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really didn’t know me or understand what I’d do if I were backed into a corner.
    Toya smiled, seemingly pleased with the fact that I was carrying a weapon.
    â€œThis is my protection against any fool who tries to hurt me or my mother. Especially that fool she’s upstairs with now.” I glanced up at Martin’s apartment window. I was still worried about my mother.
    â€œMy girl. I can tell that you and I are going to get along well. Come inside with me—I won’t bite, I promise.” I don’t know what made me go with her. Perhaps it was a combination of boredom and frustration but I was glad that I did.

three
    MAYA
    My leg had completely healed up and I no longer needed to wear my hideous-looking orthopedic boot. Going to physical therapy was a real drag, but the therapist said she was impressed with how quickly I was recovering from my injury. In many ways I felt rather invincible, like no real harm could ever happen to me. From time to time my ankle would feel very stiff and would swell if I did too much walking. Whenever that would happen I’d just place an ice pack on it until the swelling subsided.
    I’d tried to schedule a romantic time with Misalo at my house when I was still limping around with the orthopedic boot. But that didn’t happen because Misalo had forgotten that he had to go to his summer soccer training camp, and right after that his family flew to San Diego, California, for a family reunion. I was so frustrated because I hadn’t seen him in a long time and the last thing I wanted was for him to be on the other side of the country. With Misalo being so far away I was absolutely miserable. At night I’d pull out my iPod and listen to love songs because I missed him somuch—I missed his laugh, his cute face and all of the attention he showered me with. There were so many things that I wanted to do with him and even more things that I wanted to do to him. I’d never felt the way I did about Misalo with anyone else and I certainly couldn’t imagine myself being with another guy. I actually told him that one night when we were having a late-night phone conversation. I was being extra careful to make sure the walls didn’t carry my voice throughout the house.
    â€œI have something to tell you, but you can’t turn around and say the same thing back to me,” I explained as I got more relaxed underneath my covers and pressed the phone even closer to my ear.
    â€œWhat is it?” Misalo whispered. He had such a smooth and romantic voice. I don’t know if it’s possible to fall in love with the sound of someone’s voice, but I most certainly was in love with his. I could just listen to him talk to me forever.
    I closed my eyes and gently whispered, “I never want to be with anyone else.”
    â€œNeither do I,” he responded.
    â€œYou can’t say the same thing that I just said to you. It cheapens the moment,” I griped, wishing he could take his words back.
    â€œBut it’s true, Maya. I am so into you. It’s like I’m drawn to you in a way that I just can’t explain.”
    After he said that to me I immediately forgave him. Just hearing how much he cared for me made my heart soar on the promises of true love. “Remember when we first met?” I asked, wishing he was near me so I could snuggle up in his warm embrace and inhale his scent.
    Misalo chuckled. “Of course I do. It was during a school pep assembly for the homecoming football game. I was sitting on the bleachers directly in front of you and you began screaming like a psychopath when the band played the school spirit song. You were so loud that I swore you exploded my eardrum. Besides, I think you were the only one in the entire school who knew the words.”
    â€œI did not scream that loudly,” I remarked playfully.
    â€œOh, yes you did.” He laughed.
    â€œWhatever!” I forgot why I’d even