Solitude

7| Pond

"I told you that it is real." You make your way through the maze of trees and bushes, getting a glimpse of shining water. "And you thought I wouldn't find it."

Wanda isn't that far behind you, breathing heavily because the last few minutes were steeper than usual. "Well, you weren't that sure of it at first. Besides, you misled us thrice this morning until we found the right track." 

"At least I found it in the end or we wouldn't be at this beautiful place." You point to the pond that is hidden in the middle of the forest. "Natasha told me about it a few years ago when she discovered it with her girlfriend"

"You shouldn't have said that." Wanda slaps you on the shoulder. "I don't think I can go into the pond where Nat probably fucked the girl."

"You don't know that." You argue, trying to keep a serious face that cracks in a matter of seconds. "Okay.. yeah, that actually does sound like something Nat would do. But you need to see the good side of it. It happened years ago."

"That doesn't help."

"Okay, just try to forget everything I said during the last minute. That shouldn't be so difficult for you." You wave off her comment, placing your backpack on the ground. "We're here to take a short dip in the pond and not waste our time arguing about which positions they were doing in here." 

"Oh, please stop talking." Wanda presses her hands against her ears, having the sudden urge to throw you into the pond. "Just get inside the water."

"Nothing more than that!" 

Her eyes drop to the skin on your stomach as you take off your clothes. Oh, god. Hidden under the sweater you truly have abs. Heat rises to her face and other places. When did she become a teenager again? She is a grown woman for fucked sake. 

Wanda immediately turns around, inspecting the trees to avoid looking at you. Don't act so pathetic it's embarrassing, Wanda. Hearing the cracking of tree branches under her feet, you steal a glance at her. Your hands freeze for a moment, too preoccupied with watching her as she touches the leaves.

"Are those maples?" Wanda asks, keeping her gaze locked on the plant. "I didn't know that they could grow in these conditions."

You part your lips. Besides having not much trust in your own education, you are one hundred percent sure that this tree is named Norway maple. Hence it comes as no surprise that it grows here. Additionally, you are sure - without praising the redhead too much - that she is the brightest out of the two of you.  

"Norway's nature is so breathtaking, isn't it?"

Okay. That's weird. She's acting weird, isn't she? You wait for her to turn back around but she remains in the position, facing the tree and looking at it with the most unrealistic interest you have ever seen. Nodding to yourself, you get into the pond. She's crazy. Nothing you didn't already know about her.

Another minute passes by, and the redhead continues to stare into nature. You lean your head back against the stone wall, watching her with curious eyes. Playing with the water between your fingers, you can't keep silent any longer. 

"Are you going to stand there all day?" You ask, seeing her body visibly react to your voice. "Or are you afraid of water?"

What's wrong with her today? She slowly turns her head around to face you. Your red bra shimmered through the water's surface, teasing her with its existence. The ends of your hair are already wet, grazing over the surface. 

"I'm not afraid of it." Wanda replies, not meeting your gaze entirely as she looks behind your shoulder. "It's just that I'm more content with myself being dry than being wet."