When a 14-day dating challenge erupts between skeptical Blossom and her secretly smitten best friend Hunter in the waning days of 1999, their easy friendship is plunged into a maelstrom of teenage angst, unrequited affection, and the terrifying poss...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
~ ~ ~ 1999
The rhythmic thrum of Hunter's beat-up pickup truck vibrated through Blossom's bones, a familiar soundtrack to her teenage existence. The truck, affectionately nicknamed "Ol' Rusty" by Hunter, was a relic of a bygone era, all faded paint and rumbling engine. It was a far cry from the sleek, modern cars she sometimes daydreamed about, but it was Hunter's, and therefore, as far as she was concerned, perfectly acceptable.
Blossom adjusted the strap of her backpack, the weight of her textbooks a familiar ache in her shoulder. She'd just entered into her bedroom and barely had time to change out of her school clothes when Hunter pulled up into her driveway. Hunter had caught her right after the final bell rang, a mischievous tone in his voice that made her wonder what elaborate scheme he had concocted for their second bet date.
She yelled out her window for him to wait just a second while she changed, then closed the blinds and got to work. She grabbed her favorite track suit, one that had been embroidered specifically for her and was a beautiful baby blue.
Blossom adorned the matching set and flung her thick head of hair into a sleek ponytail.
Running down the stairs and out the door she made sure not to forget her water bottle. Hunter said exercise so who knows what they'd be doing. Hunter has the stamina and energy to do pretty much any sport, throw his electric ADHD on top of that and you won't be able to walk come tomorrow morning.
"Ready for round two?" Hunter grinned at her from the driver's seat, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He had a way of looking at her that always made her feel seen, a fact she tried her best to ignore. He was wearing a slightly faded blue t-shirt covered in grease, and his usual pair of worn athletic shorts, a look she found both annoying and endearing at the same time.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Blossom replied, pushing a strand of her sunshine colored hair behind her ear. "Though, I have to say, I'm not sure how much more love I can experience after yesterday's ordeal." She couldn't help but roll her eyes, her voice laced with mock exasperation.
Hunter laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that always seemed to chase away the lingering shadows of her moods. "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet, Blossom. Today's gonna be...enlightening."
He pulled away from the curb, the truck groaning in protest before settling into its familiar rhythm. Blossom watched the familiar landscape of her neighborhood blur past – the houses with their manicured lawns, the towering oak trees, the occasional stray cat darting across the street. There was a sense of comfort in the everyday, a feeling that contrasted sharply with the uncertainty of her bet with Hunter.
They drove for a while, the silence between them comfortable and familiar. She knew him so well, their shared history spanning years of scraped knees and whispered secrets.
"So, where are we going?" Blossom finally asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's a surprise," Hunter said, his grin widening. "But I promise, it involves fresh air and...well, some form of activity."
