I snap back into reality, now excited to see where we are. He pushes through the last of the vegetation before revealing a beautiful waterfall and lake. The trees surround the secluded area perfectly, and the water is crystal clear. It’s unlike anything I had ever seen before. The lake part, was just like a beach, very unusual for a waterfall.
“You coming?” Noah winks and pulls his shirt off revealing his ripped sculpture.
“What? Are you crazy? Are we even allowed to be here?” I ask.
“Yeah, of course, and even if we weren’t, who’s going to tell us off. There’s no one here!” He slides his shorts down, leaving just his jocks. I can’t help but admire the view. “Are you just going to stand there? Get changed!”
I snap out of it and turn around. I lift my shirt over my head and decide to just swim in my short denims. I shake my hair loose and take my gladiators off. When I straighten, I feel Noah’s arms secure tightly around my waist and lift me off the ground.
I scream. “Noah!” He starts laughing as I do too. I begin to kick my legs and squirm out of his grip as he takes me to the water. “Noah!” I laugh!
“You ready?” He asks.
“NO!” I yell.
“One, two, -” his voice is cheeky.
“NOAH!” I scream one last time and take a breath.
‘Three!” He yells.
In that instant, I am consumed in water, the cold substance surrounding the surface of my skin. Noah’s arms suddenly gone. I open my eyes, only to stare into his. The water is so clear, it’s as though we aren’t even in it. He pushes off the floor to the surface and I follow. I come up for air taking a deep breath. I splash Noah, who is a mere half a metre away, in the face.
“I hate you!” I say.
He swims closer until our faces are almost touching. “You could never hate me.”
I splash his face again. “Don’t be so sure.” I try to swim away as fast as I can. I’m a fast swimmer, but I have no idea how fast Noah is.
As I swim, I think to look back, but I have no idea what advantage or disadvantage I have. In an instant, my foot is yanked back and I’m pulled under the water. Noah grabs me wrist and pulls me to where he can stand, but I still can’t quite touch the bottom. His hold makes it impossible for me to get out.
He rests his chin on my shoulder to talk into my ear. “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that last bit.”
I wiggle around a bit, but it’s hopeless. “I said don’t be so sure that I could never hate you.”
“So you hating on me now?” His voice has gone cheeky again.
“Yep, sure am! You’re my least favourite person in the world at the moment!”
“Is that so?” He begins to tickle me. He remembers I’m ticklish! I laugh so hard that tears begin to run down my face. I try to struggle out of his grip, but Noah is strong.
“Noah, stop it!” I giggle.
“You still mad?” He asks, still tickling me.
“Yes!” I attempt to say sternly.
“Fine, more tickles for you!” He starts to dig in harder.
“OK! Ok, ok, ok! I don’t hate you!”
He stops for a moment still holding me. “You sure?”
“I promise!” He let’s go of me and we find a rope hanging from a tree on one of the small cliffs next to the waterfall.
We spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out in this amazing place. As we lay on the sand I really wish I could freeze this moment and live in it forever. Until, no doubt I’m distracted by the thought that I could never do that. I wouldn’t have my best friend with me, and I’m not talking about Renee. My eyes are closed and the sound of the water crashing on itself is soothing. Out of nowhere the heat provided by the rays of the sun goes cold. I shield my eyes and look up to see Noah standing above me.
“Come on, it’s going to get cold soon!” He offers me to hands. I grunt not wanting to leave, but take his hands in mine and collect my shirt.
