A ray of warm sunshine filtered through the welcoming tree branches, falling across Maia's restful face. Slowly her eyes flickered open and she sat up yawning. Pushing back the blanket she hopped out of her hammock, her bare feet touching the damp, dewy ground. Pulling a pair of sturdy boots on, she set of down a well worn track that lead to the rivers edge.
Above her rainbow macaws screeched and in the distance the chug of a river cruise could be heard. The wide leaves of the surrounding undergrowth parted to reveal the bank of a calm narrow river. Maia strode to the edge and knelt down to splash her face with the refreshing sweet water of the Amazon. It woke her up quite well and she instantly wanted to dive in, but it wasn't safe to swim on ones own in the jungle. Maia was still tempted though as she had been sick for the past week and she finally felt strong enough to exercise again.
Kicking off her boots, she settled down to gaze at the lush green scenery on the opposite side of the river. Usually she would take this time to brush and plait her hair, but a month ago she had cut off all her long hair so now her dark locks only skimmed her shoulders. It was a much more efficient hairstyle for the amazon as the sweaty heat always weighed down ones hair, making it frizz immensely. Now all Maia had to do was leave it out and not worry about it getting caught in a branch or flower.
She was peacefully enjoying her tranquil moment when a twig cracked behind her. Maia spun around to see a familiar face grinning at her.
"Finn!" Maia gasped, leaping up to greet him.
"I was trying to sneak up on you but I guess it didn't work" he said, his golden brown hair falling across his olive skin. Maia rolled her eyes pretending to be disappointed but really she was overjoyed. He had just got back from a exploration trip with professor glastonberry which Maia had been to sick to go along to.
"I keep forgetting you have short hair now" Finn murmured, flicking a strand of hair out of Maria's face. Maia blushed but acted like she didn't care.
"My hair was pretty long before wasn't it?" She said trying to keep a silence from descending on them. Over the past year since returning to the Amazon, Finn and Maia had grown even closer but Maia was starting to feel awkward around him, unlike anything she would have expected with Finn. They were best friends, that's all.
Suddenly Miss Minton crashed through the bushes, stumbling towards them.
"Miss Minton are you alright?" Maia asked worriedly.
Miss Minton's eyes landed and Maia and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I woke up to find you gone! I though you had been eaten by an anaconda of some sort!" Miss Minton explained, regaining her composure.
Maia smiled at Miss Minton's usual over protectiveness and followed her and Finn back to the the lagoon. The new house of rest was under construction so Maia, Miss Minton and Finn were staying in Bernard Taverner's old hut where Finn had lived alone for many months.
It was such a pretty location, with the almost glass like water of the lagoon and the golden sands of the small beach next to it, that Maia had taken to sleeping outside. She took a deep breath of the fresh scented air before stepping inside for breakfast.
"How was your trip Finn?" Miss Minton said as she put together bowls of freshly picked fruit and nuts.
"Great, we got a lead for the missing rib from the professors giant sloth skeleton . Apparently one was sighted by a tribe to the east a few days ago so we're going to follow it up next week" Finn said.
"Another exploration trip! Can I come this time?" Maia said excitedly.
"If you're well enough than definitely" Finn assured her.
Miss Minton smiled to herself at the two friends as they chatted about possible adventures. They really were a good pair.
"So Maia, any ideas what you want for your fifteenth birthday?" Miss Minton asked, placing breakfast down on the table.
"Oh I completely forgot about my birthday! I'm not sure to be honest, you really don't have to buy me anything" Maia said.
"Of course I do Maia, birthdays only come around once a year!" Miss Minton said laughing at Maia's usual humility.
"Alright if you say so. I wouldn't mind a puppy?" Maia said cheekily. Finn's old dog had sadly passed away months ago, and now lay to rest out the back of the hut.
After breakfast Maia stood up to leave.
"Where are you off to?" Miss Minton said sternly.
"I arranged with Sergi to meet up in Manaus for a bit" Maia explained. At this Finns face fell and he didn't meet Maia's eye. Although he hadn't realised it until Clovis had asked for Maia's hand many months ago, Finn had an inkling of a feeling for Maia. She was so bubbly and beautiful and caring. But lately, it had been clear Maia didn't feel the same. Maia shifted her weight from foot to foot, trying to catch Finns gaze. She hated how offended he seemed by her relationship with Sergei.
"Oh, well go ahead. Actually, Finn could you mind going along too and grabbing some food from the market?" Miss Minton said, holding up a shopping list scribbled and a piece of parchment. Finn groaned silently but of course had to agree.
"Be back by lunch please!" Miss Minton called after them. With that Maia was out the door followed by Finn and into her canoe Old Lila had given her as a Christmas present.
"Is it ok if we take mine? I love rowing it myself" Maia said, trying to act oblivious to Finns change in mood. Finn nodded and they set off. Maia had been in the Amazon for nearly two years now and she knew the path well. They soon reached the outskirts of cheerful Manaus. Finn steeped out offering Maia his hand. Maia gratefully took it and followed after him. She had just brushed down her skirts when Sergei ran towards her from behind a low roofed hut, pulling her into a warm hug.
"I missed you, you've been sick so long and I wasn't allowed to visit" he said, his arms tightly around her.
Finn had to stop himself from vomiting. He shouldn't be so jealous, he just wished Maia would realise that they could easily be more than friends.
"I missed you too" Maia said standing in tip toe to kiss his cheek. At this Finn had to look away. Maia secretly noticed and for some reason felt relieved that Finn wasn't happy with her being with someone else. She quickly shook her head. She was with Sergei not Finn. She and Finn were just best friends.
Maia and Sergei had become a couple just after a Christmas when they had been cast as the lead roles in Sleeping Beauty for ballet. Sergei had grown over the summer and was now quite good looking and when he had asked Maia out she happily obliged.
As the two embraced Finn couldn't help but size up Sergei. He was tall and lean with striking red hair but Finn noticed he wasn't as toned as Finn was. This was enough to satisfy him for now and he strode away from the two, waving to Maia, his gaze lingering on her for a second too long.
As Finn sauntered off Maia could help but notice his muscular biceps and strong jaw. He wasn't the boy she had met two years ago anymore. He was a year older than her and girls constantly swooned over him now. But Yet again Maia refocused her thoughts back to Sergei who was talking about a cute new cafe where they could get tea. How many times did she have to remind herself that Sergei was her boyfriend? He was kind, and loyal and she didn't need anything more from him. But as he clasped her hand and led her into town square she could quite banish the image of Finn grinning at her with that gleaming white smile and piercing eyes.
