Fingertips

Please, Just Try

As soon as Maverick pulled into a parking space, we got out, and he pulled out a big bag from the trunk. 

I looked around and saw the woods. The trees stretched so far out. I hated the woods. They were terrifying. It was a place that you could just disappear, and you would probably never be found. And just my luck, without a word, Maverick began walking toward the greenery. 

I followed behind him, keeping some distance between us. 

_______

We seemed to be walking for hours. I was starting to get tired, and my feet were killing me. I didn't dare complain. I hadn't even dared to utter a single word after what happened. 

Just as I was about to ask him where we were headed, he stopped and pulled a piece of cloth out from inside the bag. 

He turned around, smiled, and said, "Here. Put this on. Please? It'll only be on for a little bit.",

I grabbed the cloth from his hand and tied it around my head, covering my eyes. I felt him place his hand on the small of my back, causing a gasp to escape my lips. 

"Relax, I just don't want you to trip," he said.

We walked for a couple of minutes before we stopped. He turned my body around and undid the knot I had made.

"Keep your eyes closed," he said. 

I felt the material break contact with my face and kept my eyes closed. 

"Ok. Open your eyes when I say so," he said, excitement apparent in his voice.

I heard some rustling and footsteps until complete silence followed.

I felt Maverick come up behind me. I felt him rest his chin on my shoulder before he whispered,

"Ok. You can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and the sun instantly blinded me. It took a couple of seconds before my eyes adjusted to the harsh light, but when everything came into focus, I was speechless.

The sight standing before me was a marvelous lake with flowers and other types of greenery surrounding it. You could hear the wildlife's music all around. In front of the lake was a large blanket with several pillows scattered around it. I felt someone's arm brush against mine and I realized that it was Maverick. 

I couldn't believe my eyes. I had never seen nature's beauty like this ever in my life. 

I smiled widely and turned to look at him.

"This is so beautiful. How did you find this place?" I asked.

"When I was younger, my family and I would go hiking in these woods, and one day, my sister and I wandered off got lost. We were so scared and I couldn't stop crying. My sister was telling me that everything would be ok and that she knew that something magical was in these woods. She said if I stopped crying, she would help me find it. She told me that to comfort me and get me to stop crying, but we ended up stumbling across this place. Of course, she just went along with her story, but now, I know that she didn't really mean to find this place, but it was just something that was waiting to be found. I come here every now and then to escape the world. So cliché, I know, but it's true," he explained, more to himself than me.

I realized how painful it must be, to bring up his sister again, especially at a place so special to him.

I brushed my hand against his, and to my surprise, he intertwined our fingers. His thumb caressed mine and we stood there, just like that.

Hand in hand, we made our way to the blanket and sat down. I was sad when our connection broke, but realized that it really wasn't necessary for us to be holding hands in the first place. After all, we were just friends.

"So, I'm assuming you like it here then?" He asked hopefully.

I giggled and replied, "It's wonderful. I would want to live here. It's absolutely beautiful."

He smiled and rested his head on one of the pillows . I did the same, lying on my side so that I could look at him. He turned, doing the same and we just lay there for a moment. We weren't talking, we weren't touching, we were just there. We were just taking in one another's presence, and I loved every moment of it.

Suddenly, he said something that made me angry, sad, and elated all at once.

"Please, don't leave me like my sister did. I want to be able to take you here whenever you want. Please, just try. Try to get better. Please," he said in barely a whisper.

I felt tears filling my eyes. I didn't know that I had hurt him. I didn't mean to, that would be the last thing I would've ever wanted. 

He took my hand in his and caressed my thumb once again.

"Please, just try."