This is my first submission. Any feedback is welcome and appreciated! Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy it!
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"Hey Aria!" I said excitedly as she pulled up in her Jeep Wrangler to my driveway. It was the perfect summer morning outside for a cruise with the top open. I watched her get out of her Jeep and couldn't help but admire how her dark brown hair always seemed to stay in perfect beach wave curl condition no matter how good or bad the weather was. I caught myself staring a few seconds too long. "Thanks so much for meeting me here! I've been running behind schedule all day. I forgot how much work goes into packing for a camping trip."
"Hey Tara, no problem!" She said as she walked up towards me. "Need a hand? Looks like you have packed enough stuff for a week or two! You know we are only going for 2 nights right?" She playfully nudged my arm as I set down another duffel bag.
"Yes, I know, but I like to be prepared for anything. And besides, in the past 5 years we've known each other, when have you not seen me overpack for something?" I said as I piled another tote box on the garage floor.
I first met Aria through work. I was working on a patient care floor as a nurse and she was a physicians assistant. Our paths happened to cross a few times over patients we were both taking care of, and we always had easy conversations. We bumped into each other at a couple after work happy hours and started hanging out ever since then. She has quickly become my closest and most trusted friend. She has been there for me through some of my toughest times. Whether it was a crazy intense day with the loss of a patient at work, or another failed relationship, she was always the first person I called. We somehow both managed to get a few days off work at the same time, and thought we would go on a camping trip together.
I pulled my long blonde hair up into a ponytail to keep it out of my way as I set to work trying to pack all my stuff into the back of her Jeep. This was no easy task as I definitely did overpack this time. I finally managed to get everything squared away and secure, and off we went. We were going to a small state park we both had never been to before and I couldn't wait for the start of our mini-vacation. I had always looked forward to anytime we got to hang out together, but I was extra excited to spend two nights with just her.
"So, got any hot dates lined up this month?" Aria asked me as we drove down the interstate.
"Umm, I think I have dated all the eligible bachelors in the city already and am done for awhile." I re-adjusted in the front seat a bit to get more comfortable and took off my sandals before I continued. "Why are all the good guys already taken? I mean, seriously, I'm already 28 and I haven't had a long term relationship that lasted longer than a couple months for over 4 years now. Most of my friends are married with kids already. Maybe I'm just doomed to be single forever. Will you still come visit me when I'm 50 and living with 10 cats? I'll knit you a sweater!"
Aria burst out laughing. "Oh get a grip Tara! There's no way you will end up like a little old spinster with tons of cats! But yes, of course I would visit you anytime and anywhere! Seriously though, you are a catch and anyone would be lucky to have you. Besides being gorgeous, you are the kindest, most sincere person I have ever met. I think most guys are just too intimidated to ask you out. You probably have more abs than most of them too! And the ones that you do go out with, probably know they don't deserve you anyways. Also, you act like 28 is so old! I'm 30 and still single so what are you saying about me? Am I just old and decrepit to you?"
"Well at least someone has faith in my dating future! And for being such an old lady, I'm sure you could still give me a run for my money in any sport." I said teasingly. But that was actually true. At 5' 8" Aria was built for running. She was on the track team in college and was one of their best in the 800 meter sprint and the 1 mile. She still had the toned and tanned body to prove it too. She was absolutely stunning. Anywhere we went, I often saw guys practically drooling when she walked by them. I have only seen a few of the guys she's dated before though. They were always very good looking but she never seemed to keep them around for very long.
"Yeah right!" She said laughing at my comment. "I could maybe beat you in a sprint or short distance race, but you are the only one crazy enough to run marathons!" We both chuckled a little. We have always been competitive with each other, especially when it comes to sports. Sometimes when she loses she will blame it on the fact that I have an extra height advantage being a couple inches taller than her. But it is always in good fun.
We arrived at the Park Office and got checked in and found our campsite. "Let's get all unpacked and then head out on a nice hike and enjoy the beautiful sunny day!" I said. In no time, we had the tent up and were off to find a map of the hiking trails. Being the middle of the week, there were only a few other campers around and they were all pretty well spread apart. I loved it when you practically had the place to yourself. Nothing like how it was back in the city.
We found a nice 4 mile loop trail and off we went. Aria took the lead to start and I found I was constantly fighting with myself to not stare at her legs the whole time. She had a tight black tank top on with short white athletic shorts, and her legs seemed to go on for days. We took a couple rest stops to take pictures along the way and then we switched leads so I was in front for the the second half. With another half mile left to go, I heard Aria stumble behind me. I turned around to see her trying to get up off the ground and wincing in pain as she looked at the bleeding gash just above her right ankle.
I ran over to her and took a look at it myself. Luckily it didn't look too deep but I did need to stop the bleeding quick. Without hesitating, I took off my tank top and tied it tight around her ankle. That should help until we get back to camp at least.
"Are you okay?" I asked, "What happened?"
She sighed heavily and then tried to stand and apply pressure on her leg once more. She winced in pain again and then said, "Oh, it was stupid. I was distracted by, uh, something, and not watching my footing. I then tripped on a rock and stumbled into a nearby branch that apparently had it out for me. I think I rolled my ankle pretty bad too."
I looked at her ankle once more before deciding. "Well, hop up onto my back and I'll carry you the rest of the way back to camp. I've got a first aid kit in one of my bags. See, my over-packing is already coming in handy!" She laughed a little at that and then carefully climbed onto my back as I squatted down. It was then that I realized I was only wearing a sports bra now. Thank goodness I was wearing a cute one at least.
This felt nice. The closeness to her. I could feel her breath on the back of my ear and her strong arms wrapped tightly around my bare shoulders. We didn't say much on the way back which was perfect since I preferred to save my breath. She was very fit but the extra weight was still a workout going up some of the steeper hills on the trail. I spotted our folding chairs by the fire ring and set her down right next to it.
