Maroun's Star by Ari Meza (the lemonade war series txt) 📕

JS? Huh? Oh right, James Smith.
Even through text he seemed tensed. When we were driving in his car, he avoided my eyes, he'd answered yes or no. Never had a full conversation. He drove fast as if running away from something or someone. Always kept looking back.
"Please prepare for landing", said the voice from the speakers.
Beep, Beep.
I'm guessing is another text from James.

My love, put your seatbelt on, prepare yourself for a rough landing. I'll be there for you, I promise.
-JS

I looked around and re-read the text, I stood up and frantically began running to the pilot's cabin. There he was. The pilot of the plane.
"JAMES!"
He quickly turned and his expression was changed from a focused look to complete shock!
"Love, what are you doing here?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?" I said kind of pissed off.
"No time for questions, we have to land soon! One of the wings has gone crazy. Get back to your seat and put on your seatbelt!"
"NO!" I said.
"NOW!" he yelled.
I couldn't move, I was frozen, in complete shock.
"Sir, both wings are going bazooka on us, we're losing altitude, and fast. There are no open fields, and we have to land now!" said the co-pilot.
"What are you insane?! We can't land it’s a pine forest for God's sake!" James shouted.
"Comrade we have no other option the motor just shut down!"
The plane began to fall, so fast; I had no time to go back to my seat. I fell to my knees, it was a nasty hit. God, I'm going to have my first bruise in years!
The plane kept dropping, it became so rough, I felt James come hug me, he whispered in my ear something as if it were the last time.
"Love, this might be the end, I'm not sure how much we have left but I love you!"
He hugged me, a brotherly hug. So tight and sweet. James wasn't my love, he was my best friend.
Took this to realize it.
BAM!

8

Ah, what a headache!
Why is it so dark? Ha. Right, maybe if I open my eyes. Whaat? My eyes are stuck, I move my hands towards them to try and feel why they were shut together. Eye boogers? No, it’s thicker and gooier.
"Don't touch it; I'll clean it for you."
That voice, who is he?
"Let me clean your hand".
His hands felt so warm as he grabbed mine, my hands were tiny compared to his.
"Your hands are soft."
His voice kept sending warm chills through my body, as if we were connected and my body reacted to his voice.
"There you can open your eyes now".
I shook my head.
"No? Why? Are you hurt?"
I gave him a smile and I sort of giggled, I tried to say thanks but nothing came out of my mouth.
He laughed at this.
"You're a silly cookie"
His laugh, wow, something about him. I opened my eyes and quickly shut them again. The sun was up so bright it hurt. I opened my eyes again, there he was.
Dark hair, tan skin, his eyes big and with they looked light brown. So beautiful, as if he were the guy I’ve always dreamt about. I was mesmerized by his smile as he helped me up. I hadn't felt the cold of the Taiga till he pulled me up next to his warm body.


9

She was beautiful; I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Her brown eyes, long dark hair, her rosy cheeks, and when she smiled, it was so bright and vivid. Two days ago I wash out washing my jeep, when i suddenly heard the crash. I went and grabbed my keys. I simply followed the smoke. I saw what looked like a jet, starting to get in flames. I hurried rapidly to try and find someone. I found a guy that looked like he was the pilot, blue eyes, blonde. He was screaming to get my attention. I ran to him and he pointed to a girl next to him,
"Save... her..."
I went over to her and felt for her pulse. She's unconscious but breathing which is good. I could hear the engine getting ready to blow up. I grabbed her bag and pulled her up into my arms, surprisingly she's lighter than I thought. Quickly, I began to look for an exit; I kicked the emergency door and ran towards y jeep.
KA-BOOM!
I heard behind me.
I put her in the passenger’s seat, and watched how the flames consumed the plane. Feeling helpless, there was nothing I could do. I drove her back her back to my cabin, placed her gently in the couch. She lay there, and all I could do was watch. Then I saw the blood on her cheek, and her swollen eyes. I knew the best ways to help her. I cleaned her wounds, poor thing; she's going to have a scar on her thigh. Sigh, I brought aloe gel and placed it on her eyes. I cleaned the rest of her face with a wet sponge; her skin was so pale, like if she hadn't been in the sun. Yet she was so beautiful. I asked my sister to change her out of her ripped clothes into some sweats and a t-shirt. While I cleaned my room so she could sleep there. But when I came back she was so silent and at peace I decided not to move her. The next morning I took her to the garden and laid her down on the porch swing, I didn’t want her to wake up and find herself alone. Mostly because the aloe would get in her eyes and it could burn her. I quickly glanced at her and saw her hand move, and then I walked over to her.
"Want something to eat?" I asked as we sat by the counter.
She shook her head, and then pointed to the notepad and pen. I quickly handed it to her.
Thank you so much for caring about me enough to do all this, um may I use your restroom?
"You're welcome," I replied, "and my sister bought you some clothes and girl stuff. It’s in my room, here I’ll show you."
I took her hand, and there was that warm feeling again. Whoa. I've never felt this before.

10

He showed how to use the shower but I don't remember how to close it, there. I put on some jeans and a turquoise v-neck. I went over and sat on his bed. I begin to think about James, how he was more of a best friend to me. I thought about all the things he did for my family and me. Then I remembered my Mom & David! Where are they? I felt so vulnerable; I let myself cry for the first time in a couple years. Yeah, there were times that I'd tear up and get all emotional. But it’s been 10 years since I actually cried my heart out. I was so lost in my pain and my tears that I didn't feel when his arms were around me to comfort me. I turned around and hugged him with every inch of force in my body. He hugged me back with almost the same force, as if being careful. Like if he were carrying an expensive vase and he didn’t want to brake it. When I pulled back, and I caressed his cheek, I realized he was also crying.

11

"I'm not sure how, I don't even recall when. I simply began to cry with her, as if her pain became my own. I felt like I was experiencing the same thing. It was as if we became one" I said to Victoria, my sister.
"Sometimes the pain is simply contagious," Victoria responded, "I mean sometimes I can feel other people's pain. It's normal."
"Well it’s not that I felt it, it was as if I was living it in my own flesh and blood." I began to get so frustrated because it seemed like she didn’t understand.
I was a little angry at her, she's one of the persons that know me best yet she seemed as if she rarely knew what I was talking about!
"Hey there!" Victoria spoke but I knew it wasn't for me.
I quickly turned and all the frustration and anger vanished as soon as my eyes fell on her. She had literally captured my heart! She looked stunning, she wore very little make up and that turquoise looked great on her skin.
"Hi" she managed to say with a rusty voice.
I simply smiled, she was so adorable. Victoria walked up to her, which surprised me because she rarely gets along with anyone.
"My name is Victoria, I'm so glad you're much better! We were truly worried about you." it was such a sincere comment.
"Thank you," she said, "I truly appreciate how much you've helped me! My name is Pamela Mencia"
I walked over to her with a cup of water.
"Shh, don't strain your voice. I'm Maroun"
"Like the color" my sister interrupted!
She giggled and drank some water. Her giggles or laughs made me smile.

12

"This is delicious Victoria!" I exclaimed.
The cake was just amazing.
"I didn’t bake it," she said.
"Oh you bought it?"
Maroun and Victoria laughed so much at this. Victoria was finally able to speak,
"No, ha-ha, Maroun baked it"
I turned to look at him and smiled!
"Well Maroun, you have a talent!" I said.
He blushed, which I found completely cute! We spent the rest of the afternoon talking, I told them about the laws that were being passed in U.S, and how we're worried since we couldn't go back to Mexico since it was also part of a communist society. I told them how James helped us through. How he risked his life for us, what I didn’t say was that he was my "Lover" which he wasn't! He was my best friend. They listened to me carefully, never interrupted once unless it was something I didn't clarify.
"Well tell me about your guy's life" I said.
"What would you like to know?" Maroun asked.
"Just tell anything, your parents or why do you live here in the forest etc."
"Well, Victoria is my twin sister. We graduated college last year. Which makes us 24? Old, I know! We're in the heart of the Taiga. We moved here because we both loved nature and I'm into stars, which can't really be seen in the city! Out parents live in a town that’s 15-20 minutes away from here. The city is an hour away. I own a mechanic shop and Victoria her own Beauty Salon. We're Arab but born and raised in Canada. We do speak our native language as well as French, and English. Victoria's engaged. Whereas for me, I think I found my star!" Maroun said.
"You're engaged?" I said as I looked at Victoria.
"She has been for 5 years now!" Maroun said.
We both began to laugh so hard and even Victoria joined us!
"Why is that Victoria?" I said with more serious voice.
"I'll get married once I know Maroun will be taken care of, I just never been without him. I'd feel much better if someone came in his life and he'd fall in love so I could be at peace, Jerry, my fiancé, wants to marry and go live in Australia, but that's really far! So I want to leave knowing