An ALL-AMERICAN Summer Love

Something New - Chapter 4

Olivia:  Spencer, I am here.  You?

Spencer:  Yes, I am at the visitor's center.  

Olivia:  Cool.  Headed your way.

Spencer is checking out all the attractions that are available on the map of the park.  He suddenly feels someone from behind covering his eyes. "Guess who", Olivia says.  "Ummmm, is it the SNORER", Spencer jokingly asks.  He bursts out laughing.  Olivia reveals herself and says "You know what.  I see you are not going to let that go." "Nope, I am not", Spencer says.  He then pauses for a minute staring at her. "What is it", she asks. Spencer snaps out of it and says, "I mean you all the way fly yet for some reason you are appropriately dressed for the hike."  "Oh, you thought I was going be dressed like Dora Explorer meets Jack Hanna or something?" They both laughed and he compliments her further by saying she is going to be the best looking hiker these trails have seen.  She can't help but to blush. 

"Wait! This entire trail hike is 53 miles long", Olivia ask.  "Yeah, I saw that too but you can choose which ever route you want. I think we should start at the observatory parking lot and hike the trail leading up to Mount Hollywood.  I read that it is the highest peak of the park and there are some awesome views of the entire L.A. basin.  The park doesn't close until 10:30 and we have more than enough time.  Does that work for you, Spencer asks?"  "Lead the way, Mr. James".

"Spencer did you hear that?"  "Hear what, Liv?"  "That!"  Olivia quickly grabs Spencer and doesn't realize she is paralyzing him with her strong grip.  "Liv, you are crushing me he says with much struggle while gasping for air."  Olivia releases him instantly.  She hears the sound again and jumps on his back and wraps her arms around his neck. He naturally grabs her lower legs which are wrapped around his waist.  At the moment, a fox comes out the bushes and quickly runs back in...  "Girl, you about to take us both out over a fox?"  "Well, how was I suppose to know it was a fox."  She jumps off his back and he looks at her and shakes his head.  " I guess I should mention that there are deer, coyotes, wild quail, rodents and rattlesnakes out here", Spencer says.  "There are what out here", Olivia asks fearfully.  "Liv, the chances of them being on the actual trails are slim.  As long as we stay on the trails, we are safe", Spencer assures her.  You mentioned none of this to me before I agreed to hiking Olivia points out.  Who are you with?  Who do you trust?  Who got your back?  And if you don't know by now who is going to protect you?  Olivia answered, "you" to each question Spencer threw at her. At that moment, she felt that sense of security and safety after his reassurance.  "So, can we finish this hike, Mrs. Baker"?   He noticed a strand of her hair was out of place.  He placed it behind her ear.  "We wouldn't want a hair strand to make you mistaken some grass or tree branch as a rattlesnake," he teases her. She was caught up in his small gesture that she didn't have a smart comeback. She just simply replied, "Continue to lead the way, Mr. James." He took her hand and they continued the hike. 

"This is absolutely breathtaking, Spencer."  Olivia is in awe.  "L.A. looks so different from this dope view," Spencer says.  She and Spencer took a few fun selfies when they realize the sun was setting.  Spencer you got to capture me looking like I am kissing the sun as it goes down.  He looks at her confused.  "Tell me where to move to look like I am kissing the sun though I am not really but the picture will reflect", Liv says.  "Aight, aight! I gotcha! Move to the left just a little and tilt you head up.  Perfect! One more before the sun sets!  He snaps capturing the perfect picture.  Olivia looks at their selfies and can't believe how well Spencer captured her kissing the sun pics.  "Spencer, these are great!  She hugs and kissed him on the cheek.  They see a nearby bench and decide to take a little break before heading back before it gets dark.

They both are sitting quietly just taking in the calming views.  Spencer turns to her and breaks the silence.   Liv?  Yeah she says.  Thanks for spending this afternoon with me.  Honestly, I just needed to get away and not think about anything.  Not me transferring back to Crenshaw or making such a big promise to my community about bringing home a championship next season.  I just needed a day for me.  Spencer, is everything good Olivia asks him.  Oh yea, everything is good.  But some days you just need a...what you girls and my mom call it...a ME day? He smiles at her.  "Nothing like it", she responds proudly.   But you do know that a ME day consist of just the person who needs the day.  Hence the reason it is called ME day.  She says tucking her lips in with her eyes wide apart.  Well, it was my ME day right?  And I chose to spend it with you.  She turns towards him.  "Spencer, why would you want to spend a perfect day to get away from it all even if it was only for a couple of hours with me?"  He grabs both of her hands.  "Liv, my ME day for me is not necessarily me being by myself but doing something for me.  I know that last night was rough for you more than you lead on and admitted.  I also know that I can relax and just be me around you without the pressure of being an All-American wide receiver, the community hero and whatever else Spencer James is expected to be.  So, though it was my ME day I chose to spend with someone who allows me to be ME.  Her eyes were glossy-like and she did not want to cry in front of him.  So, she just moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder.  He put his arm around her and they take in last minute views of the L.A. basin.  "This afternoon was totally something new for me but I am glad I got to spend it with you.  So, thank you Liv," Spencer says.  With no response, Olivia continues to rest her head on his shoulder and slowly wraps her arms around his waist.  With no direct eye contact to him, Olivia inhales and as Spencer adjusts his arm around her she slowly exhales with tears falling.