James is a really thin guy, with thinning ginger hair, and a bushy beard that covers tiny freckles across his face. Liz is a tall girl that sports a beautiful tanned complexion that denotes the many months of living in a sunny paradise. They both arrive in Yamaha's RX100, one blue and the other black. 

Scott steps out of the house and embraces James as one does when reuniting with childhood friends. 

"Good to see you, Scooter," James says with a wide grin on his face. 

Scott places a kiss on Liz's face that returns with a tight hug. 

"Welcome back," she whispers to his ear. "Wow, she's more gorgeous in person." while looking at Aimee that stands in the background. 

Scott squeezes her back softly. "Careful..." he warns her. 

Liz steps out of the bike to greet Aimee. "You must be Aimee," she says while Aimee takes a few steps towards them and shakes hands with Liz. "This guy cannot stop talking about you."

Scott lowers his eyes to the ground embarrassedly while James gives him a friendly tap on the back before reaching his hand to shake Aimee's. "Hiya," he says.

"Hey" she responds timidly. 

"So, are you guys ready?" James asks. 

Liz hands the bike keys to Scott. "We will go to the school first. The children are about to have dinner, and then we'll go and have something to eat together in a place nearby."

Scott hops on the bike confidently. "Sounds great," he stares at Aimee that is still a few steps behind. "Hop on. This is our beast now."

"We have a beast?" she asks incredulously. 

James and Liz laugh, "It's the only way to commute around. Besides we are still a few miles away from the orphanage." James says.

Aimee sighs, "I've never been a great fan of bikes."

"Says the girl that surfs in shark-infested waters..." Scott smirks and pulls her hand gently. "I'll go slow, I promise."

Aimee looks at his eyes and notices how his hand lingers in hers. 

Liz walks over to her and places her helmet over her head. "This also helps. I did tell James to get you guys some helmets but he didn't want to listen." and she buckles the helmet to secure it on her head. 

"I can't take your helmet," Aimee responds. 

"Don't worry, I'll be wearing his helmet," she points at James. "He can have his skull out and about." They both laugh heartily while James scratches his head that is glued to his forehead from the sweat.

"What are you going to do when you swell up?" Scott says while touching gently her belly.

"Are you?" Aimee enquires. 

Liz smiles, "Yeah, we just found out." she turns her attention to Scott. "and, we will get a car."

"Let's go. I want to get to the orphanage before dinner or it will disrupt their schedule." James says and Liz climbs back on the bike while placing James' helmet on her head.

Scott gives an encouraging nod and Aimee climbs behind him. "You need to hook your feet here." Scott guides her left leg to find the right place to set her feet, and Aimee mechanically finds the right side. "Hold me so you have a grip." Aimee holds him so tightly that cuts Scott's air supply. He coughs, "Not so hard. I need to breathe."

Aimee lowers her head, "I'm sorry" and releases it all together.

Scott chuckles and takes her hands and places them again around his torso. "Like that. Don't worry, I've got you." Scott takes control of the two-wheeled vehicle and follows the other bike through the narrow path lined neatly by the surrounding palm trees. 

Aimee relaxes her frame after the first curves and counter curves on the road. The air on her face feels refreshing and Scott keeps his promise to keep it reasonably slow for a bike. He keeps talking to her throughout the journey and making small jokes. His perfume evades her senses with the wind and she leans closer to him to smell the sweet fragrance that exudes from his body. 

The orphanage is a closed compound in the middle of nowhere. Once the tall gates open three cream coloured buildings contour the wide playground in front of the main gate. Once they park the bikes, Aimee inspects the buildings closer and the state of disrepair of each building starts to be noticeable. 

James leads the way. "Let's meet the children first and then I'll show you guys around." 

James enters the first building on the left side and the others follow. Even before reaching the entrance, the cheerful and familiar sound of children playing can be heard by the visitors. 

Aimee walks inside the building on her left. Inside, there is a spacious room with students sitting on the ground that is furnished with thin carpets and some square pillows. There are no tables or chairs and almost every student is sitting on the ground, with the exception of a few energetic that still run amock. 

"See, what I told you?" James says to Scott while pointing to cracks on the ceiling. 

Scott inspects the state of the ceiling. He climbs up on a stone divider and touches one of the cracks. "This roof won't last much longer, and you have the monsoon to worry about soon." James nods in agreement. 

Scott climbs down and glances around. "You also need some furniture." 

Aimee stares fascinated at this side of Scott that she's getting a glimpse of for the first time. 

 "Tell me about it," James pats him on the back. 

Liz claps her hands to get the attention of all the children. 

"Hey guys, can I have your attention?" James asks. 

Most of the children start quieting down. 

"Ruben, you too. Please sit." Liz says to a cheeky boy that perseveres in his childish antics. 

"I want you to meet two of my friends. This is Scott and Aimee and they will be with us for some time." James announces. 

"What do we say when we meet someone new?" Liz asks.

"Hello, nice to meet you." All children say in unison in a clearly rehearsed greeting.

"Has everyone washed their hands?" Liz asks and some of the children giggle. "Go back to your seats. Bastian is coming with food and will inspect each pair of tiny hands in this room so you better have washed up your hands before he comes 'round." 

Some children get up and run outside quickly while Liz smiles and shakes her head.

James heads out, and the others follow him. "We have two custodians, Liz is taking care of the schooling but needs help, and I need help with repairing this place." 

They enter the main building. The room is bare with a broken blackboard on the furthest wall, a few books in a corner and a small desk for a teacher that has some stationery in the drawer. 

James points at holes in the ceiling to Scott while Aimee walks around and inspects the few pieces of furniture available. 

"Do you think you are up to teach these kids?"  Liz approaches her. 

Aimee contemplates the question. "There's almost nothing in this room. Is the room where the children sleep the same?"

Liz nods, "Sadly, yes." 

They both walk towards the corner of the room where the books are pilled up. 

"I have all the books with English syllabus but nothing else so I need to get creative at times." she shows her the alphabet on the floor in chalk. "I have too many kids and I really need to start splitting them by age. Maybe you can take the youngsters and I'll take the older kids? Whatever you are more comfortable with."

Aimee looks at the alphabet on the floor. "I'm not really a teacher."

"Do you like children?" Liz enquires. 

"Yes, of course," Aimee responds. 

"You just need patience and love to give to these kids." 

Aimee looks to Scott that is excitedly making plans with James. "I'll take the younger kids," Aimee says. She walks over the pile of books and opens a storybook. "You do know we are only going to be around for a month, right? Cause this seems more work than one month worth."

Liz smiles and instinctively cradles her belly. "We'll take what you've got and besides you never know, you might change your mind." 

Author's Note:

Photo by Yannis H on Unsplash