Country Dream [Completed ✅]

Hugs!

I was running flat out when I heard heavy footsteps behind me......great, now Mattias had caught up. I quickly stepped sideways.....and bumped into something.

I stumbled, but a pair of strong arms went around me and held me up, and I looked up into Mattias's laughing face.

"Caught you!"

I twisted, trying to get free, but those arms just tightened around me, till I couldn't even breathe.

Mattias chuckled.

"You can't get away.....I'm stronger than you are!"

I gave up and slumped in his arms.

"Fine, I give up......can I go free now?"

He laughed again.

"Nope. I'm gonna duck you first.....remember?" and his grin grew cheekier.

I groaned........Then, suddenly, he picked me up and began walking towards the water.

I suddenly felt awkward again......this was the closest I'd ever been to a guy of my age before. I could try to break free now, but I knew those arms of steel would tighten, and then I'd be helpless.

I looked up at Mattias again. Maybe, I could manipulate him?.......I'd give it a try.

I mean, I knew I shouldn't, but I seriously needed to get free.......

I gave him the puppy-eyes treatment.

"Matt...... will you please let me down?" I asked sweetly.

I almost got the result I wanted. For a second, Mattias's eyes went blank, and he just stared at me. His arms loosened, and I could see his resolve wavering, but then he realized what I was doing.

He laughed at me.....then looked right into my eyes. His eyes did something to me - I could feel myself just melting inside....Darn it!

I just couldn't take it. I tore my eyes away and looked down, but his arms tightened around me again, pulling me closer to him in a cuddle - I could feel his arm and chest muscles. I shivered, and tried to ignore them. My heart was still thumping, and it didn't help that I had my head on his chest and was able to hear his heartbeat racing, too. This really needed to stop.....but, I kinda liked it.

No. Come on, Liz......get a grip on yourself......
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, then realised something else: Mattias was almost at the pool..........

Uh-oh!!!

It didn't help at all that I knew Mattias had been watching me, and smiling........I knew I must be blushing like crazy, and I felt so embarrassed! But he didn't say anything, until we were at the edge of the pool.

"Here we go!" he called, and jumped into the water with a big splash. As the water hit me, I gasped.

"That - is - so - cold!!!!!"

I was shivering in his arms, but he just chuckled and held me closer to him......I have a feeling that he liked being able to hold me like this.......

However, I got used to the cold water quickly. Mattias still had his arms around me, but he was beginning to relax them.......I waited quietly until he had stopped paying attention, then slipped out of his arms like a fish, using the water to help me. I went straight down underwater to the bottom - I was free!!!!!

In the water, I was more than a match for him - Gosh, I trained in the pool every day, for goodness's sakes.....

Mattias dove underwater and began to chase me around the water, but I was much faster than him in the water. He chased me for several minutes, without getting anywhere near me, and finally gave up.

"Alright! Truce......You win!"

From my safe perch on the root of a willow-tree, on the opposite side of the bank, I saw him looking around for me. I chuckled beneath the long leaves, knowing that I was safely hidden from his view.

He threw his arms up in the air, and looked around again.

"I know you can see me, wherever you are......I give up, okay?!"

I stepped out into the open and grinned at him.

"Okay....truce it is."

I came splashing back the to the shallows, where he was standing, and he turned around with a honest grin. I began giggling, and he laughed along with me. I'm sure we both looked a sight to behold - our wet clothes sticking to us, and our hair - mine especially - sticking or hanging wet and bedraggled around our faces.

Then I saw Mattias had a leaf - a leaf, in his hair! He looked absolutely ridiculous - I burst out laughing, and couldn't stop!

It was even funnier because he didn't understand what I was laughing at, so he just joined in and laughed anyway - it was so hilarious!!!

Finally, I calmed down.

"There's a leaf, in your hair!" I giggled.

He patted his head, looking for it, but he kept missing.

"Where is it?!" he asked at last.

I waded over to him and reached up......Bother - I couldn't reach his head properly. I ducked my head under the water.

"Mattias! You're standing on a rock!" I told him off, "Will you please get down so I can reach?!"

He burst out laughing and stepped down. I reached up again, and was able to comb the leaf out of his hair. He closed his eyes dreamily.

"That feels nice, you know?"

I giggled at him, and combed the rest of the wet hair out of his eyes, but decided to change the subject......it was getting awkward again.

"Where's the creek come from?" I asked curiously, and he chuckled.

"Oooh......wait till I show you!"

A/N:

So, that's the longest chapter there is :) .......next we get to see where the canyon comes from, (and a few more other things XD).......and I just love Lisa and Mattias together - they're just so CUTE!!! *does little squeal and happy dance*

......Anyway, you didn't read this to hear all my fangirling, so I'll just stop XD......But please do vote if you enjoyed this chapter - I always appreciate people's votes so much! - Do you know I see them all individually, and they just really make my day, so thank you in advance!!!!!

Lots of love and hugs from Stella XXXOOO