Maya Jenkins

“Did you just admit to having faults?” Tristan asked in mock shock, “Who are you and what have you done with Maya?”

“I’m beginning to think you are a masochist given the fact you appear to want me to hurt you, Tristan.” Maya warned, resisting the urge to push him off his bike.

“Why would I do things full ass when I’ve got you,” Tristan asked teasingly, “Alright, alright, don’t get ahead of yourself now. You don’t always have good ideas.”

A snort left Maya and she sighed looking at Tristan almost fondly. “That’s ridiculous and you know it but yes, most, if not all of my ideas are good. It’s why I’m the best at what I do. It’s other areas I struggle with.”

“Of course– fine. Totally fine,” his hands rose up as she pulled herself away from him. He wanted to roll his eyes but just stepped back. “Suit yourself.”

Maya gave a somewhat sharp nod at that, moving to find the wall and letting herself lean up against that for a moment as she gathered up her energy. “You can go now if you want.” She stated, really not wanting to walk herself to the nurses office whilst he was still there. That was embarrassment she could live without.

“I did just say that I wanted to go biking, not that I knew where we were going,” Tristan said, “But that sounds like a good plan. Let’s go with your plan.”

“Clearly you half ass jobs Connolly.” Though there was a slight smile on Maya’s lips that suggested she didn’t mean what she said at all. “I know its a good plan. It came from me after all.”

“Yeah, I remember– I was there,” AJ replied dryly. “Wonder why that is,” he added rather sarcastically.

At that comment, Maya moved to pull out of the others grip. “I’ll get there on my own.” None of this was easy for Maya. She wasn’t good at speaking about how she felt or even apologising most of the time but she’d been getting there and it was like the words had caused her walls to be thrown up again. “It’s not like I’m far away anyway. Thanks for getting me this far.”

Tristan laughed, “Alright, alright, I’ll take it. Now where are we going with this bike ride or this just random?”

“Given you’re the one that invited me, I thought you’d have the route mapped out but we can go with random. I’ve got no where I particularly need to go. Round the lake would probably be a nice place to visit though. I know they have a good pub that does food round there too.” She offered up, surprisingly conversational. Unless it was work, Maya wasn’t really known for speaking more than she had to.

“Normally?” he picked up, giving her a look. “What do you mean by that?”

“Normally.” She repeated as she focused on where they were going. “Things ended badly last time. It didn’t really end on a friendly note.” 

“Again, ouch,” Tristan said, “You’re welcome but you don’t have to thank me.”

“Yeah... well I feel like I do and it’s not like I thank people often so it’d probably be worth taking it while it’s offered.”

Tristan started cycling when she did, “It’s not a stupid grin. It’s a normal grin.”

“Everything about your face is stupid right now.” Maya countered but she offered at least a hint of a smile back in response. “But... thank you.”

“Sure thing. As fast as you can possibly limp there,” AJ teased in response, keeping his expression rather deadpan. “Let’s get a move on then. Sooner we get there, sooner I can get out of your hair since you can’t seem to wait for that.”

“It’s-- That’s not what I mean.” Maya tried to explain after a moment, looking at the male as he helped her. “I don’t normally mind your company.”

“So if I were intolerable but I put up with yo, you’d still hang out with me?” Tristan asked in a joking way.

“Maybe.” Though Maya didn’t give away any more than that in the moment as she kicked the pedal of her bike again so that she could begin cycling. “Stop with that stupid grin, Tristan.” Though it did have the effect of making her smile a little too. She couldn’t quite help it.

“Look if you don’t want my help I can just go,” AJ shot back. “But something tells me you could use a little help once you get to the stairs. Stop being so stubborn.”

“Want might be a stretch.” She admitted, but it wasn’t because of anything he’d done so much as how they had ended things the last time they’d spoken. She’d been avoiding him since then which was the reason for her reaction now. That and she felt a little bit like an idiot for hurting herself. Most of Maya’s emotions tended to result in a outwardly aggressive manner. “Fine. But can we make it quick? I am sure they will just give me a bandage, pass me some paracetamol and send me on my way. I have work I need to get done and this isn’t going to stop me.”

“And after I said all those nice things too,” Tristan said, still pretending to be hurt, “If I’m so annoying then I think the better question is why are you friends with me?”

“Mhm... I might give you a little leeway because of that.” Maya answered with a little smile slowly drifting onto her face. Despite everything, he was managing to make her feel a little better. “And I’m still trying to figure that out. Maybe because you are one of a limited amount who actually would put up with me.” That last part was perhaps more true than the joking manner in which she’d attempted to phrase it.

“What?” Tristan asked acting in innocence but laughing, “What did I do this time?”

“You’re annoying, that’s what you did. You’re always annoying aren’t you.” Maya stated, though she spoke softly regardless of her words.

“As would anyone,” Tristan said, “Oh come on, you don’t need to admit it, I know. Now let’s go, now that I’ve mentioned milkshakes, I want one.”

“I don’t think you realise how much you make me want to hurt you about 90% of the time.” Maya muttered, still she followed him, if only for the sake of milkshake.

“Clearly, that injury of yours really drives your point home,” AJ commented sarcastically. The two hadn’t spoken much since their last encounter. As much as he was still a little upset about it, he was genuinely concerned for her wellbeing so he had offered to escort her to see the nurse. “Are you sure you can walk? Or hobble over there at least?”

“I can walk.” The truth was Maya would have said it regardless right now. Maya hated to rely on anyone and the fact they’d argued previously was not making her want to do that with Ajay. Slowly she moved to stand, trying to put as little weight as possible on the ankle. “I’m not sure what you were doing here anyway. Your timing is impeccable...” Annoyingly enough.

Tristan shrugged, “Everyone has their reasons for the things they do. You rarely have any actual malicious intent and I can see that,” He paused and touched his chest as if getting emotional but amusement glinting in his eyes, “Aww Maya are you saying you like me?”

“Unless someone has done something terrible to me, I wouldn’t be malicious.” She was grumpy, there was a difference. Still Maya rolled her eyes at Tristan. “You’re bearable. Just about. Though right now I’m re-thinking it.”