Roommates & Soulmates

Ch142: Maia's Strength

Maia was getting really sick of Christmas carols. The store in which she worked had been playing them non-stop for over a month before the dreaded day arrived. That dreaded day being today, December 25th. And for some insane reason her store had decided to be open on this of all days. She wasn't complaining however, apart from the music selection that is. Maia didn't have anywhere else to be today, so why not get paid time and a half to watch an almost empty store? It didn't sound so bad really when you put it like that.

There wasn't a single manager working today, so Maia didn't even have to pretend to work while the store was dead. Besides, she'd already cleaned all the cases so she just sat down and let her mind wonder. her Christmas was rather low-key, but she knew many of her friends were, at this very moment, enjoying fabulous family gatherings. Alec and Magnus had gone home to Alec's mansion for the holidays. Izzy had dragged Simon along with them, which meant Maia had her apartment to herself. She was pretty sure Paige was still at Malec's, likely having been given the task of cat sitting in the couples absence. Jace had gone home alone to spend the holidays with his mother. Clary was, of course, still in Paris. Who was she forgetting?

Ah, that's right... Jordan.

It was strange now to think of all the times she'd pushed him away. For here she was gazing at an empty store and wishing he was here.

"How'd you get suck with this shift?"

Maia jumped. Then turned to see the only other employee who was working today.

"Hey Jamie," Maia sighed, relaxing back into her stupor.

"Oh geez, cheer up!" Jamie ordered. "You look like someone killed your puppy."

"I've never had a puppy," Maia replied.

"You should get one then," Jamie stated. "They are good company, and you look like you could use some."

"I live in a no pets apartment," Maia explained.

"Ah yes, the benefits of basement suits with backyards," Jamie sighed. "You never answered my question."

With a sigh Maia said, "I volunteered for the Christmas Day shift." She turned and added, "And don't give me that look. You're working the Christmas shift too!"

"Yes, but I drew the short straw," Jamie sighed. "It wasn't like I wanted to be here, but I heard you volunteered to work Christmas."

"Guilty," Maia replied awkwardly.

"Are you crazy?" he asked.

Maia really thought about that for a moment. "Possibly," she said.

"Didn't you want to go home?" Jamie asked. "See your family and eat some turkey?"

"We have turkey here," Maia replied, grinning as she pointed to the deli section. Jamie raised his eyebrows at her. "Alright fine. To answer your questions honesty, no I'd rather not go home."

"May I ask why?"

Maia shrugged. "Long standing bad relationships with my parents. Also my brother's an ass."

"Fair enough," Jamie stated.

"If you weren't here," Maia continued. "Where would you be? With who?"

"Interesting question," Jamie smiled. "Alright here's my deal. If I answer, then you have to as well. And be honest." Maia agreed with a nod and he continued. "I have this friend. I've known her going on eight years now, and she'd been with the same guy all eight of those years. If I wasn't here I'd been with them."

Now it was Maia's turn to raise her eyebrows at him. "The same guy huh?" she smirked. "Let me guess. If she wasn't with this guy you'd move right in."