After an hour or so of driving we finally stopped at what seemed to be an opening at a forest. We got out and Mike grabbed onto me and we began walking. After walking for what seemed like forever I was tired. "How much further?" I asked for the 5th time.

"For someone who runs in the morning you sure are lazy." He said stopping and smiling.

"Don't call me lazy." I said, "We have been walking for…like-"

"It's been 23 minutes exactly." He said looking at his watch. "We could run?" He said.

"No running." I said. "Come on, you walk slow." I said grabbing him and walking faster.

"I walk slowly? You are one crazy lady." He said smiling.

After another 7 minutes we finally stopped. We were in front of what was a little pond. It was beautiful, like something that would be out of a fairy tale. The water was clear and the glass soft as cotton. "How did you find this place?" I asked.

"When I was little I ran away and came here." He said sitting down. "I went back home of course but I never forgot about it." He said. "You can't forget something when it's this perfect."

"How did you get here, it's so far from Odessa ?" I asked.

"I ran and when I got tired I walked. My dad wanted to kill me when I got back; I was gone for two days." He said and began to take off his shirt.

"What are you doing?" I asked surprised by his action.

"Its hot, I just walked all the way here and besides I don't want to get my clothes wet." He said standing and began to undo his belt.

"Wait, wait, wait" I said stopping him. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Its just water." He said confused. "It's not going to hurt anyone. I've done it before."

"Okay but do you have to take your pants off?" I asked.

He smiled. "I see that's what this is about." He took a step away. "How about I get undressed over here and you over there." He pointed to the other side.

"I never said I was getting undressed." I said shaking my head.

"Well you can get in with your clothes then." He said shrugging.

"I'm not going in." I said crossing my arms.

"We walked all the way out here and you aren't going to get in the cool crisp clear water?" He asked. "It is hot out here." He said smirking.

I thought about it. "Maybe, you can get in first." I said unsure.

"Fine but you are missing out on a lot." He said. He continued to take off his pants. "You better not watch me." He said joking.

"Not funny." I said from where I had sat. He just shrugged and walked in. "Is it cold?"

"No it's perfect. You should join me, it would be better." He said. "Come on, its just water." He said begging.

"I don't even like water." I said.

"You don't like water?" He shook his head. "It feels nice." He said and went under.

I jumped up and looked into the water. "Don't do that." I said once he came back up. "It worries me."

"You really don't like water, do you?" He said wiping his eyes.

"It's okay." I said. "I just…can't swim." I said sitting back down.

"Come on, I won't let anything happen." I didn't move. "Trust me." He said sincerely.

"Fine but if anything happens I will kill you." I said standing. "Turn around, don't look at me." I said

"Fine." He said dramatically and turned.

"You better stay facing that way, I mean it." I said and he nodded. I took off my pants my first and then my shirt. I didn't want to get my bra wet, I thought about it. I was going to be in the water. I took it off. I began to walk. "Don't turn around yet." I said when he went to turn. I was in all the way. "Okay." I said.

He turned and looked at me, he was smiling. "See was that hard?" He asked moving closer to me. He wrapped his arms around me bringing my closer. "Just relax." He instructed.

I tried but it was hard. I was worried about something happening.

"I can't believe you never learned to swim." He said.

"It's not like I needed too." I said.

"Isn't Chicago next to a river?" He asked.

"A lake actually but there is a river." I said. "Thats not the point I don't like sand, so I don't go to the beach."

"I want to go to the beach someday." He said.

"It's not as fun as it looks in the movies." I said. "I'll take you though, promise." I said kissing him.

"Thanks." He said kissing my neck. I wrapped my arms around him bringing out bodies closer. I felt his bare skin against mine and it was cold. I placed my head on his shoulder. He began rubbing my arm. "Why did you let him do that?" He asked softly.

"What was I supposed to do?" I asked. "Donnie tried to stop him but he was so angry, I've never seen someone that angry before." I said. "Except David."

"Why was he angry?" He asked running his hand along my back.

"He was drunk and I got home late." I said.

"So it was because of me?" He asked.

"No, Nothing is your fault." I said kissing his shoulder softly.

It began to get dark and the water began to turn cold. "I think its time to go." He said. "Come on, I won't look." He said grabbing my hand.

I followed him out the water and got dressed quickly. It wasn't really cold but we were both wet so it was just worse. We walked slowly back to the truck in silence because there was nothing to say.

We got in the truck finally. "It's freezing." He said shaking and turned on the heat. "I thought I would never have to use that in Texas ." He said.

"You should try being in Chicago ." I said. "That's being cold for real."

"I guess." He said and started the truck. "Its only 9, you want to go home now?" He asked. I shook my head. "Well we can wait here for a while." He said.

"What is there to do here?" I asked. He smiled and leaned over kissing me hard. He felt so warm compared to me and I wanted to get closer. I kissed him deeper and pulled him over me.

He pulled away breathing hard, "If that's what you want fine." He said kissing me again while smirking. I felt his fingers trailing my sides. He reached under my shirt and I froze up. "Are you okay?" He asked stopping and looking at me.

"Yeah…just…not that now." I said. "Not yet," I whispered.

He nodded. "Don't worry." He said moving his hand. He leaned in and kissed me again. There was a tapping sound on the window causing us both to jump. We looked at the window to see they had begun to fog up. I smiled. "That's not good." He said sitting up. He rolled down his window. "Hey officer." He said quietly.

"It's a little late, shouldn't you be heading home?" He asked. "It's past curfew."

"Curfew is 11." Mike said confused.

"Not here its not." He said. "Its 9, I should take you two in and call your parents but I won't." He said looking from Mike to me. "Good luck on Friday, we don't need a quarterback with a record." He said smiling. "Get home safely kids." He said walking away.

"That was close." I said. Mike started the truck without saying anything and we began to drive. "Are you okay?" I asked because of he still had remained silent.

"I just wish for once I wasn't a quarterback." He said. "It's so…old. I don't know. I don't want to be that, everyone expects me to win." He said. "Everyone wants me to be their hero. What if I can't?" He said shaking his head.

"Mike don't worry about it." I said patting his hand softly.

"I just don't feel like playing anymore." He said starring in front of him. "Sometimes I hate it and that scares me."

"Well why do you still play?" I asked confused.

"I want out of here, out of Odessa. Out of this whole place." He took a deep breath. "Football is the only way to ever get out." He said. "I won't get stuck here like Don's father." He said.

"Don't worry, you'll get out with or without football." I said. "I believe in you Mike Wenchell. I really do."

He turned and looked at me. He didn't say anything because he didn't need to. I could tell he was happy by what I said. And He knew I didn't just say it because I was supposed to. He knew that I really meant it.