Exposure | MikhAiah

Car Ride Home

Mikha exhaled and dropped her arms down on either side of her, her phone bouncing out of her hand and onto the mattress. Since last night she couldn't help but wonder how the night may have played out if Aiah's giant girlfriend hadn't shown up. They were definitely having a moment— at least it felt that way to Mikha, even if she didn't know what kind of moment it was.

She wasn't even sure why she was even thinking about it still. It lasted all of 5 minutes. Plus, Aiah had a girlfriend. She wasn't sure why that mattered either. She was just her tutor, after all. They weren't even friends, not really.

Despite all that, when she received a text that evening, she half expected (half hoped) it was Aiah. When it turned out to Jazz, she didn't really care one way or another. Sure she liked Jazz well enough, she had fun with her, but that was it.

Jazz: I'll look for you at the zeta party ;)

Mikha: won't be there blondie

Jazz: aww :( just in case you change your mind

Jazz: (...Incoming photo...)

That was when Mikha dropped her phone and sighed. It had been a while since she had spent time with any of her study buddies. Except Aiah. But that was different, they actually studied. Also, Jazz did have on quite the outfit. It would be a shame for it to go to waste.

——

"You guys sure you don't want to come?" Aiah walked into the kitchen, tucking some hair behind her ear and going straight for the package of cookies on the counter.

"Yeah," Colet shrugged and nodded at Aiah, asking for a cookie, "Maloi was being weird and said something about Maki and art and naked. I'm not sure if it was an actual sentence or if her brain was short circuiting but I think we are just going to stay in and order pizza and watch a movie or something."

"Well, I may be home early and join you." Aiah shoved a whole cookie in her mouth and still managed to pout.

"Trouble in paradise?" Colet chuckled and took a bite of their cookie.

"Tell me what to do?" Aiah whined, slumping over onto the counter.

As if on cue, Jhoanna knocked twice on the apartment door before opening it and letting herself in. Aiah immediately stood up, eyes wide looking at Colet, while they just stifled a laugh.

"Hey Arceta, you ready?" Jhoanna walked in and wrapped her arms around Aiah in a hug.

It was awkward. Everyone in the room felt it.

"Uh yeah, let me just grab my phone." Aiah forced a smile and disappeared down the hall towards her room. She walked in her bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaning her back up against it and letting out a sigh.

What was up with her? She was actually looking forward to this party. She needed a break, desperately. She's been staring at a computer screen and texts books so much for midterms she's sure her brain has started to melt. And earlier that day, she had actually been looking forward to spending it with Jhoanna.

After whatever had happened the night before at Maloi's art midterm thing, Aiah really thought about her relationship with Jhoanna. She even made a pros and cons list. No joke. Ultimately she realized that Jhoanna was a great girlfriend— Caring, smart, driven, thoughtful, and the list when on. She figured whatever awkwardness or distance that had been building was just because of stress, and a party was the perfect way to get over that.

So why as soon as she was around Jhoanna, did things feel so off still? She had made up her mind to make it work. So why wasn't it working?

Aiah grabbed her phone and mentally talked herself back into giving it a go and not letting the small things bug her, to focus on the great things and just have a good time. Reconnect. So as soon as she was back in the kitchen with Colet and Jhoanna, who were doing everything possible not to talk or even look at each other, Aiah laced her hand with Jhoanna's and pushed up on her toes to greet her with a kiss.