell. Walking into the hallway I see Mateo waiting for me across from my classroom, "Hey there, cariño. Ready to go to practice?"

I give him a nod and walk after him to the ice rink. When I enter I immediately regret not bringing a sweater with me. Mateo points to the stand "You can take a seat anywhere on the stands, just make sure you don't leave the rink without us, okay cariño?"

I give him another quick nod and take a seat near the entrance, halfway up so I can see everything. After a few minutes, about 13 people in icehockey-gear come out and get on the ice. 

They start some sort of warming up which looks really cool and I spot the first one with "Sanchéz" on his back pretty soon. The second one is a few minutes after that but the third takes me a while to spot.

Dad said the training takes two hours so I was surprised to see someone coming towards the exit with another half hour on the clock. It's probably someone who has to go to the bathroom or something.

But when the person starts walking towards my seat I freak out a little. Calm down. It's just Martín or Hugo asking how I'm doing. 

Martín is the team captain so he can probably just leave during training. When he get's closer I can see it's not Martín or Hugo, not even Mateo.

It's Leo.

I quickly turn my gaze back to the ice, trying to keep my breathing steady. What is he doing here? When he took the seat directly next to me, I stood up and sat down in another seat so there were two inbetween. 

I can't deal with him. Not now. Not where my brothers can see him.
Oh shit. They can see him sitting here. Now they must know there is some sort of connection.

I can see from the corner of my eye that Leo took of his helmet and is just watching me. "Maya, do you remember me?"

Of course I remember you, you are the only real friend I've ever had.

I shake my head. Maybe now he will leave me alone.
Wrong again.

"Come on, it's me, Leonardo. You used to call me Leo. We lived next to each other for like 12 years. How can you not remember me?" The genuine hurt in his voice when he says it makes me tear up as well.