A Test of Faith [bxb]

5. So My Needs are Great

"How'd you sleep?"

The mess hall was full at breakfast. A dull roar of laughter and loud conversations bounced off the walls and crowded the space. Alex's head rested on my shoulder as he picked hashbrowns off my plate.

"Fine." It was a lie. I had shut myself in my tent long before the sun set, and my restless sleep didn't start until long afterwards.

"You got, what, fourteen hours of sleep?" Ezra smirked. It was apparent he was determined to be an asshole for the rest of the outing.

"Yep, slept like a baby." I returned a mocking smile.

"You sure aren't acting like it," Alex said through a mouthful of my food. Wait a second. I pulled my tray closer and scowled at him.

Jacob spoke up from the other side of the table. "You're acting like Manny, honestly."

"Shut the fuck up," Manny grumbled. His response brought on a chorus of stifled laughter from the others at the accuracy of Jacob's statement.

"Seriously, it's our last full day here. Let's cheer you up, Lucas." Alex kissed the side of my head and I tried to dramatically scrub it off.

"Why don't we go hiking? I missed out on that first day hike," Ezra asked, chewing on his lips. No matter how annoyed I was at him, it was always hypnotizing to watch his mouth move.

"Can't we just chill on the lake again?"

"I'm not doing that again," I dismissed Manny's suggestion. If we went swimming, we'd end up playing chicken and Ezra's hands would end up on my thighs and I'd end up with another problem.

"Okay Negative Nancy. How about us three go swimming and y'all just go hiking?" Alex gestured to Ezra and me. Our eyes met, his dark brows raised and his lips rolled into a teasing smile.

I wanted to punch him. I think. I wanted to do something, for sure. "I'd love to," I said through an exaggerated smile.

Ezra laughed. That airy, light laugh that flirted with my ears. God, I wanted to punch him. "Works for me. I'll meet you out there."

• • •

It didn't take long to put together a backpack. After Alex forced me to take his box of goldfish — What if you get lost and starve to death? — I could only fit a water bottle and bug spray anyway.

Ezra was waiting at the start of a trail tucked behind the first aid cabin. It was overgrown, a trail once walked by hundreds of campers a year now littered with wildflowers and weeds. Even amongst the vibrant colors of the aster and toadflax, Ezra's golden skin outshone everything else.

He flashed a smile as I approached, and I almost forgot that I was mad at him. Honestly, I couldn't even remember why I was mad at him. Why was I mad at him?

"I'm still mad at you," I said.

His smile widened. "I don't think you even know why you're mad at me." I took his outstretched hand and stepped onto the trail. Fresh leaves rustled over the dirt path and patches of moss kissed its edges.

"You don't know that."

He released my hand and I immediately missed the warmth. Ezra hooked his thumbs under the straps of his backpack, starting on the path alongside me.

"Then tell me why you're mad at me," he said.

I kept my eyes fixated on the ground. A line of ants were leading the way, guiding us into the forest. My attention focused on a single ant dragging a dandelion petal. It was weighing him down, making him lag behind the others.