The good and the bad

In that moment Steve could do nothing else but touch the place Maria's lips had touched and stare in silence at the image of her back, even after her shadow had disappeared. Though he couldn't believe that he was being so affected by a kiss on the cheek, it seemed that no matter what Maria did, she had a way of making the smallest things impact him like he had been named the king of the world. The sensation he felt from her every touch, brought him back to when he was a teenage boy, experiencing his very first crush and feeling content with whatever breadcrumb of affection his crush was willing to give him. It seemed that his journey with Maria wouldn't be much different but somehow that made it all the more special to Steve. To have a do-over of that first love with someone he actually saw as the one he would be with for life.

Once shock and surprise made way for happiness, he chuckled as he too made his way up the stairs. All the way he subconsciously continued to touch the place where Maria had kissed him as his other hand was resting in his pants' pocket. After he had made his way to the top of the stairs, just before he walked into his room, he stopped in his track to knock on Maria's door with the knuckle of his index finger. At that moment, on the other side of the door, Maria froze. She clutched the stack of her folded pyjamas and waited for what would follow. But with a wide grin, a voice overflowing from love and a teasing tone to top it all off, he said just two words, "Good night", before entering his room and closing the door.

Steve had first intended to let Maria be, since she had shown some bravery on her part by doing something most likely far out of her comfort zone. But because of her dashing away in her wave of panicked embarrassment, he had not been given the chance to say his goodbyes. So, he figured, 'Why not end such an interesting day, with a little innocent teasing'. Knowing that his move would probably push Maria's racing heart into skipping a beat, he reclaimed his stolen opportunity to wish her a good night.

In the end they had both managed to make the other person feel shocked and cause them to smile with one small and innocent act. Because Maria too felt herself smiling from ear to ear once she had heard what Steve had to say. Once both doors were closed, they had each dropped on their beds, their face looking up at the ceiling, letting that moment of happiness wash over them.

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The next morning, Maria found herself waking up alone in Noah and Laila's large home. When she opened her eyes and looked around her room, she could see small amounts of light entering from above the railing. After sitting up in bed and grabbing her phone, she saw how late it was and felt amazed at how long she had manged to sleep. As she grabbed the remote by the bed to open up the curtains, she dropped herself back on pillow and closed her eyes for a minute to get that last sprinkle of sleep. Once the curtains were fully drawn, Maria got out of bed and slowly made her way to the windows before opening them up for some fresh air and to take a look outside.

It was a wonderful day, sunny and just a gentle breeze that would touch her skin from time to time. As she felt the rays of the sun warming her back up, she was reminded of the warmth she felt yesterday and especially last night. Thinking back to all that had happened, she instantly started to smile. But shortly after remembering the good, she also remembered the bad. This made her want to talk with Laila but no matter where she turned or looked, she could not find her. Though she had expected the guys to be long gone at a time like this but Laila? She was on sick leave. She had ended her business with Olivia for the time being and most of all, Laila knew that she was her only companion as she is staying here. Laila isn't one to ignore her houseguests. No matter who they are.

It wasn't until she had decided to give up her search for now and entered the dining room a second time, ready to start her breakfast, that she noticed a piece of paper on the plate that had been set out for her. She didn't notice the piece of paper during her first walk-through, thinking it was a napkin, but now that she was sitting in front of it, it was clear that it was something else. After she unfolded the paper, she noticed that it was a note from Laila. She quickly started reading, hoping that it contained the reason for her absence this late morning.