It all Began and Ended with a Tree... Part 9

Hold your horses! Have you read the first Chapter? No? Well here's the link: Chapter 1

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It all Began and Ended with a Tree
Chapter 9

From the moment I leave the island to the time I get to my room, I giggle uncontrollably. Mom looked at me with one of those “weirded-out” looks. Even old man Cesar smiled and patted me on the back.

That wistful expression of Dave’s is just plastered before my eyes. It’s like an immaculate apparition that just won’t go away. He’s handsome and that expression of his is just all the more cute. It makes me just want to swoon.

I know I shouldn’t be, at least not yet, but I’m falling for his agreeable manner and kind personality. After all, who wouldn’t be? He’s like a dream, everything good in a guy packaged together in small amounts. I feel like this getting to know him more business is a win-win situation.


For some reason I can’t stop thinking about him. It comes into my mind that we will be swimming come morning and the flirt inside me flips out at the thought. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking about seeing Dave shirtless.

I admit, I may be way too in over my head, but this is someone special we’re talking about! I’ve never felt this way before, but I definitely like it. It’s like a feeling that someone is always there for you, to catch you when you fall. Someone to raise you up when you’re down, maybe even someone to make sure you swim, not sink. It’s like everything in the world that you could ever need is with this special person.

I never knew that falling for someone would be this wonderful a feeling. I like it; I really, really like it.
I’m too anxious about tomorrow and I can barely sleep because of that! For once in my life, I stare at the ceiling for an hour before finally falling asleep. This is of course, because I am thinking of Dave.

The next morning brings a refreshing breeze and lively sunlight. I wake up and stretch as I do normally. I inhale the cool, fresh air and I raise my hands above my head as I soak in the sunlight. It takes me a moment, though, to realize that mom is sitting at the foot of the bed. The moment I do, however, I feel as though I want to jump out of my own skin.

“Good morning dear!” Mom exclaims with that oh-so-happy grin of hers. It just so happens, I seem to have inherited that from her and I can imitate it perfectly.

“Good morning…” I trail off dismayed before continuing. I end the statement as a question though. “…Mom?”

“So… How is my girl doing?” Yet again, mom is surprising me with things she’s never done before. She nudges me with an elbow while grinning, for goodness’ sake! Usually she’s this calm in demeanor and submissive woman. But today, however, she’s blooming like a rose.

“Actually, mom, I’m fine! A bit excited even…”

“Oh, so I take it you’re getting to know Dave better. And you’re finding that he’s a fine young man, hmm…?”

“Yes… hmm… Yeah! I guess so!”

“You know what, bring him over someday.” She says this while ruffling my hair. She’s beaming like a ray of light and in her eyes is a sparkle that I’ve never seen before.

Her happiness is absolutely contagious. I find myself smiling and eventually giggling ever so slightly. I couldn’t even speak straight from all the laughing. The thought of Dave contributes a bit to the positive vibes. I finally manage to say “Okay mom!”

With that she smiles at me and trots out of the room, a happy step in her gait. I scratch my head for a while, puzzled at what just happened. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m still giggling my guts out.

I manage to regain my composure and I finally get into packing my things. I take my bathing suit and stick it into a bag. For some reason, I bring along my sketchpad. I guess it’s because I just feel that it would fit in the happy vibe that the day is showing. I stuff a couple of random things into the bag for otherworldly reasons.

The moment I finish I run down the stairs and into the kitchen. A quick breakfast is all it takes and I’m off, flinging myself off of the porch. I catch up with old man Cesar as he makes his way down to the dock and I take a hold of his arm. I beam up at him and I help him down to the dock and into his boat.

We zip off towards the island within moments and I smile as the wind whistles past my face. I can just feel the surge of elation in my body when I see the island. The beautiful tree stands there, its leaves dancing in the soft breeze, I want to reach out and touch it. Finally, the engine revs down and I am ready to get off the boat.

Once on the island, I spot Dave and I run towards him. I stop in front of him, a bit reluctant, and then I hug him. My face is flushed with color, so is his as he hugs me too. No matter how much I think I like him, there’s still something that resembles an invisible wall that hangs between us; it’s frustrating, but it can still be worked on.

“So, Elle, shall we get dressed?” Dave scratches his head at the notion. He’s probably working out how to not be seen naked around me.

“Umm… okay… You dress on the other side of the tree, I dress on this side. That way, we don’t get to see each other nude.” His face lights up as though I just answered his biggest conundrum.

He walks over to the other side to get dressed and I can barely hear the rustling of clothes. I dress up too, but I do it quickly. It’s a talent of mine, getting dressed in a short time. Mom is usually frustrated by this, but I am absolutely not.

Around the time I finish, Dave is done too. I walk around to see him, when I was in front of him; he raised his eyes to me. His mouth hangs agape for reasons that I do not know. He manages to utter a few words though.

“Wow… just, wow! You look gorgeous, Elle!”

“Thanks Dave.” I flash one of my trademark smiles at him. Well, he is sitting down so I help him up, and that’s when it hit me.

I stand here, mouth agape at what I see. The flirt in me kinda says “Even better than what I hoped for.” In the sun, Dave’s finely sculpted body and slightly tanned color becomes completely apparent. He’s dreamy, I admit, but he’s dreamier when he’s shirtless.

The color rushes to my face and I try to look away, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a guy shirtless, other than Dad, and that is something I would want to forget. My eyes remain locked on him and my mouth is open. Dave says something like “You might ingest a mosquito…” and laughs while he gently forces my mouth closed.

With that he runs down to the water’s edge and plunges headfirst in. I’m about to follow, but I don’t see him resurfacing. Worry then clouds my logical thinking. I don’t even consider that it might be a prank. I shout his name as loud as I could.

“DAVE!!!”

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Well, a bit of suspense never, EVER hurts, have any violent reactions? BEAT IT! Just kidding, anyway, someone has been pushing me to post this, so here's chapter 10: I Take the Mantle of a Bard