Happy Holidays everyone!
This story is another request from WildExpert24. Although, I'll admit it's not much of a story; it's just a cute, wholesome moment. Still, I hope you enjoy this.
With that said, I'll say there that I'm not going to be accepting any requests for a while. I'm going to put state this on my profile as well. I just so many other projects I'm working on and are planning.
Now that's said, here's story.
The days of summer were coming to an end. Sooner or later, the leaves would change into colors of red and orange in preparation to fall. The cool breeze would soon arrive and so would the school days.
These nice, sunny day weren't going to last forever. In fact, after today, it would be a long time before they come back… Which was why Craig wanted to do this activity now.
Before him was a lake full of clear blue water. It was probably one of the nicest, most refreshing places in the Creek. Barely any kids were there, but it must have had some at one point because at the surface was a basket full of pool and beach toys. To the side were a couple of towels. This place was probably a place where kids can experience going to the beach without going too far from home.
About a month ago, the Stumps kids had found this place on the other side of the Creek. They were all naturally in awe of it, and JP even said, "This place is paradise."
Indeed it was. Craig wanted to jump in right away and enjoy the nice Creek water that was gather at this one spot. It was a good way to keep cool after all. However, the diner horn rang and everyone had to go back home. It didn't matter though; cause he was going to jump in the next time they were free.
Then he ended up putting it off for a weeks.
He planned on coming back to it; he really was. He just didn't find the time with the Heart of the Forest quest and other kids' problems he had to deal with.
However, now that the Heart of the Forest had been found, and no one needed any assistance today. With nothing else going on, Craig thought it would be a good time; especially since summer almost coming to an end. So if he was going to do it, then it would be today.
He planned on going there with his friends, but Kelsey was busy writing a sequel to her Fire and Ice story with Stacks, JP promised to show Cheese Champions to Maney, and Omar had made plans to catch up with Maya. So, he it was just him with free time…
However, something like this wasn't as much without friends, so he decided to invite someone to come over…
Sure enough, the sound of a dog landing right directly behind him.
He turned around to see the Creek's wildlife protector, Wildernessa, riding her her trusted Tibetan Mastiff dog, Cheesesticks.
He kindly greeted them, "Hey, Wildernessa, you made it."
Wildernessa rolled her eyes, but had a bit of blush on her. "Well, I didn't have much else to do. The barrow of rabbits in my back yard had all grown up, there aren't any baby birds that need help learning how to fly, and Cheesesticks really wanted to doggy paddle."
Craig was dressed in his favorite yellow swim trunks, a white bucket hat, and sandals. It was an attire that he was very much used to wearing whenever he prepared for swimming.
Wildernessa also wore a swimming attire, with pink swimsuit with a brown dog's paw print sown on to the center of it. Her signature teddybear mask was gone and replaced with a matching swim cap with dog ears.
Craig had never seen her in that outfit before, and seeing in it now… He couldn't help but blush a bit. There was just something about seeing a girl in a different clothes apart from their usual that made it… kind of magical.
Then Wildernessa cleared her throat. "Uh, Craig?"
That snapped him out of his daze. "Huh?"
"Didn't you invite me so we can go swimming?"
He actually forgot about it for just that moment. "Oh, uh… Right." Then to hide away the blushing, he took off his sandals and jumped right into the water.
Wildernessa looked flabbergasted. What was all that about?
Well, there was no use dwelling on that. Right now, there was a lake to enjoy.
Her mind debated if she should go in slowly or just jump in when Cheesesticks made the decision for her. He took a few steps back before he charged for the lake. Wildernessa had little to none control over him as they landed right into the center, causing a big splash.
Craig was pushed back by water and sank into the depths for a bit, but he immediately recovered from it and swam to the lake's surface.
Once the surprise went away, Craig took one look at the absolutely wet Wildernessa and Cheesesticks… and couldn't help but laugh. He had to stop himself so the water won't get into his mouth. That was when he noticed Wildernessa seemed a bit uncertain. She was drenched but she was going into the lake. She probably felt worried if she disrupted a school of fish or a frog's pack of eggs. She barely got off of Cheesesticks. So, he gave out a hand for her to grab… and the minute she held it, he pulled her into the water as well.
The wild girl was shocked at the ambush, but after a few seconds, she found herself laughing. She didn't care about her pride. Today was one of those moments that felt like they could just let loose and not worry about anything else.
Cheesesticks barked as he swam with his paws. He was having just as much fun as the kids.
The three of them then spent the day splashing, swimming, and enjoying the water.
Craig had to admit, "This is the life." He lied down with his back on the water and the sun comforting him on his chest. "I wish Kelsey, Omar, and JP were here."
"Well, why aren't they here?" Wildernessa asked as she got back on to Cheesesticks (she just felt more comfortable with him). She had her attention on Craig as she questioned, "Are they busy?"
Craig's smile faded as he recalled, "Well… Kelsey is with Stacks, Omar is with his old friends, JP is watching Cheese Champions."
Wildernessa couldn't help but ask, "He's still watching that show?"
"Yes, and I still don't get it. It's about cheeses talking about cheese. It doesn't get any more cheesy than that!"
"I know right. It's like they didn't put much thought into it."
"Yeah! It's like, who thought it would be a good idea to pitch it, direct it, animated it, and then show it for a million people to see?"
Wildernessa chuckled. "Guess it entertains some people." Her amusement then faded as her expression became a bit downcast. "Hey… Craig? You're friends with a lot of kids, right?"
"Well yeah, there are the 10 Speeds, Sparkle Cadet, the champions, and—."
"If so, then why didn't you invite any of them? Why…me?"
Craig opened his mouth to answer, but ended up pausing as he thought over it… He didn't know what to say except for the ones that came to his mind. Then after a bit, he sighed as he admitted, "I… I don't know. You were just the first person I thought of."
She frowned. "Is that it?"
"No, that's not just it. It's…" His voiced trailed off as he realized there were no way he could put his thoughts into a complete sentence. Still, he could tell she needed an answer or the question was going to be stuck in her mind forever. So, he just respond what came to mind first. "I really don't know… I guess… It's because out of all the kids in the Creek, you were the first one I thought would be the most comfortable with."
Wildernessa's expression showed surprise at first, and then it gradually became disheartened again as she asked, "Really? Even after… how I treated you?"
Craig looked at the surface of the water as he responded, "Well… You were full of baloney back then, but that's all it was; just back then… Besides, with what we have been through recently: with Capture the Flag, and finding Cheesesticks… I now think you're alright. One of my closest friends even."
"Just friends?" She looked at him with wistful eyes.
His face flushed a bright pink. "Well, I guess something more than that." He then changed the subject, "How about you? I'll be honest, when I invited you, I wasn't sure you be interested."
She then spoke up in her usual know-it-all tone, "Well, yeah, there's no way I would be interested in human activities this." Her expression mellowed down as she then admitted, "But it's alright if I do them with you."
If dogs could be cheeky, then Cheesesticks definitely showed it as he looked at the two kids with a playful look that could only be seen in cartoons.
Sensing the atmosphere was getting awkward, Craig swam to the shore where the pool supplies were. He got on the shore and pulled out a beach ball from the bin. "If you don't mind, then how about we play some catch?"
Wildernessa chuckled as she happily accepted.
The two of them continued to play catch until Cheesesticks caught it with his mouth and accidentally popped it.
The kids stared at the deflated ball for a moment before bursting out laughing. Craig just grabbed some pool noodles, animal floats, and other balls to throw right in the lake. Then they used them to play around in the for the rest of the day until the dinner tuba sang out.
With that, it was time to end another fun, peaceful day at the Creek. The kids and dog got of of the water. The kids used the towels left on side to dry while Cheesesticks just shook the water off.
Craig sighed. "With that, I guess it's the end of summer."
Wildernessa looked at him as was drying, and in her most comforting voice, she assured, "Well, this doesn't have to be the last time we do this. We can do this again next summer."
Craig looked at her with a bit of surprise. "You mean it."
She just smiled at him as she replied, "I had fun."
The mapmaker smile back. "Then I'll let you know when I want to come back here… or if you want to do something else."
To that, the wild girl replied, "I would like that."
With that the two kids finished drying up. Wildernessa got on to Cheesesticks as she waved goodbye to Craig. Left by himself, the mapmaker decided to head back home.
Although one of the last days of summer had ended, he knew this wasn't going to be their last meeting. There are going to be more opportunities for them to see each other again, and he couldn't wait for the next time.