Bare-Back Mountain

Chapter Fifteen:

I'm going insane. I'm going absolutely crazy!

"Ray... you don't look well... what'd he tell you?"

"That's the problem- he didn't tell me anything! He just told me to meet him or- I don't know Eve! Just- this is making me crazy. He said..." I paused and she leaned in, eyes filled with worry.

"He said...?"

"He said it might be bad, Eve. It might be bad."

"Wait- what might be bad? Ray! Stop talking in riddles! What did he say?"

"What time is it?"

"What? What the hell does time have to do with it? Ray you're really confusing. Take a deep breath."

"What time!"

"Seven."

"SEVEN?" I stand up and run out, the tinkling of the bell ushering me out.

I don't know what time it is when I make it to Starry Hill, but Joe's not there yet any way. I sigh and lean on the fencing surrounding the area. Maybe it's so bad he didn't want to come. Maybe this was a cruel joke. Maybe I'm just an idiot...

"Ray?" Or maybe...

"Joe!" I straightened up, turning.

"You... you lost this?" He held out my fishing rod and I smiled.

"Yeah. Well. No. Sorta." He simply stared, handing over my fishing rod.

"O...k..."

"You wanted to talk..." I've got be honest, I'm scared as hell. What if breaks up with me? Tells me he doesn't like guys...

"Yeah. Here, let's sit." We both sit down, our legs hanging over the edge of the hill. I lean my face on the railings, looking over at him. He sighs, looking troubled.

"What is it?"

"Do you know what day it is?" I stared at him blankly.

"No not particularly."

"The ninth." He's blushing but I haven't got the slightest clue why. Ok now I know I've got insane. "It's... the Moon Viewing..."

"You asked me on a date without even letting me know it! You're horrible." But of course I'm smiling. We're on a date. Uh huh uh huh oh yeah a DATE! Hahaha! "But... there's bad news... right?" He shakes his head.

"I'm- I'm not sure if it's good or bad to be honest. I don't know... don't know how you'll take it. Or..."

"Just say it." Get this torture over with...

"Ray-" His eyes were filled with pain but at the same time, a certain sort of clarity. It was strange, seeing him like this. He was usually so relaxed.

"Your hands are shaking..." My eyes searched his own, not finding any hints to what he was trying to tell me. Finally he pulled me against him, nuzzling my ear gently.

"I want to make love to you."

"What-!" He still held me tightly against him, my eyes wide.

"I want you..." His voice sounded strained. "I- I want to be serious. I want to be with you. I- Ray, I think..." I could hear his hesitation and, though he still held me, he shifted positions so he could look into my eyes. "I love you Ray." It was nothing more than a whisper, his face red. "I don't know why... I don't know how. I just- I do. You're always on my mind."

Holy shit. Holy mother of god what the- when did this happen? How? I- I'M SO HAPPY! My chibi cheerleader hit the sky, dancing through clouds and clanging a gong. L-O-V-E It's just Joe, him and me!

"You-" I couldn't stop the smile creeping onto my face. "You love me?" He smiled back, nodding. "Then I love you too!" I glomped him, pushing him down onto the soft grass, arms around his neck. I heard him chuckle, arms responding as they wrapped warmly around me. It was a few minutes before we had both composed ourselves.

Naturally, I was in my own world. The words, He loves me! Drifting by in thick fuzzy clouds right before my eyes.

"-sex"

"What?" I turned my attention back to him as reality came crashing back down to Earth.

"I want to have sex. With you." He said quietly. "You know how the very first time we... uh... met..." Translation: The first time we made out. I nodded. "...and I asked you... you know, about." Another nod. "Well... I asked because... I don't know... even though I thought it was nothing I just- I really liked you from the start I guess." He's so nervous about all this.

I was blushing. Badly.

"Well then... when?"

"Now."

"Huh?" He leaned over me, inches away from my face.

"Did you see the moon? It's beautiful. It's making me realize just how perfect everything is, and how much better it could be. Right now, under this moon. Under these stars. Under you. Or over. Whichever you prefer." He laughed and my blush deepened (if it were possible). Holy shit.

I gulped and moved closer. This is insane. This- this is... The cheerleading part of me chimed in, its voice sing-song- It's PERRRR-FECT!

"I want you too."

I'm such an evil author.