I'M A MESS

Chapter Nineteen

Aaron's POV

The sky above the city was clear but dark clouds loomed not far from the horizon. Thinking that an approaching rain wouldn't stop us, we decided to push on with our itinerary. We were dropped off from the car by the base of the mountain from where we saw a path amidst the trees and bushes. From then on, we started our hike up the mountains. It didn't take long for me to notice a slight change in our climb.

In his short dress and brown Chukka boots, Isaac uncomfortably walked the mountain paths beside me. He wasn't really unfamiliar with the mountains since he lives in one. The only problem he has right now is the unease that came with his disguise. Feeling more responsible than necessary, I slowed my pace down to match his.

"Can you keep up?", I leaned into him and asked.

"I can, so just mind yourself", he replied without meeting my eyes. The longer we climbed, the slower his pace became. Mother noticed and worried, so she decided to take a short stop in an open space which overlooked half of the city - the other half blocked by the tall infrastructures which will probably be visible once we climb the mountains even further. It was a few minutes before lunch, so we decided to take it early instead.

Veiling the green grass with a blanket, Eleanor and Mother decided to arrange the baskets and the food. Father and Xander took some time to watch over the scenery while I tended to a tired Isaac sitting on a short boulder.

"I told you, I'm alright", he persists. He shuffled in his seating and carefully prompted his dress on his legs so the upper portions won't get exposed. "Why does this dress have to be so exposing?", he complains under his breath.

Adjusting my camera's sling on my chest, I placed the camera on my back to make my movements a bit more comfortable. I knelt in front of Isaac and lifted his leg up to my bent knee.

"Hey..!", he loudly whispered as he swatted my hands away from his foot.

"It hurts, doesn't it?", I looked up at his golden eyes. "Your feet, I mean". I turned my attention to his feet and carefully placed the palm of my hand underneath the heel of his boot. Gently taking it off, he flinched.

"Don't take it off..!", his eyes fluttered with worry and his hand on my shoulder clenched my shirt. "Please, it.. really hurts". Seeing the discomfort in his trembling eyes, I decided to let him off on his decision. I gently put his feet back on the ground and his grip on my shirt loosened.

"You can tell me when it hurts, you know? I can help", I offered with a good natured smile.

"I can help myself. I told you to mind yourself, didn't I?", he stands up from the boulder and attempts a step from which he felt great discomfort and ended up falling on my chest.

"See?", I whispered. His hold tightening on my shirt once more, he buried his face onto the space between my neck and shoulders. He took slow steps towards me and tried to ease the pain in his feet by getting more used to it while using my shoulders as support.

"I'm doing this just now", he spoke as if he was in opposition to his own thoughts. "Let me hold on to you". Feeling a bit pleased - okay, I won't lie; I really was pleased -, I grinned to myself and gave him as much help as he needed as I spoke with utmost sincerity, "You can hold on to me as much as you want".

Feeling a bit too ecstatic, I supported him all the way until we reached the picnic blanket where our lunch was readied by the ladies. I gave Isaac time to settle down with his sore feet and once he had, I offered him a sandwich and a cup of tea which the ladies have boiled with the equipments that they brought along. In the middle of having lunch, Xander, from his little trek around the place, came running back to us with a tired yet unspeakably delighted look on his face as he said, "I found something".