Cassiopeia's View Been underestimated my entire life

Maia was quiet for a moment after Ukulele asked that. She didn't mean to let the silence stretch, the question was just unexpected. And even more unexpected was the way it hit her. Her knee-jerk response would have been 'no' and that she was just here to enjoy the sunset. That wasn't true, though.

Maia felt her chest constrict and her thoughts immediately turned towards Eljay. She wasn't running away from him! She felt guilty, honestly, that she was even considering answering this stranger with things she hadn't brought up to him. It wasn't lying but it was too. It was horrible. She was horrible.

Sorry, she answered, turning away. Probably the other girl would hear the tears easily enough anyway now that they were starting, so maybe she shouldn't have bothered. She was so tired of crying, but she couldn't seem to stop, and it always came without warning now. It's stupid. I'm not, not really, I just needed a break. Everything back home is just a lot. Sorry.

Two times apologizing for nothing. This girl was probably going to think she was crazy, the way she was carrying on like this. Maia swallowed and ducked her head, then put on a slightly sheepish smile. Why are you here? Do you have family nearby?