The Royal Commoner

The Tree House

Sarah was about to doze off when Noah pulled the car near a trekking trail. Rubbing her eyes, she climbed off her passenger seat and stretched, yawning. Feeling eyes on her back, she turned and glanced up at Noah, who was staring at her bottom. Looking up, he smirked, "Nice ass you've got down there." Rolling her eyes, she turned towards the trail.

Katie came up beside her and leaned over to whisper in her ear, "He totally is into you, girl. Go catch your small fish while it's still out and dry." Did she mention Katie didn't know how to whisper? She heard Noah and Mark sniggering behind her and blushed beet red.

"Oh, believe me, I am anything but small," Noah commented. Mark laughed outright. Sarah wanted to bury herself- or Katie for that matter. 

"Hush it you two," Katie scolded them. "It is important girl talk so keep your noses out."

"Okay, ma'am," Mark said, grinning.

They parked the car and started to follow the trekking path. Sarah and Mark were holding backpacks which contained food, drinks, and few band-aids. One can never be too careful. 

The jungle was quiet and they could hear birds and insects chirping excitedly. Katie stepped back to walk beside Mark and Noah stepped up to walk beside her. Sarah had a feeling of contentment, soaking in the light sun rays peeking through the canopy above, light air tingling her face, the song of birds like music in her ears. She felt absorbed in her own world, where nothing but the forest and her existed. She felt a hand slip in hers and she glanced up in surprise. Noah was looking forward, walking, ducking under a low branch. But his hand curled in hers. She instinctively closed her own fingers around his and looked away to hide a smile. Yeah, she was in a perfect world.

♛❃♛❀♛❃♛

They walked in silence for about half an hour. Noah kept his hand in hers and helped her around the treacherous roots when she stumbled. Katie was right. Chivalry isn't dead. She was already happy about her decision to come here.

Katie and Mark had been following them. She turned to look at Katie, who nodded at her hand in Noah's and raised an eyebrow with a knowing smirk on her face. Sarah looked in front just in time to avoid being head-butted by a low hanging branch. 

Noah stopped suddenly, pulling her to a halt beside him. Katie and Mark barely avoided running into them. Turning to the right, Noah started moving into the jungle, going off the standard tracks.

"Where are you going?" Katie asked as she was pulled along Noah. Katie and Mark followed when Mark whispered something to her.

"I heard there is a tree house out here somewhere near a low scale waterfall," Noah replied.

"But how do you know we are going in the right direction?" Sarah asked nervously, looking around as the forest densed.

"There was a mark craved at the tree. From there we just have to follow South- West direction and in five or so minutes, we'll arrive at the spot," Noah said.

"How do you know we're following the South-west direction?" she was sceptical. He extended his other hand to show her the pocket compass he was holding. 

"You didn't think I'll come without preparation did you?" he winked at her. 

"Where did you come to know about it?" she asked, curious.

"I researched this trail and found that the tree house was located off the tracks because the owner is really scary and hates visitors. The tree house is said to be beautiful and the view fantastic," he replied.

"If the owner hates visitors, aren't we gonna be in trouble?" she asked.

"You ask too many questions. And don't worry. If he is there and bothers us, we'll say we're there to enjoy the view of the waterfall and if he pesters too much, we can always leave," he said, glancing at her.