No Rules Required: Chapter Seven

This story is meant to be fun. The idea popped into my mind, and now, here we are.

No Rules Required will always be free. Let’s have some fun TOGETHER!

Olly

“Mom.” I heard my sister, Lola’s voice in the other room. “Do you…” She stopped in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Lola, “ my mom said, throwing her arms up. Then she hurried over to hug my sister.

“Um, I didn’t know Olly would be here with a guest. Is there room for one more?” Her hand disappeared around the door frame. “Maya didn’t have plans, so I invited her for dinner.” She tugged her friend into view.

“There’s always room for more.” My mom reached for Maya’s hand and pulled her in for a hug. “It’s so good to see you, dear.” 

“Hi, Mrs. Martin.” She wrapped her arms around my mom’s body and glanced in my direction.

“Here, here, where are my manners.” Mom moved over to Jules and placed a hand on her back. “Lola and Maya, this is Olly’s friend, Jules. She’s never had my homemade tortillas.”

“Oh, hey.” Lola smiled. Maya nodded but didn’t say anything. She was still staring at me.

Maya was my sister’s best friend. They met in preschool and have been inseparable ever since.

My mom didn’t know Maya, and I were not really on speaking terms. 

When I was a junior in high school, I had to take Maya home from school. It was just her and I in the car. I never felt attracted to Maya. She’s a wonderful person, but I had never felt that connection. Plus, she’s two or three years younger. At the time, the age difference was a factor.

On the drive home that day, I quickly learned she had feelings for me. When she sat down in the passenger seat, the flirting started. I tried to ignore it, but she made it obvious. When I pulled into her driveway and parked the car, she slid over and placed her hand on my thigh. I tried to let her down nicely, but she cut me off when I tried to say something.

The worst part was when she leaned up and attempted to kiss me. I put my hands on her shoulders and pushed her away. I told her I was sorry and that a relationship between us would probably never happen. 

Her cheeks went a bright red, and she backed away. She huffed and opened the door; before she left, she turned toward me and told me I would be missing out on something that could be amazing between us.

I was okay with that.

She was not.

My sister had no idea Maya had feelings for me. She laughed and didn’t immediately believe me when I told her what happened. Then, Maya ran to her side, looking for pity for my rejection.

Ever since that time, we were cordial, that’s it.

It had been years since that happened. There was no way Maya still had feelings for me.

Well, that’s what I thought. Then she caught sight of Jules, and her cheeks changed to the bright red I experienced years ago in my car.

“Lola, grab a couple more aprons from the pantry.” She picked up a spoon sitting on the counter and stirred the meat simmering in a pot with stock and many spices. “Maya, you can help Jules and Olly make the tortillas.”

“That’s okay, Mrs. Martin. I’m exhausted, so I’ll sit this one out if it’s okay.” She pulled a chair out and sat down at the kitchen table.

“Are you sure, sweetie?” Maria made her way over to Maya. “Can I get you anything? Maybe something to drink?” Mom ran her hand through Maya’s hair and rested it on her shoulder.

“Maybe some water.” 

“I’ll get it, Mom.” I wiped my hands on my apron and grabbed a glass from the cabinet. “Do you want ice?”

“No, thank you.” She bent her head and reached for the glass from my outstretched hand.

“You rest.” Mom rubbed her hand on Maya’s back. “Dinner should be done in about an hour.”

Jules had no idea what was happening. She was busy dividing the dough for tortillas.

“Let me help.” I stepped beside her. 

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I guess.” I rolled my eyes and whispered the short version of the story. Lola was back in the room chatting with my mom and Maya, so no one heard our conversation.

“Wow, now the staring contest makes sense.” Jules laughed. “If you need me to pretend we’re dating, let me know.” She winked and bumped her hip against mine.

When our bodies made contact, pretending was furthest from my mind.

AUTHOR NOTE:

The fun part of writing a serial that will never be put into a book is adding new characters because now I can’t wait to see what happens with Lola and Maya in the future. AND I love where things are heading with Olly and Jules. When their bodies touched, I have a feeling Olly felt a connection to Jules. Do we take this relationship slow or let it be an instant attraction and make it happen quickly?