Author's Note: I'm starting to get a block to this story so sorry if the next updates don't come as fast. On a brighter note, this chapter is even longer than the last one! =) Many thanks and appreciation to Ukchana (your advice is very helpful. thank you =) i will try to work on keeping a constant tense), Mokana-chan, WildBlackWolf and Viva and Draechaeli for your reviews and support! =)
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Chapter 8
Chihiro rubbed her eyes sleepily. Outside, the chatter of bird song blended harmoniously with the soft rustle of wind through leaves. She smiled half-heartedly as she remembered the camping trip. Sure it would be great fun to spend a night outdoors with her closest friends. But to spend it in that particular forest seemed somewhat… well, she couldn't really describe it. It just made her… uncomfortable. She shook herself slightly and walked sleepy eyed to the bathroom to wash up.
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Water feels so nice. Chihiro let the water shower her from head to toe. She closed her eyes as some of the water began to run down the front of her face as her hair became wet. For a full minute, she just let the water run over her. I want to go swimming. She decided.
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Chihiro touched the water with her toe and drew back. "Are you sure I won't catch a cold swimming in this water? It's so cold." She looked doubtfully at Katie.
Katie waded ankle deep into the river. "It's fine. You just have to get used to it. It won't be cold after you swim for a few minutes."
Trusting her friend's words, Chihiro stepped into the water. Ignoring the sharp icy prickling on her skin, Chihiro immersed herself in the river. The prickling turned to a soft caress as the water surrounded her. She listened as the river began to hum its underwater song. She opened her eyes and looked around her. The water was so clear. She could see small schools of fish swimming downstream. She felt weightless, formless—one with the gently flowing river. The sunlight created kaleidoscopes of color as it bent to the water. And then, she saw it, his face, glimmering faintly among the sunlight.
"Haku?" Bubbles came out with Chihiro's muffled words and it was gone. Again, it was just sparkling sunlight on the water surface. Chihiro surfaced and looked around.
"Is the water still cold?" Katie winked, smiling as she caught Chihiro's gaze.
Chihiro laughed and started splashing water on Katie.
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Chihiro and Katie tiptoed quietly into their tent. "I told you we shouldn't have stayed so long at the river." Katie hissed to Chihiro under her breath as she crawled into her sleeping bag.
Chihiro looked apologetically over at the dark bundle that was Katie. "Sorry Katie. It's just that the water was so nice…" Katie didn't answer. "And sorry for suggesting we take that short cut." Chihiro whispered. "I guess I have my dad's sense of direction."
Katie laughed quietly. "That's okay Chihiro. The three hour walk back to the camp was good exercise at least."
A slight groan came from the other sleeping bag in the tent. Abby sat up and rubbed her eyes, peering through the darkness. "Chihiro? Katie?"
"Shhhhh." Chihiro cautioned. "You don't want to wake the girls in the other tents."
"You guys! It was so hard covering up for you especially since you were gone so long! Mrs. Nori was starting to get suspicious that you guys would rather sleep than have dinner."
"Why? What was for dinner?" Katie asked eagerly as her stomach growled.
Chihiro could just imagine Abby's grin. "We heated our own hot dogs over the fire and made smores afterwards."
Katie groaned longingly. "Is there anything left?"
Abby turned on a flashlight and dug through her bag. She pulled out two wrapped hot dogs and smores and handed one each to Katie and Chihiro. "What are friends for?"
Katie and Chihiro scooted closer to Abby's sleeping bag. "Thanks Abby, you're the best." Chihiro smiled and gave her a hug. "Yeah Abby. You're a life saver." Katie grinned as she began wolfing down her hot dog.
Abby beamed happily. "So did you guys have fun at the river?"
Chihiro smiled. "Oh yeah! It was too bad you couldn't come Abby. The water was SO nice!"
"But you're totally growing up Abby! I can't believe you already started getting your…" Katie stopped as Abby glared at her and went sheepishly back to her hot dog.
Abby's blush was obvious despite the weak light from the flashlight.
Chihiro patted Abby on the arm. "It's not that bad Abby! You're even allowed to date now!"
"Yeah! I bet you'd love to be Will's girlfriend." Katie teased and ducked as Abby chucked a pillow at her.
Chihiro laughed. "It's not like you wouldn't like going out with Ken Katie."
It was now Katie's turn to turn red. Recovering quickly, Katie eyed Chihiro evilly. "You know Chihiro, you've never told us who you like." Abby shifted her gaze to Chihiro too. "You're right Katie, Chihiro hasn't told us who she likes."
Chihiro gulped nervously as her two friends looked hard at her. "Uh… I don't like anyone. I don't really think of boys as more than friends to be honest…"
Katie sat back, disappointed. "Aw come on. You've gotta have just a slight crush on someone! I mean, if you had to choose someone right now, who would it be?"
"Girls…" A warning voice came from outside their tent. The girls all froze as Mrs. Nori lifted the tent cover and looked warningly at them.
"Oh! Look at the time!" Katie laughed nervously and crawled into her sleeping bag. Chihiro and Abby did the same.
Mrs. Nori looked hard at each of them. "If you girls don't go to sleep right now, I will have to tell your parents tomorrow." She let down the cover and walked back to her tent.
All three girls sighed in relief.
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Chihiro lay awake, staring up at the top of the tent. Katie and Abby's rhythmic breathing told her that they were already asleep. In her mind, Chihiro went through all the boys she knew and tried to think of one that she liked. But she couldn't. They were all just friends to her. No matter what Katie and Abby said, she just couldn't find any boy to have a crush on. They were all just her friends. Nothing more. Even if she had to pick, she simply couldn't. They were all just friends. She only wanted them as friends. Every single one of them. Although, maybe, just maybe. Haku could become more than just a friend. MAYBE she could develop a crush for her former best friend. Just maybe.
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A/N: hope u liked! =) review plz! =)
