Always Been There

CHAPTER 1: A SCENE FROM THE PAST

MAYA'S POV:

"Come on!"

"Slam dunk!"

"YEAH!"

Enthusiastic cheers and happy shouts rang around the court. Nathan, as the team captain and the one who won the victory for the team is having a big smile on his face. I started clapping looking at him. As if knowing that I was looking at him, he turned to catch my gaze. He said something to his teammates before walking towards me with a teasing smile at if saying 'see I caught you staring at me.'

Sporting school's white and blue striped, sports uniform, he looked very charming. I took his water bottle and towel to hand it to him but who expected him to tease me as soon as he reached. Instead of taking the water bottle from me he started rubbing my head messing up my chocolate brown colored hair which reached below my shoulders. I shouldn't have left my hair but a certain someone liked my hair open and I just couldn't braid my hair.

"Nathan! stop messing with my hair!" I stopped him before he got to touch my bangs.

"Awwww it's so fun teasing you like this" Nathan chuckled, sitting beside me.

I turned to the other side, slowly losing the water bottle cap with my hand while holding the towel towards him so he won't get suspicious.

"So, Yam Yam is angry with me?" he said using the name I hate the most, in a childish tone.

"No. Yam Yam is not angry because-" I turned around pouring the water on his head jumping a bit back to not get wet.

Nathan looked so stunned. He didn't expect that coming. I started laughing so hard looking at him. Like suddenly coming back to life, he stood up, shaking off the water from his head. He looked quite handsome doing that again proving himself worthy of his title: THE GLORY OF HEAVEN GARDEN.

He looked at me. His warm brown eyes held a mischievous look. I hurriedly took a step back knowing he's up to something.

"Yam Yam wants to play!" He said running towards me. I screamed before running away from him. Damn! that i***t! Trying to wipe your face on my t-shirt? I won't give you the chance. Thus, the chase began. I could see our friends laughing and his twin recording everything.

When I first entered the Heaven garden high School, I was terrified. Though l was from Heaven garden branch high school, it still scared me a bit to be on the grounds of Heaven garden main high school here in the capital city of Land of the republic.

Since I was a kid I studied in Heaven Garden schools. But the one I started my highschool in is a all girls. So I never really had much interaction with the opposite gender.

The first time I entered the stars section I was tense. I was invited to the main branch school before but I never accepted because of.......reasons. I thought that the other students of the stars section wouldn't like me because of how many times I rejected the invitation. But surprisingly they received me warmly. Especially, this guy who's chasing me.

Nathan Astley. A name I have heard so many times throughout my days in the all girls high school, Heaven Garden branch. He is my bench partner. He invited me to have lunch with his group of friends and helped me with my meal card problem. He introduced me to the other members and became my tour guide for the day. Finally, after the day ended, he was there when I said how lonely I felt.

In this world, a girl only wishes for his trust from a boy and with Nathan, I saw that in his eyes.Whenever I felt alone, he was there. He's always there.

They say if a boy can make you smile in any kind of situation then no one can love you as much as he can. The only one who was able to make me smile truly was Nathan after a long time.

"Awwwwwwwww come here! Yam Yam! I would catch a cold if I continue running with my wet shirt on " I turned my head around and noticed he's a bit closer to me now. I giggled as I ran faster.

The whole School thought that we were a couple. When we cleared the rumors the school people acted as if they got the biggest shock. Nathan said that we really couldn't blame them because it's his first time having a female best friend and me being very comfortable around him while a bit uneasy around others. Ri didn't count because she's with Aidde.

" Caught, ya!" Though I'm a fast runner I'm no match against him. He caught me in a minute.

Nathan started rubbing his face on my back like a kid, holding my shoulders so I won't runoff.

"Ewwwwwww!!!!! Yuck! Yuck! stop it, Nathan! Let's settle it another way!"

Nathan stretched his head over my shoulder shiny black hair all wet sticking on his forehead his warm brown eyes filled with expectation.

" One on One?" he asked.

" Alright. One on one!" I smiled. He ran to get the ball.

_________________________________________________PRESENT___________________________________________________________

I woke up feeling a bit nostalgic because of the dream.

'It's you again........' I thought. Shaking my head I got up getting ready for the run. I already moved into the apartment arranged by the heads so I have no problem.

It was only 5:30 a.m. but it's my usual morning run time. So I went out for a morning run. The sun slowly started rising. I started my run without any expression. My thoughts slowly started going towards my dream. Nathan.

The next day after our High School graduation Nathan and others who were close to us, the old student council members planned a party. But Nathan and Noah didn't show up. We tried contacting them but no use. I felt like we were blocked, I waited for him the whole summer vacation. It was like he vanished into thin air.

Before meeting Nathan, I felt my world was grey. I felt empty. He became the painter painting my life with colors again. He taught me how to smile and laugh again. He taught me what bonds are.

After his disappearance, Imperial military University came looking for me. I didn't hold back. I completed my original four years of study to two years and become Dr. Mac Callum's discipline. Making a breakthrough from my research I became Dr. Maya Brewton. According to people, I am someone who has everything she wants and be happy. But ever since my high school graduation day I never felt happy. I'm satisfied but not really happy.

I'm rich. I never deny that. Even big shot scientists who have been in this industry for all their life were forced to give me some respect with their almighty stubborn personalities but all of this only made me feel I achieved something. Satisfaction no true happiness.

The sun already started shining brightly. I can see the birds flying off. A cold but comfortable breeze touched my whole body.

' l wonder where you are......'

After a quick shower, I went into my closet room with my robe on. l randomly chose a short frill layered sleeve white top and knee length grey pencil skirt. Changing in the my clothes I quickly brushed my waist length brown hair in to a high pony.

After highschool, I ignored my hair basically but couldn't get myself to cut it short. All credit goes to Ri from the hair products to right hair styles my hair needs. I put on some light makeup but no eyeliner or mascara as my hazel color eyes naturally pop out. Taking my bag and keys, l came out closing the curtains of the floor to ceiling window with a remote control.

I left my bag and keys on the kitchen island before entering the kitchen. Grabbing an apple from the fruit basket, I left my apartment with my things. I'm not late but I just want to go to my office.

Entering into my Mercedes Benz in the underground parking lot, I slowly went on to the road.

I took a bite of the Apple driving my car. I was about to take another bite when my phone started ringing. Smiling at the caller I picked it up with the car's Bluetooth.

" Good morning, Mom," I said chewing the crunchy but juicy apple.

" Don't tell me you're eating an apple again! How many times should I tell you, Maya, an apple and a glass of juice isn't a healthy breakfast!" There starts my mom's nagging again. I decided not to correct her that I skipped the juice today.

"Come on, Mom! If you enter the class with a bad mood, your students won't even dare to wish you good morning" I said, teasing my mom. Oh! how I love teasing her!

" Well then Dr. Maya if you stop eating an apple for breakfast maybe I'll have my good morning" my mom replied with that sass. l can imagine her rolling her eyes.

" Ouch! mom. That hurts. As the saying goes ' an apple keeps a doctor away ' " I said taking another bite.

" Forget it! Arguing with you only means scaring my students away in the morning" My mom sighed.

" Awwww, Mom. Don't worry. I'll eat something after reaching work"

"Today's your first day in Aley City's Lab. That's the biggest and the most important research laboratory in our country. Are you all set?"

" I'm already used to working in big laboratories, mom"

" I'm only assured because Dr. Mac Callum is there. If not I wouldn't be this relaxed"

' Are you sure, you're a relaxed mom?' I chuckled at my thought. " Alright, mom. I almost reached. I'll talk to you later. Bye, mom"

" Bye. Take care. Love you"

" Love you too, mom"

Dad was a military officer. He was a colonel. So every moment l spent with him is precious to me. That's why his death hit me hard.

Dad adored me. I was the center of his world. I didn't cry after hearing the news. Not even at funeral. I didn't realize myself but I was slowly going into depression. The doctor suggested for a change of scenery. Without thinking anymore, mom transferred me to Heaven Garden main school. That's where I met Nathan and that's where my life took a turn.

Slowly reaching the gates of the laboratory I showed my working ide to the soldiers. Aley City's laboratory is a national-level laboratory. Main researches of the country takes place here. so, the laboratory was always safe with military protection.

Parking my car at the parking lot, I started walking towards the main laboratory building.

The whole laboratory area has three buildings. The main pathway from the main entrance divides into three pathways. The main laboratory building is where the important research and experiments go on. Not that the other laboratories aren't important. Sometimes there would be secrets to be hidden in researches. Luckily not with this one.

Putting on my coat and working ide, I entered through the glass door. The main building is a huge building with the country's top technology and with many labs. I saw my assistant Rachel waiting for me in the lobby. I smiled at her. Rachel is a raven-haired brown-eyed, and light brown eyed young lady. She has potential so when the heads recommended her l took her under my wing.

"Good morning professor Maya" she greeted me with a big smile. She's excited to work here.

"Mornin', Rachel"

" Your office is ready ma'am" I hm-med in response going towards the elevator. " and these are some materials you need to check before the meeting"

I opened the file that Rachel gave me, walking towards the elevator. I didn't notice someone walking towards me, bumping into the person. Before l can realize the situation l lost my balance. The materials and the file fell with a soft thud. The person wrapped his hand around my back. I grabbed his shoulder closing my eyes.

Slowly opening my eyes, I saw a pair of honey-colored eyes looking at me with a mix of concern and curiosity. His eyes felt familiar. Like I've seen these eyes before.........