Shades of Cool

t. e. n.

Sparks by Beach House

"Is this illegal?"

"It depends on what state you're in."

"That's reassuring."

The rain has subsided into a light mist cascading around us as we stand in front of a ten foot high fence that's guarding a water tower.

"Those signs are just suggestions."

"I knew you were a bad influence. With your smoking and climbing restricted fences late at night."

"Don't forget underage drinking."

"I didn't want to seem like a hypocrite."

"That wouldn't be very Indiana of you."

"That outfit you're wearing isn't very Lara of you."

He looks down at his hoodie and jeans and picks at the fabric.

"You just want to see me half-naked."

"And take pictures for blackmail."

He laughs and strikes a pose.

Climbing an illegal fence? That's not the worst illegal thing I've done.

I grip the slippery fence in a fist and start to climb up. When I'm at the top I laugh and look down at him. "Is this our tomb we are raiding?"

He is still on the ground with his hands hovering by the sides of my body, probably just in case I fall.

"Did you just now get that?"

"Shut up or I'll fall on you." I swing my leg over the fence and climb down the other side.

I plop down on the pavement and the water tower looks even more menacing close up.

"Pretty, isn't it?" I jump from the sudden voice at my side.

"What the fuck, man?"

"What?" He gives me a confused look.

"Make, like, noise or some shit. It's polite."

He grins he's stupid goofy grin and we walk up closer to the tower.

"Wait, aren't you afraid of heights?"

"Finn is. Lara is not."

"That's not how that works."

"Let me pretend!" He playfully shouts.

The water tower is one of those things that the more you look up at it, the more it looks like it is swaying to the side. Finn scoots his backpack up more and clasps the front of it around his chest.

"Whaaaatever."

"Ready?" He looks over at me and grips his backpack straps, bouncing on his feet.

"Are you?" I look over questioningly at him.

He nods like an eager puppy.