Falling for Grayson : birdflash

Ch29: Golden

We past the last house about 30 miles ago. After farmland we had turned onto a thin dirt path leading into a coniferous forest.

The trees dived into a valley leaving Dick to lightly hold the breaks as we rolled down. I held onto him tightly to keep myself from head butting the back of his helmet. Peering over his shoulder I could see the trees opening up into grassland with shrubs and streams and a mountain range in the distance.

We continued through the expanse, weaving through shrubs and crossing shallow breaks in streams until we reached the foot of the mountain range. Dick slowed down and brought the bike to a stop. I hopped off and removed my helmet. I waited for him to do the same before I asked ever-so-nicely, "Uhh Dick, where the hell are we?"

"We're in a forest," he replied unhelpfully.

"Oh, really? Hadn't noticed... but seriously, why here?" I gestured to the great expanse. "Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful but there's other forests closer to Happy Harbour."

"True, but this one's special."

"How so?"

"A few reasons, of which, I'll tell you later. For now," Dick said, pointing up the mountain, "we gotta hike halfway up this mountain... should only take an hour."

"How about I speed us up this mountain?"

"Part of your birthday plan is hiking up this mountain — you know, that thing about enjoying nature?"

"I know..." I sighed.

"But it'll have to be a brisk hike, no dragging your feet."

"Have you forgotten I'm one of the fastest people on the planet?"

"You're one of the fastest runners on the planet." He took a step toward me, looking at me with a big grin on his face. "The funny thing about you, Wal, is that you can be an abysmally slow walker."

I stared at the ground and kicked some dirt. "I like a leisurely stroll..."

"You're gonna have to find somewhere between lightening speed and snail."

"Got it. So like a golden retriever?"

"Why a golden retriever?"

"Because they're cute."

"You can't be a golden retriever then."

I stepped toe to toe with Dick and vainly swept my fingers through my hair. "You sure?"

He raised his head and looked up at me, pausing for a moment with his lips slightly parted, perhaps wanting to say something but deciding not to. Finally, he replied, "now that you've given me a better look? Most definitely."

I shoved him away in mock offence.

"Ahh that's better," he said in relief, "The further I get away, the better you look."

"Shuttup, I'm a golden retriever. And this golden retriever is gonna start our hike." I walked away in a huff.

"Wrong way!" Dick yelled.

I froze, then turned around, swinging my arms limply. "What you mean wrong way? You said up the mountain."

"There are different paths up the mountain, dummy... Besides, even if I pointed in the right direction, you wouldn't find where we're going."

"Ugh, fine." As I began walking back toward Dick in defeat, he knelt a bit and started tapping his knees with his palms.

"Here boy, here boy!"

I rolled my eyes. "If I am a golden retriever I'm not your golden retriever."

"Bad dog."

In a blink of an eye I dashed towards Dick and pushed him over.

"Very funny, Wal."

"You kinda deserved it."

"True... help me up?"

I extended my hand, but when he grabbed it, he tugged hard, stuck his foot against my hip, and flipped me onto the ground.

Dick stood up and brushed the pine needles off his shoulders. "Let's get going, no more time to spare."

As I lay there in the grass, looking up at the orange sky, I noticed the cool air brush past my face and the faint song of a chickadee carried in the wind. I took in a deep breath, feeling a calm happiness sweep over me. Dick was right. There was something inherently good about being in nature.

"Wal? Hey. Wally..."

"Huh?"

"You daydreaming again?"

I tilted my head back to find Dick's upside face staring at me. How funny it was to be in the middle of nowhere with my best friend. "I guess so..."

"Common' let's go, slow poke." Dick lightly prodded my side with his foot then walked around and extended his arm. We clasped wrists and he started to lift me up. "God you're heavy..."

"I'm not heavy... you're just weak."

"Don't make me toss you again."

Dick heaved one more time, lifting me up. I remained holding onto his wrists, then loosened to his hands as if I were to... well I wasn't sure, to throw him and continue wrestling?

"Uh, Wal? You gonna let go?"

"Huh, what?"

"You're really out of it today."

"Sorry..."

I dropped his hands. Dick glanced at me then turned and walked over to his bag. He pulled out a yellow metal flask. "Here," he tossed the bottle, "drink." I took a few swigs of water then slid it back on the side of his bag.

"Thanks."

"Ready to start hiking?"

"Just give me a moment to limber up." I went into a side lunge and moved around in the position. Dick rolled his eyes.

"What?" I said defensively. "We've been sitting on a bike for the past hour and a half."

I clasped Dick's right shoulder and began swinging my leg back and forth. "You don't want me cramping up now, do you?"

"I feel like you're only trying to wind me up."

"Can't it be both?"

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Author:

Sooo we'll find out when Wally falls for his best friend over the coming chapters :)