Everything We Always Were

Twenty Six: Opportunities

It's 11:30 when I finally decide to crawl out of bed and get dressed, having been awake for an hour. I could hear the rest of them clamoring about outside my door, getting ready for their entire day at the beach. I didn't hear James, so I assumed he was still asleep but he just sent me a text, which is what caused me to get up.

I found some trails we can take once they leave for the beach if you're up and ready to go.

I text him back that I just needed 15 minutes and I would be ready and then get my ass into gear. I had brought a pair of leggings, which I am thanking my past self for. I don't usually wear them, but for a hike where it could possibly rain, they are perfect. And comfortable.

Checking the weather again, there still is no rain forecasted, but that could change after driving 20 minutes away from this exact location. I still put on a plain black tank top, following the 70 degrees on my screen.

I grab a light jacket this time and originally, I was going to wrap it around my waist, but I decided to empty some of the items in my overnight backpack to make room. I left my water bottle and Tylenol and added my jacket and my wallet.

Finding my sneakers and quickly slipping them on and tying them tight, I emerge from the bedroom. It's infinitely brighter out here and I blink a few times to help my eyes adjust to the switch. I guess I never noticed that my usual room at Roni's beach house had blackout curtains. Or maybe they were new?

I shake off the curtain thoughts as I greet Roni.

"You guys got plenty of sunscreen?" I joke.

"And tanning oil," She responds quickly, holding up both large bottles before shoving them in her also rather large beach bag.

"Right, of course," I laugh and turn away from her.

"Hey, you look ready," James is behind me, starting me again just like last night. "I figure we can stop for lunch somewhere on the way. It's like 25 minutes to the trailhead."

"Yeah, that works," I respond, "Bye guys! Have fun tanning and fighting!" I call as James and I head out the door.

It feels like a perfect day for a hike and I can't help but be excited for another adventure with just James. The comfortable silences and conversations we have on these little trips so far have been amazing. I really needed that reconnect that I didn't really get when we originally became friends again.

"So, I looked it up and there are a few diners on the road leading out of town going north, and there's also some fast food places in the actual town with the trail entrance," James explains as we make our way down the driveway.

"I'm pretty hungry after the wine last night, we can stop at a diner," I respond, shuffling through my bag for my book. "I'm going to get a few chapters in before we get there,"

"No problem,"

It's as if we were back in middle school, in his bedroom, me reading on the bean bag and him watching videos on his laptop on the bed, way too loud but just quiet enough to not really bother me. Once I'm immersed in a book, the sounds around me don't really matter anyway.

His music fades out as I dig into my current read.

I manage to get only a chapter and a half in before we park at a small diner and head in. I order French toast and he orders pancakes, and we eat quietly.

"So, how long is this hike?" I ask as we walk back to the car from the gas station, snacks, and drinks in hand.

"I think 45 minutes to get to the end of the trial and then 45 to get back, so like two hours?" James says it like a question, but I know him well enough to know that it isn't a question.