How to Lose Shann in 10 Days

Chapter 10: Day Six

I kept a steady pace as I ran in the crisp autumn air. I’d only been running for five minutes when a car pull up beside me.

“Get in.” Shann called quietly from his car, glancing around as if afraid Kyle might turn up any moment.

I was so happy to see him. I’d had a feeling he might drop by but I hadn’t expected this early.  He opened the passenger door and I hopped in inside. He drove to the end of the block. Then he stopped the car and kissed me.

“I missed you.” He said. “So much. All night long.”

“Me too.” I admitted. It was true. My night was filled with dreams of Shann and me.

“I’d been circling your house for an hour hoping you’d come outside. I wanted to take you away and spend the day with you before anyone else knew about it.” He started driving again.

“No way, really.” I laughed. “Where are we going?” I asked. I had a momentarily flash of guilt but I pushed it away.

“I’m not sure. Maybe  drive around the country and look at the mountains or take a hike or something.”

“Sounds good.” I agreed. I don’t care where we go as long as he’s with me. Excitement bubbled inside me. Shann looked over at me and smiled. He put the car in gear and drove off with one hand on the wheel and one hand in mine.

“Did you see Kyle, last night,” he asked suddenly.

Kyle.My invisible, uninvited chaperone.

“No. Thankfully. I wouldn’t have known what to say.”

‘Do you generally report to him when someone kisses you.” He teased.

“No!” I blushed. “And FYI, you were my first kiss.”

“Good.” His smile widened even more. “I don’t want anyone kissing you, unless it’s me.”

At that moment I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to kiss anyone else.

“I’ll kiss you every day if you like.” I teased.

Shann laughed. “That,” he said “would be amazing.”

After driving for about an hour, we pulled off the highway onto a dirt road. He turned off the ignition. “We’re here!”

“Cool. Where is here, exactly?”

“My sanctuary.” We got out of the car, and Shann took my hand. “In a few minutes you’ll see why.”

He led me through the bushes to a narrow hiking trail that ended at the base of a waterfall. The blue and white cascades of water sparkled in the sunlight and formed a pool of twenty feet below. It was beautiful, mesmerizing.

Nobody is around though. “How come there aren’t tourists here.” I exclaimed. “Doesn’t anyone know this place?”

“This is private property.” He said quietly. “I inherited this land from my mother.” Shann said sitting down on a rock. “You can’t see the waterfall from the road, a lot of people probably don’t know it exists.”

I sat next to him and let the cool water mist my face. “How often do you come here?”

“Whenever, I need to get away and your brother is not around.” Shann gazed thoughtfully at the cascading water. “I suppose I came here pretty often.”

Poor Shann. I never thought he felt troubled. He’d always been carefree and easygoing when he was at our house. I wondered if Kyle knew how much Shann depended on him for comfort.