Talks On The Dock

Hike day

"Nikki, is that weird to you?" She heard him say, though she hadn't been listening. "What is?" The girl said, a mouth full of poorly made eggs for breakfast in her mouth. You think the quartermasters cooking would increase somewhat over the years. But none the less they still got served lawn clippings some times. "Max is really sleeping in, more then usual.. should we go check up on him.?" Neil said with a worried tone. The boy always worried about his friends health. Especially max. "Fear not dear Neil, i shall go wake him up. Be right back!" And with that Nikki dashed off.

On her way to his tent, the girl put in two baby pigtails of her already short hair. Gently opening the flap. And there the boy was, snoring softly and in a deep sleep. The girl felt somewhat bad, should she have not encouraged him to stay up with her? But he really seemed to enjoy there time together. Maybe she would talk about it later with him. "MaaAax.!" The girl sang, sitting on the edge of his poorly made bed. "Margh.." is all that could be heard from him. Gently Nikki poked his cheek, causing him to swat his hand. Yet she was still determined. This time, her hand rested on his shoulder, shaking gently.

"..wh.?" The tired boy looked up at her. God what a cutie, his squinty eyes and messed up hair. And how his shirt hung so loosely around his body. It was obviously a couple sizes to big. She loved his arms, and his shoulders. Not to mention his hands looked so soft as well. Nikki cleared her throat as she took her hand back. A nervous smile crossing her lips. "Its almost 11, we're going on a hike today." She said with a nod. Her love for nature and the outdoors never faded. Maybe thats what Max liked about her. "Fuck that." Is all he said, slumping back down into his bed and closing his eyes. That is, until he felt her plop down next to him. "Max! Come on! Its only our second day back together! You cant go edgy and sleepy now."

Her eye level was with his, the sweat rushed to his palms as he looked at her soft and clear skin. Swallowing sharply as he stood up and threw his hoodie on. Nikki had successfully got him up. "Alright come on! Neils waiting in the mess hall." Softly Nikki turned on that small coffee machine he had in his tent, and handed him the coffee. Max found it sweet how she could always could tell what he needed or wanted without him even say anything. And of course he could to that for her as well.

Finally, the two walked into the mess hall laughing and talking, Neil springing up at the two. A small sigh of relief coming with it. "There you are! Thought i was gonna be stuck with her all day." Neil said, glancing over to Nikki. "I can still make that arrangement." Max said with a scoff. Causing Nikki to laugh and sit back down at the table. The two sitting down after.

"Alright Campers! Grab your waters and trail mix we're going on a hike!" And with that, everyone groaned and followed David out of the mess hall. Everyone talking amongst themselves, laughs and chatter could be heard miles away. Every now and then, Nikki felt her hand brush up against Max's as they walked. Slightly glancing at him, and only seeing him turn to Neil and start talking. Now that she thought about it, he was much taller then before, and his voice is deeper, shoulders are more broad.. "IM GOING ROUGUE." Nikki suddenly yelled. The two boys looking at her for a split second, before she quickly climbed up a tree without another word.

"Jeez, that tree had close to no branches how did she do that?" Neil said with a laugh. Max only chuckling and shrugging. Of course he felt it, her soft hand brushing his. Its all he could think about right now. Max needed to get over what ever this was and fast, it was messing with his flow. Whatever that meant. Meanwhile, Nikki was walking a different path, maybe to clear her head, or maybe so she would stop staring at him. And smiling every time he laughed.

"Ive never cared about teenage boys." Soft flowers crunching could be heard. "So why now? During summer when everything is supposed to be fine!" Nikki's expression was frustrated, maybe a little embarrassed too. But she found it more annoying then thrilling. She couldn't talk to anyone, or tell anyone. Cause then it would make everything weird, right?  "Its..fine." The turquoise haired girl mumbled, slumping down in the pile of flowers. "Its fine." Flowers began to be pulled roughly from there stems. Quickly twisted one with another. "Breathe."

A small breathe could be heard. As her eyebrows softened and she gently watched her hands. The stems intertwining one after another. Flower crowns were maybe the only thing Nikki remembered from the flower scouts. Possibly because it was something she enjoyed watching. How her fingers new every action, every movement, the flowers falling into perfect place. Falling into perfect- "Nikki." The voice made her eyes pull away. Looking up to where the voice came from. Max's voice. "What're you doing?"

His expression was tired, as always, but still curious of what she was doing. Nikki only smiled up at him and back down to her flower crown. "Witchcraft." She responded plainly, attempting to forget about what she was thinking about. "You okay?" Max sat down next to her. "Yeah, wheres Neil?" Nikki said, slightly looking around, and wondering why he even left in the first place. "Whats wrong?" He asked. Max was always good at reading her. "..Im" Nikki's gaze fell away from him for a moment. "Thinking." She finished.

"Ive been, worried i guess?" Nikki never really talked about her feelings. Let alone with Max, since he would scrunch up and get awkward. Though right now, in this cool air and under the sun, he seemed at ease. "That i uh.. i guess i just want to enjoy this summer. And im worried that maybe i might..ruin it?" Nikki explained. Her voice sounding unsure now that she was saying it out loud. "I keep thinking about home."

Her hands began to shake. "And how i realized im.." slowly Nikki brought her knees to her chest, in a small ball. Tears welled in her eyes. "Im happier here then home." Max could physically feel his heart break. Mostly because he knew exactly what she meant, and how she felt. Nikki suddenly felt two hands around her waist, being pulled out of her shell and into his arms. The smell of coffee, mint gum and a bit of lavender filled her brain. "You're the best thing here nik." The boy said, her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders. A soft smile crossing her lips. "You couldn't mess the whole summer up, i promise." The boy pulled away gently, the two sitting close to each other.

Her hands still resting on his shoulders, as his on her hips. Nikki smiled, a soft scoff coming out as she wiped the small stream of water from her cheek.
"Thanks Max." Softly, the girl landed a kiss on his cheek. Holding his face in her other hand. The warmth and soft feeling of her lips made him melt. The boy couldn't move, looking at her with a surprised expression. Max couldnt even think. "MAX! There you are you asshole i fucking- look!" As Neil quickly ran in, the girl softly took her hands back, resting back in the flowers and smirking at Neils senseless screaming. Max could only stare at her. "I HAVE POISON IVY. Oh god ew" Nikki only laughed and stood up.

Come on Max, quit staring.