Page 29 of Wild Life (STEAM-y #2)
Going with the Flow
Aleki
The waterfall was my second favorite place on the island. The first was between Maris’s legs.
She unleashed something inside me, and now that I’d had sex, I couldn’t get enough of it.
Except, I hadn’t been inside her in two days, and I was completely confused as to why. It wasn’t for lack of trying, either. Each attempt to romance her earned me a shove away and some excuse that she was too busy or too tired.
She had even started wearing some of the clothes she used to wear when she first came here—particularly her pants and underwear. At least she still wore the oversized T-shirt I’d given her.
I preferred that shirt because it gave me easy access to her body. Now I couldn’t spontaneously pull it up and bend her over a rock while we were out picking fruit. And although I could still reach up for her breasts, I stopped when she complained they were too sore.
Was she mad at me? What did I do?
I waded through the pool, warm after a day of sun, and while it felt great on my muscles, my mind was concerned with Maris.
Evening was approaching, and she had declined to set up the bat net again. She said she was exhausted and needed a break.
She sat near the edge, knees tucked into her chest and arms wrapped around them, no ants in sight this time. She was staring at the waterfall as Poaka played with a nut at her feet. She was in a daze, a far cry from the animated person I was addicted to.
I splashed in her direction, careful not to wet her, but hoping to cheer her up.
She glanced over, remaining huddled in a ball.
“What are you thinking about up there?”
“Nothing, just relaxing.” Her voice was strained. Maybe I had been keeping her up too late at night.
I should have let her recover.
“Well, relax in here with me. It’s nice, I promise.”
She offered me a tight smile. “I’m okay here.”
Maybe she was mad because I had told her she was weaving baskets incorrectly…but she hadn’t seemed upset at the time.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, wishing I could get into her mind. To really analyze what went on inside.
“I’m not feeling well.” Her face was a bit pale and puffy, despite still looking gorgeous.
Flashbacks of Ma’s illness hit me. She had lost her color and became too weak to stand.
Panic struck me, and I rushed closer to her. My words felt sticky again. “Tell me what to do. How can I m-make you better?” She was a scientist. She would know best how I should help her.
“I’ll be fine if I rest.”
“Maris, you’re hiding s-something from me. Please, tell me what to do.” She was in danger. I knew it.
She brushed me off. “It’s nothing.”
I slapped the rocky edge of the pool hard, causing her to flinch. “M-Maris. What’s wrong?” I bellowed, sending Poaka scurrying into the brush.
“I got my period, okay?” she shouted back.
I stood there frozen not knowing what to do. I knew of periods because the older boys at school used to make fun of each other by calling everyone the different types of feminine products. I knew girls bled every month and needed those products when it happened. Only, I didn’t know the details, like how long it lasted or how girls managed it each month.
Maris wrapped her arms tighter, making herself smaller. “Why are you looking at me like I have a plague?”
“I d-don’t know what to do or say.”
She relaxed slightly. “You don’t have to do anything.”
“Don’t you need items for the blood?”
“I do. I sterilized one of your towels in hot water and cut it into rags. I hope that was okay.”
“Of course. I can search the beach for more things you could use.”
“That’d be nice. Thank you.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t seem well.”
“It doesn’t feel pleasant, but I’ll be alright.”
“How come?” She must have been in pain judging from her tight expression.
“I usually get cramps and my lower abdomen hurts for a few days. It sucks.”
“I’m sorry.” It was a shame what women had to endure, and I wished I could go back in time to my school to shut the boys up when they were making fun of periods.
“Are you sure you don’t want to join me?” I moved my hand through the water. “It’s warm today and it might soothe your cramps.”
“I’m bleeding like crazy, though.”
“So? It’ll be like you’re soaking in a bath.”
Her face perked up. “You don’t mind?”
“Of course not.” I extended my hand to her.
She hesitated, as if thinking of another excuse not to take it. Eventually, she gave up and undressed, peeling off her clothes and exposing her perfect body. When she pulled her underwear down and stepped out of them, I saw a splotch of red on the rag tucked inside.
She took my hand and carefully slipped into the water. Ripples swirled below her breasts. I expected to see a sea of red around her—but there was none.
I gently drew her closer to me. “I thought there would be more blood.”
“It’s not like a downpour or something. It’s more like a heavy drip that wanes as the days pass.”
“Why did you hide it from me?” I asked, caressing her arms.
She shrugged. “I was embarrassed. Shy? I don’t know. It’s kind of a private thing.” Her hands fidgeted against my abdomen.
I tucked my finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet my gaze. “You don’t have to hide from me. Anything that happens to you, happens to me.”
Her lips spread into a radiant smile. “Why are you so sweet?”
“Is this why you didn’t want to have sex?”
“Yeah, it’s a bit crazy down there,” she said, pointing downward.
“I don’t mind blood.” There was nothing about her that would repulse me.
She grimaced. “Yeah, but it’s uncomfortable.”
“Let me take care of you.” I planted a kiss on her neck.
“I’m not used to allowing a man to do that to me.”
I pressed another kiss to her lips and then lifted her, and she immediately wrapped her legs around my hips.
“I’ll get you messy,” she whispered, holding on to my shoulders.
“Impossible. It’ll wash away.”
I braced my hand so she could lay back and float peacefully. It was about to be her favorite time of day, the time when her face lit up the most.
Suddenly, the purple sky dimmed, shaded with black specks. The bats fluttered overhead, working overtime to keep up with each other.
Maris’s eyes glittered with excitement, and her mouth opened to release a dazzling giggle at the sight of her favorite animal. My heart could have burst.
“I could stay here forever,” she said.
I hoped she did. I really hoped she did.