Outward Bound

9

Maia couldn’t believe this was over.
“Seeya, mate!”
“See ya!” She waved as Jade got in the van.
“Are you going back by Bus?”
“Yip.”
Naydeen dropped her bag, turning around to hug her. “You tell that boofhead to look me up sometime, okay?” She pulled back. “You guys are always welcome.”
“Thanks.” She watched Naydeen get in the van and close the door. Maia picked up her bag and headed over to the waiting bus.
“Just this one.”
“Yip.” She handed the bus driver her bag. Taking one last look around, she stepped up into the bus. “Time to go home.”

“Make sure you bring that girl of yours home to meet me.”
Wikitoria hugged her Mama. “I will, Mama.” She looked next to her at her Aunty. Smiling, she hugged her. “When I catch up with my cousin, I’ll tell her to be in touch.” She felt her aunty squeeze her tighter. “Okay.” She pulled her keys out of her pocket and opened her car door. “I’ll see you.” She started up the car, heading back to the city.

“Thank you.” Maia waved to the taxi driver. Looking up at the two-story house, she dug around in her bag for her key. “I’m home!” She chucked her bag down, relieved to be back. It was quiet. “Anyone here?” She heard the key in the door. Wikitoria hadn’t expected to see her standing there. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She closed the door. “I didn’t think you’d be back yet.”
“I only just got here.”
“I can see that.” Wikitoria pointed to the camp clothes she was still in. She sighed. “Look, Mai…”
“Wiki, it is okay.”
“No...” Wikitoria stepped closer. “Nothing happened. Seriously, I followed you to the tree, and I thought…”
“It’s okay,” Maia stepped closer, raising her hand. “I know.” She sighed. “Millie explained what happened.”
“She did?”
“Yeah.” Maia rubbed her temple. “She was just confused and got a bit carried away with all the butterflies she was getting around you.”
Wikitoria laughed at her animation. “Her butterflies?”
“Well...” Maia smiled, stepping closer. “Apparently, she thought you were like some kinda goddess.”
“Goddess?”
“Aha.” She touched her top. “She was definitely under your spell.”
That killer smile of Wikis crossed her cheeks. “She wasn’t the only one.”
“Alright.” Maia pushed her away, smiling. “Where have you been anyway? Isn’t that mine?”
Wikitoria followed her to the laundry. “I went home to see my Ma.” Maia looked over her shoulder as she put her clothes in the washing machine. Wikitoria leaned on the door frame. “I told her the truth.” Maia turned around. “That I am in love with a girl named Maia.”
Maia pursed her lips. She wasn’t expecting that. She turned around, continuing her task. “What did she say?”
Wikitoria laughed to herself. “She said Maia, that’s a strong Maori name. I said she’s white, ma. Oh, she said.” Maia turned the machine on and turned around. “She said, well, if she’s made you this happy, I will have to meet her.”
Wikitoria watched her lean back against the machine. She stepped into the room, taking her hands in her own. “I’m in love with you, Maia. And after these last few weeks with you, I know I want to be with you.”
Maia searched her eyes. “But Wiki, I’m not staying. You know I’m going.”
The corner of Wikitoria’s lips curled. “I know.” She nodded. She let go of her hand, touching her cheek. “That is why I need to know…” She searched her eyes. “Do you?” Her eyes fell to her lips. “Feel anything remotely the same as I do?”
“oh...” Maia played along, pulling her by the shirt closer. “You want me to tell you that I love you?”
Wikitoria smiled, moving into her. “Yeah, I do. Cause I’m pretty sure you do.” She laughed as Maia pulled her into a kiss.
“Mmmm.” Maia smiled into her lips. “Maybe.”
“Woo.” They heard from the door. Maia looked over Wikitoria’s shoulder at Tammy standing there. “Sorry, I didn’t know use…” She looked them over, confused. Wikitoria was cleanly dressed in Maia’s clothes, and Maia was a mess in Wikitoria’s. “Where? Why are you?”
“Long story, Tamz.”
“Yeah. We’ll explain later.” Maia looked up at Wikitoria, still against her. “But right now, I really need to get out of these clothes.” She met her eyes, biting her lip. “You wanna join me?”
Wikitoria grinned. “Sure.” Leading her by the hand, they walked past a still-confused Tammy. Heading to the bathroom, Wikitoria closed the door behind them. “Mai.” She turned her around. “I am serious about us.”
Maia sighed. She took her hands in her own. “Wiki. I love you. Come with me.”
“To Otago?”
“It’s only for a few years. We can get a place of our own.”
Wikitoria’s features relaxed. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Maia wrapped herself around her. “I wanna be with you, and if anything…” She pressed into her, getting a smile. “I’ve kinda got used to waking up with you.” She pulled her top off, taking her bra with her. “And strangely showering with you.”
“Well…” Wikitoria pulled her shirt off, joining her in her quick clothing removal. “Maybe you needed to find me just as much as I needed to find you. Wikitoria me te Maia.” Maia paused as she turned the shower on, stepping in. Wikitoria smiled as she stepped in with her. “Victory and confidence.” She kissed her skin. “Gonna get that tattooed right here.”
Maia opened her eyes, letting the water fall down her hair. “Victory, is it?”
“Aha.”
“Hmm.” Maia took her hands, pushing her against the tiled wall. “I’ll happily claim my victory.”
“ouu.” Wikitoria winked with her killer smile meeting her lips. “I like the sound of that.”

~~#~~



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