Nature's Calling Pt. 01

David

"You told me this had to end. We both know that you lied. We're on fire." Her voice sounded like it was calling out to me, as if the mountains were the chorus to her one-woman show. The microphone attached to my helmet could never do her alluring song justice.

"You finally learned a new skill, homebody?" I mocked. I could feel her eyes narrow at the back of my head, even though I could not see them. "No, I heard it from an up-and-coming singer and songwriter, Jax the Bard, on social media. Not my fault that you've peaked in your late twenties and now you are stuck with old music," she chided.

In my headcannon, she was a land siren. Her auburn hair created a great contrast against the setting sun. She had put her hair into a hair tie and then used her extra ones to create a bubble effect because she 'didn't want to lose them'. Somehow, she had planned her outfit for the last day perfectly. She had on a red tank top and black shorts with a white tie drawstring. She had wanted to go for a ride for the last couple of hours of our friend group's camping trip, so she had borrowed Liam's helmet and leather jacket.

He knew how I felt about her and had told me to use this ride to ask her out. I knew she would never fall for a simple biker boy like me, so I just kept it to myself. At least I knew we looked like a couple to anyone who passed us. My pink shirt, faux leather jacket, and slim-fit jeans matched her outfit perfectly. I couldn't face the possible rejection and the awkwardness it would cause to our friendship, plus she was an excellent backpacker.

She tapped my shoulder and exclaimed, "Pull over there," with a point of her right hand. I could see the railing ending and hoped that that was what she meant. Playfully, I retorted, "Callie calls." She let go of me as she annoyedly responded, "asshole."

Not wanting to aid in her growing exasperated banter, I did a quick break check. "They need to keep up with these roads; even if they're in the middle of the mountains."I fakely exclaimed. She quickly hugged my stomach and tucked her head into my back. I was glad that the railing on our right had ended because helmet kisses on a motorcycle were never a fun thing to deal with.

As I pulled off the road, the dirt underneath us made it slightly difficult to navigate. I kicked out the kickstand and hit the kill switch. Before I can offer to help Callie off my bike, she is pressing down on my shoulders, trying to get off. "It's easier if you swing your right leg over the bike," I comment. She quickly got off my bike and put Liam's helmet onto the backrest. I watch her climb the unguarded rocks nearby, smiling, desperately trying to calm down before I get off.

Callie

I could feel the brown-grey rocks under my sneakers. David had been worried about my lack of pants because of ATGATT, or all the gear all the time. I told him we didn't have any other options and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If he was so worried, then he should be more careful as the driver.

Besides the break-checking at the end, it had been a smooth ride like these rocks. They were still warm under my touch, but soft. I was careful not to lose my grip as I climbed roughly seven-foot-tall rocks. At the top, they leveled out enough for me to comfortably sit down to stretch my legs out. The bike was nice, but the natural view around us far exceeded it.

Curious as to what David was doing, I asked, "What are you doing, slow-poke?" I could barely see the top of his head, but I could guess that he was climbing up after me. "Spoiler princess, some of us need to stretch before retreating into cavemen, especially after being squished for so long," he calls out. His joking demureness annoys me, like where is the 'rebellious freedom boy' spirit, since it was wasted on that classic bike.

I responded, "You need to walk more than ride, to grow those chicken muscles."

"Excuse me, biker for life!" he said, wide-eyed and displeased.

I rolled my eyes. At least David was finally at the top of the rocks. Listening to him get sorted, I looked out. The sun was starting to set. The soft, airy clouds blocked most of the sun's rays, yet a milky eggwash color shone through. It created a lovely contrast to the mountains far off in the distance. The earthy stillness, accompanied by David's friendly companionship, gave me peace.

I closed my eyes and quietly breathed, "This is nice." Softly, he responded, "Yes, it is." I felt him rest a hand on my right shoulder, so I opened my eyes. "What?" I asked. He quickly answered, "Nothing, the view is beautiful."

David

I wanted to say more, but the way she cut me off left me speechless. I also really wanted to smile and memorize every part of this moment, of her. "We have a little bit of time before we should get back to camp if you want to rest your head," I offer, pleading against all hope that she does. "If I do that, you'll have to carry my snoozing body down those rocks," she retaliated. In my head, I think that I totally could. I would show her who has chicken muscles, but I do not push the matter further.

"Since you wanted to sing so badly into the mic, why not do it now?" I ask. She ponders the question, sadly stating, "I don't know anything about that song." Quickly, I turned to her, "So, what kind of excuse is that? I know for a fact that you know far more songs. I could hear you singing all sorts of songs at camp." Moving away from me, she counters, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're like a never-ending radio station with all sorts of songs. No matter what you're doing. If you are alone, you sing. Dishes: singing, gathering wood for the fire; singing, hell, even getting ready in the morning, you sing, Callie."

"Ew, you sound like a gross stocker. If my voice annoys you so much, then wouldn't the silence around us be heavenly for you?"

You are impossible, I think. I get close to her face, "Sounds to me like somebody's got cold feet, ducky."

"You better choose your next words carefully," she warns

"Or else what?"

"I'll steal your bike."

"And what sound does the bike make?" She glares at me, her eyes narrowing. I scoff," It's not like you even know how to turn it on, let alone drive it." She turns her head away from me in a huff.

"Come on, choose any song you like."

She pauses for a moment, then begins to sing a song I heard earlier that day. "... I'll wander, weep, and moan; all for my jolly sailor until he sails home..." I close my eyes to savor the moment. Personally, I wish she had picked Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid, because that was what I wanted to do. The song she chose puts me at blissful peace, possibly a little too much.

"... rude of you to fall asleep when I'm doing exactly what you asked," she shoved my shoulder with her right arm.

"I did not fall asleep, I zoned out to listen to you and to take in everything around us."

"Right, well, if you have insomnia, I recommend My Jolly Sailor Bold by Ashley Serena."

"Fine, this time I promise I will stare at you while you sing since you cannot possibly think I am capable of telling the truth/"

"No need to be so defensive, I believe you. We need to head back to camp since it's getting late."

Begrudgingly, I had to agree with her. The sun had turned into a fiery shade of red and orange in the sky. I also did not want to have to drive on the semi-paved roads at night. Countering her comeback, I performatively state, "Only if it pleases the little lady." She gives me the bird, and I use that as a formative sign that she is ready to go back to camp.