Changing Tides

Five

I was lying in bed that night. Thinking about how the day went and I can't help but smile to myself. More than the places, people, and things I saw that day, I cannot deny that it was James' presence that made everything so much special. I thought of how he charmed his way through the ladies tending the stalls to give him discount for the items he bought; the look on his eyes when he found interesting mementos; but most especially the conversations we had in the car and in the pastry house. 

But a tiny thought formed inside my head that stopped me from reminiscing, it was the word 'reality'. The rational part of my head started arguing with my fantasies. And of course, it won me over. I have to stop myself from feeling something for someone like him. I convinced myself that all of this was because of a list that will inevitably end after 2 weeks. 

I forced myself to sleep. 

I woke up the next day and looked at the time on my watch. It showed 8 o'clock. I stumbled to my feet and realized that I overslept. In 30 minutes, I have to meet up with James downstairs and I haven't even brushed my teeth. I hastily showered and got dressed. I was still gathering my things when I heard a knock on my door. I walked to the door and opened it. He was dressed for a hike; sweat pants and a muscle shirt with a pair of running shoes. "Good morning!" he beamed. I asked him to come in. 

I tried to conceal my mess by hiding everything inside the bathroom before he could even see it. "Uh... I know my room's too small for you. But feel at home. Just don't go through with my stuff. Do you want tea? coffee? I overslept that's why I'm not yet ready." I shouted from inside the bathroom. 

"I'm good. You've got a nice view here, huh." I heard him going to the balcony. 

I hastily tied my hair into a ponytail. After I applied sunscreen for my face I got out and met him in the balcony. "Sorry about that. I think I'm ready. You wanna go now?" He was staring at the ocean intensely, deep in thought. He turned to me, smiled, and said, "Let's go." 

After an hour drive going south to San Andres, we were met by a team of guides who explained everything we need to know about riding ATV. Of course, people recognized him and asked for photographs to which he gladly obliged. After a couple of picture taking moments he found me on the side, trying to adjust the strap of my helmet. "Hey, sorry about that. Want some help with that?" I handed him the helmet. He loosened and adjusted the strap and placed it on my head. "Is that okay with you? Or you want me to adjust it some more?" I shook my head. I removed the helmet and we motioned to our rented ATV. "Have you ever ridden this before?" he asked me. "No. I haven't." I tried to mask my anxiety but I guessed he sensed it. "You want to ride with me first?" I hesitated but I finally nod. He chuckled, "I knew you were worried. You have been extra silent since we came." 

After a few final reminders from the guides, all the ATVs roared to life. I was seated behind James and despite my full face helmet, I can still smell him. He smelled of cologne which was not overpowering unlike most scents I usually smell around men. Not that I smell a lot of men in my life. I was awaken from my thoughts when we jerked forward. I instinctively grabbed him on the waist. "Oops, sorry did I startle you? I think you should hold on tighter." he placed my left arm around him. I felt my heart skipped a beat.

He drove through the terrain of rocky mountainside. The view was picturesque. The sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. We reached to a part where we need to cross a shallow part of a river. I enjoyed getting my clothes and legs wet because of the scorching heat. After what seemed like half an hour of driving, we stopped under the shade of a tree. We removed our helmets and settled ourselves for a moment. I gulped down half of the water in my canister. James downed his entire water, bottom's up style.

"That was fun, isn't?" He wiped his lips.

"I think you enjoyed it more than I did. But I liked the scenery very much." I told him.

"You see, the fun is actually in driving the vehicle itself."

"Well if tripping over an ATV sounds fun for you I'll gladly do the driving." I shot back.

"It's fairly easy."

"You're saying that because you generally love motorcycles. What do you love about it huh? Really? I think it's dangerous as hell."

"That's the main idea. It's dangerous as hell; one mistake and you're gone. Also, it's the adrenaline and the freeing feeling you get when you drive a motorcycle that makes it so..attractive."

I shook my head. It was something I can't imagine myself enjoying.

"I see you don't believe me." He said.

"I do believe in you. I just don't get it. How could I enjoy something if all I can think about is I could possibly die while doing it?"

"You have to try it yourself to find out." he said slyly. "Come, you drive this thing." he urged me to follow him. I didn't move a muscle. "No. I won't do that even if you pay me."

"Yes you will. Or I'm going to leave you here." he wore his helmet and rode the ATV. He started the engine and looked back at me. "Are you coming or not?" He maneuvered the ATV forward.

"Dammit! McAvoy. I'm coming." I drag myself towards him and I saw that he was snickering. I don't know if I'm going to be furious at him or to myself. "You can be such an ass, you know." and he just laughed harder.
"You'll thank me for doing this."
"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. "So, how do I do this?" He got off and asked me to sit in front. He lectured me on how to turn the ignition on, which is gas and brake, how I should relax and keep my hands steady.  He made it sound so easy. Once I got a grip of it all, I started the ignition. He turned to me and said, "Don't worry. Just relax, okay?" I inhaled deeply and turn the gas, we lurched forward. James slowed us down by grabbing a hold of my hand, his on top of mine. He guided me through the first few miles. Then he let go after a while.

It was indeed exhilarating. The steep, rocky, and dusty terrain made it more challenging.

"I hate to admit this to you but I kind of enjoyed it." I confessed.

"Kind of? You were over the top ecstatic!" He exclaimed.

"Shut up, McAvoy." I can't help but smile "But seriously though, thank you." And he smiled back at me warmly.

We changed our mud and dirt soaked clothes. Afterwards, we decided to take the road. We grab lunch in an old diner along the high way. Some locals noticed him but didn't bother. But our waitress was ogling at him since we stepped inside. She was giving me shady glances so I tried to ignore her. As soon as we are done, we got out of the diner and hit the road.

My arms and thighs hurt and tiredness soon crept over me. I didn't noticed I had slept the entire drive to the hotel until James shook me awake.

"Hey, we're here." I opened my eyes and stifled a yawn. I saw James looking at me with a grin on his face.

I immediately felt self-conscious. I straightened and tried not to look embarrassed. "I was so tired I didn't mean to sleep all the way."

"It's alright. You looked like a child in your sleep. You even have drool on your chin."

"ha-ha. I don't drool in my sleep." I grimaced. "I also don't think I can do the list tomorrow. My arms and thighs ache."

"I was thinking you'd say that." He opened the door to his side. And opened my side of the door. He helped me stood up. My legs were wobbly and strained. We slowly walked to the hotel.

"Are you alright?" James asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I felt terrible and weak. But I guess there's nothing I can do to hide that so I just confronted the truth. "To be perfectly honest, this is like the most physically challenging thing I've ever done in my life."

"I think you'd better get ready for more of that. You have tomorrow to regain your strength."

As soon as I entered my room I collapsed in bed.