Frightened Mate

Hiking

I want to start out by thanking everyone for the response I've gotten with this story, but most importantly, thank you mystery_mia for the amazing cover! I love it so much! Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

I groan as I feel the sun rays hit my eyelids. I roll to my side, wishing it wasn't morning yet. The girls and I had stayed out until Buffalo Wild Wings had closed, which wouldn't usually be an issue if we hadn't made plans to wake up early and go hiking. I lay there for a minute, considering texting them and cancelling the hike. I sigh and sit up, debating whether I should just wear the clothes I slept in or to put on different clothes. I glance down at my sweatpants and sweater and decide to change. I pull myself out of bed and walk over to my dresser before pulling out a drawer and ruffling around to find athletic pants and t-shirt. As I change my clothes I can hear my phone buzz a few times, but I ignore it. I brush my hair into a ponytail and then stand for a moment trying to decide whether I want to bring along my camera or not. It's not too bad of a hike and I've done it a few times so I know where the rougher parts are so I would know to be careful around those parts.

I hear my phone buzz once again and I finally walk over to check it, and see that the group chat has been going crazy. I skim the messages and pout when I see that Xan can't go hiking anymore because she has to babysit her younger siblings. As I read on though, I see that Chloe still wants to go. I send a quick text saying that I'm still up for going and that she can come over to my house and I can drive us over to where the trail starts since I live closest to it.

I head down the stairs and find two water bottles for Chloe and me, and lay them out on the counter so that I don't forget them. I go back upstairs after finally deciding to bring my camera. I don't really do landscape photos, but the area we're going to has a beautiful view and I've always wanted to get good pictures of the views. I hop in a seat in the kitchen waiting for Chloe to get there as I scroll through Facebook and checking to see if I've gotten any new emails for a session. Finally, a text and a knock on the door let me know that Chloe got here. I bound over to the door and let her in.

"Okay, I'm exhausted" Chloe greets me and walks over to my couch before letting herself fall onto it.

"Well good morning to you too" I laugh. "But I agree. I'm so tired."

"Why did we decide to go hiking this early?" She whines.

"I have no idea, but you're already here so we're doing it. I have water bottles. Did you bring your bag?" I ask.

Chloe nods before letting her head fall back on the couch. I laugh and pull on my shoes, and grab my camera bag. Chloe gets up to go grab the water bottles for us, and then follows me to the garage. We open the doors and put everything we need in there, before Chloe runs to her car to grab her bag. I put the key in the ignition and switch it, and luckily my car turns on without an issue. I back out of the garage with the intent to meet Chloe on her way back to my car.

I hit the brakes though when I hear a squeal and look out the rearview mirror. I see Chloe's face contorted in shock, and it registers in my mind that I had almost hit her and a laugh escapes my mouth. I put the car in park and laugh as I watch Chloe walk around to the passenger seat.

"Oh, my gosh, you totally almost hit me! You jerk!" Chloe says when she opens the door.

"I'm so sorry, oh my gosh. I swear I didn't mean to do that" I continue laughing.

Chloe rolls her eyes and huffs, crossing her arms and looking forward. I try to calm myself down and put the car back into reverse so we can do the hike.