Running from the life that was.

Chapter Fourteen

Mia walked into the station with a bounce in her step, unaware of the big smile on her face.

Jack was sitting at the front desk when she walked in. "Someone had a good first day back at school?" he asked.

Mia realized that she must seem overly happy. "Oh, um, yeah, it was okay," she tried to downplay her excitement, but her stomach still felt like it was fluttering with butterflies.

"Where's Maya?" Mia asked Jack.

He pointed toward the garage where the trucks were kept. "She should be reorganizing the truck; they just got back from a call," Jack told her.

Mia nodded and placed her backpack on a chair before heading in to find Maya.

Maya was exactly where Jack said she would be, rolling a hose in preparation for putting it back in the truck for the next call. Vic was also nearby, helping with the truck. "Ayy, baby Bishop!" she said happily. When Maya looked up and saw Mia, she gave her a warm smile. Mia smiled at Vic and waved. "Hey, Vic," she greeted, walking over for a hug.

"Hey, Maya!" she then said to her sister. "How was school?" Maya asked, continuing to work while also engaging Mia in conversation.

Mia shrugged. "Yeah, it was fine. I have lots to catch up on, though. But I thought I would have lots of work, so I'm not surprised..."

"I can help you with it once I finish here if you want," Maya offered.

"Thanks, but I should be okay. I'll just set myself up in the lounge," Mia responded.

"Okay, well I'll come up and see you when I'm finished anyway," Maya said.

Mia nodded. "Okay, sounds good. I'll go up now." She then walked out of the garage, grabbed her bag, and went upstairs. She wasn't sure how she was going to focus on her work when all she could think about was the boy on the bus, Tate, his face lingering in her mind.

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An hour later, Maya made her way up to the lounge to see Mia. When she walked in, Mia was sitting with a couple of books around her. Although she looked deep in thought, a smile was on her face, hinting at her happiness.

"Jack said you came in really happy today. Does that mean it all went okay?" Maya asked, snapping Mia from her daze.

"Yeah, it was... it was better than I thought it would be," Mia said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"I'm glad. I know you were feeling nervous," Maya said.

Mia had tried to hide her nerves this morning, but Maya had obviously noticed.

"What are you working on now?" Maya asked.

Mia groaned. "Ugh, I have to write a paper on the American Revolution. It's so boring."

Maya laughed. Every day, she discovered more similarities between herself and Mia; history was not her favorite subject either.

"I remember having to do that one too; not my favorite," Maya said.

Mia put on her best puppy dog eyes. "Do you want to just write it for me?" she joked, hoping to test her luck.

Maya laughed again. "Nice try, but I don't think my writing it would give you a passing grade."

Mia laughed back. "Thought I'd try my luck."

Maya moved closer and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "Maybe you can try your luck with Carina later," she suggested, chuckling.

"Have you eaten? Are you hungry?" Maya then asked.

Mia shook her head and admitted, "I'm pretty hungry."