Monica and Jared

There were just too many boxes to come home too. And it wouldn't do. It was as if her life had been on hiatus the last couple of months. Off with Jared in the wild blue yonder, out on the prairie of Canada watching a field mice of sorts in its habitats.

"I didn't think Canada had a prairie." Her brother still annoyed her with the idea that she must have gone to Paris or somewhere.

"Look, how many times have I told you." Monica was fierce. Christmas was coming and her brother didn't even care. He'd left the place in a mess and now he expected her to shape it up in time for a full course dinner and a tree and presents. "Shut up, already!" She eyeballed him, giving him a list of things to do. Why on earth had he chosen her room to store crap in.

"Because I didn't think you were coming back." He shrugged when she questioned him more of his tactics.

"Well, I'm back." It was just she and Jared hadn't decided where they'd live. They needed a place of their own. Yet the holidays were in the way. It just wasn't fair.

They'd done so well, to make out in the sticks. She'd taken photos of nature. They'd sled in the snow even cross-country skiing. Now she missed it. And to come home to this.

"I hate it here." She texted Jared, right away.

"You don't mean it." He texted right back because he knew how homesick she really was.

"Maybe, I've changed." Was her next text. Only he didn't text back. She could see it now. He was having a good laugh, now wasn't he?

Monica sighed. She felt as if she'd gone around in circles. But it was time to take out the trash. She pointed to the bags by the back door in the kitchen. She was needed here. Even if it was to bark orders to her brother.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

Jared couldn't resist it any longer. He'd watched Monica sleep enough. He brought her tea in bed.

"What time is it?" She was barely awake.

"Dunno, maybe 7:30." He'd been up for hours. He'd even done some work, which meant charting someone's habits which was rather boring, but he wouldn't get into it with Monica. After all, the lab was in the basement, and it was something he didn't really want to involve Monica.

"7:30?" She squinted sleep from her eyes, but she took the tea as if she might have been malnourished, already. "How long have you been up?"

"Since 4." He did have a schedule. Although, he didn't really discuss it. He was only following directions.

"4 in the morning? Are you kidding me?" She told him she didn't know. She thought he was still asleep next to her.

"You were very tired." Jet lagged. Was that it?

"I guess." She drank more tea.

Jared got up. "Well, you can sleep more if you wish."

"What are you going to do?" She put the tea down and got up.

"Eat cereal." He shrugged. He's already drank a pot of tea. Perhaps coffee was in order. Honestly, he could have crawled back in bed and went right to sleep, but he needed to check on the progress, down below. But there she went to the bathroom.

He felt a smile deep inside, like a bubble ready to pop. "But first a shower, with you." That seemed important, suddenly. She definitely had a way of making him forget why he was here.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

Monica was wondering when her life would fast forward. Would it ever happen? Would Jared and she ever catch that plane and be off to where ever for this little paid internship of his?

They muttled through introductions with her dad. In fact, she laid down the law to her father about Jared.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Her father's question still woke her up as she dizzily went on with her life.

"Yes, of course." She remembered very vividly as if she were rather livid then. Now, it was a strange new world past the hustle of lives at the air port. After all, she was the one who drove them in the jeep into the bed of the forest and further...to the deep sea of grass.

There it was a little cabin on the prairie.

"They say they have the INTERNET." Jared looked at her as if all was not lost. Of course, the reception vanished on her cell phone, 50 miles back.

It was beautiful and worrisome at the same time. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure what she believe as her eyes took in the place. So rustic in the vast surrounding. Was it completely safe? What would they do if intruders were about? Could Jared alone save them? Could anyone?

They unpacked quickly. Monica pulled her hair back to get to work. Although, she felt frighteningly numb.

"You like it?" She could see Jared was ecstatic about the surroundings. It was like letting a captured animal go back to his natural habitat while she alone felt she might be sick. What if she couldn't do this? She looked away. How could her dad have wished them well, so they could be on their way? Why didn't he tell her to stay home? Stay put.

Gravity might as well have let her float away into the night sky. She didn't want to be sad, but she was. Her body wobbled, unsure what to think nor how to act. She sat on the squeaky bed. Her eyes squinted hard. This was no time to be a baby, about this now. She knew. It was just trying to get her wits about her. It was baffling and possibly surreal.

"What is it?" He looked at her. Finally taking both her hands and pulling her back to reality. "You don't know how amazing it is, that you came." He hugged her close. "Otherwise, I'd have no one to talk to."

She breathed. Yes, she was breathing. His warmth made her see that she had to be here. She had to be.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

A quickie was overdue. Still a celebration after finding Monica's passport in her room in the bottom of her desk drawer covered in CD mixes. It was an exciting discover full of zest.

Well, that was the sex, come to think of it now. Honestly, Jared thought it was impulsed by love. He didn't have a doubt about it. Besides, it was this energy between them that anything was possible. Anything. Of course, the quickie might have been a rather long duration. Her father came home.

"Jesus, that was the other thing, wasn't it?" He nudged Monica off of him before it was a pure slumber. Not that he wasn't enjoying it, but this was parts of the rollercoaster of their sex life he didn't enjoy. A father coming home.

The man's footsteps were heavy and intense.

What was Jared to do? Squeeze under the bed and be coated in dust bunnies?

"Wake up!" The words were under Jared's breath.

"Monny, are you in there?" A male voice said.

Jared could hardly hear himself think. Yes, the moment arrived. The door knob turned. Didn't parents knock on the door first. Finally Monica  rose up on her elbows, her covers slipping, exposing all her glory. Jared eyeballed the door, but decided to stay put.

"JOEL! GET OUT OF HERE!" Monica yelled.

Jared was thankful it was just her brother, all scruffy and perhaps a little high. Jared stared at Joel's silly grin.

"Its not funny." Monica informed him.

But Joel cracked up as if it were true.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

Monica knew she'd over reacted now. She hadn't meant to get her way, but it felt like a big snowball on a roll now. The insanity just wouldn't stop.

Jared's grandmother made over the ring. She went to get a bottle of champagne to celebrate while Monica and Jared waited in her quaint livingroom of antiques.

"Call your Dad, tell him to come over." She called from the kitchen.

"My Dad?" Monica's eye almost popped out. Her Dad knew nothing of Jared. This included the trip to Canada too. "Uh.." She cleared her throat.

"Monica?" Jared looked at her as if he made the connection now. "Crap." Jared bit the bottom of his lip, but he took Monica's hands. "We'll tell him together." He made it sound as if it wouldn't be a problem.

"Yeah." She winced as they waited for the bubbly to start.

"You've got a passport, don't you?" He asked which put Monica in another tizzy. It was the first she'd thought of it.

Her Dad? A passport? This was just too much to ask right now, and Jared was still worried about hiking boots. She wanted to admire her engagement ring, a little more. But the glasses of champagne were in their hands before she knew it, as they begin to toast with Jared's grandmother. How on earth would she ever think straight again?

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

 previously
"Look, you can't stay mad at me about this," Jared said as he swept one hand through his strands of dark blond hair. He was in a bit of a sweat as he was trying his best to get this trip organized. They, he and Monica, were in his room. It was just getting a little warm, upstairs.

It was the first time, she'd been in his room. He reached for the ceiling fan chain and started it. The fan was too fast and wobbled more, making him uneasy.

"But you lied." She eyeballed him. "How could you?"

"Its not completely ..a lie." He winced. "Lets think of it..as boot camp." He shrugged. "If we can make it where we're going. We can make it anywhere. And..and..we'll get married."

"Oh, so its like the last thing we'll get to, is that it?" There she went with her questions.

"No. Its not like that." He just couldn't say it right. "I want to marry you. I do."

She hugged herself, giving him the saddest look.

"You don't believe me, do you?" He knew what she was up too. She was making this hard.

He went to his dresser and dug in his sock drawer. There was his mother's engagement ring. It was all he had. Perhaps this would be the beginning or ending. "Do you want to do it?" He turned to her, taking her hand and pressing the ring on her wedding finger.

He was astonished to see it was a perfect fit.

She stared at it, a beautiful oval diamond, intently.  Finally her face looked up at him. "Fine. What are we waiting for?"

Jared was in a bit of shock. He licked his dry lips. She meant right now. No waiting. He guessed two could play at this game.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

"What are you doing?" Monica didn't come all the way to Jared's place just for him to get on the phone. The man didn't even own a cell phone. He was on his grandmother's house phone.

Of course, his grandmother obviously knew she just didn't go on walks in the middle of the afternoon. Sweat poured down her neck into the collar of her rose plaid shirt dress. She'd came in her flip-flops and now their was a blister between her big toe and second toe. Monica grimaced as she looked at it, seeing it was actually bleeding. And she hadn't felt the wound until now. The more she looked, the more intense the pain grew.

Suddenly, she heard Jared speak about his wife. Now Monica was really listening. Jared had a wife he'd never told her about. She almost spilled the iced tea as she finally took a seat in the old couch that must have been as old as his grandmother. Monica set there brewing. She was going to give Jared a piece of her mind. How dare he, seduce her, making it so easy to fall in love with him. Especially, a naturalist at best.

She was suppose to be dreaming of banker, a man on wall street. Someone who could offer the good life. She felt like a fool now. An idiot. Her disgusted look tensed as she watched him. She was practically in tears by the time he got off the phone.

"Well, that's as good as done." He looked pleased with himself as he rubbed his fore finger under his chin for good measure. He kept looking at her and the he saw her toe. He made a run for the medicine cabinet. He came back to attend her toe. He practically jerked her foot in the air.

"We are getting you some real hiking boots." He informed her.

"Why?" She really wanted to say dreadful things, but she couldn't help but watch him, even if she wasn't fond of the alcohol. He just knew an infection might set in and that certainly wouldn't be a good way to start the trip.

"But you have a wife." She spurted out.

"Yes, I know, I'm looking right at her." He grinned. "That's all they needed to know. Lodging will be set up for the two of us, now."

Monica could barely blink as her eyes grew in shock. Suddenly, she broke down in laughter this was really going to happen. She was going with Jared to Canada.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

Jared was contemplating what to do. Was it such an awful idea if Monica went with him on this adventure to Canada. He sat there so still, watching the sunlight move in and out of the leaves in the back yard from the dining window.

"What are you thinking?" His Grandmother poured him a cup of coffee.

"Who do you think?" He smiled and looked back at the old woman who went to get him a plate of French toast. "She's..she's not as strong as you." He finally said as he watched her move slowly in the kitchen.

"What makes you think I was always strong?" She called back.

"I dunno. I just know you're the strongest person I know." He nodded. Finally, she made it back with breakfast. For a moment, he knew he should have been the one serving her, but he knew she wouldn't hear of it. He poured the warm maple syrup on the toast.

"I guess if the opportunity is knocking, then you go." She told him as she cracked her boiled egg then and made do with her own breakfast.

"Opportunity?" He wasn't completely sold on the idea. "It'll be different. It'll be practically camping, you know." He reminded her about his stay during the study.

"There's a cabin. You won't be alone." His grandmother shrugged.

"But what's she gonna do, all day?" He couldn't think of Monica filling her time with laundry and meals.

"Maybe she'll bring War and Peace." She smiled as she took a sip of her black coffee.

"Yeah, she'll need lots of books. I dunno if we'll even get the Internet out there." Jared shrugged. "Its just, I know she needs to get away from here. I can feel it. Especially, at that birthday party. If those are her friends." Jared shook his head. He had to save her. He just did. He knew that now as he bit into the buttery syrupy toast.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

What was she thinking? Seriously? Monica was in yet another tizzy.

She wanted Jared at the birthday party, but then she didn't want him there, either. Her best friend would meet him. So would Toby. Her best friends significant other. Monica guessed she could call him her ex. Although, no one knew this bit of information.

There was this slight threat that Toby still rubbed it in that he was her first and only. As trite as this would be to some, he made her nervous. Still. Even if he did have a kid with Caroline.

He was a horrible person in Monica's books. Usually, Toby and Caroline were on the rocks, but somehow, they managed. And she could manage through this, too. Or could she?

"Maybe, we should just stay home," Monica said last minute after Jared show up, almost in a suit. At least he wasn't in a white tee and flannel shirt with faded jeans. Of course, this was the way she adored him. But he was in a tie. She loosened it right away, which meant falling into a kiss.

About fifteen minutes they were getting dressed again. At least they made it to her bedroom. It felt as an island of comfort.

"There's still time to go." He reminded her. He left the tie behind, but tucked in his white shirt in his Chinos.

"Yes. Of course." Monica winced, looking over her makeup, and seeing the little present for Tristan. She guessed she should be there for the baby. "Let's go." She put in as much gusto as she could. They had a birthday party to get too.

Naturally, they were the last ones there. They'd walked the three blocks from her house.

"Where have you been?" Caroline told them they blew out the candles, already. They'd missed Tristan's one year old moment, but it had been caught on video.

"I forgot the time." Monica pressed on. Caroline had to get over it.

"I bet you did." Caroline looked at her as if she were a liar. Monica introduce her to Jared. Soon enough they were faced with Toby, hanging back with a whiskey sour in his hand.

"Monica, where did you drag this one from?" Toby's words slurred. He practically spilled his drink on his collar. Missing his mouth completely.

Monica rolled her eyes and looked to Jared for help. That's when Monica went into how special Jared was. How he'd gotten a remote internship in Canada. Only she left in the wee little things, like what the study was exactly about, just the important stuff. "Jared's leaving for Canada, and I might go with him." She put her hand in his. Jared stood there all grins as if she might decide to put him in some sort of pageant. But this was for  guys. Boyfriends, in fact.

He'd win it hands down. Jared was the better boyfriend, even if he were leaving next week. She intended to be with him night and day. Hoping she'd be sick of him, but she knew she wouldn't. Especially, when she had loser Toby in front of her, who was never going to leave that job down at the Baker's grocery. So what if they got a 20% discount on that sheet cake for the birthday from where he worked. She still didn't trust him. He always made remarks that he still had time for her. Couldn't she make time for him?

She looked back at Jared. It was true, she wanted to leave this world behind.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

OH GOD.....

Monica wanted to scream. But she didn't. She watched her older brother Joel eat cereal on the livingroom couch in his underwear.

"I have someone coming over." She announced as if royalty would be here any second. Naturally, Joel was making the place a home. His dirty socks were on the floor. His jeans too. "WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IN HERE?" Second thought, she didn't want to know what he was doing, late nights on the couch. "Can you just..just go to your room!" She swiftly picked up the dirty clothes and took them to the tiny laundry room just off their old galley kitchen where once upon a time her mother made her Italian dinners. When this place was actually a home, but her Mom wasn't around anymore.

Joel brushed the side of his dark whiskery face with one thumb while he went right on eating his Corn Chex.

"WELL!" Monica stomped back to the livingroom. If only he were a dog, he would have been scared by now, but he wasn't. "I have... a guest coming over." Suddenly, she was in a sweat. She should brew tea, find something sweet in the cupboard.

"All right." His dark eyes looked a bit miffed by her plea. But it was too late, Jared was at the door.

"How..how did you get here so fast?" She looked a little worried, seeing Jared's hair so wind swept, but ever so..well, she needed to keep her hands to herself. She tried not to look so happy to see him.

"I rode my bike." He was out of breath. It was just a ten speed. His smile evened out as he looked around her place. There was Joel still undressed in his tidy whiteys. Jared looked at him, surprised.

"That's just my brother." Monica cleared her throat.

It was an awkward introduction, but finally Joel left as if he had something important to do, like go to the bathroom.

"I should have called you."  He shrugged. It was just he had bouts with his cell. "Probably need a new one." His smile was quick and it felt like a dance to her to get the kettle on and get the cups ready for tea along with some Little Debbie oatmeal cookies she wished she'd already gotten out of the wrapper.

Yet suddenly, there was no time for any of it. An intermission of sorts. His lips were quite inviting. And she'd never thought of the thin kitchen  being quite a romantic place, but suddenly it was. At least she knew, he had missed her.

The kettle was alarming. Yes, things were definitely more than simmering between the two of them. Jared took a seat in the dining area while she made the tea and set out their little feast.

"There is something I  have to tell you." He stared at the tea, even took the time to squeeze a wedge of lemon in it.

"Like what?" She didn't want to be side tracked. No, in her head, they were in her room doing ravishing things to each other. Already.

"I'm going to Canada." He said as if was a trip of a life time.

"Canada?" She looked as him as if it were a disease.

"Internship. I get paid too." Oh he made the future look so damn bright with that toothy grin of his. Maybe his teeth weren't that perfect. Yet, it felt so real. The harsh reality of it.

Monica just nodded.

"I'm studying a mouse." He nodded.

"Moose?" Had to be a moose, she grinned. "You don't mean..."

"No, a mouse, a field mouse." He clarified and sipped his tea.

Monica winced as if he had to be wrong. This was all wrong. He couldn't just be going. Not now. She was quiet then as she sipped her bitter tea. Finally she snatched an oatmeal pie from the plate. Nothing could sooth her nerves now. She didn't like mice to begin with. It was just absurd. Jared going away like this.

"When?" She wanted to knows. Just a week more of college classes. Then a break.

"After classes are over." He finally took an oatmeal pie, dipped it in his tea.

"How long?" She dreaded to know.

"Just a month." He sounded OK with it.

"A MONTH!" That was just a month too long, she felt. She wanted to shout how they'd just met, and they needed that month together. "You don't even drive. You hate cars. How are you going to get there?"

"Well, by plane." He licked the crumbs from his bottom lip. "I suppose, I'll take a plenty of pills and I'll feel absolutely nothing, til I get there." He didn't sound so optimistic.

Monica couldn't help but give him a very round frown in response. Suddenly, it felt as if something tragic was about to happen. She felt ill, already. What was she suppose to do?

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

Jared gasped. He sat up choking for breath in his own bed. He was in a sweat. He shivered suddenly, so cold as if he really had been in the bottom of the river, after all.

It was amazing how he'd learned to hold his breath. Perhaps it was just an after thought now. He took in deep breaths as if he might have to go back. Again.

He laid back down on his thin bed, wishing he could make it all go away. Why did thoughts of that night come back to haunt him so? But tears consumed him and he felt so awful. The most awful person in the world.

His dream was about Monica. This time. Not Corine, as it should have been. How it was. Corine was driving. Did she even know he was planning to break-up with her? She must have. Why else would she crash the car on the bridge.

Suddenly, he felt the glass on his face. He blinked. It hadn't really hurt. Just cuts. Lots of them. He'd been thrown from the car when it flipped over, going into the water. No, no, he shook his head, thinking back. She'd wanted them to die together. He'd searched for her in the water. He'd done his best to find her in the murky water. But he couldn't...do enough. Not in the dead of night. Not when it was so frigid out.

And now he'd awoken from a dream. Monica. He'd found Monica in the little black sports car. Not Corine.

He quickly dressed now. As it was he didn't sleep in clothes. It never felt right. He knew his grandmother, didn't like it. She liked a man prepared. What would he do in case of a fire?

How come he thought this every morning as he searched for underwear and jeans. He smiled then. She did think he was too much like his mother and not enough like his father. Of course, she never liked his mother. She'd put her down, every chance she got. But he didn't want to be a part of that. Couldn't she let them rest in peace?

He quickly pulled on the gray ARMY T. Suddenly, he stopped. Thinking of his parents. He was so still. His eyes closed delicately, thinking of another time. He was in the backseat. 12. Moody. He didn't like long cartrips never had. So sudden. Metal colliding. The car crash. Far from a thrill ride.

Jared sat down. Ashamed, he didn't think of them the moment he woke this morning. Damn, if Monica hadn't consumed him. There was no time for rituals, with her around. He nursed his bottom lip. It was going to be a shitty day. He just knew.

His cell awoke him and he picked up. Monica.

"Hullo." She sounded sad.

"Um." He cleared his throat. He needed to have a conversation of some sort, but he was a bit out of it. Perhaps, too soon.

"Are..you..mad at me?" Her question haunted him.

"No. No, of course not." He wanted to call. He did. Jared wasn't sure what to say. "I-I've been thinking about you." He barely got out. He was imagining her as an oasis of some kind. Gentle and free. It felt to him they'd gone off on some vibrant trip together and only they would know exactly where it took them. But then again, he wasn't certain what she saw him. If anything. She'd kept her eyes closed in the warm sunlight. "We should..do something." He nodded as if he could already see it happening. Which did not involve a car crash.

"You see, I-I don't drive." He told her.

"I - thought- what about at the lake?" She asked.

"I walked." Jared told her.

"Huh." There was a bit of dismay in her voice. As if he was nothing as she'd hoped for.

"I'm sorry." Jared felt as if he could sleep now.

"I could pick you up." She suggested.

"I'm sorry. I'd rather-" He didn't like the thought of being in the car with her. Suddenly, he felt like ice, again. "I'll..I'll just come over." He clicked off the cell before he changed his mind.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

She could sense it. Instantly. He pulled away and it was like a rewind moment. They weren't going there today. Now were they?

"Is anything wrong?" Monica looked puzzled as he gazed at her over his shoulder, but he looked back at the lake as if they had no business, really being here. He should be in the lake, he supposed. The bottom of it, perhaps. He gritted as if he imagined it. He would never stop thinking about the accident. Couldn't he forget it, perhaps for a minute or so?

"There's nothing wrong with me." He squinted hard, letting the words slip. He could not discuss this with Monica. After all, he hardly knew her, yet he wanted to. He did.

"Fine." Now he'd scolded her, somehow. Not meaning to. She stumbled up. He knew she had no intuition, finding her way back. He couldn't let her go, but she grabbed her backpack and started off down the trail.

"Wait!" Jared went after her. He grabbed her arm. "Stay with me, please." He hadn't meant to beg, but he couldn't let her go off drunk, either. "I won't let anything happen to you. I won't."

Her smile was grim. It was as if more had happened, than it should.

"You picked me, of all people. Hoping..hoping to get lucky, didn't you?" She glared at him as if she might spit on him.

Jared didn't see that coming.

"What?" He winced back. "What are you talking about?"

"You've never been with a girl." She clarified as if she were a professional of some kind and documented this sort of thing on a regular basis.

Jared cracked up. He laughed at her and finally sighed. Jared kept a steady eye on her. "You are so drunk, aren't you?" He got her back to the blanket. If only he knew what to tell her. Exactly. But he sat down first and pulled her down to sit with him in comfort.

"I wish you were right about me. I do. I'd love it, if I'd waited for you." He cleared his throat. "Its just, I'm not quite ready for a history with you." He looked away. He felt her lips on the corner of his chin. He had to smile. "But maybe I am."

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

The picnic was a surprise. So was the view. Monica suspected they weren't suppose to be here, even if she didn't see a no trespassing sign. Nobody here on the cliff, but the two of them. The view was amazing. She guessed not many wanted to climb that far. After all, he'd helped her all the way up, and she really wasn't wanting to come down, anytime soon.

He's brought roasted chicken from the deli and croissants even fresh raspberry. Finger foods. No plates, but a blanket to get comfortable on and a bottle of white wine.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?" She looked at him as he opened it.

"If I must." He said ever so clever. There were no glasses. He handed the bottle over to her. She took a drink. It was sweeter than she imagined. "Not bad." She handed it back to him as she reached for a raspberry. She was sure it wouldn't take much to get her intoxicated. As it was, he was pretty darn intoxicating, already. And it troubled her that she found him so...charming.

Monica studied him as she got comfortable and pulled a piece of white meat from the chicken. He sat down the bottle and pulled a part a croissant, reached over and pushed a piece of it in her mouth to go with the chicken. She almost choked on laughter.

He laughed too. She picked up a raspberry and aimed for his mouth. And he caught it as if he might be ten instead of in his twenties.

"Two can play at this, you know." She gave him a serious look.

"You think?" His smirk was sly. He went back to making a sandwich and handed it over to her. "Thirsty?" He took another sip of wine. He handed it over and she took some.

"How do you know this place?" She winced.

"Just an accident, I guess." He shrugged as he ate a sliver of white meat. "Always, thought, if I had a chance..I'd bring ..someone..like you, here."

She just smiled and laid back across the soft blanket wishing that maybe she hadn't. Because the wine hit her. Right between the eyes, perhaps. The spirit of it. Not the bottle its self. She started to laugh and he came over her then and put the bottle away.

She looked up at his smile. She reached to kiss his face and he fell on top of her. But she kissed him more as if she'd never felt quite like this. It couldn't be the wine. Couldn't be. But he let her kiss him as if he were only there to follow her lead. Her fingers combed his wind swept locks. Finally, she stopped.

"You wouldn't let me fall off the cliff, would you?" She was serious.

"No." He shook his head. She liked him close. He was definitely even more than she ever imagined.

"Don't let me do anything crazy, OK?" Monica made it sound like a warning. Jared nodded, as he was to her side, his cheek resting on his hand as he looked at her. His other hand found her face. They kissed more. Suddenly, it felt as if she'd fallen into a dream. Yet each turn, felt as if he wanted another kiss as if she were his teacher, and he was her student.

Crackship Friday - Monica and Jared

previously

Jared couldn't believe he did it.

Yes, he'd noticed Monica too. He thought she could have been Mona Lisa. Except, she didn't smile much. Not that he was trying to make her smile, but maybe he could. He thought he did.

He sighed with relief as if this was going to be great. After all, they were going to be doing something he loved. Hiking.

Jared was a naturalist, at heart. He knew just about every weed out there, that one could survive on. Hell, he'd even made dandelion wine once. Kind of got sick on it. He really wasn't in to wine making, lately. Honestly, he was a loner of sorts. He liked the lake. He liked to smoke there. Alone. Of course. It was more therapeutic than, anything. Time to think. Not to be a bother, to anyone. Hoping his past never caught up with him.

Really, he was the quiet sort. He'd read Thoreau, like his guide book to life. The great outdoors was his world. And he'd finally invited someone to join him. But the further he walked away from Monica, he was beginning to think it was wrong. Just wrong. She'd hate it. He could tell. Already. Why would he think someone like her would want to do anything with him? She probably liked shopping jaunts to the mall. The theater. He rolled his eyes at that. What had he done?

"You're not like that guy from 127 Hours, are you?" She asked first thing when she met up with him at the lake. She hung on to her backpack straps as if she might parachute somewhere without him.

"No." Now that cracked him up. He tried not to look at her directly, but he couldn't help but want to stare. Savor as much as he could of her. It was still a shock that she'd came all this way. Now he didn't know what to say. He wasn't very good with people. There was a time he went with out talking for a while. It was a struggle to interact.

"And..and.." She stopped herself.

"And what?" He winced. Was she backing out, already?

"Nothing." She shook her head, looking away, then back at him.

"Well, lets go." He showed the way. His boots were dusty. She was in her sweet Converses.

"So how long have you been doing this?" Monica asked after three minutes up the dusty trail.

"I dunno. Like forever, I guess." He shrugged, looking back at her. He wore his favorite plaid flannel shirt over his favorite gray tank, along with his faded levis, his uniform for life.

"I see." She shrugged back, still holding on to the backpack straps as if something might come undone if she didn't.

They'd had a few phone calls since they'd met at the coffee shop. Even met up for breakfast at the University. They'd taken in a photo gallery and an art gallery the past week too. He didn't have to say much. She looked at art and he took in long gazes of her when she wasn't watching. They'd held hands. It felt nice. He liked the softness of her skin next to his.  They'd almost had a goodbye kiss, but it ended in a hug, instead.

"You think this is too soon?" He couldn't help but wonder. He wasn't one to dress up and take a girl out. Never had.

"Whats to soon?" She looked at him as if she wasn't sure what game this was.

He noticed her hair blowing about in the wind. She hadn't even brought a hat. He found a clean bandanna in his pocket. He told her to turn around.

"Am I missing something?" She looked back at the lake. He took her back pack off. Just his luck, she'd brought her laptop, hoping she could blog about this. Jared proceeded to tie on the bandanna.

"Now you're a pirate." He smiled at her. She looked as if he was just being silly, but he grabbed her backpack and took it on down the trail.

"I bet you think, I'm going to walk for miles, don't you?" He went up the rocks. Monica gave him a slight scowl, but he helped her along the way. Finally, they were away from anyone else on the trail, since he'd actually made his own trail. He knew the perfect spot. It was his favorite place, where few ever went, and one could see how huge the lake expanded from the top of the cliff.