Chapter Text
Friday, October 31, 2008 — Princeton, NJ
Carina stood just off the main path of Princeton’s campus at Nassau street, her black boots mindlessly kicking the scattered fallen leaves on the ground. The air smelled damp, like rain-soaked dirt and wet wood, with just a hint of that fall chill that made her wish she’d worn something thicker than the light beige coat she was wearing right now.
She tucked her hands deeper into her pockets, taking in the familiar sight of the surrounding buildings of her former campus. She gazed at Holder Hall in front of her, with its weathered stone facade, its long archways and the high, imposing tower that felt almost like it was watching her.
It was Halloween weekend, but the usual energy was missing. The campus dormitory seemed half-empty, most students likely home for an early weekend or still sleeping through the morning, from being out late at some frat party Carina wouldn’t be caught dead at.
It was her first time back since graduating. The university board had sent a formal invitation to her family home in Sicily, asking her to attend an alumni event. Some kind of formal brunch to honor recent graduates who’d ‘made significant achievements’ in the past year.
They didn’t need to hide behind pretenses, truthfully. She knew she was gonna be the centerpiece of the whole thing. Olympic gold medalists didn’t exactly fade into the background around here.
It hadn’t taken a second thought for her to accept the invitation, and yet, being here now felt…strange. Familiar and distant all at once. The last time she’d stood on this lawn, she’d been a student balancing exams, international competitions, and her own stubborn need to be perfect. Now, she was just a guest. An outsider, looking in.
Her eyes drifted toward Dillon gymnasium, barely visible in the horizon through the maze of stone pathways and trees. Of all the places on campus, it seemed like the only one that was exactly as she remembered. For a second, she wondered if the Stan Sieja fencing room still smelled the same inside—like polished wood, metal, and that ever-present hint of sweat that never quite faded. And then, before she could stop herself, she wondered if Maya was in there too.
Carina let out a slow breath. She could tell herself she hadn’t expected that name to cross her mind, but she would be outright lying. She didn’t even know her that well and yet something about Maya Bishop had stuck. Maybe it was the way she moved on the piste that night when she had dared her into a bout, all recklessness and unfocused aggression, like she had something to prove and no patience for not getting what she wanted. Or maybe it was the look she gave Carina after, cheeks flushed, chest heaving, eyes burning with something edging toward dangerous, when she had told her she would meet her in London in 2012.
Carina shook her head, like that would be enough to clear her thoughts. It was ridiculous, really. Thinking about Maya now, when they’d barely exchanged more than a handful of words that one night. And yet, she couldn’t help it. And she just couldn’t help picture her inside that gym now, training like her life depended on it, gripping her sabre like it was the only thing tethering her to the world.
Would she even still remember their dare?
If I win, you go on a date with me.
The words had been bold, almost absurd, tossed out with a smirk that barely hid the flush rising up Maya’s neck. Carina had laughed it off at the time, not thinking much of it. Not really. But then Maya had fenced like she meant every word, throwing everything she had into the bout. Still, Carina had won. Easily. Her calm precision had doused Maya’s fire like a hose to a flame. And yet…part of her had wanted to say yes to the date anyway.
The thought of them going out on that date made her pulse jump. Annoyingly so. Carina had grown used to all and every amount of challenge in her line of work, and she’d overcome all of them. She’d faced Olympic crowds, world competitions, cameras shoved in her face, the weight of an entire country’s expectations on her shoulders. Surely one college freshman—sophomore now—wouldn’t be the thing to break her.
“Ancora con la testa tra le nuvole, huh?” [Still with your head in the clouds, huh?]
A voice behind her startled her, rich and teasing, and she turned to see Gabriela approaching her from the street.
Carina smiled softly, shaking her head, her gaze drifting back to the familiar stone walls of the Dillon gym. “I’m just…thinking.”
Gabriela rolled her eyes, coming up to stand beside her. “You always think too much, amore mio. Just enjoy being here for once.” She nudged Carina’s shoulder with her own. “Don’t tell me you’re actually nervous about this breakfast thing. I thought you were already used to all the spotlight after the Olympics.”
“It’s a brunch.” Carina corrected, but her voice was a little strained, the thought of the event weighing on her. “And I’m not nervous. Just… it’s strange being back, that’s all.” She met Gabriela’s gaze, a moment of honesty slipping through. “It feels like it was all so long ago, even though it wasn’t. A lot’s changed. I’ve changed.”
Gabriela’s expression softened, her teasing grin fading for a moment. “You’ll always be the same old Carina to me, no matter how much you win.” She said with a warm smile. “Though, I have to admit, seeing you as the guest of honor? It is a little weird.”
Carina arched an eyebrow at her. “Weird?”
“From the piccolina with an attitude in Catania to the world’s golden girl of fencing…”
Carina groaned. “Don’t ever call me that again, per favore.” She pointed a finger over Gabriela’s way. “I’m just here because they asked me. Nothing more.”
“They asked you because you’re one of their own, Carina. Their Olympic champion. Not all of us get that honor from our former schools.”
“Allora, Gabi, that’s not fair. You’ve got your own medals, too. Just not…one that comes with a ridiculous amount of press coverage attached to it.”
After all, Gabriela had been right by Carina’s side in Beijing, fighting for a spot on the podium with the Italian sabre team. But she wasn’t just a teammate. She was one of the few people who had seen Carina at her best and worst, through every grueling training session, every podium ceremony, ,every moment of self-doubt, and everything in between since they were little kids growing up together in Italy.
“Prego.” Gabriela shrugged. “I’ll survive. Even without a brunch dedicated to me.” Then, with a sly grin, she added. “But come on, tell me…do you think you’ll see her?”
Carina’s chest fluttered, just for a second. “Who?” She asked non-nonchalantly, probably convincing no one.
The grin on Gabriela’s mouth stretched wider. “You know who.” She said, her voice low and teasing. “La ragazza di Princeton.” [“The girl from Princeton.”]
Carina blinked at her, caught completely off guard. She opened her mouth, then closed it and opened it again, but nothing came out.
“Don’t even try to act like it didn’t cross your mind.” Gabriela nudged her with her elbow, her tone still playful, but it carried something more gentle underneath. “You’ve been going on and on about that dare and the cute freshman with the blue eyes ever since you left this place. I swear, you’ve talked about it more than your Olympic gold, Carina.”
Carina felt a rush of heat hit her cheeks and tried to cover it with a scoff. “You’re exaggerating, as usual.” She wasn’t sure why it felt like she had being caught in something bigger than she knew how to explain, but she wasn’t about to go down that rabbit hole with Gabriela…not here, not now.
“What was it again?” Gabriela continued, relentless. “If she won, you’d go on a date with her?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“It was a joke.” Carina said quickly, her voice too defensive. “I’m not…I don’t even know what she’s doing now. She probably doesn’t even remember it.”
“Seriously, tesoro?” Gabriela let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Not a chance. She remembers.”
Before Carina could push back, Gabriela went on, softer this time. “Besides, it’s cute. I like it. I like the idea of you getting caught up in something fun for once. You’ve spent all these years being so serious about fencing. Now you get a chance to have some fun with it.”
Carina glanced sideways. “I’m not getting caught—” She started.
But Gabriela cut her off with a smirk and a dismissive wave. “Mhmm.”
Carina sighed, but the corner of her mouth tugged upward. Gabriela’s teasing always had a way of lightening her mood, even when it hit a little too close to home. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She said eventually, then added, “Thank you for coming to this thing with me. You didn’t have to.”
“What, and miss seeing the campus that stole you away from me for four years?” Gabriela scoffed. “Plus, there’s free food.”
“Well then…shall we?”
Gabriela nodded and linked their arms together, steering them toward the ivy-covered Nassau Hall, where the event was about to start.
As they walked, Carina let herself fall into step, but her thoughts had already wandered. Back to that night, back to a pair of ocean blue eyes and a reckless grin that had stuck in her head far deeper than she wanted to admit.
Would Maya still remember that night? And more importantly…would she still want to follow through? Or had that moment—that bold, ridiculous moment—already slipped into the past?
***
Maya adjusted her bowtie for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers tugging at the unruly accessory as she stood by the catering station in the kitchen of Nassau dining hall. It wasn’t the outfit that bothered her though—black slacks, crisp white shirt, bowtie clipped in place. It was the reason she was wearing it.
She wasn’t here for the glamour or the fancy hors d’oeuvres. She was here because the new 2008 Nike Ballestra professional fencing shoes she had to buy cost more than 200 dollars and picking up odd jobs around campus was the only way she could afford them. So she let out a breath, grabbed a tray of smoked salmon canapés from the pass and made her way out into the dining hall.
The room was massive. High ceilings carved with intricate designs, chandeliers hanging over the long wooden tables dressed in fine linen and Princeton alumni dressed even finer. Maya kept her head down, reminding herself no one was looking at her. She moved through the crowd, careful to keep her tray steady. She smiled when someone made eye contact, nodded when they muttered a quick ‘thank you’. She was invisible, the way all waitstaff were supposed to be around here.
Until she wasn’t.
“Well, well. If it isn’t Maya Bishop, Princeton’s star fencer turned…server?”
Maya didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Rachel. Of course. She inhaled slowly, steadying her grip on the tray before facing her. “It’s called a job, Schecter. Maybe you’ve heard of it.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of it.” The redhead leaned casually against a nearby table, mimosa in hand, annoying smirk firmly in place. “I just didn’t think you’d be working one at an event like this.”
Maya narrowed her eyes. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that it’s a little ironic.” Rachel shrugged, swirling the drink in her glass with a kind of lazy confidence that made Maya’s jaw clench. “Seems like the closest you’re gonna get to a gold medal is serving tasteless canapés to its holder, huh?”
“Watch it, Schecter.” Maya forced a tight smile, stepping a little closer. “Or the closest I’m gonna get to your face is with my fist.”
Rachel’s smirk faltered, just for a second, before she recovered and lifted her glass in a mock toast. “Try not to trip over yourself, Bishop.” She said, turning on her heel. “We all know how clumsy your footwork is.”
Maya forced herself to keep walking, her fake polite smile still in place, despite the heat crawling up her neck. She wasn’t going to let Rachel get under her skin. Not today. Keeping her steps smooth and even, she made her way toward the next cluster of tables. And then she saw her and a sudden jolt tore straight through her unprepared heart.
Carina stood near the far end of the room, her brown wavy hair falling over one shoulder as she tilted her head, listening to someone beside her. She wasn’t in a gown like every other woman there. Instead, she wore a perfectly tailored black suit, the slim cut accentuating her figure flawlessly. Underneath it, there was a maroon shirt and a thin black tie around her neck that shouldn’t have made Maya’s heart rate rise the way it did.
She should’ve been prepared for this…for Carina. The whole event was, in all honesty, about her. But seeing her in person again, standing there like she belonged to a world Maya could never picture herself fit into, was something else entirely.
And then, as if sensing her thoughts, Carina’s brown eyes turned and found hers.
For a moment, the world tilted. Carina’s gaze was like a vortex, pulling her in, sucking the air right out of Maya’s helpless lungs. She needed to move. Look away. Walk. But her body didn’t get the message.
Instead, she backtracked, her foot catching on the edge of a chair. The tray in her hands tilted. The canapés slid dangerously to one side as almost every pair of eyes in the hall turned to her. For one horrifying second, she thought she was going to drop the whole thing.
She caught herself, barely. The tray steadied in her hands. The room carried on around her like nothing had happened, all sets of eyes retreating from her—except one. Carina’s.
Heat burned up Maya’s neck, and she did the only thing she could think of. She bolted for the kitchen.
***
Carina swirled the sparkling water in her glass, the faint buzz of conversation around her blending into the background. The dining hall was exactly what she’d expected—polished, grandiose, and filled with people who measured success in titles and dollar signs. Her smile was firmly in place, practiced and polite, as she nodded along to whatever the older white man across from her was saying.
“…and as I’ve always said, we’ve got the best training facilities in the world. State-of-the-art. No expense spared. That’s why it stings, you know?”
Carina tilted her head slightly. “I’m sorry…what stings?”
The man, late-fifties, in a suit that probably cost more than some people’s yearly salaries, gave her a pointed look. “You. All that time and money we spend making Princeton a hub for athletes, and then you go and fence for Italy.” He smiled, but the contempt was obvious from a mile away. “That stings a bit, don’t you think?”
Carina’s smile didn’t falter, though her fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her glass. “Italy is my home.” She said smoothly, her accent curling around the words. “I’ve always been proud to represent my country. Princeton gave me the tools to succeed, and for that I’ll always be grateful. But my loyalty was never in question.”
The man raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her answer. “Still, you don’t think you owe anything to the place that gave you your footing? To America?”
Carina’s smile sharpened just slightly, the kind of subtle shift only someone paying close attention would notice. “Oh, I owe America a great deal. But fencing for Italy was never about owing anything. It’s about where I belong.”
He let out a small huff of amusement, shaking his head. “Spoken like a true Italian.”
Carina didn’t say anything back. She didn’t want to make a scene. Instead, she let the comment hang between them, her gaze flicking briefly to the name tag at his seat. Richard Schecter. The name vaguely reminded her of something…someone. His daughter. What was her name? Rachel. That was it. A fencer, if Carina remembered correctly. Not a particularly memorable one. More notorious for her flashy equipment and loud complaints than her actual skill.
The apple didn’t seem to have fallen far from the tree. “Well, Dick.” She said with a fake but gracious smile, setting her empty glass on a nearby tray. “It was a pleasure speaking with you. If you’ll excuse me, I should mingle before the brunch is over.”
She stepped away before he could respond, keeping her expression neutral as she put distance between them. Conversations like that had become second nature over the years—smooth deflections, gracious exits. People always had something to say about her life choices, as if they had any right to weigh in.
Carina let out a slow breath, scanning the room. The shiny chandeliers, the over-the-top decorations, the far too polished for a brunch crowd. For a moment, she wondered why she’d even come. The honor, the invitation, it was all fine, but the event felt hollow. She didn’t miss going to these things. She missed—
Movement caught her eye. A figure slipping through the crowd, a flash of blonde hair and blue eyes, a bowtie slightly askew.
Maya.
Carina’s stomach twisted unexpectedly, with a mix of excitement and nerves. Maya was in a server’s uniform, a tray balanced precariously in her hands. She looked…more beautiful than Carina remembered.
Then their eyes met. Just for a second. Maya stumbled. Carina’s breath caught as she watched the tray on her hand wobble, the canapés nearly tipping over before Maya steadied herself. Her cheeks flushed across the room, and then, just as quickly, she was gone, retreating into the kitchen like she couldn’t escape fast enough.
Carina’s feet moved before her mind had fully decided to follow, her body leaning instinctively toward the door Maya had disappeared into. “You’ll have to excuse me.” She murmured to no one in particular as she slipped away from the crowd.
The kitchen was bustling when she stepped inside, chefs barking orders and staff weaving in and out with trays and glasses. Carina scanned the room, but Maya wasn’t there. She looked around some more, standing in the middle of the chaos, completely out of place. She stepped aside to avoid a waiter balancing a stack of trays, her gaze flicking to the swinging door at the far end of the kitchen.
She started walking toward it but she stopped herself. It was ridiculous, the way her heart was beating right now. It wasn’t like she’d come here looking for Maya. And she wasn’t gonna act desperate and chase the woman down. Carina lingered for a moment longer before turning back toward the dining hall, her mind already wandering to what she’d say if she got the chance to talk to Maya again.
***
Maya sprinted across the damp sidewalk, her fencing bag thumping against her back with each move. Every few steps, she had to dodge empty candy wrappers and fake spider webs people had drunkenly tossed aside—anything to avoid faceplanting onto the ground.
It was Halloween night. The one night the entire campus fully embraced its Gothic horror vibes. The buildings around her looked like they had come straight out of a haunted movie, all dark and ivy-covered stone lit up by orange streetlamps, like even the architecture was wearing a costume.
The frat house up ahead was practically impossible to miss. It looked like a Halloween store had exploded all over the front lawn. Orange string lights choked the porch railings, the bushes were thoroughly TP’d, and a cardboard skeleton was duct-taped to the door like someone had run out of time and just said ‘good enough.’
People in all kinds of costumes spilled out onto the grass, red solo cups in hand. Maya slowed down as she reached the front porch steps, which were of course lined with diy jack-o’-lanterns on both sides, and spotted Vic and Andy standing right at the top, waiting.
“Bishop!” Vic called, immediately frowning as Maya came into view. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What?” Maya asked, still a little out of breath as she jogged up to them. “I dressed up.”
“You’re literally wearing your fencing uniform.” Vic deadpanned, gesturing at the pristine white jacket and fencing pants Maya had on.
“Exactly.” Maya said flatly. “I’m a fencer. For Halloween.”
“You’re a fencer every day.” Andy pointed out, raising a thoroughly unimpressed eyebrow. “This doesn’t count as dressing up, Bishop. It’s, like, barely trying.”
“It’s practical.” Maya argued, crossing her arms. “What are you two even supposed to be anyway?” She glanced between them. “Gymnast Barbie and…” Her eyes narrowed at Vic. “…a lesbian?”
“Uhm…Excuse you.” Vic scoffed, dramatically adjusting her black leather jacket over her shoulders. “I’m not just any lesbian. I’m Gina Gershon from the iconic movie Bound.”
“And I’m Haley.” Andy said, snapping the strap of her bra under the neon orange leotard she was wearing. “From the iconic movie Stick it.”
“Right.” Maya let out a sigh. “Well, next year I’ll let you two pick my Halloween costume. Happy? Now, can we please get some drinks?”
“Deal.” Vic stuck out her hand like it was a legally binding contract, already planning something ridiculous for next year.
Maya groaned but shook her hand anyway, already regretting it.
They went through the front door, squeezing past a guy in a blood-splattered T-shirt with mini cereal boxes stapled to it. Cereal Killer. Classic.
Inside, the music was loud, some Timbaland song with bass that vibrated through Maya’s ribs. The air smelled like a mix of candy corn, spilled beer, and fog machine smoke. Decorations were aggressively on-theme: a fake witch hanging crooked on the wall, cobwebs stretched over the ceiling, and a skeleton chilling on the staircase in a top hat and sunglasses, looking like he’d partied too hard at last year’s party and never left.
Maya hovered near the doorway while Vic and Andy disappeared into the crowd, heading toward what looked like a table pretending to be a bar. She adjusted the strap of her fencing bag, trying to shake off the nerves that had been trailing her since the brunch incident earlier.
Her mind kept circling back to Carina. The black suit. The stupidly hot tie. That heart-stopping look they’d shared across the room. Seeing her again had felt like—
Maya exhaled hard, snapping herself back. No. Not tonight. Tonight wasn’t about spiraling over some freshman-year fantasy. Tonight was about letting loose, dancing badly, having fun with her friends, and pretending she wasn’t constantly one misstep away from losing her academic balance.
But the universe had other plans. Just as she took one step forward into the room, she froze.
Carina. Leaning against the staircase like she owned it. Talking—okay, more like flirting—with a woman in a Batwoman costume who was clearly very into it. Maya’s breath hitched.
Carina laughed at something the woman said, tipping her head back like she always did when she really meant it. The sound carried through the room and it was exactly how Maya remembered—full, warm, and completely unfair.
Maya stood frozen, like someone had hit pause on her entire body. Carina was here. Here. In this frat party, somehow looking like a goddess amongst mere mortals. And Maya—Maya felt like her knees might give out, and she hadn’t even had a single drink yet.
Before she could pull herself together, Vic elbowed her lightly in the ribs. “Earth to Bishop. You okay?”
Maya blinked, forcing her eyes away. “What? No. Yes. I’m fine.”
Vic didn’t look convinced, but she shoved a red solo cup into her hand anyway. “Here. Drink this.”
Maya took it a little too fast and downed the entire thing in one go.
***
Carina stood near the base of the staircase, leaning casually against the railing as Gabriela adjusted the tight leather of her Batwoman suit over her breasts.
“I can’t believe you convinced me to come to this.” Carina muttered, crossing her arms.
“I can’t believe the one time of the year you can dress unabashedly sexy without anyone batting an eyelash, you decide to come as what? A fencer?” Gabriela threw her hands up in mock exasperation, her glossy black leather reflecting the colorful party lights. “I have no words, Carina.”
“Do I need to remind you I spend my whole morning at the brunch event?” Carina shot back, raising an eyebrow. “Where exactly would I have found the time to shop?”
Gabriela rolled her eyes dramatically, planting a hand on her hip. “The more pressing question should be, why was I the one who had to find this Halloween party for us? I didn’t even go here!”
“Do you think I had time to party when I was at Princeton?” Carina scoffed. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about where to go.”
“Right…Nothing to do here but fence and study.” Gabriela said, shaking her head as if she was dealing with a hopeless case. “Tell me, do you always carry your gear and uniform around with you wherever you go, or is this a new habit?”
“No.” Carina gave her a pointed look, her lips pressing into a thin line. “There was a photoshoot after the event today. The school wanted me to wear it.”
“Well, not all hope is lost yet.” Gabriela huffed and stepped closer, her fingers reaching for the collar of Carina’s fencing jacket. “Let’s see if we can do anything to fix this.”
“Cosa stai facendo?” [What are you doing?] Carina asked, jerking slightly away.
“Trying to salvage this disaster.” Gabriela muttered, tugging the zipper down just enough to expose a peek of Carina’s bare collarbone underneath. “At least show some skin. Give the people something to look at, DeLuca.”
Carina rolled her eyes. “I’ll have you know, women in swords is a universally sexy concept.” She said, waving her sabre playfully at Gabriela.
Gabriela groaned loudly. “Just…” She gestured at her dramatically. “Try to act with a semblance of normalcy. And per favore, no challenging random freshmen—or women—to any bouts.”
Carina smirked. “I can’t promise anything.” She said teasingly, her eyes wandering over to the fully packed frat house. Still playing along just to mess with Gabriela, she kept scanning the room like she was on the hunt for her next bout. But then she saw her across the room. Suddenly everything faded.
“Are you even listening to me?” Gabriela asked, throwing her hands up in frustration. “I’m trying to impart wisdom here, Carina.”
Carina didn’t respond, her breath caught somewhere in her throat. Maya stood near the bar, her crisp white fencing uniform cutting through the dark of the party like a spotlight, making her impossible to miss.
“Carina?” Gabriela’s voice snapped her back, but only for a second.
Gabriela frowned and followed Carina’s gaze across the room, trying to pinpoint what had stolen her attention. Her eyes flicked between Carina and Maya, and then she let out a low, knowing whistle. “Madonna…Is that her?” She didn’t wait for Carina’s answer. “What am I saying? Of course it is. Only you could be so down bad for the only other crazy person who decided to dress as a fencer for Halloween.”
Before Carina could object, Gabriela grabbed her hand, dragging her toward the bar.
“Gabi, no—” Carina exclaimed, digging her fencing shoes into the floor. “Gabriela, per favore, don’t do this.”
“Oh, relax.” Gabriela dismissed her with a wave and kept dragging her through the crowd. “You’ll thank me later.”
Carina barely had time to shoot her a glare before they reached the bar.
Vic, mid-sip of her drink, clocked Carina approaching them, and then her eyes flicked between her and Maya. Her grin stretched impossibly wide as she took in their matching fencing outfits. “Oh my God.” She choked out, barely keeping her beer in. “You two are made for each other.”
“Shut up, Vic.” Maya said through greeted teeth, nudging her with her foot. But the bright red rising up her neck gave her away.
Gabriela, unfazed, stepped forward. “Allora, you must be Maya.” She said smoothly, extending a hand.
“Uh…yeah.” Maya hesitated for a beat before shaking it. “That’s me. You’re—”
“Gabriela Aurora.” The Italian said with a dazzling smile. “Pleasure to finally meet you.”
Carina shot Gabriela a sharp look, but Gabriela only winked in return.
“Yeah. You too.” Maya said, scratching at the back of her neck awkwardly.
“You know what?” Andy, who had been watching the exchange with growing amusement, suddenly elbowed Vic. “I think we should hit the dance floor.”
“Great idea!” Vic clapped her hands together, already turning on her heel. “We’ll leave you two to…discuss fencing.” She threw Gabriela a look. “Batwoman, you coming?”
“Si.” Gabriela smirked. “It would be a shame for this costume to go to waste.”
“Vic!” Maya protested, but it was useless. Vic responded to her with two thumbs up, mouthing ‘just talk to her like a human person’. It was good advice Maya didn’t know if she could take right now.
Carina turned to Gabriela next. “Gabi—” Too late. Gabriela followed right behind them, throwing an exaggerated wave over her shoulder. Their friends—more like traitors—vanished into the crowd, and just like that, it was only the two of them.
“So…” Maya cleared her throat, awkwardly tugging at the collar of her fencing jacket. “You’re here.”
Carina tilted her head, her lips quirking into a soft smile. “I am.” She looked Maya over, her gaze lingering on the uniform. “Nice costume.”
Maya let out an awkward chuckle. “You too.”
“Although the white shirt and bowtie suited you just as well.” Carina muttered, more to herself.
Maya leaned in slightly, raising her voice. “What did you say?”
“Nothing, I just…” Carina hesitated, biting at her bottom lip. “I saw you at the event earlier.”
“Can’t hear you!” Maya practically yelled, gesturing to the speakers over their heads.
“It’s too loud in here.” Carina leaned in closer this time, her voice just loud enough to be heard. “Do you want to go outside?”
Maya hesitated, glancing toward the crowd where her friends had vanished. Then she looked back at Carina, the party lights reflecting in her brown eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go.”
***
Outside, the music was just a dull hum, the bass vibrating faintly through the walls. A string of orange Halloween lights shaped like pumpkins dangled over the porch, casting a warm glow over the small space. Beyond the porch, the yard stretched out, scattered with the occasional cluster of drunken college students.
Maya leaned against the railing, her ears finally adjusting to normal frequencies. “That’s better.”
Carina let out a breath, glancing at her. “Much better.” She said, before turning to look out over the yard.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable exactly, but it was there, like they were both waiting for something to fill it.
“So…” Maya was the first to break it. “I saw the matches in Beijing.” She propped her elbows on the railing, glancing at Carina. “You were…uhm…” Unbelievable? Stunning? Out of this world? “Amazing.”
Carina’s lips curled slightly. “Grazie.”
“So?”
Carina arched a brow. “So, what?”
“Was it everything you imagined it would be?” Maya turned and looked at her fully.
“What, Beijing?”
“The gold.”
“Ah.” Carina smiled but her gaze drifted, settling somewhere far beyond the porch. “It was.” She didn’t elaborate. Didn’t explain the weight of it, the way victory had felt strangely hollow. Some things weren’t meant to be shared—not yet at least.
Maya nodded, rocking back on her heels. “So, what now?”
“Now?” Carina tilted her head, considering her. “Now I keep training. Keep winning.”
“Oh, just like that, huh?” Maya huffed a quiet laugh, folding her arms. “No big deal. Win a gold medal, train for the next one. Easy.”
“I didn’t say it was easy. Just that it’s what I do.”
“Must be nice…” Maya muttered, something between admiration and envy in her tone.
Carina hummed and shifted closer, resting her arms on the railing beside Maya’s. Their elbows nearly brushed. “And what about you, Maya? Is it not what you do, too?”
Maya hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “I mean, yeah, I train. A lot. Too much, probably.” She glanced down, brushing invisible dust off her fencing jacket. “But I haven’t won anything. Not yet. So I wouldn’t know.”
Carina studied her intently for a moment, then smiled. “You will.” She simply said, like it was a fact, not a guess.
Maya’s eyes flicked up and met Carina’s. “You sound pretty sure of that.”
“I am.”
A grin tugged at the corner of Maya’s lips. “Careful, DeLuca. I might start thinking you actually like me.”
Carina’s laugh came quickly, bright and unguarded, her head falling back. “Maya, if I didn’t like you, do you think I’d be standing out here freezing in this ridiculous outfit?”
“Hey, don’t knock the fencing look.” Maya shot back, her coy grin fully breaking through now. “It’s a classic. Timeless, even.” She turned to Carina, then stepped a little closer. Before Carina could react, Maya reached for her jacket’s collar and zipped it back up fully. “There.” She said, her voice almost a whisper. “Might help with the freezing part.”
Carina swallowed, her heartbeat quickening inside her chest. Her gaze fell to Maya’s lips, unwittingly. “It was Gabi’s idea to leave it open.” The words came out quieter than she intended. “Something about making it sexier.”
Maya gulped, registering their sudden proximity. “You don’t need to show skin to be sexy.” She said, angling her body back toward the porch railing. Like putting a few inches of space between them would help her regain her composure. “Besides, there’s nothing sexier than women with swords. Everybody knows that.”
Carina grinned at her fully. “That’s exactly what I said.”
Maya turned to look at her and smiled back. They lingered like that for a few seconds, before Maya cleared her throat, trying to force her tone back to neutral. “So you and Gabriela…”
Carina caught the slight pause, the unspoken question under Maya’s words. Her smile didn’t fade, but it shifted slightly, like she knew exactly what was being asked. “We’re best friends.” She said smoothly. “And we’ve been fencing together forever. She came to see what all this fuss about Princeton is about. And for the free food.”
“Right.” Maya gave a single nod, maybe too quick. “So you just had to bring her to a Halloween party. To show her the full college experience.”
“Something like that…” Carina said, letting her words stretch just a little. Her head tilted to the side, eyes scanning Maya’s face as though she was still piecing her together. “What about you?” She asked. “Do you always go straight from practice to parties, or was this a one-time thing?”
Maya shrugged. “I don’t usually do parties. But Vic and Andy dragged me here, so…here I am. Straight from practice. No time to change.”
Carina gave her a slow once-over. “Clearly.”
“I guess you’re more of a party expert, then?”
“Not even close.” Carina laughed, shaking her head. “But if you ever need help with practice…” She let the words hang in the air just long enough. “I wouldn’t want to miss seeing you in London.”
Maya turned to her again, her pulse kicking up. “You’re really putting a lot of faith in me, huh?”
“I am.” Carina said in a low voice, her body leaning toward Maya’s dangerously. Then she straightened, holding out her hand. “Give me your phone.”
“What?” Maya blinked.
“Your phone, Maya.”
Still confused, Maya fumbled for it, pulling it from her fencing pants. Carina took it, fingers moving quickly across the screen before handing it back.
“There.” She said, her smirk firmly in place. “Now you can call me. Or text. If you ever need that help.”
Maya stared at the screen for a second, Carina’s name and number now saved in her contacts. By the time she looked up, Carina was already stepping back toward the party.
“See you in London, Maya Bishop.” She called over her shoulder before disappearing inside.
“Yeah.” Maya swallowed, her voice coming out a little uneven. “See you in London.”