Seeing Kristina walk down the stairs in her baggy sweater and a high bun, Johnny is in awe of how beautiful she is. Yes, he enjoys when she gets dressed up but dressed in her natural beauty is what always catches Johnny’s breathe. The cold chill outside brings him back to his task but he know he could stand there and watch her all day.
    “Sure is coming down outside.” Johnny brushes the snow off his one shoulder that’s holding the wood he collected from outside. Moving it to be next to the fire place so they have extra through out the night. Kristina just watches him from the couch curled up under a blanket and resting on a pillow.
    “Did you get the bags?” She’s now scanning the room looking for some layers to add rather than just swearing her sweater.
    “I thought you were getting dressed upstairs? The bags were in the room.” Johnny now moves to curl up next to Kristina on the couch.
    “Oh right. I might have forgotten.” She moves to straddle him moving the blanket over them. Johnny’s hands move to her hips moving up and down her leg. “I enjoy when you do that.”
    “Oh trust me, I know.” Johnny just smirks at Kristina then leans forward to kiss her.
    “Now, board game or movie?” Kristina asks while she plays with the buttons on his shirt.
    “That’s not going to lead to either option.” Johnny started moving his finger tips up and down.
    “I know.” Kristina begins to move in to kiss Johnny when suddenly the door flings open.
    “That drive was ridiculous!” A man walks into the room with bags brushing off snow. “Honey come on hurry up!”
    “Excuse me?” Johnny yells to the people entering the house while moving Kristina off his lap and giving her the blanket to cover herself.
    “Someone’s here?” The man looks in the house taking off his hat and having a face of utter confusion.

Young Love

This way or that way who really knows which way is right? I would like to think the guidance I have absorbed at this point has given me some sort of accountability. Okay maybe accountability might be too much. More like a precedence to what I am feeling I want to do in the moment. Yeah that should be the right assessment.

“Johnny your taking to long with those burgers.” Kristina yells from inside their new apartment they just got together. The two have been married for two years and while both thought at this stage they would be looking for a home to get to fill with kids but that has not happened. 

“Coming. Perfection can’t be rushed.” Johnny flips the burgers to not over due the one side while taking a swig from his beer. “Did you chop up tomatoes.”

“Of course I did my portion.” Kristina answer as she comes through the sliding door to their porch. She comes from behind Johnny putting her arms around his waste and resting her head on his back.

“Trying to start something.” Johnny gives a slight smirk.

Kristina tightens her arms a little more and slightly inches his shirt up above his belt buckle. “Yeah right.” She releases her arms and heads back inside. “Hurry up with those things will ya.”

“Such a tease.” He shakes his head and begins taking the burgers off the grill.

“Nope, just hungry. See it got you to hurry up.” Kristina smiles from her small victory and moves to the counter to sit across from Johnny’s place. “Do you want another beer?”

“I’m good.” Johnny answers as he comes through the sliding door, closing it and moving to the counter. His puts the food down and holds his wife hand. He looks into her eyes, “How did I get so lucky.”

“No clue.” She leans in towards him and kisses him. Then sits back down and begins serving him his food.

They eat in silence which seems to be a normal thing now. Kristina cannot stand silence when eating so she now as grown accustomed to putting on the music. The two of them have always enjoyed they can eat and not feel the need to talk. Their relationship has been like this from the beginning. Neither thought it was awkward that on their first dinner date they talked, then got the food, and became silent while they ate till they finished. It is a content feeling and both thought it was a blessing. There was just a feeling of being content. They enjoyed their time together and just being with one another. It wasn’t what was happening, what was going on, or what they were doing but they were there.

“OLIVIA!” Oh God. “OLLLLLIVIIIIAAAA!”

“Yeah.”

“So guess who I saw today.”

“Famous or friend?

“Friend.”

“Boy or girl.”

“Ahh I saw Andrew.”

“Oh, how’s he doing?”

“Okay just telling you how’s he doing would cause you to simply ask how he’s doing.”

“Well no but you saying you saw someone we know yes, that would cause me to ask how they are doing. But clearly whatever happened matters so much more.”

“Yes clearly.” I wave my hand on for her to continue. “Well I am going to the coffee shop and debating in a iced drink or should I try this new drink and he comes walking up to me with a drink!”

“For himself.”

“No for me silly!”

“So he has two drinks.”

“Yes-”

“Well that would have been helpful-”

“He talked about his life and asked about mine-”

“He’s a gentelmen-”

“He has such a good heart-”

“Taking it you were happy-”

“Asked me to dinner-”

“But you are easily made happy so-”

“Olivia are you listening?”

“Of course.”

“Well he agreed.”

“To what?”

“Double date, tomorrow night. Kyle he is unsure if he is free but I am sure when he hears you are the other girl he will drop whatever that boy has to do.”

“You did what?”

“It’s just food.”

“Umm yeah no, not with Kyle.”

“Why would you do such a things?” All roommate goes on a ramble explaining how she was just trying to do a nice thing. She would get to know Andrew better while seeing how Kyle and I talk to see if the two of us are really meant for me. Granted her intentions were there but I just saw the new guy yesterday and my head is all types of spinning.

“Olivia I hear you, now I am just going to lay down. Please let me be for a bit.”

“Do you want chocolate?” Such a necessary girl thing to always have.

“No thank you.” I would love a lot of chocolate and a movie but that would just make matters worse. Lay down and go for a run. Yes a run that will clear my head.

Gut always wins! When Kyle and I were pulling out of the parking lot a ranger had just passed us and was making his way into the parking lot. But that was earlier now I sit hear waiting for my room mate to come out of her room to show me if I approve of her outfit for the night. Granted I almost never approve cause generally shows to much of something but it is more of color and look on her she cares. Honestly that is why I say no somethings.

“So what about this? Cheetah lingerie too much?”

“For what exactly? Sleeping or walking down a street?”

“Oh funny little pun in there. I am picking up better on you calling me a prostitute. And neither, trying out this new club and suppose to be trendy and the newest it thing. So cheetah a win?”

“Well cheetah is always in but we are no longer in college so seems slightly desperate-”

“That is something I’m so not-”

“Possibly put on the new dress-”

“I want to be scene for my brains-”

“Or try on that top with those leggings-”

“I have a lot to offer-”

“So maybe cheetah wedges?”

“Yes! I will wear the lacy top, with black tight skirt and heels! They will believ I am trendy, young, innovative, and will talk and I will fill them with my knowledge.”

Before I could even answer she’s hugging me and running and swilling back into her room. Dear Lord what did I just give her and idea for. I put my book down and grab my mug to pour some more tea.

“So how did things go?”

“Go?”

“Umm hello I totally know you were with Kyle earlier!”

“Oh, umm they went.”

“Come on, I need some details. I live for this. Sweet innocent roommate who stays in on her Thursday nigh reading a book and drinking tea, like such a clique of good girl. With the crazy roommate who gets ready and takes shots. Now come on! I will end up meeting a random dude who will be no good for me in about two hours, but I will know you spent time with a good guy today. So when I come home crying later about my mistakes I will remember your story in the taxi at least.”

“Your so twisted.”

“I don’t like to think twisted. More knowing I’m young, I have a right to be stupid so I might as well take advantage. I am turning twenty-six in two weeks so I only have two more weeks of this excuse. After that I am just a reckless person.”

“Oh so twenty-six is time to grow up?”

“Well yes, I would like to be married someday do you find that shocking?”

“Slightly yes. But your reasoning I will just skip over that whole deal.”

“Olivia come on!”

“What?”

“Kyle, story now! It will totally not be as good when I have to go up to Andrew later and ask him what Kyle said. Kyle gives like no detail so it’s a bunch of he said they did this. It was good. Blah, blah, blah! I need to hear about the romance and spark of it all!”

“Haha well cannot see Kyle being the romancer.”

“Don’t laugh! He’s quit the catch-”

“More talker and hoping I hear him while staying silent-”

“You could end up falling for him-”

“Well maybe not silent but more mysterious-”

“He’s a really great guy-”

“No not mysterious, just what is the word-”

“Andrews a great guy too-”

“I can’t put my finger on it-”

“Olivia are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“So you think a double could work?”

“Work for what?”

“You, Kyle, Andrew and I?”

“Do you know what Andrew’s job is?”

“Yeah he works with kids.”

“What kind of kids?”

“I think middle school.”

“Yes and what does he do with these kids?”

“Umm teaches them obviously! Goodness Olivia I’m not an idiot!”

“But what does he teach them.”

“Whatever you learn in middle school.”

“Right, he’s a youth pastor.”

“Okay so he’s-”

“Yep!”

“Whatttt!” And now the freak out begins. “He, he, God, works for, what?! But he goes to the bar. He sees me dressed, God, works for, what?!” Oh maybe shouldn’t have had the big lead in. “He must think I’m satan.” Yep bad idea, no lead in. “I dress, boobs, he has probably, oh man! Oh man!” Looks like my tea shall wait. “I need a drink.” Oy.

I see Mike and Shay in passing. Shay was a douche and did not deserve my time to just be let down. I fall for douches and they get boring. But Mike was such a sweet heart. I did the smile and wave hellos but that was about all. Even the nice adorable ones can be boring. I did the judging without really knowing. But I was quit surprise to come to learn on of my very close guy friends Andrew was getting close to Shay. It made no sense to me. I was talking with Andrew and Shay came up to talk with us. Yes I said us.

“Hey guys.”

“Hey man what’s going on.” They did the bro hug of one arm hand shake embrace let go.

“I’ve been good. How about you, hit any new trails this weekend?”

“Nah man been too busy. But this girl has had my bike all week and been riding.”

“You let her ride yours?”

“Dude she’s the only girl I will let ride. I probably wont even let my wife ride. But she’s an awesome rider.”

“Shut up Andrew, your going to let your wife ride.” I smile after nudging Andrew playfully and rock to the other side.

“Your the first girl I know to ride.”

“Seriously? You must got get out much.” Okay the was a dig. Please play off of it so I don’t seem like a bitch.

“I know I live in the woods, gosh.”

I giggle a little. “Damn you in the woods.” What a stupid comment. Did I seriously just say that? Monica just walk away.

“I know they don’t know life outside of it. You know there is a major city right?” Thank god for Andrew.

“I’ve heard of it. Large buildings and such. I should see it sometime.” Oh my goodness he can be sarcastic! No one outside of my family or my best friends can be sarcastic. Like don’t get me wrong some people think they’re, however they fail. They have one every so often they can pull off but this came so natural that you know he just said it. Was not thinking about it a while and just threw it out there. Dude who is this guy?

“Yeah man we were watch Entourage at this chicks place, she’s never seen the show. I thought she was straight up retarded. Who has people over and puts on a show they have never seen? We knew she was going to be the one to get offended to. Like this girl barely watched any sort of vulgar thing. Like just one line in a four hour movie would be vulgar and she will hate it.”

“Dude Entourage is an amazing show.” That’s right now I’m back in this conversation.

“You watch Entourage?” He just looked at me with a serious face. Kid are you judging me? What is with the stare?

“Yes, do you have an issue with that?”

“No it’s cool.” Shay then rocks back and walks away.

“What’s with that kid?” I just stare off and let Andrew give the answer of whatever he is thinking.

I’m sure you enjoyed my awkwardest state. But now with this story. I never wanted to date someone who isn’t my friend first. Honestly, world wind romances don’t last, and are so last season. It is not simply a friends with benefits thing either that is just so not classy. I want to marry my best friend and have them be with me everyday. I understand the concept that guys and girls cannot be just friends. They can if you realize they cannot be your best friend. Now let me start off the with the story of wilderness guy, is all started on a stormy night of me needing a rescue, this guy can out of no where and saved my life! No serious I’ll stop playing no night in shining armor simply your average joe, meet at an even thrown by my siblings friends where I knew no one. I clung to my siblings but saw this guy who seemed pretty quit and like he was in the same boat. So I made my way over and say hi.

“Hi, I’m Mike.”

“Mike? Nice to meet you I’m Monica.” We shake hand as a sign of meeting and acknowledgment. 

“What brings you out to the woods?”

“Well my siblings know the people here so I tagged a long. You say that like it’s a bad thing or something.”

“Oh no I didn’t mean it that way at all!”

“Okay good. But this is a pretty sweet set up they have here. I’m sure you could go riding anywhere.”

“You ride?”

“I know the dress and sandals don’t really play a part of a riding girl but I do.”

“Oh just don’t meet many girls that do ride.”

“Yeah people generally don’t get it, I was the only girl that rode at my school growing up. But we also lived in the suburbs so not a lot of places to go.”

“Oh yeah I don’t live around here but this is my friends place so we come here on the weekends.”

“This would be awesome to go riding. Do you ride quads or dirt bikes.”

“Well I borrow a friends bike.”

“Better than what I got, parents got ride of my stuff a few years back so now I just appreciate those who can still ride.”

“Nice.”

“Hey Mike.” I turn and see this guy I swear is Mike’s age, maybe a little taller, and slightly hickish. 

“Hey man.” I am not sure about what to do they are both slightly starring at me. But this does not phase me. I come from a large family and slightly out spoken.

“Hi I’m Monica.” I put my hand out for an introduction. He shakes it.

“Hi. So Mike are you coming here tomorrow? Frank got a new mountain bike and wants to break it in.”

“Yeah I’m down with that.” They both just nod. I give I little glance over the crowd. No one really seems interesting.

“So I’m guessing one without a name you ride too.”

“Yeah.”

“Right and your not one for the art of conversation.” I now I must come off as a major bitch right now but seriously who just shakes a girls hand, talks to the person they’re with about plans and doesn’t offer up a name? Like come on. Okay I will try not to interrupt the story again.

“Umm. I just wanted to check with him for plans tomorrow. Sorry I’m Shay.”

“Nice to meet you say.” I then smile and just walk away.