Fiction! she is my Ride or Die

The screech of tires tore through the pre-dawn silence, jolting Ethan awake. He fumbled for his glasses, heart pounding against his ribs. There, bathed in the flickering streetlight, was Maya, hair windblown, face etched with worry as she climbed out of a dented blue Honda Civic.

Ethan and Maya's friendship wasn't forged in sunshine and rainbows. It was born in the crucible of a messy high school expulsion – both of them, rebels without a cause, caught spray-painting the principal's prized rosebushes a spectacular shade of purple. They were supposed to be suspended, but the principal, tired of their shenanigans, expelled them with a flourish.

On that expulsion day, sitting on the curb with their backpacks and bruised egos, a strange camaraderie bloomed. As Ethan, the brooding artist, nursed a scrape on his arm, Maya, the fiery one with a mischievous glint in her eyes, patched him up with borrowed gauze from a nearby pharmacy. "So, what now?" she asked, a defiant tilt to her chin.

Ethan shrugged, not sure what the future held, but he knew he wouldn't face it alone. That was the day their pact, unspoken but ironclad, began. They were each other's ride or die.
The years after expulsion were a whirlwind. Maya landed a gig at a greasy spoon diner, where her quick wit and sharp tongue kept the regulars entertained. Ethan, fueled by the expulsion, poured his angst into art, turning a dingy basement into a vibrant studio. Their nights were spent huddled over greasy takeout, Maya critiquing Ethan's paintings with brutal honesty, Ethan returning the favor by composing satirical songs about their overbearing ex-principal.
Their bond deepened, morphing from reckless camaraderie to something more profound. Ethan found solace in Maya's fierce loyalty. She was his biggest supporter, celebrating his artistic breakthroughs with fist pumps and homemade birthday cakes shaped like paint palettes. In turn, he was her rock, the calming presence who soothed her after a particularly demanding shift at the diner or a bad date with a clueless jerk.

One stormy night, when the city seemed painted in shades of gray, Ethan poured his heart into a painting – a swirling canvas of emotions, the culmination of his unspoken love for Maya. He held his breath as she examined it, her silence stretching on. Then, a single tear rolled down her cheek, falling onto the vibrant canvas.

"Why didn't you say anything before?" she asked, her voice choked with emotion. Ethan, tongue-tied, simply shook his head. Maya stepped closer, her eyes searching his. "Because I thought... well, I never thought you felt the same." Then, in a whisper, "But I love you, Ethan."
Their first kiss was electric, a storm matching the one raging outside. It was a new chapter, love blossoming amidst the chaos of their lives. They moved into a cramped apartment above a bookstore, the scent of old paper and brewing coffee a constant companion. Maya worked double shifts to support them while Ethan pursued his art career. He landed gigs at local cafes, his paintings catching the eye of a gallery owner.

Just as their life seemed to find a rhythm, Maya received a call from her estranged father, a renowned artist in Paris. It was an opportunity, a chance to study at a prestigious art school, but it meant leaving Ethan. As they sat huddled on their worn-out couch, the weight of the decision hung heavy in the air.
Ethan, despite the ache in his heart, knew he couldn't hold her back. "Go," he said, his voice gruff. "This is your dream."

Years passed. Maya thrived in Paris, her artwork showcased in galleries across Europe. Ethan's paintings, infused with the bittersweetness of their separation, garnered national recognition. He exhibited in New York, his heart heavy with longing. They kept in touch, their emails filled with shared dreams and whispered memories.
One day, a surprise email arrived from Maya. She was returning home. Ethan, a mix of excitement and apprehension churning in his gut, met her at the airport. She had blossomed, a world-renowned artist in her own right, but her eyes still held the same warmth when they met his.

They fell back into their rhythm, a comfortable familiarity woven into their love. Maya, with her business acumen, became his manager, propelling his career to new heights. Ethan, inspired by her return, produced a new series of paintings – vibrant, alive, reflecting their shared journey.

Years later, at an art show celebrating Ethan's work, Maya stood beside him, a proud smile gracing her lips. He held her hand, calloused from years of work, but it fit perfectly in his. In a quiet moment, amidst the admiring crowds, he looked into her eyes. "You're still my ride or die, Maya," he said, his voice thick with emotion.