Match

66: Piggy-Back

After about a half hour of fighting with the parts to build the tents, they were finally all completed. Nathan suggested a celebratory beer, to which Joel still smack-talked him along with Ace for being lazy with the help. The "celebratory beer" is saved for later tonight. Now Jonah, Liam and Ryder are gathering firewood. Jonah is tagging behind, marvelling at the natural scenery along the small lake. He eavesdrops on the other two's conversation every now and then.

"Yo we gotta be careful with making the fire ya know," Liam nudges Ryder.

"Yeah, yeah, one of us needs to be sober enough to put it out," Ryder says with a laugh. "I wouldn't be surprised if they put a fire ban starting next week."

"Oh yeah. Tourism is gonna be crazy for the next couple months. Hey Jone."

Jonah perks up from his daze and looks at Liam. "Hm?"

"You good back there?"

He rests his hands behind his head with a smirk. "Yup. I hear you guys loud and clear."

"Oh here!"

Ryder alerts them to a pile of dry sticks. He picks up one, testing its frigidity by tapping it against a nearby tree trunk. Liam also picks one up.

"These look too brittle, though," he says.

"This one seems fine," Ryder holds the stick up high.

"One won't cut it. We need a pile, you know, what John said."

"Yeah I hear ya loud and clear," Ryder says with a smirk.

They continue trekking on, Ryder using the single stick as a walking cane. Jonah looks back at the thin trail. He worries that they may be looking further than they thought.

"Ben really couldn't come, eh?"

He reverts his attention back to the two, remaining quiet.

"Yeah. Seems like he's been busier ever since the season's ended."

It's pretty obvious why, he thinks. Suddenly, he hears noise coming from ahead. People. The trail branches off into two separate paths, meaning the sound is coming from the other path. It nears closer and closer. Instantly they all recognize who it is.

"Oh, 'sup guys." Ryder waves with the stick.

A smile creases on Jonah's face. In front of them is Cole, Graham, Joel and Ashton. Graham waves back.

"Heya! You looking for firewood too?"

"Yeah man!" Liam says.

"How about we go all together? More hands makes it easier."

"Sure."

Jonah walks up to Cole, who's wearing a sheepish smile. He can't help but feel his face soften. It strikes to him as adorable.

"We meet again," he says.

Cole nods. His hands are buried in his pockets.

"We found nothing in that trail," Graham points back to the one they emerged from. "How about you guys?"

"Only one flimsy stick," Liam eyes at Ryder. "We haven't tried the path up ahead yet."

"Oh perfect. We'll all go there then."

In a nod of silent agreement, they all trek on the path. Thankfully it widens with every gradual step. Jonah still moves with the group at the very back. It doesn't take long for Cole to walk beside him.

"No luck either, eh?" He says.

"Hm? Oh, with the firewood?" Cole shakes his head. "Uh, no."

"Man, if we have to walk any further my feet are going to kill me."