Chapter 14
Julia:
• I'm going shopping. Anyone want to come?
Julie and Maria:
• No.
Meanwhile, with the boys…
Matthew:
• I'm heading out. Anyone coming?
Leo and Max:
• No.
When Julia arrived at the shopping center, Matthew showed up too.
Matthew:
• Wow, she's here!
He deliberately bumped into her.
Matthew:
• Oh, sorry!
Julia:
• No problem. Oh, it's you!
Matthew:
• You!
Julia:
• Yeah, just here to shop.
Matthew thought to himself, What? Is she reading my mind? I was just thinking "What are you doing here?" How did she know?
Julia:
• Hello? Where did you go?
Matthew:
• Oh, nothing. Uh… can I tell you something?
Julia:
• Of course!
Matthew:
• You're beautiful.
Julia:
• Oh, thank you.
Matthew:
• Well, I'll go now.
As they walked apart, Matthew slapped his forehead, muttering:
• What an idiot! Why'd I say "You're beautiful"? So stupid! What must she think?
He didn't realize he spoke loud enough — Julia overheard and laughed quietly.
Later…
Julie:
• Did you know? We're going to Mexico on Thursday!
Maria:
• Really? That's amazing!
Julia entered singing happily.
Julie:
• Looks like someone's fallen in love.
Maria:
• Maybe.
Julia:
• What? No way!
Julie:
• Don't lie!
Julia:
• I'm not lying!
Maria:
• Your face says otherwise.
Julia blushed and admitted:
• Okay, fine. I like Matthew.
Julie:
• Max and Leo's friend?!
Julia:
• He's charming… and a little crazy.
Julie:
• And what about him?
Julia:
• He told me I was beautiful.
Julie:
• That doesn't mean he loves you.
Julia:
• Who knows? Maybe one day he will.
Julie tapped her lightly on the head.
• You're the crazy one, not him.
Maria:
• Anyway, I'm heading out now.
Julie:
• With whom? And who gave you permission?
Maria:
• With Max… please?
Julie:
• Just teasing, dear. Go ahead!
When Maria met Max, he said:
• You're late.
Maria:
• I can't leave without my siblings' permission.
Max:
• Your siblings?
Maria:
• We told you — we're friends, but like calling each other siblings.
Suddenly, a photo slipped from Maria's bag — a picture of her family.
Maria:
• Oh!
Max:
• It's okay. May I see?
Maria:
• Of course. This is my family.
Max:
• Would you tell me about them?
Max didn't realize how much Maria resembled Eliana — he had almost forgotten her face.
Maria:
• This is my mom, dad, brother… and me.
Max:
• No sisters?
Maria:
• No.
Max:
• Sorry to ask, but how did they pass away?
Maria:
• It's okay. We were on our way to France for vacation…
Max:
• I don't know why, but your face reminds me of my mother, even though I've only seen her in pictures.
Maria:
• Your mother?
Max:
• Yeah… and your name too.
Maria looked surprised.
• My name?
Max:
• Yes. My mother's name was Maria.
Maria:
• I just remembered! My mom once told me she had a friend named Maria.
Max:
• What was your mother's name?
Maria:
• Eliana.
Max:
• No way — my mom's friend was named Eliana too! Dad told me about her.
Maria:
• Could they have been friends?
Max:
• I wish they were still here so we could know.
Maria:
• Yeah… before my mother passed, she told me I'd marry her friend's son someday. But I don't know anything about him — just that his name was Max… Oh, your name is Max! Could it be you?
Max laughed.
• Maybe. But surely there are lots of guys named Max!
And my dad once said my mom told her friend if anything happened to her, she'd want her to take care of me — maybe even marry me to her daughter.
Maria:
• That's so strange! We have to find out!
You search for her, and I'll search for him!
Max:
• Great idea!
Maria:
• Oh no, I'm late!
Max:
• But we barely spent time together!
Maria:
• Tomorrow! I'll meet you at the beach and we'll continue.
Max:
• Of course!
To be continued…
-
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