Equilateral Love

Chapter 3 - A New Normal; Part 3

Brianna

As summer started to wane, the breeze began to take on that sharp fall edge, whispering the nearness of autumn, and every day as I marched onerously to class, I could feel it coming –the leaves on the trees shaking, as if they knew that their days were numbered. I think the hike was Abby's idea – she figured we should seize that last opportunity on a warm, tranquil Saturday to get out in nature a bit, and see what the area had to offer. For her that was probably a more pertinent question, coming from California and all – I was more of a staying inside type of person to be truly honest, but frankly I was willing to do anything with the two of them, and there was something about the cool, gentle stirring of nature that week that did kinda make me want to tug at that thread – so I was happy to agree.

I didn't really have hiking clothes – wasn't 100% sure I knew what even qualified as hiking clothes – but I settled for a sports bra and a tank-top, each the sole representative of their kind amongst my wardrobe, paired with athletic shorts and running shoes. It wasn't a bad look all together, although it felt a hair more revealing and a lot more athletic-y than my typical style.

Abby was rocking one of those sports bras with the little branded elastic band across the bottom - mauve, with black spanks and white sneakers and . . . okay, that was a look. Not one I felt I could ever ever pull off, but holy God did it work on her. When I first saw her I honestly sort of thought is that allowed? Can she just leave the house looking that hot? But of course she could – it was Abby.

Michael opted for a faded white graphic tee and cargo shorts, and I noted that I didn't often see his legs – unless I was seeing all of him, that is. It wasn't a crazy look for him – certainly not the smack over the head I got from Abby – but that was Michael; reliable, easygoing. And it was good too, in that subtle, casual Michael way – the dark hair on his legs and the sharp, muscled curve of his calves made for a fun treat, and he had this air of geniality about him – Abby knew she was hot, and Michael didn't really, and that was kind of a fun dynamic.

Anyway, we made out way up to this mountain trail in Michael's old truck, armed with our water bottles and Abby's polaroid camera, all set for a great time. And it was perfect for it – still warm, still sunny, completely gorgeous, and yet late enough in the year that the mountain air had a crisp, delightful edge to it, carrying an energetic shiver as it blew through unkept grass and hanging branches.

We got out at the trailhead, and there were no other cars – we were alone together at the edge of the world, and already nature's quietness was settling in around us. No traffic, no horns, no chattering voices – just singing birds and the soft rustle of leaves dancing with the breeze. A few of them, here and there, were starting to turn – but broadly the canvas of nature was still green, and there were wildflowers still in bloom at the edge of the trail, radiant pinpricks of purple and gold amongst deep soil and verdant foliage.

"Wow," I said. "It's really pretty out here."

"It's awesome," Michael agreed. "I'm glad we did this."

"You guys!" Abby squealed, "Let me take a picture of you both in your hiking gear, out in nature – here, stand by the sign, with the flowers in the background."

We did as she wanted – smiling for the camera – and Michael put his arm around me. The breath caught in my chest at his casual touch – his forearm firm and yet soft against my bare shoulders, left uncharacteristically exposed by the oft-neglected tank-top.

Abby snapped the picture, retrieving it as the camera spat it out, and started shaking it immediately.

"Do you really need to do that?" Michael asked, stepping forward, his arm dropping – his hand just barely brushing against the small of my back as it passed.