The Break Up Plan (BoyxBoy)

Step 5

Planning a hike for late November wasn't one of my brightest ideas. In my head, the best time to suggest that Rin breaks up with Stephanie would be while we do one of his favorite things–hiking.

I like hiking. But Rin loves hiking.

So even when a thin layer of frost coated the ground on Saturday morning, he still drove up to my door with a bright smile and an even brighter pair of green joggers.

Because of the iciness on the ground and the disgustingly low temperatures, the trail I picked out wasn't anything crazy. A little over two hours each way with plenty of resting spots along the path. Still, Rin's face lit up as he pulled up to the bottom of the trail.

"Sorry this isn't one of your 10-hour long hikes," I joked, biting my lip as I watched his reaction. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd disappointed him with the beginners path.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said, dropping an arm behind my headrest. "I'm just glad you're here with me."

He unbuckled his seatbelt and practically skipped away from the car. I took longer to leave the vehicle. Most of that delay came from cooling my face. It was freezing outside. There was no reason for my face to be hot. Still, I fanned my cheeks until I'd returned to Rin's side.

After an aggravating warm up which included Rin doing that hula-hoop-hip-stretch-thing, we finally got started.

Quickly, my avoidance of fitness caught up with me. The burning in my calves and thighs was immediate. My feet ached hotly. And with the cold dry air, my chest felt dryer than the sahara. I tried my best to hide the discomfort. After all, I only came out here for Rin. But the guy was too attentive.

When I started lagging behind his pace because of my wheezing breath, he slowed down with me. When I kept taking breaks to get my poor feet off the ground, he put my hand on his shoulder and asked me to lean on him. There was never any judgment about how I'd gotten so unfit or irritation that this four hour hike might take a lot longer than four hours. He still talked to me the same, smiled at me the same, and looked at me the same.

We arrived at the first fork in the path. A map showed directions for how to continue down "beginner track 1" (the path I chose for us) or how to veer off onto another. Rin reviewed the map while I flopped onto the bench, happy to get a break.

This–the sticky feeling in my throat as it begged for water–was my reminder to get back into exercise. Maybe work some cardio into my scheming.

Taking a swig from my bottle, I noticed that Rin wasn't facing the map anymore. He watched me instead, eyes unfocused as they took in my form.

Had his patience run out? Did he regret going on a hike with me?

"I'm surprised you didn't invite your friend James to come with us."

"Why would I do that?"

Rin shrugged, kicking the toe of his foot into the frozen dirt.

"You guys are pretty close aren't you?"

The fidgeting, the stance, the slightly pouty lips.

"Rin, are you jealous?" I couldn't stop myself from laughing, my smile almost painful. "Is that why you guys still don't get along?"

"We get along just fine," he snapped back, which wasn't very convincing. "And I'm not jealous. Everyone wants to be friends with you. He's just lucky he got your attention."

"You talk like I'm so popular," I rolled my eyes, my face feeling warm again. "And don't forget how awkward I was in middle school. If you went through puberty before I did, you would have run off to be a 'cool kid.'"