The Farmhand's Crush

Chapter: 6

The following Saturday dawned bright and sunny, a perfect day for my hiking date with Nic. I awoke with a sense of excitement bubbling inside me, my heart racing at the thought of spending more time with him in the beauty of nature. 

After a quick breakfast, I packed a picnic basket filled with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and some of Jenna's cookies for dessert. I also gathered her sketchbook and colored pencils and some paints, eager to explore my creative side alongside Nic's artistic talents.

When I arrived at the agreed-upon trailhead, I spotted Nic leaning against his car, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his lightweight jacket. He looked effortlessly cool, his hair tousled by the gentle breeze.

"Hey, you made it!" he called out, his face breaking into a wide smile as he approached me.

"Wouldn't miss it" I replied, feeling my nerves settle as she returned his smile. "I brought a picnic and some art supplies. I hope you're ready for a little adventure"

"Absolutely, I love a good picnic," Nic said, helping me with the basket. "And I brought my sketchbook too. We can find a nice spot to relax and create."

We set off along the trail, the path winding through a vibrant forest filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. The sunlight filtered through the trees, creating a dappled effect on the ground that made everything feel magical.

As we walked, we talked about our favorite places to hike, and our shared love for the outdoors sparking a deeper connection. Nic shared stories of his childhood adventures, and I found myself laughing at his animated descriptions.

"Nature has always been my escape," Nic said, glancing sideways at me. "There's something so peaceful about being out here, away from the noise."

"I totally agree," I replied. "I've missed this kind of connection to nature. It makes me feel alive. I havent really been hiking since my parents passed away"

"I'm so sorry" Nic stopped and held his heart looking down at me.

"It was a while ago, but that kind of why I left the city" I shuffled my feet, he could tell I didn't really want to talk about it.

After about an hour of hiking, we reached a clearing with breathtaking views of the valley below. The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape. We set down the picnic basket and spread out a blanket, settling in to enjoy our lunch.

I opened the basket and revealed the colorful array of food. "I hope you're hungry" I said, beaming as I pulled out the sandwiches and fruit.

"Starving!" Nic laughed, reaching for a sandwich. "This looks amazing. You're quite the picnic planner"

As we ate, weshared more stories and jokes, our laughter mingling with the sounds of nature. I felt the connection between them deepening, each smile and glance making my heart race.

After we finished eating, I pulled out my sketchbook and colored pencils. "How about we do some drawing? I want to capture this view," I said, glancing out at the sprawling landscape.

"Great idea,  I'd love to see what you come up with," Nic replied, pulling out his own sketchbook.

We spent the next hour in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own artistic world. I focused on the horizon, trying to capture the layers of green and blue, whilst I couldn't see what Nic sketched but he seemed to be deep in it so I didnt want to ask to see it.

As I worked, I couldn't help but steal glances at Nic. He was so focused, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration. I admired how passionate he was about his art, and it inspired me to push my own boundaries.

After a while, Nic looked over at me, breaking the silence. "What do you think? Want to share our masterpieces?"

"Sure!" I replied, feeling a thrill of excitement.

We held up our sketches, laughter erupting as we compared their interpretations of the scene before them. Nic's drawing was intricate and detailed, capturing the essence of the trees with bold lines but he had also added me into his drawing, I looked so beautiful. While mine was softer, and my colors blending harmoniously.

"Yours is beautiful," Nic said, genuinely admiring my work. "You have a way with color that brings everything to life."

"Thanks, I really love yours, I didnt know you could draw humans" I said, feeling warmth bloom in my chest. I could see his neck went a little red.

We continued sharing our thoughts on each other's art, the conversation flowing seamlessly from technique to inspiration. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This day was turning out to be even better than I had imagined.

Suddenly, a light breeze picked up, rustling the leaves above. Nic leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the sky. "You know, I've been thinking about hosting a small art gathering for people in the area. A way for artists to connect and share their work."

I eyes widened with excitement. "That sounds amazing, I'd love to help with that. I think it would be great to bring everyone together."

"Really? That would be fantastic, maybe we could find a local venue or even set it up outside" Nic suggested, enthusiasm shining in his eyes.

As we talked about ideas for the gathering, I realized how much I valued having someone like Nic in my life, someone who understood my passions and shared my dreams. The thought made my heart swell.

After a while, we decided to pack up our things and head back. As wewalked down the trail, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange.I felt a sense of gratitude for the day—the laughter, the art, the connection.

When we reached the trailhead, Nic turned to me, his expression earnest. "Thank you for today, City. I had such a great time. We should do this again soon."

"I'd love that," I replied, my heart racing. "I really enjoyed spending time with you."

As we exchanged goodbyes, I felt a flutter of anticipation in my stomach. I  had come to love these moments with Nic, each encounter adding depth to our connection. As I drove home, my thoughts swirled with excitement, the world feeling brighter than ever.