Hidden- An Ashton Irwin Fanfic

Chapter 64 - Adventure Time

The car shifts as we turn into a gravel parking lot, cautioning me to grip the door handle. Ashton rolls into one of the various empty spots before the car slows to a stop.

"So why aren't the other boys going with us?" I question, unbuckling and getting out of Luke's car.

"They were up late last night. Might be a little hungover as well."

I nod, pulling my hair into a ponytail and looking around me. The parking lot was wide, but other than the small road we came on, it's completely surrounded by trees.

"Um, where are we?"

"National park." He shrugs, and then he's walking towards a narrow clearing through the forest.

He had said today was going to be fun, but that's all the details he gave. The confusion he's given me is evident as I begin to navigate through the trees with him, to the point where he addresses my tangled expression.

"We're going hiking, Jaylin. I use to come out here, and I realized we've never actually gone out on a hike together."

"Oh." Was my short answer.

I loved nature, I just had an odd way of showing it. Hiking sounds like a perfect date to me ( as long as we didn't run into any poisonous creatures ).

Over the years, I have grown familiar with all of the insects and animals that Australia's known for. But some of them we're just meant to stay away from. Their repercussions for our inability to stay away could be fatal, and who wants that?

Ashton pushes past a tree branch, and I smile as he holds it back for me to pass. "Thanks."

"No problem. So, you asked me about the tour, but I never quite got to ask you how life back at home is." He guides me over a fallen tree in the path.

I shake my head, "Oh, it's fine... Super busy with trying to finish up school and everything.. but boring without you guys."

He nods in understanding. "Oh yeah, I forgot about school. Have you decided what you're doing after you graduate?"

Here's the question I knew was coming. I'd avoided it for months, or hinted at my decision, but I'd never told him. Or any of the boys for that matter. I try to casually drop my answer, but I end up hastily biting my lip once I get the words out. "I'm planning on studying abroad. Maybe heading over to the states and looking at colleges."

He gives me a shocked look. "Oh, well, that's great. I'm happy for you." He smiles, covering the flabbergasted gaze he had just shown. "Any state in mind?"

"Somewhere warm." I comment. "Texas, California, Florida, I've got it down to three schools I think."

"Well, that's exciting."

And that's the last he says about it. I nod, giving an "mhm" as a reply before we continue our hike, Ashton soon changing the subject to something much lighter.

The hike continues on the small winding path for some time, but soon we're dumped off into a grassy field.

"Are we at the top of a hill?" I ask, looking down at the forest around me.

"You bet." He chirps, stopping to take in the view.

"It's really pretty up here." I comment, but the sun was beating down on us, making the heat fight with the urge to stay and admire.

"It is, isn't it?" He flashes me an excited expression, like one a child gets on his birthday. "I really have missed coming here."

"I can imagine why." I scan the horizon, my vision reaching out miles to compensate for the altitude we've reached.

He effortlessly grins, further evidence of how genuinely happy he's become. He takes a step closer to me, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me to the point that I'm gently leaning into his side.

My nose twists as I make a face, playfully pushing him away. "You're sweaty."

He gives me a look of complete shock. "Well, princess, I hate to break it to you, but so are you." His finger points to my body, slowly moving up and down to indicate that I too was completely covered in sweat.

"So? This is my sweat. Yours is different."

He gives me an incredulous look. "You do realize how many times I have sweat because of you? This would not be the first time you have been around a sweaty Ashton."

My face again contorts, but this time in horror. "Ashton!" Of course, this is followed by a small slap.

"I'm just saying." He shrugs, but an innocent smirk is noticeable on his features.

I didn't know how to respond to that, so instead I just turned back to face the scenery in front of me.

Seconds later, I feel two arms lacing around my waist, but this time I don't pull away. Having given up, my head leans back against Ashton's chest, a grin playing across my lips as my eyes briefly close. This is the most relaxed I have felt in months, and for the first time since that fight at the beach house, I'd gained back the crave I'd had to be with Ashton. I wanted him to be mine, that was for certain.

"This is really nice." I comment, inhaling the fresh air around me.

"Mmhmm" he hums, his thumbs drawing circles under my shirt.

The following moments are silent. A small breeze picks up around us, but other than the soft blowing of the grass, were left to enjoy the valuable seconds we're living.

Much to my dismay, once the wind dies down were, yet again, being suffocated by the heat.

"Ashton," my voice calls, earning a "yes, babe?" in return. "As much as I love this," I start, my hands gently encircling his wrists. "It's getting really hot out here."

"Which leads me onto our next surprise." He replies, my upper back feeling the echo of his voice through his chest.

He pulls away, gingerly slipping his arms out of my grasp. Luckily, his hand soon grasps mine, leaving us walking as he lovingly pulls me along behind him.

I scan the forest we're now reentering, feeling drowsy after those few relaxing minutes we'd just spent. This time (instead of taking the path back to the car), we take an alternate route and make a right. The trees are more spread out here, and we find that the path turns into a constant wooden bridge, except it's constantly sat on the ground. Railing is added to the wooden path we found, and soon were almost boxed off from the forest around us. A few untrimmed branches are all that are left when it comes to finding tangible nature, but we still have a clear view of the forest around us.

Ashton continues to drag me along, but he's slowed down a good amount. "This is a really common place for tourists." He begins to talk, my head looking up as I listen. "The hill is harder to get to- but because of this," he knocks on the railing, "a lot more people can make it to here. Hopefully, no one is where we're headed."

"Where exactly.. are we headed?" I attempt to question, but the smile he's wearing tells me I wouldn't be finding out the answer. But when do I ever?

"You'll see, Jay." He chuckles.

And once we reached the top what I thought was a short hill, I saw.
________________________________
Hiii I don't really know what to say here, so hey ily thank you for reading.

Where do you think they're headed??? ( hint: it's a cliff hanger (-; )

Goal : 3 votes ; 1 comment
Instagram : harrysnotafraid

Xoxo,
~Gracy