Rising Shards

Maia sat down on her bed as Iris flopped on the floor.

“No more tests,” Iris said. “I’m using like, all of my brains here.”

“We better pass,” Maia said.

“Did I tell you I had a dream where I passed and you didn’t?” Iris asked.

“No,” Maia said.

Iris looked away for a second.

“No way that would ever happen.” Maia said, trying to console her bestie.

“It’s possible!” Iris said. “What if there was a test only a shorty like myself could pass? Your tall ass wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Maia said. She still laughed, though. And slid off the bed to sit next to Iris.

“Hey,” Iris said.

“Hello there,” Maia said. She poked Iris in her tummy, making Iris sit up.

“Hey! What was that for—”

Maia interrupted Iris with a kiss. It was getting easier to kiss her, as long as they were in private. Iris met her kiss eagerly, her hands on Maia’s back like the two roommates were magnetized together.

It didn’t feel real. Maia could scarcely believe she’d actually been the one to initiate this new part of their B.F.S. time. She never thought Iris would want to do anything like kiss her. And even though their bond was a bit iffy in the definition department, for once Maia wasn’t worried about where they were headed. She wished she could have told herself where she’d end up a few months back when she was in the worst of her doldrums, thinking nothing between her and Iris would ever advance. Now, her soul felt like it was blossoming, and she wanted to ride the waves of good vibes as long as she could.

They’d kept it secret so far. They didn’t really want to publicize the B.F.S. time (though Iris seemed to get a kick about bringing up B.F.S. in front of entire classes, then refusing to elaborate). If teachers found out, they’d get split up and put in separate rooms, so this was the best for now.

As far as their friends went, Maia had a hard time thinking of anyone she really wanted to tell. Zeta would probably want an update after Maia had asked for advice previously. She didn’t have to know all of it. Maia could just say things were going good and leave it at that.

“You know when we’re doing the whole void run next week?” Iris asked when they broke the kiss, each resting their head on the other’s shoulder as they held each other close.

“Yeah?” Maia asked.

“We should sneak some B.F.S. in when no one’s around,” Iris said.

“How do you propose we do that?” Maia asked, her stomach fluttering at the idea.

“Like we make a turn, go into a secluded corner of the temple thing, then real quick get some smooches in. Maybe a bite or two.”

“No way, we’ll get caught,” Maia said. “We’ll one hundred percent get caught.”

“Just real quick, c’mon. It’ll be fine as long as no one’s around.”

“And then what if Kalei stomps in fighting something and spots us? She’d shout it out to everyone after she roasts us.”

“We both know Kalei’s roasting material is lukewarm at best.” Iris said. “If anyone shows up, I’ll make some energy ribbon shields and that’ll probably hide us!”

“I dunno,” Maia said.

“Think about it?” Iris asked, her eyes sparkling. Maia had a hard time turning down anything from Iris when she made that expression.

“I’ll think about it,” Maia said.

“Yay!” Iris said. “I’m soooo sleepy though. Cuddle nap, please?”

“Sure,” Maia said. “But you can drag yourself to bed, I’m not carrying you.”

“Awww, c’mon!” Iris said.