The Freshman Child

Chapter 10: According To You

Chapter 10: According To You

Sam loved the woods. Add a lake and acres of fields, forest and open spaces and she's one happy camper. Eight AM Saturday, she eagerly pulled on her new hiking boots. Despite initially striking out with Noah, she was looking forward to their trip to Piney Run Park.

It was a clear and cold day. The drive to the park took about 40 minutes, with Noah seeming distracted and barely talking. Maybe he's just not a morning person, Sam thought nervously. Breathing slowly, she could barely contain her panic. This was her first date ever, after all!

It was only when they reached the parking lot that Noah spoke at last. Opening the trunk of the car, he brought out the backpacks he had stuffed with blankets and snacks. "I thought we'd leave the car here and hike first," he said as they put on their packs. "Then we can take a picnic and rent a paddle boat when we get back."

"Sounds good," Sam replied dreamily. She wished they could hike all day.

The path Noah chose was winding, but the sunlight guided them, breaking through the leafless branches. The walk would have been perfect if only Noah would smile at her and talk to her. Instead, he was frowning and acting like a reluctant tour guide. Sam just concentrated on the gorgeous stillness of the forest and the mysterious stirrings of wood creatures.

As they walked, Sam noticed that Noah's backpack was coming unzipped. She stared at the shiny cans inside, he had brought a six-pack of beer. "Did you bring any sodas?" she asked.

"Lots," he said, pointing to his pack.

"I hope we have soda," Sam said worriedly, "because I don't do alcohol."

"You'll be thirsty when we get to the end of the trail," Noah said. "The beer will taste good."

"We're underage," she reminded him.

"Lighten up, Sam," Noah replied, a little exasperatedly. "No one's around."

"That's just it," Sam told Noah. "If we were legal, I still wouldn't drink when I'm in an isolated place with someone I don't know very well." She bit her lip and looked like she wanted to cry.

"You'll change your mind when we get to the end of the trail and it feels chilly," Noah replied.

Before she could react, there was a loud crash in the brush. They both jumped. It sounded like a large animal, a deer maybe, and had come from the path behind them. Noah took advantage of the moment, holding on to Sam tightly, his hands moving over the front of her body, sculpting her. She pulled forward, trying to loosen his grip.

There was another crashing sound, then a voice boomed, "What the hell are you doing, Robinson?"

Max's voice. For a moment Sam stood frozen with amazement. "Max Cavendish?" she said in surprise. He was with a beautiful blonde girl, Bryce, and a tattooed biker-type guy with a man bun.

Noah shook his head, his mouth pulling tight in a look of disgust.He looked like he wanted to strangle Max.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked Max in bewilderment.

Max just glared fiercely at her.

"Why don't you just leave us alone, Max?" Noah said, as gruffly as Sam had ever heard him speak. "Let us go ahead with our hike?" He swallowed imperceptibly.

The tattooed biker stepped forward, "What if we don't?" he said threateningly as he cracked his knuckles.

"Bring it on, Victor," Noah said with false bravado.

Sam stepped in between them and turned to face Max anxiously. "What's going on? Why are you ruining my date?" she said in a low, confused voice.

Max remained stony-faced. The blonde girl and Bryce were watching them avidly.