Chapter 3 - Mini Mia
Copacabana beach, Rio de janeiro
"No!" Severa screamed as she ran. "Not my damn hair!" she tried to cover her hair as she ran from the water gun Edith was firing at her.
They had been in Rio for 2 days now and had finally gone to the beach after days off Edith begging, and severa could now see why she was so eager.
She could hear Narcissa and Theodosia laughing as she ran around, trying to get away from Eidth and her god-forsaken water gun.
Severa's heart pounded as she dashed across the hot sand, her feet sinking slightly with each step. The sun beat down relentlessly, intensifying the already sweltering heat. Sweat trickled down her forehead, mixing with the salty droplets sprayed by the waves crashing nearby.
With each burst of laughter from her friends, Severa's determination surged. She refused to let Edith ruin her perfectly styled hair, the result of hours spent in front of the mirror that morning with Narcissa. As she ran, she could feel the cool mist of the ocean teasingly close, offering a brief respite from the relentless pursuit.
"Narcissa, Theodosia, help me!" Severa shouted between gasps for breath, hoping her friends would intervene. But they only laughed harder, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them.
Despite her exhaustion, Severa pushed herself to run faster, her heart racing not only from the physical exertion but also from the thrill of the chase. She dodged a ray of water and hid behind the beach chair Theodosia and Narcissa was lying in, causing the water to hit them and not her.
"Oh My, Edith!" Theodosia shot up, her face dripping with water.
"Aren't you happy you listened to me and wore water-proof makeup?" Severa couldn't help but smirk as Theodosia glared at her.
"Shut up, Severa."
Severa grinned mischievously as she watched Theodosia and Narcissa's startled reactions. The water-proof makeup had indeed been a wise choice, and she couldn't resist a playful jab at her friends, especially when she managed to turn the tables on Edith, if only for a moment.
Despite the chaos and the water gun attacks, she was having the time of her life in Rio. The vibrant energy of the city, the warmth of the sun, and the laughter of her friends filled her with a sense of joy she hadn't felt in a long time.
"Edith, it's 12:46, still too early to be water shooting people," Narcissa said as she handed Theodosia a towel. "We still need to go back to the house and change so we can go look around town."
Edith pouted playfully but reluctantly lowered her water gun. "Fine, fine," she conceded, a mischievous glint still dancing in her eyes. "But you better watch out, Severa. This war is far from over."
Severa laughed, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin and the sand between her toes. Despite the interruption, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. The prospect of exploring the streets of Rio with her friends filled her with excitement.
As they gathered their belongings and made their way back to the house, Severa couldn't shake the feeling of gratitude for this moment. Life had its ups and downs, but right now, surrounded by friends in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, she felt truly alive.
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"I swear if one more muggle comes up and takes an outfit I like...." Theodosia was fuming, every last one of the dresses she liked was yanked up before she could even lay a finger on it.
"Just calm down, Thea," Narcissa laid a calming hand on Theodosia's shoulder. "We're on vacation, no need to get all worked up."
Severa couldn't help but sympathize with her friend. Theodosia had been looking forward to shopping in Rio for weeks, and it seemed like every store they entered was a battleground, with locals and tourists alike vying for the best finds.
But despite Theodosia's frustration, Severa was determined to make the most of their time in Rio. She knew that a few missed dresses were a small price to pay for the memories they were making together.
"Let's try one more store, Thea," Severa suggested, flashing her friend an encouraging smirk. "Who knows, maybe this will be the one."
They made their way to the last store on the street, and as soon as they entered the mostly empty store, Theodosia ran to the closest clothing rack she could find, her eyes scanning eagerly for any sign of the perfect dress.
Edith and Narcissa followed close behind, exchanging amused glances as Theodosia practically dove into the racks, her determination palpable.
"Slow down, Thea," Severa called after her, trying to suppress a laugh. "You don't want to scare off all the good dresses."
But Theodosia was already lost in her quest, her hands flying as she sifted through the hangers with lightning speed. Severa couldn't help but admire her friend's tenacity, even if it did verge on the edge of obsession.
As Severa wandered through the store, The others lost in their own search for the perfect outfit, Severa felt a sense of contentment settle over her. Despite the chaos of their vacation, she was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with her friends in such a vibrant and exciting city.
She was vaguely looking over a rack when she glanced out the store window to see a food stand. "Hey, I'm gonna head across the street to check out a food stand," her voice carried throughout the empty store, except the four. "Anyone coming with?"
She was met with Edith's excited voice. "We're gonna stay here," she held a dress up against Narcissa. "But come get us if you find something yummy!"
Severa nodded, a smirk playing on her lips as she made her way towards the exit of the store. The tantalizing aroma of Brazilian street food wafted through the air, beckoning her to explore the culinary delights of Rio.
As she stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk, the vibrant energy of the city engulfed her once more. The streets were alive with the sounds of laughter and music, and Severa couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration coursing through her veins.
Making her way across the street, Severa approached the food stand, her mouth watering at the sight of the colorful array of dishes on display. From savory coxinhas to sweet brigadeiros, there was something to tempt every palate.
"Hey there, what can I get for you?" the vendor greeted her with a warm smile, his accent thick with the rhythm of Portuguese.
Severa scanned the menu, her eyes alighting on a platter of freshly grilled skewers. "I'll have some churrasco skewers, please," she said, her stomach rumbling in anticipation.
As she waited for her order, Severa felt something hard fall against her back, sending her stumbling forward. Startled, she turned to see what had caused the disturbance, only to find herself face to face with a woman whose honey-brown eyes and long brown hair immediately caught her attention.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry!" the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine concern. "I wasn't watching where I was going, I'm sorry!"
Severa's heart skipped a beat as she took in the woman's features. It was as if time had stood still, transporting her back to a moment she had tried so hard to forget. Memories flooded her mind, overwhelming her with emotions she thought she had buried long ago.
Her voice, her eyes... everything about the woman in front of her brought back memories she had long since tried to get rid of. Memories of laughter and shared secrets, of late-night conversations. Memories of a love that had once consumed her entirely, leaving her broken and vulnerable in its wake.
For a moment, Severa's heart pounded in her chest, the weight of the past crashing over her like a tidal wave. "Mini Mia...?" she whispered, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
The woman in front of her froze, her honey-brown eyes widening in shock. "W-What...?" she stammered, her voice barely audible above the din of the street. "What did you just call me?"
Severa felt a rush of emotions welling up inside her, threatening to overwhelm her fragile composure. It had been years since she had uttered those words, years since she had allowed herself to remember the girl who had once meant so much to her.
But now, faced with the woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to the girl she had once known, Severa couldn't deny the truth any longer. "Mini Mia," she repeated, her voice barely more than a whisper. "That's what I used to call..."
Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as she took a shaky step forward, her hands reaching out as if to touch Severa's face. "Sev..." she breathed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Is it really you?"
Without a second thought, Severa pulled the woman into a big hug, wrapping her arms tightly around her. She could feel Mia's tears soaking through her top, mingling with her own emotions as they embraced.
"Yes, it's me," Severa whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It's really me."
They stood there in silence for a moment, clinging to each other as if afraid to let go. Years of separation melted away in that one embrace, replaced by a flood of memories and emotions that threatened to overwhelm them both.
"I've missed you so much," Mia murmured, her voice muffled against Severa's shoulder. "I never thought I'd see you again."
Severa held her even tighter, her heart aching with the weight of all they had lost. But in that moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was the woman in her arms, the woman she had loved with all her heart and soul.
"I missed you too, Mia," Severa whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of Mia's head. "More than you'll ever know.
As they stood there, lost in each other's embrace, Severa's mind was flooding with memories of hanging out with Dom, playing with Mia, and helping Jakob with homework. It was all too much; this was supposed to be a vacation, a time for fun and relaxation, not for reliving the complexities of her past.
"Wait," she pulled back from the hug, her heart racing with anticipation. "If you're here, does that mean..." Her voice trailed off, the possibility too overwhelming to articulate. Dom. He could be here. He could be so close, just down the street, perhaps even around the corner.
Mia's expression softened, her eyes reflecting the turmoil of emotions swirling inside her. "Yeah, me, Brian, and Dom are here," she confirmed, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Well, not right here, but in Rio."
Severa's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Dom's name. He's here, she realized, her mind reeling with the implications of his presence in the same city. The thought of seeing him again after all these years filled her with a strange mixture of longing and uncertainty.
But amidst the rush of emotions, one question stood out in Severa's mind. "Brian? Who's Brian?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar name.
Mia's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, a sheepish smile playing on her lips as she twirled a strand of her hair, a nervous habit Severa remembered all too well from their childhood days.
"Oh, Brian," Mia began, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "He's, um... he's my boyfriend."
Severa couldn't help but smirk. "Mini Mia finally got herself a boyfriend." She chuckled as Mia's face flushed even more.
"I... Let's just not," Mia stumbled over her words slightly, her gaze flickering around nervously before landing on Severa's. But then, her eyes lit up with a sudden idea. "You should come with me!" she exclaimed, wrapping her hands around Severa's.
"What? Come where?" Severa's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by Mia's sudden enthusiasm.
"With me," Mia reiterated, her grip on Severa's hands tightening. "To go see Dom, and meet Brian and the others!" Her eyes gleamed with excitement, the tears long gone.
Severa's heart fluttered at the thought of reuniting with Dom, of finally seeing him again after all these years. But as much as the idea filled her with happiness, she couldn't shake the sense of responsibility weighing on her shoulders.
She glanced back at the store window, watching Theodosia try on dresses as Narcissa and Edith laughed and clapped for her. They were why she was even on this trip, why she had ventured to Rio in the first place. She couldn't just leave them behind to follow her past.
"I... I don't know, Mia," Severa hesitated, torn between her desire to see Dom and her loyalty to her friends. "I mean, it's been so long since I've seen him, but..." She trailed off, unable to find the words to express her conflicting emotions.
"you don't have to come now," Mia started digging in her purse. "I'll give you the address and you can stop by, ok?" She pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.
Severa shook her head as Mia wrote down the address "No, Mia...." she replied, her voice tinged with worry.
Mia smiled warmly, her eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and empathy. She handed Severa the piece of paper. "Here's the address. Just give me a call when you're ready, okay?"
Severa took the paper, her fingers trembling slightly as she held it in her hand. The weight of the decision she had just made settled over her like a heavy cloak, but deep down, she knew it was the right choice. She needed time to process everything, time to reconcile her past with her present.
"Thank you, Mia," Severa said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. She gave Mia a goodbye hug, lost in her thoughts.
"Severa!" Edith's voice rang out in her ear. "What happened? you didn't come to get us." She looked at Edith and the other two as they appeared at her side.
"Nothing yummy?" Narcissa asked, holding a bunch of bags.
Before she could even reply, the man behind the food stand cleared his throat. "miss, you dropped your churrasco skewer, so I made you another one," the man handed her the skewer.
"Shit, thanks." Severa handed the man R$9. She didn't even get to take a good look at the churrasco skewers before Edith yanked it out her hand and stuffed it in her own mouth.
"Edith!"
"You said they had nothing yummy" She shrugged her shoulders. "So I had to check for myself."
Narcissa and Theodosia laughed at Edith as the girl talked about how good the skewers were, but Severa's mind was elsewhere,
Dom was in Rio.