Chapter 13 - Get a Tan, Meet Someone

The sun finally broke through the clouds over Tartosa and Miranda headed for the beach to meet Mariah and her friends.

"You made it," Mariah drew her into a tight hug, adding in a quick whisper, "Please don't let Angelo's terrible singing scare you off."

"Also, holy shit, check out the beach bod!" Mariah grinned. "Seriously buff, girl. You should wear a bikini more often."


"Thanks," Miranda laughed, flushing at the complement. "I... umm... do a lot of jogging and some yoga."


"Hey, Miranda's here," Angelo told Tomi.

"Fantastica," Tomi's reply positively dripped acid.

Swimming in the ocean was a first for Miranda. Sure, she'd been to the ocean front in the city, but you couldn't swim there. You wouldn't want to. Here, the water was warm and clear, brilliant blue stretching beyond the horizon.

She threw herself into the water with enthusiasm. The strong, deep strokes she'd learned swimming the lake last summer worked as well in the ocean.


The ocean waves moved in their own rhythm but Miranda quickly released this was rhythm she knew. She knew the turning of the moon, and she knew how to draw upon it. Despite having never been in it before, the ocean was suddenly no stranger to her.


Mariah watched Miranda glide through the bay, water glistening off her smooth skin, every motion confident and strong.

Eventually, Miranda came back to beach. Laughing together, she and Mariah turned their hands to making a sand sculpture. With anyone else, Mariah might have dismissed the activity as childish, but she couldn't deny the happy gleam in Miranda's eyes as they piled up wet sand together.

Angelo and Tomi had wandered off, but Mariah didn't give them a second thought.

She sat comfortably as Miranda worked on a tan.


Later they walked into town. They chatted over some carry-out, laughing and talking about everything and nothing.


Miranda rented an easel and painted a quick picture of the rental house.

"It's not very good," she allowed as she worked.

"You... It... It's amazing," Mariah replied.

As the sun sunk over the ocean, they found Angelo and Tomi again on the beach.

"I've got to ask," Tomi said, "I mean we've all heard the story about your 'big adventure' last summer. Come on, tell us what really happened?"

If Miranda noticed the hint of mockery in Tomi's tone, she chose to ignore. Instead she launched into her story...


... and, as Mariah reacted with awe and wonder, Miranda found herself sharing more of the truth than she usually did.

Tomi was skeptical, at best.

"Really?" Tomi said when Miranda finished. "I mean... werewolves, vampires, magic battles? Give me a break... it sounds like a bad YA novel!"


"Hey!" Mariah exploded. "Don't you say that to her! Don't you call her a liar!"

"Whatever," Tomi snapped back, "Le credi solo perché sei innamorato di lei, pazza lesbica!"

Mariah sat, fuming, while Tomi stalked off, Angelo trailing behind her. Miranda moved to sit quietly next to her.


"I'm sorry," Mariah said after a bit. "She can be a total bitch sometimes."

"It's OK," Miranda replied. "It really does sounds like a YA novel and I was there."


Silence settled between them again.

Finally Miranda ventured, "Um, does lesbica mean what I think it means?"

"Yeah," Mariah replied, her temper flaring again. "I'm a freak whose into girls. Don't worry, I'll leave so I don't infect you or anything."

"Woah, wait a minute," Miranda gasped.


Miranda leapt to her feet and, desperate to stop Mariah storming off, did the only thing that it occurred to her to do.



"I have two moms," Miranda said. "You have two moms. Why do you think I'd have a problem with you liking girls?"


"You kissed me," Mariah said, stunned. "But you like guys... You said... Jake and Nick..."


"Ok, yes," Miranda replied, "I liked kissing them. I also kissed Beth... like once 'cause there was mistletoe and we were all going to die in a few days but she's my best friend and she's with Jake and it was really confusing and I've wanted to kiss you like all day and... mmhphmm!"


"I wanted to kiss you from the moment we met," Mariah said went they had breath to speak again.

 

 

Authors Note: OK, I don't speak a word of Italian, so Tomi's big line is pure Google translate. It is therefore mostly likely laughably incorrect from the standpoint of someone who does speak Italian. Still, it felt like a heat-of-the-moment angry thing that should be said in Romance language, and so I was willing to risk it. If any Italian speakers wish to offer me a correction, it will be welcomed gladly (and I'll edit the post accordingly). - L