Page 15 of Nocere

Chapter Three

I wasn't sure if it was my new hair that gave me the confidence to join these women on a hiking trip, or the fact that I had fun with them the night prior. Whatever the reason, I didn't hate it, and for my first hike, it wasn't too terrible. Jordan seemed to have a different opinion, however. Two hours into the hike, she dropped down to sit on a rock and whined.

"Why did I agree to this? I'm gonna die." She groaned and fanned herself with her phone. "And my hair is getting poofy."

Ainsley laughed at her and turned her water bottle upside down over the front of Jordan's shirt. "Cool off, bubba."

Jordan gasped and shrieked. "Ainsley!"

"Quit shouting. Get it together, girl." Ainsley handed her a wrapped sandwich. "And eat something before I push you in the canyon."

Samirah and I laughed at them, then joined them as Ainsley's gesture seemed to trigger lunchtime. The two of them continued to battle it out while I pulled my pack into my lap, then dug around for a protein bar. I unwrapped it and took a few bites while Jordan and Ainsley opened a bag of chips.

"That's all you brought?" asked Samirah as she gestured in my direction.

"I don't mind it," I said, showing her the double-chocolate crunch bar.

"Here." She turned to the side and lifted the second half of her turkey sandwich, then offered it to me.

I started, holding my hand up to her. "No-no, it's okay. I'm good."

"In an hour, you'll be starving with just that. Trust me. I'm a doctor." Samirah chuckled, lifting a single brow at me. "It's not poisoned. I promise."

"But then you'll be hungry…"

"How about this then." She set the sandwich in my lap, then snatched the second half of my protein bar out of my hand. "We each eat half of both."

I let out a soft laugh and nodded, because how could I argue with that. "Okay."

"Good." Samirah smiled then wagged her brows at me while taking an oversized bite of her sandwich. I picked up my half and joined her in it.

Jordan and Ainsley continued to poke and prod each other, so I kept my focus on Samirah. Her calmer presence didn't unnerve me as much as the wild ones across the rock. Birds chirped in the trees around us and a sparrow nibbled on food bits left beside us. I picked a few pieces of bread off my sandwich and tossed him some. A chickadee landed beside him and before I knew it, they moved close to my crossed legs while I shared my lunch with them. I held a few crumbs in my palm, and my surprise, they hopped closer, stole the food, and flew off.

"That was super cute," said Samirah, leaning her chin on her hands. "Like you."

"They must be used to humans from all the trail—what?" My stomach tensed when what she said caught up to me.

"I think you heard me."

"I'm not cute." I dropped my gaze to the ground in front of me, then gathered the wrappers from our trash. Samirah's hand fell to my forearm, and I froze. I glanced at her, and her grip turned to a gentle stroke.

"I think you're cute," she said. Her eyes, intense and hazel, bore into me as if daring me to challenge that.

"Okay," was all I managed to say.

I urged my arm away from her and turned to Ainsley who immediately rose from her space beside Jordan to come sit across from me.

"Can you take me home?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Of course. Rosie, I think you should hear Sami out for a minute though." Ainsley held her hand to me, but I wrapped my arms around myself instead of taking it.

"Rose, I'm sorry that I upset you. I didn't mean to," said Samirah, turning sideways so that she faced both of us. "Are you angry?"

"Yes," I said, a rush of relief following when she gave voice to the emotion I struggled to keep at bay.

"What made you angry?"

"I feel like the three of you set me up on purpose. I don't like that. I want to leave." I pulled my pack over my shoulders after tossing my water bottle in it.

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