The One

Dark Sky Park

"What if there is something out there?" I ask shining my flashlight out the window of the truck.

"I will protect you." He laughs, "Plus there is nothing out here." he walks over pulling the door open, lending his hand to me.

"Okay, but if something happens, I'm back in the truck for the night."

He just laughs at me as he walks me to the back of the tuck. Bryce has blankets spread around in the truck bed, two pillows close to the cab, and a small red cooler resting on the tailgate.

I scurry into the truck and remove my shoes so that dirt doesn't get on the blankets. Bryce copies me. He reaches into the cooler and pulls out a couple beers.

"What's this? We aren't even old enough to drink, let alone buy it."

"That's what fake IDs are for. I knew you would say something like that, all innocent and abiding by the rules." he pops the caps off and places the bottle in my hand. Clinking the tops together. "To having a good time...and breaking a few rules." he tips his back and I do the same.

After a moment of silence, I turn to Bryce.

"Thank you."

"For what?" He faces me now, a slight grin across his face.

"Everything. This trip, it has been amazing."

"It's not over yet, ya dork."

I tip my beer back, taking another swig, already feeling a buzz. A breeze blows through the truck, flapping the blankets in the air. We both laugh as the wind stops just as suddenly as it started. Bryce has already finished his drink and set the bottle in the corner. I set mine down on the tailgate and hold the side of the truck as the buzz becomes stronger. I slide back on my arms until I am laying flat. Bryce watches me then copies me once more.

We lay on our backs on a few blankets in the bed of his truck staring up at the stars. They are more amazing than they seemed in the pictures. I can hear the water running in the stream and crickets chirping off in the distance. Without warning Bryce wraps his arm around my stomach and pulls me closer to him. I roll onto my side so that I am facing him. He does the same so we are resting eye to eye. I don't think I had ever actually been speechless and unsure what to say in front of a guy, muchless my best friend, maybe I am just buzzed and not thinking straight. I duck my head, breaking eye contact, smile and inch closer to him, and he lays down. Resting my head on his arm as he places it around my neck and wrapping my arm around him and holding him close feels right. We stay like that for a few, then Bryce says:

"The stars are amazing, just like someone I know."

"Oh and who might that be?"

"Her name is Samantha, but she prefers to be called Sam for some unknown reason. She's really dorky too, and she has been my best friend for years. But she does obsess over cats and unicorns"

"Well she is very lucky to have you. And I think I should meet her sometime, she sounds pretty cool. Anyone who likes unicorns is instantly my friend." I chuckle and can feel myself blush, thankful it is dark enough that Bryce can't see. My hands are shaky and my heart pounds against my ribs, threatening to break through. Have I always felt this way around him? Like my heart is going to leap out of my chest against his touch? Or just now that I am alone with him?

He pulls me closer to his chest and kisses my forehead. I can hear his paced breathing and feel the rise and fall of his chest. We lay that way until we fall asleep.

I wake up to the sun shining right on my face. Sitting up I rub the last traces of sleep from my eyes. I hear Bryce stirr, a moment later his arms wrap around my stomach and pull me into his chest, I squeak in surprise. He is sitting upright

"Good morning."

"Good morning. How did you sleep?"

"Amazing cause I was with you."

"Funny funny." I laugh.

"No honestly," he blushes, "Did I go to far?"

"Not at all." I turn around to face him. He looks really cute with his messy hair and tired eyes squinting in the sun."I slept amazingly too."

A dorky grin spreads across his face. "I'm glad you did."

"Plus the stars were stunning! I'm glad we got to come...together."

"Me too. I don't think I would have had as good of a time if you weren't here."

"Where to today?" I ask scooting away a little.

"I was thinking somewhere you have never been before."

"And where is that?"

"You tell me, where do you want to go today?"