Waiting

To be at one with nature. That’s why I do this. I love to see the drastic inclines on the path ahead. I love to hear the trees sing with every passing breeze. I love the smell of the soft earth mixed with nature’s greens. I love the taste of the crisp mountain air. I love the feel of my blood pumping, working up a sweat.

I don’t love waiting.

Jackson and Kelly wanted to do this hike. They’re the ones who wanted to get a little exercise. But they’re just dilly dallying, taking photos of every pebble along the way. It’s my fault really, for agreeing to go on a hike with a couple. Of course they would be canoodling every step of the way; holding hands, helping each other over every boulder and under every branch. I tried to wait for them, but they were just taking too long.

That’s a lie, I didn’t try to wait. The second they pulled out that selfie stick for a picture at the start of the trail, I ditched. It’s not like they needed me to follow the path and we had already agreed to meet at the falls just in case we got separated. I had no desire to be a guest in this memory they were making, I wanted to make my own. And hiking isn’t something I really need someone else to enjoy and I enjoy the quiet solitude of hiking alone.

The waterfall wasn’t anything magnificent, just a short ten foot drop, but the pool it fell into was crystal clear, so clear that I could see the details of every rock that lined the bottom. I took off my shoes and socks and cautiously sat down at the edge of the water dipping one leg in and then the other. The cool water felt good against my swollen feet and strained calves.

I sat there slowly kicking my legs in the water when I saw a man approach out of the corner of my eye. His brow was beaded with sweat and he was breathing heavily. He had already thrown down his backpack and kicked off his shoes before his gaze found mine. And I felt it. The electric charge running through me, that fluttering at my core. He smiled at me before he pulled his shirt off and jumped into the pool. His eyes twinkled as he splashed around with a child-like grin stretched across his face. An infectious grin that was starting to spread across mine. I contemplated on how I might casually slip into the water to join him.

My thoughts were interrupted by a shout. A woman came running up to the pool and the man swam over to the edge to greet her. Of course they’re together. I moved my gaze back down and watched the water ripple out from around my legs, wondering where the hell Jackson and Kelly were.

I really don’t love waiting.