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00:00Hey, it's Maeve here.
00:01Goth, movie geek, the odd one out in school.
00:03Please smash that subscribe button before I continue.
00:06I just grew up different.
00:07Other kids had playdates while I had horror marathons.
00:10Horror movies, horror books, horror cosplay, you name it, I loved it.
00:14But it usually wasn't anyone else's cup of tea.
00:17Like, once when I was 15, I met this cute guy at a book club who asked me out
00:21and suggested watching the latest horror flick in the cinema.
00:24Big mistake.
00:25He spent the whole movie clinging to my sleeve and crying on my shoulder.
00:29Worst date ever.
00:30As I was heading to the bathroom to wash his tears off my shirt,
00:33I bumped into a guy and soda went flying everywhere.
00:37Watch where you're going, you blind—
00:38Oh.
00:39I realized just then that I was staring up into the dreamy eyes of the coolest guy in school,
00:45Tao.
00:45He was a football star, a genius, and every girl's crush.
00:49I'm sorry, I was just thinking about the big plot twist in the horror movie I watched.
00:53You watched a horror movie?
00:54Alone?
00:55Yeah, I love horror.
00:56Horror's my middle name.
00:58Actually, my middle name is Jung, but you know what I mean.
01:00Okay, he was weird, but exactly my brand of weird.
01:04He loved horror everything.
01:05We both liked hard metal music and had the same favorite books.
01:08The more we hung out, it felt like he was the yin to my yang.
01:12As a friend, of course.
01:13I mean, a guy like him and a girl like me?
01:16Please.
01:17One night, we were lying on the grass stargazing when suddenly Tao put his hand on mine
01:21and my heart skipped a few beats.
01:23Maeve, you're really different from other girls.
01:26In a good way.
01:26You're amazing.
01:28And then he kissed me.
01:29I had fireworks in my head, the whole shebang.
01:31Be my girlfriend?
01:32Yes.
01:33I felt like I'd won the lottery.
01:35We were the it couple for months and I was falling head over heels for him.
01:39I was ready to say I love you and decided to do it at a haunted house we were visiting
01:43later that week.
01:44It was gonna be perfect.
01:46And that night, when I finally said I love you, Tao, he turned to me looking stressed
01:50out and said,
01:51I can't do this anymore.
01:52I have to break up with you.
01:53Uh-huh.
01:54Very funny.
01:55I'm serious, Maeve.
01:56My parents are very strict and crazy.
01:58They care about traditions and don't allow me to date anyone, especially if it's a
02:02girl out of my culture.
02:03I think my sister Jaya already suspects something.
02:06I can't have her catching us together.
02:08Huh?
02:08What exactly are you saying?
02:10It's over, Maeve.
02:11I'm sorry.
02:11And then he just turned around and left.
02:14I tried calling and texting him, but he wouldn't reply.
02:16I just couldn't let things end like this.
02:19So I found out that Jaya worked at their parents' restaurant and went there the next
02:22day feeling crazy inside.
02:25Jaya?
02:25Why are you such a witch?
02:26What kind of sister won't help her brother date the girl he likes?
02:29The whole place went quiet.
02:31Everyone turned to look as Jaya walked up to me, wide-eyed.
02:34I'm guessing you're Maeve.
02:36Look, please don't create a scene.
02:38He's not your boyfriend anymore, and that's that.
02:41It's because he's scared of being caught by you.
02:44You don't get it.
02:45Our family traditions keep us strong.
02:47He should have thought of that before.
02:48With that, I pushed her away angrily.
02:50Watch it, you stupid girl.
02:52She came at me, and we started fighting.
02:54But as we pulled each other's hair, she whispered,
02:56I'm on your side, idiot.
02:58My parents just got here, and they're watching us.
03:00We can't talk about this here, so leave, you moron.
03:03I let go of her and rushed home, still shaken from the fight.
03:06And later that evening, Jaya called me.
03:08I can't tell you everything, but you have to know that my parents are really awful.
03:13And Tao has pushed you away because he doesn't want to involve you in our mess.
03:17He still cares for you.
03:18You just have to give him a few weeks to figure things out.
03:21Please stay away from him till then.
03:23He can't be seen with you.
03:24Reluctantly, I agreed to keep my distance from Tao,
03:28feeling worried but hopeful that he'd come back to me soon and explain everything.
03:32Over the next couple of weeks, Jaya and I started talking more,
03:35and we got along really well.
03:36On a bad day, I was sitting alone on a park bench,
03:39missing Tao badly and trying not to cry.
03:42Jaya came up to me with a little gift box,
03:44and inside was a horror-themed bracelet that was just my style.
03:48For the tough days, to remember you're not alone.
03:50I smiled for the first time in weeks and hugged her.
03:53But even though I loved being Jaya's friend,
03:55I couldn't shake off the feeling that something really weird was up.
03:59She just wouldn't say more about Tao's breakup with me
04:02and was super secretive about her parents.
04:04She only said they were awful and she hated them.
04:06I tried to not think about it too much,
04:08but one evening, I was feeling restless and just wanted to see Tao.
04:12I went to his parents' restaurant where I knew he'd be working a shift,
04:15but instead, I saw him sitting at a long table with a bunch of people,
04:19including Jaya.
04:20And next to him was a beautiful girl, and he was putting a ring on her hand.
04:24My heart was about to burst, and I just couldn't stop myself from storming in.
04:29Tao and Jaya jumped up from their seats as soon as they saw me.
04:31You want to tell me what's going on here?
04:33Who is this girl?
04:34Wait, wasn't she here one day fighting with you, Jaya?
04:37She's just my project partner, Dad,
04:38and she gets weird when she hasn't taken her anxiety meds.
04:41I'll handle this.
04:42And with that, Tao took my wrist and quickly led me out.
04:44What do you think you're doing?
04:46We broke up.
04:47No, you broke up out of the blue.
04:49And I want to know what suddenly happened to us.
04:51You go from dating me to getting engaged to someone else in weeks?
04:54There was no us, Maeve.
04:56I never loved you.
04:58Telling you that dating you was against our family tradition was just an easy way out,
05:01and you fell for it.
05:02Can you stop being so pathetic and hung up on me?
05:05Surely you'll find some boy out there who's into weirdos.
05:08His words hit me like a sharp slap in the face.
05:11I stared at him, speechless, and then I just started running away.
05:15Moments later, someone called my name,
05:17and I saw it was Jaya coming from the restaurant's back alley.
05:20Maeve, wait.
05:21He's lying to you.
05:22Lying?
05:23I just saw him getting engaged to another girl with my own eyes.
05:26He just told me that he never loved me.
05:28What kind of twisted game are you playing by making me think he cares about me?
05:32It's complicated.
05:33I'll tell you everything when the time is right.
05:35But all this, it's bigger than us.
05:37You just have to trust me.
05:38No, I'm not going to do that anymore.
05:41In the weeks that followed, I stopped talking to Jaya,
05:43avoided her calls and texts, and dodged Tao every chance I got.
05:47I was done with that weird family.
05:49To distract myself, I started writing a horror novel.
05:52It felt good to put all my feelings into something creative that was just for me.
05:56And slowly, I was starting to feel better.
05:58But then one day, something turned my world upside down.
06:02Mom had a fall at home, breaking her leg pretty badly.
06:05She needed really expensive surgery.
06:07The hospital bills were mounting.
06:09Dad was working double shifts, and I felt helpless.
06:12Then one day, Jaya appeared at the hospital with an envelope.
06:15I heard about your mom, and I want to help with the surgery.
06:18It's the least I can do.
06:19No, I can't accept this.
06:20Certainly not from you.
06:22Maeve, I'm sorry about everything.
06:24I've left home.
06:25I just couldn't live with my parents anymore.
06:27I'm staying with my friend until I graduate high school.
06:29Okay, and how does this concern me?
06:32I really don't care about your crazy family issues, and I just want a peaceful life.
06:36Also, I don't need your money.
06:38Don't be stupid.
06:39We don't have to be friends again, but just take the money.
06:41How did you get it?
06:42Why do you care?
06:43Take it and pay me back when you're ready.
06:45I really did need the money, so I took it.
06:47And Mom got better and was discharged some days later.
06:50I felt guilty, thinking I'd been too harsh with Jaya.
06:53So I sent her a thank you text and some other funny memes like before.
06:57And the next thing I knew, she was at my door.
06:59Yay, my bestie is back!
07:01Well, it's more like I felt obliged to talk to you since you helped me.
07:05Nah, you love me.
07:06We both know it.
07:07You're Tao's sister, and he kind of broke my heart brutally in case you forgot.
07:11I didn't forget.
07:12Listen, can I take you out for coffee and finally explain everything?
07:16As we sat in a cafe later, Jaya started speaking.
07:19Tao made me swear I wouldn't say anything till it's all taken care of,
07:22but I can't keep it in any longer.
07:24Maeve, my parents are big mafia criminals.
07:27Their restaurant is a front for all their illegal activities.
07:30They told us about the family business a few months ago, so Tao and I could join it.
07:34We were both horrified, but we decided to play along so we can actually gather evidence against them.
07:39We want to turn them over to the police.
07:41Okay, wow.
07:43You all just got a whole lot weirder.
07:45Still, how does this explain why Tao dumped me and got engaged to that girl?
07:50She's a private investigator.
07:51We convinced our parents she's his girlfriend because she's from our culture,
07:55and her family is well-respected.
07:57Getting them engaged just provides really good cover for her to be around all the time.
08:01We're close to getting enough evidence,
08:03but a few weeks ago my parents got an innocent waiter at the restaurant framed for a crime,
08:08and I just couldn't pretend to be okay with all this anymore.
08:11I lashed out at them and left home.
08:12Gosh, this is a lot to process.
08:15Listen, Jaya, I get that you're trying to explain things, but I'm moving on from Tao,
08:20and I really don't want to be part of your family drama.
08:23I'll return the money as soon as I can, but I don't think we should see each other.
08:27Take care and good luck.
08:28Just as I was about to leave, suddenly Jaya's parents and Tao walked into the cafe.
08:33When they spotted us, Tao looked shocked, and his parents looked furious.
08:37I was hoping never to see your face in this town again, Jaya.
08:41You think you're so brave running off?
08:42You're probably begging for money from this girl, aren't you?
08:45Or spreading lies about us to anyone who will listen?
08:48You're a shame to the family!
08:50Stop it! She's your daughter!
08:52Shut up and mind your own business!
08:54Enough, Dad! You can't talk to her like that!
08:56You're going to talk to your father like this because of some stupid stranger?
09:00You ungrateful child!
09:02His hand flew up, aiming for Tao, but I jumped in front.
09:05Don't you dare!
09:06My fist met his cheek before I even realized what I was doing.
09:09He staggered and fell back, and the room fell silent.
09:12Tao's mom started screaming and called the police,
09:15and the next thing I knew, I was in jail for assault!
09:18I was allowed to make a phone call to my parents,
09:20but before they reached the police station,
09:22I was told my bail had been paid and I was free to go.
09:25And I found Tao standing outside, with Jaya a few steps behind.
09:29Maeve, I'm really sorry.
09:31Look, I don't have time to explain right now, but...
09:33No, I don't have time to listen to you or your crazy sister.
09:36I don't care what explanations you have.
09:38I just need you and your bizarre family gone from my life for good.
09:42Don't ever come near me again!
09:44A month after the chaos, Dad got a job offer in another city,
09:47and we moved, leaving Tao and Jaya's drama behind.
09:50For a year, life was peaceful.
09:52I graduated high school, and I published two horror stories.
09:55Until one day, out of nowhere, freaking Jaya showed up at my door!
09:59Tao's gone missing!
10:00I couldn't believe it!
10:02Just when I thought I was done with all that drama, it pulled me back in.
10:05Once my parents discovered Tao's plans to expose them, he disappeared.
10:09I don't know if they're involved in his disappearance or if he ran away on his own.
10:12I only dated Tao for a few weeks in high school.
10:15Why won't you leave me alone?
10:16And why come to me about your brother now?
10:18Yeah, I know, I'm sorry.
10:20I'm desperate.
10:20I had to talk to someone, and I'm homeless.
10:23I've been living in my car for months now.
10:25God.
10:26Well, just come on in.
10:28Fine, if you insist.
10:29But I'm sleeping in your bed.
10:30Not happening.
10:31My back's really hurting.
10:33Maybe because of my new prosthetic leg.
10:35What?
10:35You got a fake leg?
10:36No, I'm just trying to guilt trip you into letting me sleep in your bed.
10:39Though a little drama might help.
10:41Trust me, you already bring plenty of drama with you.
10:44Jaya stayed over and slept on my couch while we had coffee the next morning.
10:48She did seem really weak and worried.
10:50So, what's your plan to find Tao?
10:52I've got no plan.
10:53That's why I'm here.
10:54You're the writer, right?
10:55I was hoping you'd have some ideas.
10:57The only thing I can think of is hiring a private investigator to find him.
11:01Since we can't call the cops because you're scared of your parents.
11:04I'm broke.
11:05I'll pay for it.
11:06I owe you.
11:06Jaya's smile spread across her face, and it warmed my heart.
11:10We hired a private investigator.
11:12But two weeks later, we were watching TV when suddenly,
11:15we came across the news of Jaya's parents being arrested for a long list of criminal charges.
11:20We jumped up from our seats in shock, and then up and down in excitement.
11:24Tao finally did it!
11:26Oh my god, he really did it!
11:27I hugged Jaya, and we cried happy tears.
11:30A few days later, Tao showed up at my doorstep.
11:33He was thinner and looked older than his years.
11:36Tao, where the heck have you been?
11:37We were worried you might be, I don't know, dead?
11:40I had to lay low.
11:41I can't even tell you the horrible things our parents did to me to stop me from exposing them.
11:45But I managed to escape and finally got evidence to the police.
11:49Are we really out of this whole mess now?
11:51Yeah, they're gone, Jaya.
11:52It's over.
11:53We're finally free.
11:54And then, he looked at me with a smile.
11:56I'm glad you're okay.
11:57Maeve, let me start by saying I'm really sorry.
12:00More than you can ever know, I hated hurting you and I've missed you.
12:04Maybe we could start over?
12:05Go back to how things were?
12:06Oh, wow.
12:08Tao, back from the dead and straight to playing boyfriend?
12:11How about we aim for friends and see if you can stick around without disappearing?
12:16She's just playing hard to get.
12:17She loves our family drama.
12:19Admit it, Maeve.
12:20It spices up your writer's life.
12:21Oh, please.
12:22My life was spicy enough without your mafia soap opera.
12:25But I've got to admit, you two do keep things interesting.
12:29Anyway, you look like you could use a cup of coffee, Tao.
12:32Sounds really good.
12:33As Jaya laughed and walked into the kitchen, Tao and I smiled at each other and followed her.