Timeless - Connor Dewar

five - amelia

7 years ago

The quiet buzz of crickets filled the cool air with ambient noise as Connor and I sat on the edge of a pier at our favorite lake. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, stars starting to speckle the sky.

It was quiet, except for the crickets, but the air still hung heavy between us. What was going to happen? We didn't know. And Connor definitely didn't want to think about it.

"Mia," he started, breaking the silence, "I'm sorry..."

I turned to him and raised a brow. "Sorry? For what?"

Connor paused for a moment, considering his words, "Last night. Me freaking out and making you freak out. It's not like me and I know I scared you."

I pouted slightly, moving my hand over so our pinkies touched on the worn wood. "You're okay. I mean, the worst part wasn't even the freaking out, it was my dad-"

"Yeah, I don't think I need to be reminded of that," Connor interrupted with a chuckle. I looked over at him when he wasn't looking back, captivated by the soft features of his face under the moonlight. "Hey, can I make you a deal?" he eventually said.

The skeptical look returned to my face as I nodded. "I'll need to hear the conditions first, but, sure."

"Since we're both, you know, fucking terrified, how about we make this the best summer ever?" Connor said, giving me a weary half smile.

I giggled, throwing my head back slightly. "Best summer ever? That sounds like something out of a movie."

"Uh, yeah, and don't those make for the best movies ever?" Connor scoffed, a jokey tone lying underneath it.

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I looked at Connor and the hope in his eyes. I couldn't say no - one, because it actually did sound kind of fun, and, two, it was my person asking to do it with me.

"Sure, Connor. Best summer ever." I agreed with a laugh.

We didn't say anything for a moment after, and as I turned my head to look at the landscape surrounding us, I felt Connor's entire hand slide over mine. "You... wanna start now?" He suggested, a weary tone in his voice.

I looked down at our intertwined hands, a warmth spreading through my chest. I squeezed his hand lightly before looking up at him, my eyes reflecting the faint light of the stars.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked, curious.

A grin spread across Connor's face as he gestured vaguely to the lake with his free hand. "How about we go for a little midnight swim?"

I bit my lip, hesitating for just a moment. "We don't have swimsuits," I pointed out.

"I mean, do we need them? Isn't underwear basically the same thing?" Connor remarked, still smiling widely.

I felt myself flush at his words, and I was glad for the supposed darkness until Connor noticed. "Oh, come on. Aren't you the one who basically begged me to stay and cuddle you last night?" He said, feeling very strangely confident but he rolled with it.

My eyes widened, and I let out an incredulous laugh. "That was different! It was... a moment, okay? This is... well, this is pretty much skinny dipping." I crossed my arms defensively, but the hint of spontaneity in my eyes betrayed me.

Connor squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Come on, Mia. It's just us, no one else around. It'll be fun. Plus, it's the first step in making this the best summer ever, remember?"

I shook my head as I stood up, brushing off my shorts. "Fine, let's do it. But if I catch a cold, you're going to be the one taking care of me."

Connor laughed as he stood up beside me. "Deal." He said, and without another word, he took off his hoodie with one swift motion, leaving his bare skin out in the open.