Teenage Dream

by Lucy Samb

You/ Darren Criss fanfic. The story is about your life with Darren in high school, college and professional life among friendship,love,fights,comings and goings and how you both go through serious stuff such as bullying,suicide,discrimination and life itself. It starts when you meet Darren, a guy of your school in St. Ignatius College Preparatory who never noticed you, a loser.

38. Swim, run and hide

A/N: Early update, yay! I just came back from my drama class and I thought about updating earlier because I want to go to sleep earlier today because I'm exhausted! So, here's a new chapter! What do I have to say? Let's see... In general, I'm so happy that you liked the last chapter. It's was cute and sweet, wasn't it? It was different than the other chapters full of angst, right? Well, enjoy those sweet chapters before the drama returns! I think that by this time you know how I am, I can't survive without writing drama! But this new chapter is maybe also a bit sweet. So enjoy those as long as you can because I'll be cruel soon! Just kidding, or not. Other thing, I like the fact some of you told me where are you from! It's amazing to know you all are from different places! And one last thing… Have you heard about Darren's new solo album? Who is excited as much as I am? Ah! It's totally awesome; I can't wait to get it! I'm really too excited and too eager to get it! I can't wait! Okay now, ladies and gentleman, unicorns and dragons, I'll start replying your reviews!

alicegursk: My dear wife named Alice, I'm really happy that you enjoyed a little bit of sweetness and cuteness, full of sappy things. I think I was kind of sentimental when I wrote that chapter, I don't know what inspired me to write those things, but I liked it; we needed a little bit of romance and mellowness. I loved the comparison you made with the cupcakes... Mmm, cupcakes! (Add Homer Simpson's voice right here). They shouldn't be cupcakes or I'll eat them! And I don't wanna kill them. Yes, Argentina! You should come sometime and I'll be your tour guide! But you'll have to stand me talking all the time about everything, telling you about architecture and taking pictures like a madwoman. Whenever I travel with my friends, they tell me I'm kind of annoying and that I should stop talking and taking pictures; I don't know why. But whatever! I wonder why I always end up rambling. Yes, it's warm here! But it's unbearable! Really, it's too hot! Okay, -4? I think I couldn't survive at it! But at least you have snow! I love snow! You can make snowmen, you can sledding, play a snowball war, and a lot of more things! I don't have snow here, maybe for that I say I love snow! haha.

MeMi83: I always wanted to write a chapter with deep thoughts and all; and I wanted to show how much the characters in the story have changed. They are different and not only in a physical way, also emotionally and personally. I think that they have grown up and now they're starting to find themselves, as any other person in college does; because I consider college is the stage in which we start wondering about several things in life and we start discovering ourselves, we start consolidating our thoughts and ideals. Well, at least it happened to me and I thought this was normal. Yet, it's a stage of discovery and introspection, nothing is factual and ultimate; they're still trying and experiencing new things as some trial and error. I hope this didn't confuse you, my mind is kind of volatile and messy. And oh! I totally forgot to wish you happy Easter holidays! I was so distracted that day that I forgot! I'm so sorry! I hope you had a really good one and you ate a lot of Easter chocolate eggs! I did! Chocolate is my temptation! Now I wish you have a very lovely week full of hugs! (hugs are like the best thing ever!)

Guest 1: Were you really listening to a playlist of Ludovico Einaudi? He's a genius! I think he's my favorite one, Yiruma is other pianist I really like. Ah! What can I say? I really enjoy that music as you! Actually when I write I tend to listen to this kind of music, especially when I'm about to write something cute or sad; music inspires me. I always wanted to learn to play piano, but I never had the chance and I think I'd suck at it, I'm not good with those things and the funny thing is that in my family, they all are musicians and singers; I'm like the black sheep of the family. Yes, we both are girls so I get it that we tend to overthink everything, I agree with Freckles on that! haha. Though, I'm really glad that the chapter left you thinking, it's really nice to think about those things sometimes; I think that sometimes we think about a lot of things but not about what happiness or life means to us, and it's nice when you take the time for yourself to be alone and think about it. And it's even greater when you share your thoughts with other people, because you can learn other things and other point of views. I don't know, I like doing this kind of stuff. I was afraid you could get bored with that chapter full of deep thoughts, maybe different than the others which had more action than thoughts; so I'm really happy you liked it. Are you from Austria? Oh my god! You definitely live in a wonderful country! Did you know that for me Austria is one of the most beautiful countries because of its architecture and landscapes? I'd really like to go there someday! Have you been in Mexico and Belize? I've never been there, but those are beautiful places! The beaches of Central America are amazing! Now, the South is not so great, but here in Argentina we have nice landscapes, from deserts and plains to jungles, mountains, falls and lakes and glaciers; and people are nice. But if you're looking for outstanding architecture, maybe it's not the best place, unless you're interested on Inca civilization, then you can go to Peru! Okay, I'm rambling and I should stop, I know!

Mockingjay-Potterhead-9: Are you on the Alps? What an outstanding place! I guess you may be skiing! Seriously, it's a beautiful place and I love landscapes, so it might be like a dream being there! The internet connection might be bad, but at least you have a lot to enjoy there! I'll never be a fanfiction god, I'm actually a slow writer! So you know my little secret already! Your friend wants to study architecture? Tell her that it's a wonderful career and it's really amazing, but she'll have to suffer sleepless nights! haha. But it's worth it. I love dragons, the kind of nice ones, the baby ones! Do you have a unicorn? I have one too! But mine is male and it's called Sparkles, because his horn is sparkly! He's little and fluffy! A friend gave it to me because she knows that I love unicorns! So, maybe it'll be better if you don't have the dragon, you already have a unicorn and that's great! I'm not some wise god! Not at all, I just spend a lot of time alone thinking and thinking about life and all, and I come up with some conclusions. Those are few of them, it took me years to come with those conclusions and sometimes I change my mind and think about other options. Reading a lot helped me to come up with my own conclusions. Books are like something very treasured for me because they taught me a lot of things and made me see and realize things that before I couldn't. So books by different authors were my inspiration. Anyway, there's something I wrote in the chapter that isn't mine, and it's the text that talks about when I began to love myself. That's a poem written by Charles Chaplin. I loved it so much that I had to write it down in this story and share it with you all. It's very inspirational and helped me too see and understand a lot of things, so maybe it could help you too; that's why I put it in this story. And it's so amazing to know you wrote down some of the things of this chapter to post it all around your room! It just makes me happy that you liked those thoughts and it didn't bore you to read them!

vicky: I'm super happy to know that you liked the chapter and didn't bore you! That was my biggest fear, that writing a chapter with so many thoughts and so little action could bore you. I'm really glad that it helped you to see things that probably you wouldn't have seen or understand before. That's like a huge accomplishment to me! I enjoyed writing about these points of view about something so simple and complicated (sounds ironic!) that is life and happiness. Those were one of my most secret thoughts but I liked sharing them with you; it's the first time I share it. Yes, they both are different and I found it interesting that they have to start knowing each other again, now talking about deeper things and share secrets and thoughts. It's like a very profound way to know someone and it's probably one of the greatest ways to know more about the other, when you can talk about everything without feeling uncomfortable. Sometimes talking about this stuff is a better way to be closer to someone. I don't know, it's weird and I don't wanna bore you with my silly thoughts! If I believe in destiny? Ah! What a hard question! (By the way, I love when you ask me things). Let's start with the Socratic philosophy: I only know that I know nothing. Yes, truth is that I don't know. Yes, I thought about destiny several times, but I could never come with a solid conclusion, because for starters and as I see it, destiny could never be defined as certain or factual, because it's about the unknown, about what is further than what human beings can see or feel, unlike happiness or life itself. Destiny would be more like religion; you either believe it or not; it's a matter of belief and faith. Maybe the closest approximation is that I don't believe in destiny. Let's see why, with a very simple and daily example: I've noticed that even people, who claim everything is predestined, and we cannot do anything to change it, look before crossing the street. Can you see it? I think that the only way we can say destiny does exist is if we consider that our thoughts, words, actions and habits are our destiny; if we consider destiny as what we, human beings, do from our unconscious. And if destiny does exist, I think the important thing is not what destiny makes of us but what we make of it. If destiny does exist, I think it's not what we live what forges our destiny, but what we feel for what we experienced. And any destination, as long and complicated as it can be, actually consists of a single moment: the moment when the man finds out who he/she is, forever. Summing up, if destiny exists, as I see it, it's not something that we cannot change, something that was written for us, something that no matter what we do it's gonna be like that forever because destiny said so. No, we're human beings, we have feelings, we have the ability to think and reason, the ability to decide which people we want to surround or not, the ability to make our own decisions based on our reason and heart. We're not robots, we're not puppets. And yes, maybe we wonder why we met certain people in our lives and why not other people; and it's gonna be a mystery; maybe it was coincidence or maybe in our unconscious we wanted to meet that certain person because somehow our brain related that person with something good or something already familiar; I don't know. I only believe that we are the destiny we choose to be. Sorry for the long explanation; I love talking about this kind of stuff and I always get too excited, so then I tend to ramble. But remember, that's only my point of view and I respect anyone who thinks differently than me. Even, I'd really like to know other points of view.

Vcriss: Yes, I do understand you and I don't think you're judging him. It's only that you like him and when we like someone we feel frustrated because we, somehow, know that anything would ever happen between you both because you have different sexual orientation. I understand you because my sister once fell in love with a gay guy and she suffered it, and she supports gay people 100 percent. She just felt bad because she was in love and the guy would never be with her. So yeah, I think I got your point of view somehow. And I never thought you were judging him; anything of what you wrote made me think so. And thanks for saying it was a good chapter, I hope I can keep being inspired and creative, lately it's been so hard!

Guest 2: Geez! Thank you a lot for saying that I'm a good writer! It means a lot to me and it makes me feel really happy that you enjoy this story and that you read it with enthusiasm. It's really hard to write interesting chapters ad most of the time I think that what I write sometimes is boring; so when you said that I have you hooked, it's like a great accomplishment and compliment. So your friends decided to read this because you wouldn't stop talking about this story? Wow, that's super weird to me, but thank you! Really, thank you so much! About the 'Adorkable' thing... I wrote about it already, but you must know that I'm currently writing chapter 55, so maybe you'll have to wait; but you'll get it for sure! I love that word too! It's very cute!

caarolineboeira1: Yes, I like those moments when they're alone and they act in a cute and sweet way. But... Are they gonna be cute and sweet when they are around other people? Ah! Let's see what happens. For now, all the sweets moments are when they're alone. And things will happen, some good and some bad things; you know that after all drama is inside me. And maybe this is still a cute chapter; maybe not as much as the last one, but it has its cuteness. Okay, I won't bug you anymore and I'll stop rambling, I really don't wanna spoil you anything!

Nicole: You are from southern California? I always wanted to go to California, so much that once I wanted to work as Au-Pair only to go to California; but I decided to study architecture instead. Oh! Enjoy nature is one of the most fabulous things ever to do! I love nature and I love when I travel to some place in which I can see breathtaking landscapes; and since I love photography, landscapes are really attractive to me. It just brings me peace and joy, something weird. Sometimes we just need to undertake a journey into nature, away from the stress of the city life. And Arizona seems like a really beautiful place to do it! I did have a nice Easter, I also went to another place, away from my city, rounded by mountains and rivers! I hope you had one nice too! I'm really glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Before posting it I was afraid it could be a little boring; because nothing really special happened in terms to actions; it was just a lot of talk, sharing thoughts. Well, sometimes I'm cute, see? haha. This chapter maybe it's gonna be nice too; but you know I need drama, so I don't know how much this is gonna last! haha.

SamCollinsHolmes: You made it in time before I posted this new chapter! Don't worry, my Sherlock! It's okay if you couldn't write before, you just said a bunch of shit when you mentioned you're an asshole who deserve hate. Bullshit. That's the only word that can explain what you felt. I undertand that you had a rough week, it happens; it happens to me all the time so I understand it. Exams? Those are a pain in the ass. But I hope it was because of exams and things like those and not for something too serious. Are you the heartless Grinch? I am the Grinch! haha I always joke about it with my sister; she calls me Grinch, devil and things like those. What can I say? I was feeling very sentimental and cheesy when I wrote that chapter! And that's weird, maybe. But my sister calls me devil and I need to respond to that name; so, sadly, I'll be wicked, mean and cruel. The drama is gonna come soon. I can't help it. I can't say they'll be together again. Maybe someday they will; but till that moment a lot, like really a lot of things will happen. Some good things, some bad things and some confusing things. There will be other people involved. And don't worry about Mia, I already have what kind of story Darren and Mia will have; it's all in my mind, but if I can tell you something it's that Mia is not gonna be a big trouble. Even if I love drama, she won't be a trouble because the story is not gonna be focused on her. But I did like the idea of the ninja turtle! haha. I haven't heard it! Truth is that I couldn't be online this week because I'm like super busy! But oh god. Thanks god it was a fake rumor! And I did hear about his solo album! I'm super excited about it! It just makes me feel really happy and I hope I can buy it! Now lots of love for you, my dear Sherlock! I'll soon go over there so we can eat those redvines and go to Mars! Pigfarts, Pigfarts, here we come! Pigfarts, Pigfarts, yum yum yum!

Okay now, lovely people, I'll let you read this new chapter. I hope you can really enjoy it! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy before the drama returns! I wish you all a weekend and week full of… Veggies! Just kidding, no one wants veggies. A week full of burrito and tacos! And also full of popsicles and bear hugs! Until next week, starhip rangers!

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Teenage Dream – Chapter 38 – Swim, run and hide.

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"It is so quiet here, I like this place." Freckles said smiling gaily.

She was lying on the sand, just sunbathing and singing very softly while I was just sitting, doing random drawings on the sand with a branch. It seemed that our roles were exchanged. I should be the one singing and she should be the one drawing. However, we were still at Chapel Rock and Beach and we've been there for hours; just talking about random things as if we were lifetime friends. In certain way we were. I really enjoyed being with her.

"Yes, I like it here too." I answered while I was trying to draw on the sand a dog in a cloud.

"What are you doing?" She suddenly asked, now sitting.

"Nothing, just drawing some shit." I answered quiet, shrugging.

"You curse a lot, I noticed." She commented and I laughed.

"You got that right." I admitted still laughing. "I can't help it."

"Yes, I don't mind." She said shrugging and then she stood up and walked to me and kneeled next to me. "Is that a bear?" She asked looking at my drawing.

"Of course not. That's a dog, it's pretty clear that is a dog." I replied frowning, also looking at my drawing.

"Sorry, but that really looks like a bear."

"Bullshit. It's a dog. Look... it's a big dog."

"Since when dogs have those ears, Darren? That's a bear!"

"Only because you're a fucking genius when it comes to drawing, doesn't mean that you're allowed to criticize my totally awesome dog." I said amused and she giggled.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave you in peace with your dog that is attempting to turn into a bear." She mocked me and I nudged her playfully.

"Oh, you nudged me! You won't be safe now!" She exclaimed loudly and I was about to answer her something, but she was faster and she tackled me and started tickling me.

"Oh no, fuck! Stop it, stop it!" I tried to say while laughing uncontrollably. I was the one supposed to tickle her, not her.

But she kept tickling me until my stomach growled loud. That was when Freckles stopped and looked at me, frowning. I was lying on the sand and she was on top of me, but then she moved and kneeled next to me, still looking at me kind of concerned.

"What was that?" She asked.

"That's the consequence of not having eaten anything at all for hours. It's already afternoon and I haven't eaten anything at all since last night, and we ate only marshmallows. So yeah, I told you I was starving this morning." I said, still lying on the sand, looking at her.

"And why didn't you come back to the camp, then?" She asked curious, still frowning.

"Well, I wanted to be here." I replied shrugging, now placing my hands on my stomach because it was growling again for hunger.

"For me?" She asked looking into my eyes and I looked at her raising eyebrows. How was I supposed to answer that question? I couldn't simply say 'yeah, for you because that's all the fucking thing I want to do.'

"Yeah, well... I just... I just wanted, you know, to walk and explore places. Yeah, because, if not now, then when?" I said babbling like a total jerk, trying to make up something at least a little credible.

"Yes, I get it." She said smiling amused. Could she have guessed that what I said wasn't true at all? Then my stomach growled again and this time I frowned.

"Aren't you also starving like hell?" I asked curious, and also to change the topic.

"No actually. I'm fine; I just forgot I had to eat because I'm entertained." She answered shrugging and I looked at her serious.

"You should eat a bit more..." I said in all seriousness.

"What? Oh please, Darren... Just because you can eat alone a sandwich the size of a house, doesn't mean that everybody has the need to eat that." She said giggling softly, but I didn't laugh. It wasn't funny, I knew what she was doing; she was trying to turn this serious topic into a joke because she wanted to avoid this kind of talk.

"I'm just saying that you aren't eating the enough, you barely eat and when you do it, you only eat a damn salad. That's not healthy and I'm serious." I said concerned.

"Darren, we can talk about everything you want; but do not tell me what I have to do or not. I think I'm the mature enough to take my own decisions according to what I consider is right or not. And I'm not so stupid to not take care of myself and my health. I know what I'm doing, okay? And I'd appreciate if you don't mention that anymore." She said really serious and a bit annoyed now.

"Okay, fine! I was just opining, I wasn't forcing you to do what I say. I just think that... You should eat more for your health, but that's my opinion." I said on the defensive.

"Whatever, Darren." She said standing up while huffing and she attempted to walk away but I took her hand to stop her. She looked at me irritated and I stood up.

"Hey, Freckles, don't get mad. I'm aware that I can't tell you what to do or not, I'm just giving you my opinion about this. Just that. Only because I..." I started saying but then I shut up. I couldn't tell her that I really cared about her because I didn't know how she was going to take it. She was now looking at me expectant. "Never mind..." I said looking away. "I just want to let you know that someday I'm gonna take you out for a dinner and you'll have to eat absolutely everything of what I'm gonna order." I said trying to joke because obviously she wasn't ready to have this kind of talk to me yet and I still couldn't make her see that she was doing it wrong.

"Okay, yeah, deal. Happy now?" She said chuckling faintly.

"Just happy enough." I replied, still holding one of her hands.

"You're very hard to please, Criss." She said now with an amused smile.

"Actually I'm not." I said shrugging.

"So then explain me why I can't get it?"

"Maybe it's because you aren't trying to please me."

"How can you be so sure, huh?" She asked raising an eyebrow and that was very sensual, man.

"Just a feeling. Call it male intuition." I said looking at her mischievously.

"Oh, I see what you did there..." She said suspiciously and amused.

"I didn't do anything at all." I replied with a mischievous smile while shrugging.

"Sure you didn't." She said raising an eyebrow.

Then she let out my hand and turned around to walk to the shore of the lake. I just remained standing there, observing her while she was walking cocking her hip. Yes, she was way too thin, but she looked completely sexy. I mean; that body... I still remember the first time I saw her in her room, when I still didn't know she was Freckles. I was just looking at her like a depraved because damn, her ass was fantastic. Yeah, I needed to admit it. Not only her butt, but also her legs and her curvy waist, her big hips and her boobs. She had an hourglass shaped body and that was sexy. I had no idea how she managed to get that body. But yeah, I was still thinking she should gain some weight; I liked the old Freckles with her little chubby body that was adorable. She now looked like a freaking top model; not only because of her body, also because of her face. She always had a precious face. And her hair? I loved her long hair and I still didn't know why she cut it if she also loved her long hair. But anyway, she looked appealing with the short hair. And I really needed to stop looking at her like a degenerate; it'd be awkward if she found me looking at her that way. So I looked at her face. She was smiling brightly and looking down at the water; she had her pants rolled up and she was dipping her feet in the water. I smiled when I saw her walking happily in the shore.

"How's the water?" I yelled smiling at her. She was relatively far from me. She looked up at me with a big cheesy grin, showing all her teeth.

"It's fantastic! So warm and pleasurable. Come over here, you won't regret!" She yelled back merrily.

"Okay! I trust you!" I yelled while giggling and rolling up my jeans. I walked serenely to the shore to stand right next to her. As soon as my feet touched the water, a chill ran all over my body and now I had goosebumps. "Geez! The water is freezing, Freckles!" I exclaimed frowning as she laughed.

"It's only until you get used. Trust me, it's really warm." She said still giggling cheerfully.

"I don't think I'll get used. Maybe I'll just watch you from the sand where is actually warm." I said attempting to get out of the water, but she took me by my hand.

"Stay here." She said looking at me. Yeah, she got me with her bright eyes looking at me. Fuck, it was always so easy for her to convince me.

"Fine... But if don't get used at it, then I'm going to plunge you into the water." I said jokingly as I walked closer to her, still holding her hand. I wasn't planning to let out her hand now.

"Deal... But you know? I'm going to plunge you into the water with me; so be careful." She said amused.

"Are you threatening me?" I asked looking at her, squinting.

"Yes, I am." She answered snickering. "Come on, let's go a little deeper."

"Are you insane? No, I'm still trying to get used at this and you want to go deeper. Definitely no." I exclaimed raising my eyebrows.

"Come on, Darren. Let's go swim!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"You're so fucking insane. That's not gonna happen." I said serious.

But then I saw how she took off her shirt and threw it on the sand as I looked at her stunned. Oh fuck, what the hell was she doing? Why would she take off her shirt? Why would I be looking at her boobs like a depraved now? Damn, that was a sexy lace bra. Oh man, I really needed to stop looking at her breasts and her damn toned upper body; she had abs, man! I gulped and I tried to look away, feeling a bit uncomfortable and nervous now.

"What are you doing?" I asked incredulous, still trying to avoid looking at her.

"Just taking off my clothes, I don't wanna wet my clothes and I really want to swim." She answered and then I noticed she was moving.

I glanced at her surreptitiously and I saw she was now taking off her pants. Oh no, holy hell. Why was she doing that? This was so unfair, so fucking unfair. How was I supposed to act naturally and sassy if she was taking off her clothes and I was like 'holy shit, that body'? I didn't want to screw anything but she was making this hard. So yeah, she took off her pants and threw them to the sand. Fuck! What was that underwear anyway? She was wearing a low rise lace thong, that shouldn't be legal. I couldn't help it but staring her whole body like an idiot. She shouldn't be doing this, this wasn't good, oh no. I looked away again, this time frowning because I was doing my best to not look at her.

"Come on, Darren!" She exclaimed cheerfully but I didn't look at her. "Come on; take off your clothes so we can swim! We maybe won't have another chance to swim."

"No... I don't... I'm not feeling like swimming..." I babbled like an idiot, still looking away.

"Come on! Please!" She begged.

"No..." I repeated roundly but then she placed a hand on my stomach underneath my shirt and I looked at her stunned. Her touch made me shiver and this wasn't good. "What are you doing?" I asked kind of harshly but because she shouldn't be touching me, not while she was like that and I was trying my best to remain calm. She looked at me abruptly and kind of uncomfortable; she was blushing slightly now.

"I'm sorry." She apologized now looking down and moving her hand away. "I was just trying to take off your shirt... Wait, that sounded bad... I just wanted to swim. I'm sorry." She stammered nervously, still looking down and now biting her lower lip. Damn, I didn't want to make her feel as if she was doing something wrong.

"It's okay; you just took me by surprise. That's all." I said quickly, softening my voice.

"Well, what I did was sort of inappropriate; so I apologize." She said still looking down. Damn.

"Hey, it's fine. Really." I said softly while placing my hands on her shoulders. Inevitably, my eyes shifted to her boobs, but I quickly looked up straight in her eye.

"I'm sorry." She said again, this time looking into my eyes. She was still feeling guilty and I didn't want it.

"Hey, there's no need to be sorry." I said smiling slightly.

When I noticed she was still feeling uncomfortable because of the way I stopped her, I knew I had to do something. So then I took her hands and I placed them on my stomach again. I didn't know why the hell I was doing that because I knew that probably I was going to turn on. But I did it and she looked into my eyes perplexed with eyes wide open and raising her eyebrows. While still looking into each other's eyes, I made her grab my shirt and I helped her to take it off. Once we got it, I threw it on the sand and I turned to look at her again; she was observing my chest and I giggled softly. At least, I wasn't the only one staring a half-naked body now. When she heard me giggling, she looked up at me again.

"You've been working out, Criss." She said amused.

"Not at all." I replied and that was true.

"So you magically have abs now?" She asked raising an eyebrow, still amused. Then she started touching my abs and I shivered. Shit, I really needed to chill out.

"Yeah, I'm magical." I answered jokingly, trying to focus on the conversation and not in her touch.

"Maybe you are." She said and then, fortunately, she stopped touching me. "So, do you wanna swim or not? I won't force you now, I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay. Maybe I could swim a little..." I said when I noticed I was starting to get hard. The only salvation now was to plunge into the cold water.

"That's great!" She exclaimed excited.

When she turned around and started walking to the deep part, I took advantage to take off my jeans and I threw them on the sand. I couldn't believe I was doing this; I couldn't believe I was only in my underwear in front of her with a hard-on and she was only in her sexy lace underwear in front of me. And we were just kind of friends. Dammit. So yeah, as soon as I took off my clothes, I plunged into the cold water right in the deep part. Oh damn, damn, damn! The water was freezing, I was freezing! I started floating and I saw Freckles looking at me and laughing. I also laughed while my body was still trembling because I was cold. She was still away from me and she was in the deep part, but the water only covered her body to the waist and she seemed to not be planning to swim to where I was.

"Come on, come over here!" I yelled while I was still trembling and floating.

"Uh... I think I'll stay here." She yelled.

"What? You cheater! You asked me if we could swim and now you won't swim? You ambushed me!" I yelled in disbelief but amused. Now the water didn't seem so cold and fortunately the cold water helped me to remove my hard-on.

"Yes, I'm a cheater!" She yelled while laughing.

"Come on, Freckles! It's amazing the water here!"

"It's the same water, Darren... We're in the same lake." She said mockingly, raising an eyebrow, amused.

"Well yeah, it sounded stupid. What I'm trying to say is that is better if you dip your whole body in the water. You'll feel warmer."

"I'm fine like this." She said waving her arms in the water.

"Come on!" I insisted.

"Okay, but only till the water covers my shoulders."

"Okay?" I replied confused. Why wouldn't she come over here?

Then Freckles started walking slowly and then she disappeared all of a sudden. I started to laugh because surely she stepped on a well in the sand underwater and it was funny. But after a few seconds I saw bubbles in the water and I saw how the water was churning; yet Freckles wasn't swimming to the surface. Then I started to get worried because she really wasn't appearing. So I swam to there as fast as I could and when I was close to the place where I saw her for the last time, I swam downwards and opened my eyes to try to find her. She was there, doing kicks with her legs and fluttering her arms almost violently; she was drowning. So I swam towards her quickly and I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward me. Then she started to climb on top of me and she was pulling me under by a struggling; so I was starting to drown as well. So I got behind her and I placed my arms under each of her armpits; then I bended my arms back and held tight to then pull her up. Once we broke the surface, I pulled her to the shore while she was coughing up the water that she inhaled and she was also gasping. When we finally reached the shore, I left Freckles there and I kneeled next to her. She didn't move, so I looked at her face: she had her eyes closed.

"Freckles? Freckles, are you okay?" I asked very concerned and edgy; she didn't answer, she didn't move, she didn't open her eyes; nothing. "Freckles!"

She didn't do anything. I leaned to check if she was breathing, she wasn't. Oh fuck. I didn't know what the fuck I had to do and I didn't have my damn phone to call 911 because I forgot it in the camp. I tried to remember those classes I had in high school about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Damn! I was almost sure I had to do something with her chest or something. Damn I was so nervous. Yes, I remembered. I placed the heel of my hand in the middle of her chest and I put my other hand on top of the first with my fingers interlaced; then I compressed her chest 2 inches and then I allowed the chest to completely recoil before the next compression; and like that I performed 30 compressions. I felt pops and snaps when I first began chest compressions, but I didn't stop. Damn, why wasn't she breathing yet? I needed to begin rescue breathing; damn I've never done it in my entire life! But I opened her airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift method as I learned in high school. I pinched her nose and made a seal over her mouth with mine. I gave her a breath big enough to make her chest rise; then I let her chest fall, then repeated the rescue breath once more. I rechecked her for breathing. Oh holy shit, thanks god! She was breathing now; but anyway she wasn't awake. So I briskly rubbed my knuckles against her sternum for a long time, until she coughed up water and opened slightly her eyes. Oh holy hell! I sighed in relief, I was now extremely relieved. I placed a hand on the nape of her neck and I raised it slightly so she wouldn't choke. Man, I was so scared that I couldn't help it but crying because of the fear and relief I was feeling. My body was trembling, but she was fine.

"Freckles? Are you okay?" I asked still a bit concerned. I needed to check if she was able to speak or if she wasn't confused, otherwise it was a bad sign.

"I'm fine." She answered in a whisper, still coughing.

"Can you tell me who I am?"

"Yes, Darren."

"Right. And can you tell me where are we?"

"At this beach, Miners I don't remember the name..."

"Tell me more. Where were we before being here?"

"At some place with weird rock formations..."

"And before that?"

"A forest with a wolf."

"Right, right." I said nodding and still crying in relief. I softly pulled her upper body towards me and I rested her head on my chest, now caressing her hair. "You're gonna be fine." I whispered softly, trying to stop crying. She wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Thank you! I could have died and you saved me! Thank you!" She exclaimed while burying her head on my chest. She was trembling and I needed to reassure her.

"You? Die? Oh no man, I'd never let it happen. I still need you to be your annoying pain in the ass." I said trying to joke to make her feel better. She giggled softly but nervously, and she was still trembling and crying. "Freckles, you're fine and you're gonna fine; okay? Calm down, I'm right here." I whispered reassuringly, kissing her head, caressing her hair with one hand and rubbing her back with the other.

"Thank you, Darren. I don't know what I'm gonna do to thank you. You saved me." She said still crying.

"Hey, stop with that, Freckles. You don't have to thank me, okay? You scared me like shit, you evil girl; so I'm just happy that you're fine. Just promise me that you'll calm down and you're gonna be fine; that's all I need." I whispered softly.

"I promise." She whispered and then I felt how she kissed my chest and my heart started beating faster. "I love you, Dare." She whispered and my heart skipped a beat, but I needed to focus on the situation.

"I love you too, Freckles." I whispered and then I kissed her head while closing my eyes; still holding her in my arms.

---

Right after you felt really scared because you thought you were going to drown in the lake; you were lying on the sand, resting your head on Darren's lap while he was running his fingers on your arm to still try to reassure you. He was looking at the lake and he seemed to be very thoughtful; you were just looking at his face. He saved you; even if he didn't want to admit it, he saved you and you didn't know how you were going to thank him. Any other person could have freaked out and leave you there alone, drowning; but he reacted in panic and he took you to the shore; even if you started drowning him too at one point because of your fear and your eagerness to break out the surface; he didn't give up and he took you to a safe place. No one ever saved you before; of course you've never been in a life or death situation, but you weren't sure if somebody else would have done it for you. Maybe yes; maybe your sister or mom would have done it, even Brian. But Darren? Why? He risked his own life only to save you; even though you weren't anything but people who were starting to meet each other regardless of what happened between you two in the past. He wasn't important in your life anymore and you were sure that you weren't important in his life now as well. But then he did something like that like saving your life risking his own and you were surprised; and very thankful too. Why would he do that? Either he was completely insane and liked the extreme risks or you still meant something to him. And if you still meant something to him, you were feeling bad because you simply couldn't feel the same way about him. Yes, you liked him because he was funny and kind, a bit of a goober too; but you just liked him as you liked any stranger that was nice to you. And even when you kissed last night and slept cuddling felt weird. You had to admit that you enjoyed it somehow, but it didn't feel so right because your feelings for him weren't the same; because your feelings for him didn't even exist. But there you were, looking at him very touched for what he did; and also looking at him while thinking how sexy he looked with his curly long hair wet while drops were falling from his curls and his long eyelashes. You didn't want to think those things, but you had to admit that he was a handsome guy; maybe not the most handsome guy you've ever met because Ian was way sexier than Darren; but Darren had something singular that made him look really good-looking. And to clear things up, only because you were admitting that he was handsome, didn't mean that you liked him more because of that. No. It was just like admitting that Brian was handsome and sexy; although you knew that saying that of Darren was different. However, you shouldn't be thinking about that and you needed to stop looking at him. You sighed and turned your face, now resting your cheeks on Darren's lap to watch the lake. He kept running his fingers through your arm, very softly; that was very pleasant and relaxing that you thought you could soon fall asleep. Why was he being so nice? Why was he being so caring? What if he was still feeling something for you? You couldn't let it happen because you honestly didn't feel anything for him and he seemed to be a good boy now and you didn't want to hurt his feelings.

"Hey, how are you feeling now?" You heard Darren suddenly asking. You turned your face to look at him. He was now looking down to look into your eyes and he was smiling kindly.

"I'm much better, thanks." You replied with a slight smile. "As if nothing has happened."

"I guess that's something good." He said softly.

You could notice that his voice now was different than in high school. He had a sexy and deep voice, yet sweet and mellow. And it was funny because in high school he always looked very dapper; and now he had this scruffy look, with his bushy curly hair and that stubble on his face. Not to mention his body, that was now toned and he had chest hair. And maybe he was also thinner. Okay, you really needed to stop thinking about that.

"Yes, it is." You answered with a soft smile.

"Do you wanna come back to the camp?" He asked and you thought about it for a few seconds.

"No, actually I'd like to try something... But I don't know if you'd want." You said mysteriously. You noticed that Darren looked at you with eyes wide open and then he gulped. What would he be thinking?

"What?" He finally asked and you stood up while he remained sitting.

You handed him your hand, as telling him to stand up. He took it and he stood up right in front of you. He didn't let out your hand, as all the times you held hands; it seemed as if he didn't want to do it, and well, you tried to avoid thinking about it and you just wanted to think that it was just pure coincidence that he never attempted to let out your hand. He was still looking at you in that weird way.

"I was just wondering... You don't have to do it if you don't want and it's gonna be fine." You said quickly and he kept looking at you in that way.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that I will say yes." He said and you looked at him frowning and then you chuckled amused but still confused. "Just tell me."

"You know what happened before with me... And you had to save me and then that whole thing of breathing rescue... Yeah, I was wondering if you'd want to..."

"Yes, I want to." He interrupted you, looking fixedly into your eyes, still holding your hand. You looked at him bewildered, frowning.

"But you still don't know what I'm gonna ask you." You said now raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, sorry... Umm... Yeah, what were you going to ask?" He asked, still looking at you in that weird way. It was as if he wasn't listening to you, but he was... It was just weird.

"I was just wondering if you'd want to teach me how to float." You said still frowning and Darren raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth, babbling in surprise.

"Oh!" He exclaimed now a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, it was that."

"Yes..." You said still frowning and now looking at him suspiciously. "Why? What were you thinking?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." He said shortly and loudly, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

"Um, I see..." You said raising an eyebrow, believing not even a bit what he answered. "You don't have to do it if you don't want..."

"No, I want to... I mean, that's a cool idea... But why would you like to swim in the lake after what happened? I mean, you must be brave." He said still very uncomfortable.

"Well, only because I want to learn at least how to float, so this won't happen again." You replied looking down, now feeling embarrassed. "Geez, this is so embarrassing! I can't believe I can't swim and I can't believe I'm asking you this. I'm so stupid."

"Hey no, it's not stupid the fact you can't swim and it's not stupid from you to ask me that. There are a lot of people who can't swim." Darren said nicely, apparently trying to make you feel a little better.

"Yeah, but not people that have my age..." You said still embarrassed.

"Actually yes. There are a lot of people of your age that can't swim; even there are people much older than you that can't swim. You shouldn't feel ashamed of it. Actually, you should feel proud because you took the initiative to want to learn to swim, and that's cool." Darren said now smiling, encouraging you. You couldn't help it but smiling back at him.

"Thank you. So, what do you say? Would you want to... you know." You asked a bit embarrassed, but feeling a bit better.

"Hell yeah! I always wanted to be a teacher of something." He replied cheerfully and you giggled.

"A teacher? Really?" You asked amused.

"Yeah, I always thought that being a teacher and a dad is the closest thing to being a superhero." Darren answered with a goofy smile, nodding energetically. You only giggled amused, but also with tenderness because it was cute what he said.

"Well, at least one of your purposes on life will be accomplished now. You'll be an almost superhero."

"And that makes me supper happy. It's like I'm gonna be Robin now and then, when I get to be a dad after a long time from now, I'm gonna be Batman." Darren said excited and you laughed so hard. His randomness was priceless.

"Okay, let me ask you... Why Batman and Robin?" You asked amused and he was about to answer but you interrupted him. "Why not Superboy and then Superman? I mean, getting to know two planets, Earth and Krypton; you can be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound; powers that include flight, super-strength, invulnerability to non-magical attacks, super-speed, vision powers, super-hearing, and super-breath. And you're a member of the Justice League of America." You started saying amused as Darren was looking at you completely amazed, raising his eyebrows and smiling. Yes, thanks god you read somewhere his story. "Not to mention that Superman is a comic books published by DC Comics. You see? DC. Like the initials of your name." You said raising an eyebrow completely amused, smiling proudly.

"Okay, if what you wanted was to convince me to be Superboy and then Superman, you totally got it." Darren finally answered after a while he looked at you in silence because of his surprise.

"No, I didn't want it. I was just wondering why you'd choose Batman and Robin and not Superman and Superboy. Just that." You answered amused, shrugging.

"Shut up, I'm Superboy and I'm gonna be Superman. And I'm totally awesome." Darren said with a sassy smile. "And you're Supergirl."

"Really? You're my cousin!" You exclaimed cheerfully while laughing.

"Maybe you could be Wonder Woman." Darren said shortly and you laughed. "Yes, you're gonna be Wonder Girl if you learn to float and when you get to be a mom, you're gonna be Wonder Woman."

"Seems fair enough." You said with an amused smile.

"Okay, almost Wonder Girl, we need to get this shit done. So, I'll take you to the water with my super-strength power!" Darren exclaimed loudly imitating a superhero's voice and you giggled.

Then Darren took you in his arms and he walked to the water again as you were still giggling. You couldn't believe he was so dork! It was so funny to be with him; he was so funny and such goofball. He walked until he noticed it was deep enough but not so deep, so you wouldn't drown again. Then he left you and placed his hands on your waist as you placed your hands on his shoulders.

"Can you touch the bottom?" Darren asked and you nodded. "Okay, let's do something. I'll carry you out to the deeper water where you cannot touch the bottom but where I can, just in case you cannot float the first time you try and I have to catch you; that way I will prevent both of us drown. Okay?"

"Okay." You answered softly. You were scared and you felt even more scared when you remember that you almost die in this stupid lake.

"Just relax, okay?" Darren said really softly and reassuringly when he saw your panic face. "Now, wrap your legs around my waist and your arms around my neck." He said and you did so; you literally climbed on him. "Please, not so tightly or you're gonna leave me breathless." He said chuckling softly but with a voice as if you were throttling him.

"Oh, so sorry!" You automatically apologized and did what Darren asked.

"Okay, that's better." He said and then he looked into your eyes and smiled. "Relax, Freckles. I won't let anything happen to you." He said and you nodded in silence, but you were still frightened. "Just trust me." He said softly and you nodded again. Then he wrapped his arms around your waist and he started walking until he reached a part of the lake in which the water was covering his shoulders. That was so deep for you.

"I don't want to do this. Please, take me to the shore. Please, Darren." You begged really edgy and scared.

"What? Freckles, you're gonna be fine, really. You just need to chill out. Look, I can touch the bottom, so I can catch you in case you start drowning. I won't let you drown, trust me." Darren said reassuringly, looking deeply into your eyes.

"I trust you, but... But really, I can't do this." You said with trembling voice, freaking out.

"Yes, you can. You can do everything you want but for that you need to be relaxed and be self-confident. I know you can do that. So, at least let's try once." Darren said really reassuringly.

"Okay, but please, don't let me drown, don't let me die." You said with trembling voice, still freaking out and Darren giggled softly.

"Freckles, if I wanted to let you die, I'd have done it already. Did I do it? No. I want you alive. So, just cool it." Darren said softly and you nodded. "Okay now, unwrap your legs and arms around me, I'll take you by the waist and I won't let you." He said and you slowly did what he said. Oh shit, you couldn't touch the bottom not even by chance. You started trembling and you were really scared; but Darren was taking you by your waist as he promised. "Good, now breathe and relax... Relax all of the muscles in your body." He said looking fixedly at you, very attentive to your movements. You tried to calm down, you really needed to stop being afraid of this; it was time for you to learn at least how to float.

"Okay, I'm fine." You assured when you got to calm down and Darren smiled.

"Good. First of all you need to learn how to hold your breath under water. So, I'll keep taking you by the waist and I want you to take a deep breath, hold your nose with your fingers and sink under the water. Yeah?"

"Yes, okay." You said nodding and you did exactly what Darren said.

While he kept taking you by your waist, you sank under the water. At first it felt exasperating and you felt as if you were going to drown, but he pulled you up right in time and then you inhaled air.

"So, how was it?" He asked.

"Fine, just, I felt as if I was going to drown, like I couldn't hold my breath." You replied.

"Okay. You have to take a really deep breath, okay? We'll do this several times until you can feel comfortable with this." Darren explained.

So you did the same about five times and then you started feeling comfortable and you noticed you could hold your breath under water for a long time, since Darren was letting you be under the water for more time each time you repeated this process. He then told you to try it without holding your nose with your hands and you did it about three times. This wasn't so bad.

"Well done, Freckles!" Darren exclaimed cheerfully and you smiled brightly. "Now, next step. Place both of your hands on my shoulders." He demanded and you did it. "Now lift your legs up behind you." He said looking at you very concentrated. You did it, so that now your body was in horizontal position. "Good! Now flap your legs." He said while he placed one hand under your stomach; that helped to keep you in that position. "Perfect, Freckles! Now you have to put your face under water. You might experience water getting in your mouth and nose; but that's alright, you'll improve with practice. And keep flapping your legs." Darren said quiet.

You took a deep breath before doing what Darren said. Of course a lot of water got in your nose and you were swallowing water. But it wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be. You pulled your head up and you coughed a little because of the water you swallowed, but you were fine. You looked at Darren and he was smiling proudly.

"That was so good. You're doing it good, Freckles. Now, I want you to do exactly the same, but this time, I want you to relax your hold on my shoulders until you leave your hands totally and try to float." Darren said, observing you very intently.

You tried to do it. Still flapping your legs, you started to relax your hold on his shoulders. But when you decided to let your hands from his shoulder, you sank. You sank under the water and you started shaking violently, moving your arms and legs, trying to hold your breath but barely could do it. You started to freak out when you noticed you weren't moving up the surface. Until you felt Darren's hands under your breasts and he pulled you up. When you broke the surface, Darren pulled you towards him and he held you by your waist as you were inhaling and exhaling.

"Okay, okay, calm down, Freckles. It's alright, it's alright." Darren said trying to reassure you but you were feeling scared again. "Okay, it's really hard to get it right the first time, so don't feel discouraged. It takes practice to get it right. But you've been doing it well."

"No, I didn't get it! I almost drowned, Darren!" You said really scared, now wrapping your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist.

"No, it's not like that. You just couldn't get it right because it's really hard; no one gets it right the first time. Don't feel bad, you've been doing a good job." Darren said encouragingly, but you just couldn't feel good.

"It was so stupid from me to want to learn how to swim! I'll never get it." You exclaimed annoyed and scared.

"Hey, Freckles, look at me." Darren said, now placing one hand on your cheek. You looked into his eyes frowning and feeling bad because of your failure. "It's not stupid and you'll get it with practice."

"I don't think so." You said discouraged, looking down. Then Darren caressed your cheek with his thumb and so you looked at him.

"You'll get it. I believe in you." He said softly, looking deeply into your eyes.

When you looked into his eyes, you knew you were fucked up. Yes, now you couldn't take your eyes off him; his eyes always had this effect on you; you were sure that his eyes weren't actually human eyes, his eyes were actually mesmerizing eyes; so he surely was a hypnotist or something. And today the dominant color in his eyes was gold near the pupil and dark green on the outer part of the iris; you loved his eyes, you loved his multicolored iris and how it changed when observed in sunlight or changed depending on the weather. And his long eyelashes; geez, guys aren't supposed to have those eyelashes. Then you looked at his eyebrows and you slightly touched them with your fingertip, very slowly along the eyebrow shape. You couldn't help it, you were truly mesmerized.

"You have perfect scalene triangle eyebrows. Like, I could really learn geometry just by looking at them. I could perfectly tell that the angles of your eyebrows are 115, 75, and 40." You said in a whisper, still touching them along the eyebrow shape with your fingertip.

"What?" You heard Darren snickering softly and then you realized how wanky and freaky it sounded.

"Sorry, I just..." You babbled and looked down, feeling nervous because of the stupid thing you said, you weren't thinking when you said it loud. "Forget it."

"This is the first time I've been told that. I like the way you're so observant." He said softly and you could feel his breath when he was saying that. Damn you were so close.

"I'm a freak." You whispered still looking down, embarrassed.

"If you're a freak, then I love it." He whispered.

When he said that, you looked up and looked at him straight into his eye. He was looking deeply into your eyes and his eyes were really bright; you also could notice he was smiling warmly. And you were so damn close from each other. You remained silent, just looking into each other's eyes for a long time; until you noticed how he shifted his gaze to your lips. You also looked at his lips; he had his lips parted. Then you looked at his eyes again but he kept staring your lips, so you started to feel nervous. You felt even more nervous when he leaned his head and got even closer to your lips and the tip of his nose touched yours. You couldn't let it happen, so you quickly turned your face and looked away, gulping. You had your upper body against his and you were still wrapping your legs and arms around him because you were still in the deep water; so you could feel his heart beating fast. Maybe he was also nervous. You noticed that Darren was now looking at you, frowning slightly; but you didn't want to look at him. Then he moved slightly his face away. This was another uncomfortable situation.

"I think we could keep practicing later or maybe another day." He whispered, his voice trembling.

"Yeah, I think so too." You replied, still looking away and biting your lower lip.

Why would you still feel attracted to him if he was just a stranger? That scared you. You couldn't let it happen. Definitely no. You had no feelings for him, you repeated over and over in your mind.

---

What the fuck was wrong with me, man? I almost kissed her there! Shit, I shouldn't have felt that way. But she was so appealing, I couldn't help it. Her damn cute freckles on her face, more noticeable in the sunlight; her damn luscious lips; her bright big eyes and eyelashes; the fucking drops dripping from her hair to her face to end up in the corner of her mouth. Oh man, that drove me crazy. But seriously, what the hell was I thinking when I leaned my head to kiss her? I needed to control myself but it was being so hard. And besides, I didn't want to do that; I didn't want to kiss her. Well yeah, I wanted. But not now; I didn't want to screw this. I was aware that if I kissed her, it was going to be only a sexual need because of the physical attraction I was feeling for her. And I didn't want to make of this an arousing thing. I really wanted to know her; I was really interested on knowing more about her new personality. Yes, I had feelings for her because I always had feelings for her; it wasn't only physical attraction. But those feelings were the feelings I felt for her when she had that other personality. I still didn't know how she was now, so I shouldn't still have those feelings for her. I needed to remind to myself that she wasn't anymore the same girl with who I fell in love with. And she was feeling so uncomfortable, she turned her face and she wasn't looking at me anymore; that was my fault. Why did I have to do that if we were having a good time together?

"Okay, I'll take us to the shore." I said playing dumb, pretending that I actually didn't want to do anything at all. "Just stay like this until we reach somewhere you can touch the bottom."

"Okay." She answered curtly, still looking away.

Shit, this was so uncomfortable. I didn't like this. Should I apologize? No, because if I did it, she was going to be utterly sure that I wanted to kiss her; maybe she was only suspecting it but she wasn't fully sure; so I wouldn't screw this more than it already was. So I was walking silently to the shore with Freckles still clinging to me while I had my hands firmly placed in her waist; until a yell caught our attention.

"Hey, you two!" A big and robust man with ranger outfit yelled, looking at me and Freckles. "It's forbidden to swim in the lake in this season and it's forbidden to be in underwear in this National Park. It's a tourist area!" The man yelled and he seemed to be really angry. "Get out of the water right now, you'll have to accompany me to the police station."

What the fuck? I exchanged a look with Freckles. She was also looking at me and she seemed to be very edgy and troubled. How come this could have happened? We didn't even know we couldn't swim in this season; there wasn't a damn sign that said that. And we were alone in this beach, so why was it such a problem to be in underwear? It was just like being in swimsuit. Never, in my entire life, I went to the police station and I wasn't planning to go there.

"What are we gonna do?" I asked in a whisper, looking at Freckles. "No way am I going to the police station."

"Of course not, that's not an option for me." Freckles replied in a whisper and she started looking around, in a very attentive way.

"Come over here, right now! That's an order!" The man yelled again very angry.

"Freckles!" I exclaimed in a whisper, very nervous. I had no idea how we could get away from this situation.

"Hold on, wait a minute! I'm thinking!" She exclaimed exasperatedly, still looking round.

"Right now, get out or this is gonna get worse for you two!" The man screamed furious and I was really freaking out, looking at the man and then at Freckles.

"Okay..." Freckles whispered, now looking at me. "I have this plan, but we must be fast."

"Yeah, tell me." I replied in a whisper, very eager to hear that plan.

"The man is not gonna go away and we need to get out of here; and when he sees us getting out of here, he's gonna walk to us to catch us. We cannot avoid it."

"Yeah, that's an excellent plan!" I exclaimed ironically because of my nervousness.

"Shut up, Darren. I'm not finished." Freckles said kinda annoyed. "We have to walk quietly to the shore, pretending that we're doing what he wants us to do. Then, when we reach the shore, he's gonna be waiting for us. That's the moment we need to be fast."

"What are you proposing to do?" I asked while looking at her fixedly.

"As soon as we reach the shore, we need to run away as fast as we can to the forest. That man surely can't run so fast and he won't catch us, but anyway we must be sneak and fast." She said and I looked at her horrified.

"Are you insane? That man is a gamekeeper. He must know the forest like the back of his hand. He'll find us and we'll be in serious troubles." I whispered still feeling scared.

"Well, Darren, then tell me your plan; because I can't think about something else." She said frowning.

"No, me either. Okay... Okay, maybe it'll work." I said when I realized I did have no other plan and maybe this was the only we could do. "We can do this."

"Yes, we can." Freckles whispered encouragingly. "Come on, now start walking."

"Yes." I whispered and I started walking to the shore with Freckles still clinging to me.

"Okay, I think I can touch bottom here; so leave me to be faster." She whispered and I nodded, placing her down. "Okay, Darren, remember, we need to be slow and when we reach the shore, just run."

"Yes, got it." I replied.

So we started walking slowly and silently to the shore while the man started walking towards us, just as Freckles said. Holy shit, I was so nervous; that man was looking at us very severely and it was scary. I looked at his hands; he had a pair of handcuffs. Shit. My heartbeat was racing at a high speed and my body was slightly trembling, it was ridiculous. When we reached the shore, everything happened so fast.

"Run!" Freckles yelled her lungs out as she started running really fast.

I started running as fast as I could but it was really hard to run in the sand; Freckles was way too away now, she was so fucking fast. The gamekeeper started running behind us, he was in a rage and Freckles was wrong, that man actually was really fast despite his large muscle mass. Oh fuck! He was going to catch me! I needed to be faster but this was being so hard and I was already tired. I felt as if I was out of breath. Then it happened: the gamekeeper took me by my curls and he tugged my hair and that made me scream in pain. Shit! I tried to keep running but he was so damn strong. Freckles turned her face while still running when she heard my scream; she now looked at me with eyes wide open and worried.

"Keep running!" I yelled at her when I saw she stopped abruptly.

That was it, I couldn't do anything, the man caught me and he was strong; but Freckles needed to keep running to be safe. The man pulled my arms back strongly and he started handcuffing me while Freckles was still looking at me in shock. She now ran towards me and I looked at her terrified. Oh no, fuck! She really needed to run away not to run to here. I turned my face to look at the gamekeeper and I noticed he was very concentrated handcuffing me so he couldn't see what Freckles was doing. Freckles was really fast, as if she was an expert on this. She didn't look at me; she only ran and kicked the man's balls. The man screamed and grabbed his balls as he writhed in pain. I looked at the man and I couldn't move because of the shock; so Freckles took me by the arm and pulled me to her, as she forced me to run next to her. We quickly entered the forest and we kept running away from the beach. We ran and ran until we were very away from the beach, so then we stopped. Both of us were gasping, sweating and trembling. I let myself drop to the ground with my hands handcuffed and Freckles sat next to me. I looked at her and even if I was still gasping and I couldn't talk, I needed to thank her. She risked her own safety because of me.

"Thank you, Freckles." I said still gasping.

"It's okay." She replied also gasping. "That was so close."

"You're so stupid! So fucking stupid!" I suddenly exclaimed frowning.

"What?" She asked in disbelief.

"How dare you to run to me? That man could have caught you!"

"Well, but he didn't! What? Are you complaining?"

"Of course I'm complaining! I can't believe it, you're so damn insane! How dare you!"

"Okay, sorry, I didn't know it could make you feel so mad!"

"Hell yeah! You should have kept running away! You're completely crazy! What's wrong with you, Freckles?"

"I don't even know why you're so mad! We're okay!"

"Yes, now. But that man, holy shit, that man could have beaten you! You should think more before doing something, Freckles!"

"What the fuck, Darren? Are you really reproaching me? What the fuck? I should have left you there! Goddammit."

"Yes, you should have done it! For fuck's sake!"

"Screw you, Darren!"

And so we kept yelling at each other. I was upset because she did a stupid thing she shouldn't have done, even if I was thankful; and she was upset because I was upset and this was all a mess of being upset with each other. And we were really yelling at each other and that was insane. Then I just shut up and I stared at Freckles who was still yelling shit at me; but I wasn't listening to her anymore. Whoa, she looked so hot while yelling; I couldn't stop looking at her mouth.

Freckles was still yelling but all I could do was to think how hot she looked, I was feeling so turned on right now. I couldn't hold it anymore: While she was still yelling, I pounced on her and I kissed her fiercely. She was surprised by this, so at first she didn't do anything. Then, when she realized what I was doing, she tried to pull me away but I managed to keep kissing her. It was so hard to do because I had my hands handcuffed and she was pulling me away, but I was so turned on that I managed to lean her on the ground and to get on top of her, while still kissing her. After a while, she stopped pulling me away and, instead, she wrapped her arms around my neck and started running her fingers through my curls, very fiercely; and she deepened the kiss. That kiss turned into a very passionate and fervent kiss: She let me introduce my tongue into her mouth and I started massaging her tongue with mine. We only parted when we needed to take a breath; and whenever we parted, I bit her lower lip as she breathed against my lips, something that was making me feel even more turned on. I kissed her lips even more fervently and that was a very lustful kiss. She wrapped her legs around my hips as she whined and thrust her hips up, touching my hard-on with her pelvis. I was so fucking aroused. I bit her lips and then I started kissing her neck, licking it sometimes; then I started sucking her earlobe while I started thrusting my hips against her and she was with her eyes closed, moaning. She was moaning for me. Damn, I wanted to touch her but I had my hands handcuffed and this was being so hard to do. She noticed I was uncomfortable because of the stupid handcuffs, so she placed her hands on my chest and pulled me away. I looked at her disconcerted while she was moving and I was lying on the ground now. But then she got on top of me, sitting right on my crotch. She smiled at me mischievously and looked at me lustful and that increased my hard-on. She leaned and bit my lower lip very slowly before licking them to then bit them again. I wanted to pull her into a fierce kiss, but she moved her face to start sucking my earlobe. Oh damn, this was so arousing that I thrust my hips against hers. Then she started licking my neck to go then to my chest. She nibbled my nipples and licked them. Oh fuck, fuck! I was so aroused, I couldn't stop moaning and thrusting my hips up. She continued licking her way down to my stomach and I got goosebumps as I arched my back. She was so good, man. Then she stopped doing it to sit upright and look at me in a very sensual way, smirking almost evilly. What the hell was she doing? I wanted her to continue. Oh yeah... She took off her bra and dropped it on the ground. I stared at her boobs for a long time, just admiring them. She was so fucking sexy and hot. Then she leaned on my body and I could feel her warm boobs against my chest while she was kissing me fervently. Then she stopped kissing me and I tried to raise my head to catch her lips again, but she moved up. I loved her for that. She moved up to place her boobs right on my mouth so I could kiss and suck them. So I started doing it as she started moaning loudly while she was her eyes closed. Oh, I loved the way she was moaning in pleasure. While I was still licking her boobs; she started running her fingers through my chest and my stomach and then she made her way down to my pelvis. I couldn't help it but thrusting my hips up again. I was extremely aroused right now that I started dry humping her. She now sat upright and placed her hands on my chest, to start moving her hips, to start dry humping me. Man I couldn't hold it anymore, I wanted to take off her underwear and I wanted to take off mine too, I had the urge to penetrate her; but I couldn't do anything because of my handcuffed hands, I was kind of her slave. And she did it. She pulled her hips up to take off her underwear and then she took off mine. Once she did it, she stared my crotch for a while as I was looking at her lustful. She leaned and started licking my pelvis and then she went straight to my erection and started licking the tip of my dick very slowly. Oh holy shit, that was feeling so damn good. I moved my head back and closed my eyes as I started groaning loudly while she was giving me a blowjob. Oh geez, this was the best I could have ever felt. Not even Kelly was so good at this; why Freckles was so good? Pre-cum everywhere, everywhere! I was so aroused and I wanted to go all the way with her. She stopped and looked at me lustful as she sat on my stomach, spreading her legs to my sides. She grabbed my dick and started stroking it and then she lined up my dick to her vaginal opening; I whimpered really loudly.

"Do you have a condom?" She asked in a moan. Fuck, I didn't have one.

"No, I don't have one." I answered.

"What?" Freckles asked looking at me completely disturbed. "What are you talking about, Darren? What is that thing you don't have? Are you even listening to me?" Freckles yelled looking at me in disbelief, frowning. "I was telling you that we don't have any clothes, we left them at the beach! But you don't seem to be listening to me."

That was when I came back to reality. We were still sitting and she was looking at me frowning and bewildered. Oh fuck, I can't believe it. I can't believe that I just had a sexual fantasy of her. Of course I've had a lot of sexual fantasies with her already, but never in front of her. What the hell was wrong with me? Damn, what was she saying? I really didn't know what she was talking about because I was fucking her in my stupid mind. I looked at her and she seemed to be waiting for some kind of answer and I didn't know what she was talking about. I babbled for a few minutes like an idiot.

"I... I was... Yeah, I was listening to you." I finally said when I remembered what she asked. I needed to make up something now, to pretend I was listening to her all this time. "Yeah, we left the clothes there, but fortunately we have our bags in the camp and our phones are there too. We just have to come back to the camp and we're gonna be fine. Don't worry about your clothes, I can buy you other clothes if you want; but we can't come back to the beach because surely the gamekeeper is still there. I know the way to the camp, so we're gonna be fine." I said and, despite my nervousness and awkwardness, what I said sounded pretty logical, so I was proud of myself.

"Sorry, Darren. I wasn't listening to you because I wouldn't stop looking at your..." She said frowning and I also frowned in confusion. Then she sighed. "Darren. You have boner." Freckles said roundly looking at me while raising an eyebrow. I freeze.

"What?" I shrieked jittery, raising my eyebrows and opening my mouth.

She looked at my bulge and then she looked away, still raising an eyebrow. So then I also looked at my bulge. Oh damn shit, I had a boner indeed. I closed my eyes for a little and I bit my lower lip. Oh man! This was so embarrassing. Could this get even worse? I couldn't believe I had a stupid boner in front of her. What the hell was I going to tell her now? Come on, Darren; find at least a lame explanation for your boner.

"What? It's... It's the adrenaline." I replied feeling completely embarrassed, frowning and trying to avoid her gaze.

Then the uncomfortable silence began. Neither of us talked. We were just silently looking away; I was feeling like a fool completely embarrassed and she surely was feeling embarrassed. I placed an arm on my boner and I started thinking about nasty things, so maybe that way the boner was going to disappear. I was trying to get it until I heard how Freckles burst out laughing. I automatically looked at her, frowning in confusion. She was looking at me and she was still laughing loudly.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked bewildered and she laughed even louder. She was even shedding tears because of the laughter.

"This... Oh my god, this is so funny." She said still laughing, she couldn't even talk.

"What is so funny?" I asked still confused but now with a slight amused smirk because her laughter was very catchy.

"This whole thing! The way you were so embarrassed because I caught your boner and the way you're now so serious and concentrated. Are you trying to make it disappear?" She laughed, looking at my crotch and I frowned.

"What? I can't believe you're asking that." I replied still frowning, but laughing softly.

"I could help you think nasty and terrible things to make it disappear." She said with an amused smile. How the hell did she know I was thinking about nasty things? Could she read my mind? "What? Why are you looking at me that way, Criss? I know that you guys use that technique to make boners disappear. It's not something new for me." She said shrugging.

"Oh well, you seem to be an expert of this." I said amused, looking at her amazed.

"I'm not an expert, but I do know a lot of things about sexual things." She answered giggling softly.

"Oh well, cool. You know? I'm yearningly waiting for that moment that you, girls, start having ladies boners. It'd be fair that way. I mean, that way, us, boys, won't be the only ones embarrassed when this happens." I said trying to joke to stop feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, but we do have clitoral erection; you know, the clitoris becomes enlarged and firm just as a penis. Did you know that the clitoris actually is a penis?" She asked and I raised my eyebrows. What was she talking about? Why was she saying these things?

"What?" I asked incredulous.

"Yes. Listen, when we're all being formed, we start out with the same parts. But in some babies, testosterone is introduced, and some turn into boys. Then, they get a penis. On girls, the same parts are there, but we don't grow to nearly the same size. This is the clitoris. That's why if you look at a clitoris it kinda looks like a very tiny penis head. Cause it kind of is. We have an under-developed penis inside; the clitoris is actually the only visible part of it." She answered and I looked at her agape. I couldn't believe she was answering this with such naturally, as if she wasn't awkward not even a bit.

"Well, you seem to be very open to talk about sexual things so naturally." I said, amazed because of the way she was talking and also because of that explanation that woman did have a penis. That was weird.

"Yeah... I mean, why wouldn't I talk about it naturally? I mean, we shouldn't feel embarrassed while talking about the human body and sexual things; it's something natural and biological." Freckles answered tranquilly, shrugging.

"Yeah, I agree. But I'm amazed because not so many girls talk about it as naturally as you just did. Guys talk about sex and stuff all the time, but it seems different on girls." I said softly, still feeling amazed. She seemed to be very mature.

"Well, it shouldn't be different. We all are human beings, regardless if you're a woman or a man. And girls do talk about sex too, maybe not in front of guys. To be honest, I don't see why it should be so dramatic to talk about sex with a guy as everybody say." Freckles answered quietly. "I mean, sex is something natural and we shouldn't be ashamed of it. I don't know... I think everybody talks about sex as if it was a dirty word and a sin. I just don't think like that. Sex is like the proof of love that a couple has; and sometimes some human beings have sex only for pleasure, and it isn't bad either. I just don't know; I could talk about it for a long time and give you my explanation, but I don't want to bug you."

"Yeah, I understand. And you won't bug me." I replied feeling amazed because of her maturity. I was honestly speechless, so I didn't know what to say.

"Okay." She said giggling softly. "Maybe someday we could go for a coffee and talk about sex and whatever, but right now I'm starting to feel cold." She said and I nodded, feeling a sudden happiness when she mentioned that thing of going for a coffee together. "So now that your boner has disappeared, maybe we could come back to the camp." She said laughing and I laughed along with her.

"Yeah, we could. The guys must be worried. I mean, it's getting dark and they don't have a fucking idea of where we are since last night." I said when I realized that maybe we screwed their weekend because of being looking for us.

"Oh yes, right!" Freckles exclaimed and she stood up.

I tried to stand up but it was really hard with the handcuffs. In my attempt to stand up, doing weird movements, I tangled with my own legs and fell on the ground. When I looked up surreptitiously to check if Freckles saw my awkward and clumsy attempt to stand up, that I wished she didn't, she was looking at me with an amused smirk. Oh cool! She always had to catch me in my most awkward situations. Anyway, she didn't say anything; she only walked to me and took me by my armpits to help me stand up.

"Thank you." I said when I was already standing. "I really need to get rid of these handcuffs."

"Yes, you need. But I don't know how, though." Freckles said frowning.

"It doesn't matter. I guess in the camp we'll find something to do it." I sighed.

I was thinking that I was going to have to walk through the forest with the handcuffs and it was going to be hard because of the branches I had to dodge. But fortunately, after walking a while and after tripping over some branches, Freckles noticed that it was hard for me, so she took me by the arm and helped me to walk. On our way to the camp, we talked about random things, I was actually having a fluent conversation with her and that felt good. She was very nice and funny and she had a sense of humor that I adored; she was actually very talkative, not as much as me, but she was this sassy and outgoing person; it was extraordinary. After a long walk, it was already dark and we could see the light of a campfire; from our camp. Oh geez, luckily I was right on the way!

"It seems we've arrived." Freckles said joyfully when she also saw that.

"Thanks to the wizard god." I said giggling softly.

"Do you think we should scare them?" Freckles asked with a mischievous smile.

"Oh trust me; we won't need to do anything to scare them."

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously.

"Look at us, we're a mess." I said raising my eyebrows and smirking amused.

"You have a point there." She said laughing softly.

So we finally arrived to the camp. Everybody was sitting around the campfire and they seemed to be tired. Could they have been looking for us all this time? I wished it wasn't like that; otherwise I was going to feel really guilty. So, as soon as Freckles and I walked towards the campfire and they heard our steps coming closer, they all looked at our direction. And they all looked at the same way. Oh damn. Yes; at first, they looked at us kind of relieved to have seen us; then they looked at us kind of upset surely because they noticed we were fine all this time and we didn't let them know that; and finally they looked at us suspiciously and puzzled. Of course, the last they saw was me and Freckles having a dispute through songs; then they saw how I ran to look for Freckles when I heard her scream in the middle of the night; and they were now looking at us half-naked, dirty and still a bit wet, and my hands handcuffed. Who wouldn't suspect something? And I knew them, they were thinking something that it wasn't; they surely were thinking that I got laid with Freckles or something related to sex. And I totally noticed how all the guys looked all over Freckles' body, like drooling. And I was totally sure that they weren't going to believe our explanation because it actually sounded ridiculous; it was ridiculous all that happened to us.

"What the hell, guys?" Joey asked still perplexed. He was the first to talk.

"Why are you naked?" Lauren asked.

"And why are you dirty?" Jaime asked.

"And wet?" Brian Holden asked suspiciously.

"Some people have been partying hard." Joe Moses exclaimed amused.

"Have you had sex and haven't invited us to the party?" Joe Walker asked with a mischievous smile.

"I thought you were only high school classmates." Meredith said frowning and thoughtful.

"Where have you been all this time?" Julia asked concerned.

"You're sexy, girl." Dylan said almost in a whisper.

Geez! So many questions, all at the same time! I should've expected this, but I never thought it could be this awkward. Freckles, next to me, was smirking amused as she was looking at everybody still asking questions. Why was she so amused? I wouldn't answer all of those things.

"Darren, why are you hiding your hands behind your back?" Bonnie suddenly asked frowning. I just turned around to answer the question, so they were going to see my handcuffs.

"Oh well, well, that is interesting. So you both were into role-plays while having sex. The slave and the enslaver. So interesting that Darren is the slave and Freckles the enslaver." Joe Walker said laughing, obviously mocking.

"What can I say? I like to have the control." Freckles said giggling amused and I looked at her astonished.

Like, what? She shouldn't have said that, my friends were going to believe that we actually had sex and that never happened; yes, it almost happened in my fantasy but not in real life. When she noticed I was looking at her astonished, she only smirked and shrugged.

"So what are you now? A lovely couple or just fuck buddies?" Joe Moses asked amused.

"I don't know... What do you say, Darren?" Freckles asked looking at me amused while running her fingers through my curls. Oh damn, why was she doing that?

"You're playing dirty, you know?" I whispered so nobody except Freckles was going to hear. "And if you play dirty, I'll play dirty."

"Oh yeah? How?" She also whispered so only I could hear that. She was looking at me mischievously and still smirking amused.

"Let me show you..." I whispered also looking at her mischievously. I couldn't use my arms, so I moved closer to her and I leaned my head. "I don't know..." I said loudly so now everybody could hear us. "Let me check that..." I said loudly again and I quickly pulled her into a fierce kiss.

I knew I shouldn't have done that because I didn't want to screw anything. But... She was playing dirty, so I was going to do the same. Besides that, I really wanted to kiss her again. At first, Freckles was surprised and she didn't kiss me back. But then, she placed one hand on the nape of my neck and the other hand on my head and she was the one who deepened the kiss. And this was real life. She was actually doing it. Everybody was silent, surely looking at us bewildered; but I couldn't see them because I had my eyes closed. However, the kiss didn't last so much. She broke the kiss and moved her head away. She looked into my eyes but didn't say anything; then she looked at my friends as I was still looking at her lips. Man, I loved her kisses and I couldn't stand the idea of not kissing her anymore.

"We're friends." Freckles said loudly as I was still staring her lips like a fool.

"Fuck buddies, then?" Lauren asked.

"No. Just friends; nothing more." Freckles replied.

Of course she was going to say that. Right after Freckles answered that, I looked away and, without even wanting that, I saw Joey and Julia. They were looking at me fixedly, frowning, concerned and confused. I looked away again, trying not to think that maybe I screwed it. I just looked away while Freckles' words were still echoing in my mind: 'Just friends; nothing more.'