Love, Camping

Chapter 17 | Assets

Jessica Timbers P.O.V.

From Derrick: Wear something nice. I know a place where I want to take you.

The next morning, I woke up to a text from Derrick. As he asked, I resolved on wearing a simple peach-colored dress with a deep v-neck and elbow-length bell sleeves. The dress cinched around my waist and flowed down to my mid-thigh.

My hair was pulled into a pony tail, and whatever makeup I had on melted a long time ago.

I grabbed Alex's wrist to stop him.

"Let us take a break." I panted, bending down to hold my knees.

He nodded, and both of us walked to the side of the track. We sat down on a rectangular rock made for people to sit on and relax.

I pulled out my water bottle, only to find that it was empty. I asked Alex, and the same went for him.

"Sit here. I will look for water." He told me as he walked in the opposite direction of the path from where we came.

I pulled out my hankerchief and wiped my face, followed by smoothing out my hair.

I sat, listening to the mellow sounds of birds and the rustling of leaves.

The track stretched ahead in an unending journey and, I began to wonder whether the trip was worth losing my legs.

"Boo!"

I yelped, losing my balance and falling sideways.

I heard a laugh, and I looked up to see Derrick standing there, laughing at me.

"Very funny." I grimaced, rubbing my elbow.

He smiled, and it reached his eyes.

"Come on. Let me take you somewhere." He grabbed my arm and pulled me up.

I dusted off my clothes, smoothing out the creases that has formed. His eyes fell on my dress, and he complimented me. I replied with a playfully glare.

"I am waiting for Alex; he went to get me some water. I don't want to worry him if he doesn't find me here."

He rolled his eyes. "We will be back before you know it."

I bit my lip, contemplating. But after much convincing, he succeeded in bringing me around to his plan.

"Fine! But first, I need water. I am thirsty." I folded my arms, watching him pull out a water bottle from his backpack.
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"Derrick! We are in a freaking restricted area! Where are you taking me?" I hissed at him.

The board that we passed on our way clearly said 'Restricted Area' with a no hiking symbol in bright red, but Derrick dragged me past it, nevertheless.

I scowled at the back of his head when he ignored me for the fifth time in row.

I've been carefully manoeuvring my way through the rocky terrain for several minutes now. The path was made of various sizes of rocks and stones, and I took care not to slip and break my bones.

All of a sudden, he stopped, and I bumped into his back. I clutched his arm to balance myself.

"We are almost there." He spoke.

I frowned, but then I heard the burbling of a stream. He grabbed my hand, and we picked up our pace.

I stopped short on my steps.

The line of trees finally opened up to a scenic waterfall.

The waterfall was a stunning white. It was rushing down a cliff and gushing over the rocks. At the bottom was a lovely, peaceful pool. Massive rocks covered in thin layer of moss surrounded the pool, with trees and branches reaching out to touch its beauty. Birds and insects sang and danced around, adding to the waterfall's music.