It Wasn't Meant To Turn Out Like This

Mayza put up the plate she’d just washed and dried, listening to the late night news Brian had on in the living room. She worked at putting up that night’s dishes; once the annoyance of dishes was done until the next night, she would probably go out and watch some television with Brian before heading to bed. Mayza put up a few pans before leaving the kitchen and flicking the light off as she went. She sank down on the couch beside Brian and stared blankly at the television, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her.

A fortnight had gone by since Brian’s admission of a crush on Mayza. Neither of them had mentioned the conversation that resulted during that time. Mayza couldn’t be sure if Brian didn’t mention it because he just wanted to forget it or if he really had forgotten what had happened between them. Either way, Mayza never had any intention of reminding him.

As if sensing what her mind was preoccupied with, Brian asked out of the blue, “Did you mean what you said that night?”

The question caught Mayza off guard. She hadn’t expected him to bring it up, at least not so bluntly and straightforward. She looked over at Brian to find him looking back down at her, a somber expression on his face.

“Yeah,” Mayza answered with a nod, staring unwaveringly up into his chocolate brown eyes. “I did. And even if I didn’t, there’s no chance the two of us could ever be together. People are dumb. They discriminate and judge. If we began dating, it would more than likely disgrace the band as a whole and I don’t want that for you guys. You might not notice, but society doesn’t like the idea of close fairy/human relations.”

“In all honesty, I don’t care what other people think. Never have, never will,” Brian said. Mayza didn’t miss the disappointment or sadness in his eyes as he looked away and rose to his feet. “See you in the morning.”

A few minutes later, Mayza stood up as well, having turned off the TV, and followed Brian upstairs to go to bed.

!!!!!

Mayza jerked awake and frowned up at the ceiling as she recalled the odd dream she just had. In her dream, she’d been riding a purple unicorn in a meadow when suddenly she heard her father’s booming voice. Her father’s unexpected bellow had been what woke her. Come to think of it, even though she was awake, she could still hear her father’s voice.

Mayza sat bolt upright and was at the door of her bedroom within seconds. She could hear her father bellowing, “Where is my Mayza!?” from the direction of Brian’s room. It couldn’t be true. It couldn’t possibly be true.

Mayza shot down the hall and burst into Brian’s room. Against the far wall, Mayza’s father Roland stood pinning Brian against the wall with a hand to his throat. Brian looked seriously freaked out; Mayza’s father was a bit on the tall side, being six feet, ten inches, and towered over Brian even. Compared to Mayza, Roland looked like a fairytale giant.

“Daddy!” Mayza cried out, reaching over and flipping the light switch on.

At the sound of her voice, Mayza’s father turned. Upon seeing her standing there, he actually released Brian. Brian sunk down against the wall, rubbing his neck and looking relieved to have been released. Roland rushed across the room, sweeping his daughter up in his arms and hugging her close to his body. After several moments, he gently set her back on her feet. Mayza stared in wonder up at the man she hadn’t seen for many years, a man she had decided she would never see again. Her eyes gleamed with excitement.

“How is this possible?” Mayza whispered, too shocked and happy to raise her voice any louder.

“Ever since that horrible day where the fairy world lost many of its residents, the remaining fairy population has been working nonstop on reopening the portal between the two dimensions,” Roland explained, resting both of his hands on his daughter’s shoulders. “After all this time, we finally got it to open again. Right now, fairies are fanning out all over this world finding our own kin, saving them, and taking them back into the fairy dimension.”

Roland’s gaze abruptly darkened and he released Mayza, turning towards Brian and glaring at him. Brian had risen to his feet, still rubbing his throat, and he looked alarmed and frustrated at the look Roland was giving him.

“So, is this the beast of a man who enslaved my daughter?” Roland boomed angrily, taking two strides towards Brian. He looked nearly ready to kill, and Mayza knew he wouldn’t hesitate to tear Brian limb from limb if he felt it was necessary.

“Daddy, no,” Mayza said quickly, hurrying forward and gripping her father’s arm. “Brian is my friend. He has been very kind to me ever since his father bought me.”

“So his father is the one I shall kill,” Roland answered darkly, turning from Brian and focusing on his daughter.

“No, Daddy, the entire Haner family has been extremely kind to me,” Mayza insisted. “I would like it very much if you left them alone and breathing.”

“If you think these human swine deserve to live, then I will accept your judgment and there will be no bloodshed,” Roland said. “But please, Mayza, we must be going before the portals close once more.”

“Can I at least say good-bye?” Mayza asked.

Roland nodded, giving Brian the evil eye as he did so. It was obvious he still didn’t trust him, despite his daughter’s assurance. “I will be outside. There may be more fairies around that need freed.”

Roland turned and strode from the room. Mayza stepped swiftly towards Brian, coiling her arms around his waist and pressing her face into his chest. Brian’s arms found their way back around her, his hands rubbing her back gently.

“I will miss you so much,” Mayza admitted, pulling slightly away but still keeping her arms around Brian to look him in the eye.

“As I will miss you,” Brian agreed. “But you must go back to where you belong. Earth is not your home. It never should have become your home in the first place.”

“Will you tell everyone I’ll miss them and that I love them very much?” Mayza asked, swallowing hard in an attempt to prevent the tears pooling on the edges of her eyelids.

“They know it already, but I’ll be sure to tell them,” Brian answered, offering Mayza a small smile. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Mayza’s cheek before pulling completely away. “You should go. I would hate for your father to break down my wall, thinking I’ve chained you up somewhere.”

Mayza laughed weakly and nodded. “Good-bye, Brian.”

“Farewell,” Brian replied. “I hope to never see you again.”

“Likewise,” Mayza answered sadly, knowing that he meant he hoped she would never have to return to Earth. She gave him one last quick hug and then turned and hurried out of the room.