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...
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~ ~ ~ 2024
The evening air was thick with the scent of city air and the noise of rumbling vehicles in the distance. Hunter and Blossom stood by the front door to their industrial sized apartment, a small island of calm in the swirling sea of their children. The little tornadoes, aged 13, 7 and 6, were currently engaged in a spirited game of tag with Hunter's parents, their laughter echoing through the house. This unusual distraction was their golden ticket, the key to a rare evening of adult time. Usually, any attempt to slip away resulted in a chorus of mournful cries and clinging limbs. Tonight, however, was different. Their kids were too preoccupied with chasing after their grandparents to notice their parents slipping away.
"Ready to be free?" Hunter asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Blossom grinned. "More than you know."
Their goodbyes to Hunter's parents were swift, punctuated by promises to call later and a slight skip in their steps as they headed towards the underground parking garage. Hunter's new pickup truck gleamed under the fluorescent lights, its silver paint job a stark contrast to the rusty red of its predecessor, a vehicle Hunter had affectionately dubbed "O'l Rusty" the monster of a truck had finally succumbed to its many years of hard work and neglect, leaving Hunter no choice but to replace it. But, if he were being honest, he wasn't too upset about it. The new truck, with its working radio and, most importantly, reclining seats, was a far cry from O'l Rusty's former glory, and it was a needed upgrade for dates like these.
Hunter opened the passenger door for Blossom, a smile playing on his lips. "Hop in, my dear. Adventure awaits."
Blossom giggled, sliding into the seat. "As long as it doesn't involve another vehicle breakdown, I'm in."
Hunter chuckled, starting the engine and flicking on the radio. The familiar strains of the 60s and 70s channel filled the cab, music that had been the soundtrack to their lives. He glanced at Blossom, his eyes full of affection. "How was your day, love?"
"Chaotic, but good," she replied. "The kids decided to paint on the desks at school though, and Leah had a meltdown because her doll wasn't wearing the right shoes. What about you?"
"Just another day of giving out speeding tickets and pretending to be an adult," Hunter said with a grin. "But it's all worth it, especially if it means I get to come home to you." He winked, and quickly changed the subject, "Don't look in the back just yet, okay?"
"Okay?" Blossom said with a raised eyebrow, but followed his instructions nonetheless.
As Hunter turned into his parent's driveway, Blossom's surprise grew by the minute. Instead of heading towards town like she had expected, they headed around the side of the house and down a long dirt driveway, she wondered where they were going. Hunter knew the exact place he needed to go and soon enough the truck was bumping it's way down the long neglected dirt road that led to her and Hunter's secret field. Memories flooded back to her as they reached the overgrown field. It was the same field where they had one of their "bet dates" as teenagers, back in the late 90's. The same field where they had sat in a beat up truck, eating Hunter's mothers cooking and talking about everything and nothing, the field where she had almost kissed him, the field that had made her realize she wanted to try again, and the very field they were sitting in right here and right now.
