Page 45 of Girls Will Be Girls
Through my labored breaths from the back of the pack, I hear some excited chatter coming from the front. I look up to see a small opening in the trees, leading to some large stacked rocks. We carefully scale the rocks, the sky slowly warming into a misty blue above us. I reach the flat ground and weave my way through the last of the trees to where everyone is standing, and the view opens up.
It’s like looking at a screensaver.
Below us, the lake sits calmly, surrounded by lush green trees with their leaves and pine needles hardly moving. You can hear the slightest bird song echoing around us as the sky is waiting to burst into color.
I stop where Willie’s standing and give him a sideways nod, still putting all the energy I have left into not sounding like a wounded dog. He points to a quiet spot towards the edge that’s hidden away behind the trees.
“That’s the best spot.” He says barely above a whisper. “Before someone else finds it.” He ushers me towards it.
I thinkImight be Willie’s favorite.
The thought almost makes me want to cry. The inner teacher’s pet in me is squealing with joy.
I sneak over, putting on a dramatic display for Willie, who’s rolling his eyes at my cartoon burglar walk.
I perch down onto the cold rock looking out over the lake, and wait for the sunrise. Covered by the trees and bushes around me, I feel like I’m completely alone up here. Like the sun is rising just for me.
A glimmer of light shoots up from the horizon, and it slowly paints the world in yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks, the colors deepening and spreading more by the second. The nearly cloudless sky brightens into lighter blues as the water copies its color. As the rays rise higher, they hit the shimmering water, making the world sparkle beneath us.
The sweat on my forehead starts to dry, and as with every hike, I feel stupid for overreacting to the climb. I once again feel guilty for complaining about my job. It’s so worth it up here. It’s always so worth it. Right on cue, I forget how much I hated it and enjoy the moment the world looks bejeweled.
With the sky lit up and the moment savored, Willie rounds us all up again, ready for the descent.
As I sneak back over from my hiding spot, he winks at me. I’m definitely his favorite, and I grin like I know it.
On the walk down, I proudly integrate into the middle of the group — no more holding up the rear for this girl. Time to pretend I wasn’t fighting for survival on the way up and that I’m a professional hiker on the way down.
There’s some loose gravel on one of the turns, and my footing slips slightly. The guy behind me grabs my arm and holds me up.
My cheeks blush slightly as I steady myself again.
“Thanks.” I look over my shoulder with a smile.
“No problem.” He smiles back.
My eyes do a double-take and linger on him longer than they should, and not because of what you’d think, even considering the endless frustration of last night, but because for a second, I thought he was the reason for my endless frustration.
He looks as if Lou has a blonde cousin. He has the same height, same build, and the same tanned skin. Both of their hair is sort of floppy, but this guy’s is light blonde and looks like it was manufactured in a bottle by someone who charges a hundred dollars per dollop.
They definitely look similar, but studying his face a little more, they have some stark differences. This guy’s face is more angular, more well-groomed. His eyes darker, less colorful. His smile different. Lou’s is big and open, warm and genuine, but this guy has more of a smug smile, like when Lou puts on his charming politician act. It’s nice, but not something you could easily obsess over when you can’t sleep.
He lets go of my arm and smiles wider. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I echo.
I give him one more smile before turning to keep walking down the hill. He jogs for a second to come in step next to me.
“I’m Otto.” He extends his hand.
I shake it. “Louisa.”
“I didn’t see you on the walk up.” He says, still smiling.
“I was at the back. Making sure no one got left behind.” I joke.
“Noble.” He nods. “I was at the front. Making sure no one beat me.”
“Wow.” I blurt. “Not so noble.”
