Chapter 18: Daria Digs

"Eww," Mai said. "I still can't believe how fucking icky sticky you white people's ear wax is. Cruddy!"

Daria lifted her head from her girlfriend's lap. She sat up on her bed. "Yes, we Northern Europeans are a mysterious race."

"Mai, close your eyes now. I know it's still a couple weeks away but I'll give you my birthday present." Daria told Mai. She went to her bedroom door and double-checked that they were safely locked away.

"You'll give me your present?" Mai asked.

"Yes, do you want it or not?"

Mai knew enough to shut up and settle down on Daria's bed. She made a great presentation of closing her eyes and covering them with her hands. Daria scooted into her closet from which Mai heard fossicking and rustling sounds which tormented her curiosity for a few moments. Then she heard Daria take up a position in front of her.

"Okay, you can look now," Daria said deadpan.

Mai clasped her hands to her mouth immediately after opening her eyes. She stood but did not move towards Daria.

"Oh God. Oh God. Oh God."

"I thought you never took the Lord's Name in vain," Daria smirked a bit.

"I'm...I'm giving thanks." Mai said quite sincerely. Only then did she step to Daria, not touching but walking slowly around her.

Daria posed coquettishly by some instinct to tease and please. Then she drew herself up, pleased at the half inch which she had gained since getting to know Mai.

Mai smiled broadly as she took in Daria who was standing in a blue Lawndale High volleyball uniform shirt; tight yellow volleyball shorts; pristine white knee pads; white knee socks with blue and yellow bands and to top it off or bottom it off sparkling new white sneakers. Daria bent over and touched her toes to give Mai the best look at the shorts on which blue letters proclaimed, "Property of Mai Ling."

"Mai," Daria requested. "Do something before I die of embarrassment."

"This is the fucking best birthday present you've ever received, except for what's coming next." Mai said as she sat down on the bed and drew Daria onto her lap. They snuggled; Mai drawing back happily after each kiss to look at Daria in her uniform.

"Okay, now you can give me an early fucking present," Daria commanded with her arms around her girlfriend's neck. Mai giggled in delight as the word uncustomarily rolled from Daria's mouth.

"Don't you want a surprise?"

"Not for this," speckled hazel eyes looked into Mai's dark brown orbs. "Tell me again what you're going to do to me when I turn street-legal sixteen in two weeks. Be as graphic as possible; I know you have it in you."

THE END