Chapter Two #3
We park at the end of the quiet, dead-end street where trees form a thick wood line, their leaves rustling gently.
The twins quickly spring out of the car to retrieve their items from the trunk.
Blake hoists a large blue cooler, while Beck juggles two bags.
One small and sleek, the other much larger.
Realizing I’ve only brought myself and my phone, I offer to carry Beck’s bags for her.
In return, she gives a smile of appreciation.
We then start our trek through the dense, wooded area with tall trees looming overhead.
If anyone were to watch us, they might think we are simply vanishing into an endless green forest. But for us, this forest holds memories; we’ve wandered these paths countless times, memorizing each twist and turn.
Starting as curious kids, we explored corners we probably shouldn’t have.
This particular path is one I’m glad we did.
It was our secret trail, leading to something much more than just lines of trees.
After a few minutes of walking along the path, we reach two large, moss-covered logs on either side of the trail, their sturdy shapes pointing toward the small clearing beyond the trees.
I still vividly remember the day Blake and I rolled those logs into place.
When we were around ten and eleven-years-old, we truly felt we had accomplished something significant, having created the coolest checkpoint on our way to our final destination.
Beck had enjoyed watching us struggle to move the logs from their original spots.
It didn’t help that she nagged us from the tree limb she sat on above us.
Every so often, small twigs or crumbled leaves would hit my head, accompanied by giggles and snorts.
I learned it was best not to react because it only made her even more amped up.
Still, it was hard to hide the smile on my face—until Blake caught it and shoved me for feeding into his twin sister’s playful antics.
The memory sticks with me as I step out into the sunlit clearing, the warm rays surrounding me like a comforting blanket.
A breeze swirls through the air, carrying the last weeks of summer.
In Mavesdale, September marks the end of the season’s warmth.
I carefully set Beck’s bags on the ground, taking a moment to absorb the beauty of this hidden gem we had discovered during our childhood adventures.
The trees’ vibrant greens sway, their leaves slowly hinting at the golden hues of early fall.
The familiarity of it all stirs up years of memories.
After removing our shoes, we stand on the flat ledge, our feet firmly planted on the cool, rough stone as we gaze out at the expansive lake that stretches before us.
Its surface shimmers like a sheet of glass, perfectly mirroring the blues of the sky above.
Across from us, in the distance, are the western mountains.
In the evening, the sunsets here are stunning.
The pinks and purples cast over the distant peaks of the mountains, while reflecting on the water.
It reminds me of something you’d see in a painting hanging in an art gallery somewhere.
Beck empties her larger bag, pulling out an oversized blanket to lie on the ground. I grab one side to help lay it flat, while Blake sets the cooler down on one corner to anchor it. Next, she pulls out a small Bluetooth speaker.
“I’ll take that, ma’am,” Blake drawls. He often feels the need to control what we’re listening to, whether in a car or in any other situation involving music.
That’s how he developed his stage name, DJ Bliz-ake.
And yeah, I know how cringy it sounds—that was the whole point when Beck and I assigned the name to him.
He despises us for it, but he holds his chin high as he does.
Once he turns the music up, he yanks his shirt over his head and tosses it carelessly onto the ground, sprinting toward the ledge. He quickly shouts, “First one in has the biggest dick in Mavesdale!” He then jumps headfirst over the ten-foot ledge, landing smoothly in the water.
Beck and I exchange amused looks as we move closer, looking down at Blake as he floats on the lake, signaling us to come join him.
Beck rolls her eyes playfully as she strides back to the blanket where her things are.
I trail behind her, slipping my shirt off and removing my phone from my pocket.
As I catch up, I can feel her glance over her shoulder, her gaze briefly tracing the contours of my shoulders and chest. A flush rises to my cheeks, but she quickly clears her throat, redirecting her attention back to the items scattered on the blanket.
I watch as her auburn hair flutters in the breeze, catching the sunlight and shimmering in shades of red and brown.
She keeps her eyes fixed on the ground, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as she pulls her shirt over her head, the fabric clinging briefly before falling away.
With a flick of her wrist, she unbuttons her shorts, sliding them down her long, sun-kissed legs.
When she stands back up, I let my eyes wander along her body.
She wears a dark blue two-piece bathing suit that perfectly showcases her young, womanly curves.
My eyes linger on the small birthmark at her lower left hip.
What was just a mark to me before now feels more intimate.
I catch myself wanting to trace my thumb along it, but the silly thought quickly evaporates as Blake yells for us.
“Ladies first.” I gestured toward Beck.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she steps confidently to the edge and launches herself into the air, diving in. She deliberately lands just inches from Blake, sending a splash of cool water into his face. He retaliates by showering her with another wave of water.
“Alright, birthday boy, let’s see what you’ve got!
” Blake’s voice echoes. I turn around, planting my feet firmly on the tip of the ledge and letting my heels hang off just a little.
“Oh, here we go, show-off,” Blake whines dramatically, though a giggle escapes from Beck beside him.
I bite back a smile as I backflip off the ledge, landing feet first into the water, just feet away from the twins.
The lake feels lukewarm against my skin.
I lean back into the water, letting the tension that has clung to my muscles slowly melt away.
With each moment, I sense the anxiousness that was wrapped tightly around my nerves slowly begin to fade.
I needed this today. This place has always been a haven where I can escape my thoughts.
Even though it’s only minutes from home, I could always come here to create distance from my father.
He was hateful most days, or he barely spoke to me at all.
We were never close, at least as far as I remember.
Over the years, his drinking worsened, and that’s when he started being physically aggressive toward my mom.
He was always so angry at the world. Sometimes I wondered if he just hated us.
We were always relieved when Uncle Jesse came over.
Dad never acted out when he was there, but the tension was visible.
I think Jesse suspected something, too. There was no way to hide the smell of alcohol that seeped from my father’s pores.
So many times I wanted to call Jesse and tell him everything, but I never did.
I often wondered if he already knew, and was trying to shield me from the truth.
I was only a kid worrying about things I shouldn’t have to.
But he’s always been kind to me, even though he isn’t my father; he filled in some gaps I never got to experience with my own dad.
I’ve always looked up to him. Even with work taking up most of his time, he has done his best to ensure that Mom and I were okay.
After that night on my thirteenth birthday, I went over a year without coming here—or going anywhere, really—aside from still going to school.
Unless my uncle Jesse was visiting, I made a point to be close to home.
The threats my father gave before he left never left my mind.
I realize that I’ve missed out on so many things over my teenage years.
I’ve allowed him to haunt me, just as he wanted.
My racing mind comes to a halt as something unexpectedly grasps my leg beneath the surface of the water.
I instinctively reach down and grab what feels like an arm.
Suddenly, Beck bursts from the depths, laughter bubbling out of her.
I retaliate, swiftly dunking her head back underwater.
When she reemerges, her laughter intermingles with mine.
Beck shakes her head vigorously, her wet curls flying around her face in a wild, playful dance.
With a mischievous look in her eyes, she intentionally flings water in my direction, droplets catching the sunlight like tiny diamonds.
The familiar scent of her floral shampoo envelops me, sweet and refreshing.
As she closes her eyes, I watch her effortlessly comb her fingers through her damp hair, the sunlight making each strand shimmer.
She then carefully tucks the curls behind her ears.
Her blue eyes, vibrant and clear, now lock onto mine, studying me with an intensity that feels both exhilarating and unnerving at the same time, as if she’s trying to decipher the thoughts swirling in my mind.
I find myself caught in a moment of silent contemplation, my gaze shifting back and forth between her captivating eyes.
The sun reflects off her thick lashes, holding tiny droplets of water that glisten in the golden light, as if nature itself is highlighting her beauty at this very moment.
Something has shifted between us; I can feel it flowing through me, but I haven’t quite figured out what it is.
I used to see Beck as just my best friend.
My protective nature has always been there for her, and I know I care deeply for her.
How could I not? We’ve been in each other’s lives since we were kids.
But this…this is something different. And I know the answers to it all will reveal themselves sooner rather than later.