A Trip to The Forest

The path in the woods was small, but the hike was gorgeous. Trees, bushes, and flowers were everywhere.

The scent of the trees took over my senses; all of my thoughts disappeared as soon as I stepped on the road. The sun was already high enough, and the air was warm.

Drew and Logan were in the front, a little ahead of us. They were talking. Soon enough, I heard them laughing. I was so engrossed in the beautiful scenery, I didn’t pay any attention to either of them.

Tim and Kate were walking hand in hand. Sometimes he stopped and showed her something. Seeing them made me feel hopeful. Maybe I would find my happiness too?

I was at the rear, taking in every detail. It was a change from the busy towns, and I had a feeling that this trip would bring back my good mood.

Lily was ahead of me, and after some time, I saw that she started to slow down. Soon she caught up with me. Okay, I guess she was ready to talk. So was I.

“Lily, I am sorry for this mess. It never was my intention.”

“Oh, Rebecca…” Lily sighed, and I turned my head to look at her.

She smiled at me and continued, “I am the one who should apologize to you. When it comes to feelings, I need to remember that sometimes we can’t control them. Sometimes we are just attracted to the other person without any good reason. I forgot about that.”

“And I am sorry for my rudeness. You didn’t deserve it.”

I reached out and took her hand in mine. She squeezed mine back. It was an enjoyable feeling to have my friend back and be able to talk to her again.

“It’s just so new to me. I grew up looking up to Logan and Drew. They were my idols when I was a little girl, and I saw them both as my brothers…”

“After my short fling with Drew, I was confused and afraid that things would change between us. I forgot how Drew could be—it was just impossible to be mad at him for a long time. So seeing their friendship fall apart just now… I don’t know why, but it freaked me out.”

“I get it, truly,” I said. “You always saw them supporting each other, ready to defend one another. Now they are arguing over an average girl.”

“You are many things, but not average for sure.”

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere,” I quipped.

“Sorry, girl, but you’re not my type,” Lily winked at me. “Even though I think that you’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you, Lil. You’re the one to talk,” I teased. “I guess we complement each other. What do you think?”

“May I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Did something happen between you and my brother at my house? It’s just a feeling, but you both seem closer to me.”

“No, but we talked. With complete honesty, and it felt good.” I wasn’t lying. At least, not entirely. That was what I had been telling myself; I did talk with Logan.

“Can you tell me about it? Or was it too personal?”

“Well… we admitted that we’re attracted to each other. I also told Logan about my feelings for Drew… I like the guy, and I just don’t know what to do about it. Logan told me that he wants to be with Melanie.”

Lily scowled upon hearing the name. I continued.

“So, in the end, we decided that we would be better apart, just like friends. I guess if we both make the effort, things will fall into place. I encouraged Logan to call Melanie, and I’d be happy if his relationship with her would get better.”

“I think I need to adjust to the idea that that bitch will stay beside my brother for another year, at least.” Lily sighed, rolling her eyes. “I honestly hope that she won’t become my sister-in-law…”

I laughed and shook my head. It was really good talking to Lily. Soon we were talking about her relationship with Rob. She missed him so much and wanted to go back to college to see him.

She told me that they talked on the phone almost every day and had no trouble finding conversation topics.

I asked her to tell me more about this hiking idea. Apparently, they had been hiking for almost four years in a row. It had become some kind of ritual between the closest friends.

It always helped them to resolve their arguments or any other uncomfortable issues. She gestured to Logan and Drew, who were walking and talking almost the whole trail.

I started to realize that this hike would have an impact on my relationship with both of them. I just didn’t know in what way.

We reached the clearing in the forest. We were standing on a small slope, and the lake lay below us. The view was breathtaking.

The water in the lake was crystal clear, and the sun’s rays reflected on its surface made it sparkle enchantingly. The trees in the forest created a wall behind the lake. I heard birds singing.

I closed my eyes, and my mind was flooded with memories from my childhood. My parents often took me on trips like this, where we could enjoy our time in nature. I would never forget those incredible experiences. I was glad that we decided to come here.

We took a break, drank coffee from the thermos bottles, and ate the sandwiches that Logan and Drew made. Tim and Kate joined us. We talked about the beauty of nature around us.

Tim and Lily started to tell funny stories about their trips to the lake. Logan and Drew kept their distance from the rest of us. It was clear they needed this time together to sort things out.

Soon, we headed back. Logan and Drew were the first again. This time, I walked with Lily, Tim, and Kate, and our conversation had us laughing nonstop.

Drew was throwing glances in our direction from time to time, and I saw him smile. I guess that was a good sign.

As we drew near the lake house, Tim and Kate went ahead of Lily and me, who strolled along, enjoying our time. I was glad that Lily and I talked. She had become my friend, and I didn’t want to lose her.

We had almost reached the house when we saw Logan and Drew standing before the door on the porch. Lily took my hand in hers and smiled.

“I guess they’re going to talk to you. You saw it yourself. Most of our walk, they were talking, and I think they made a decision.”

I smiled back at her. I was hopeful about our talk, but at the same time, I was afraid. They were best friends, after all. I shrugged my shoulders and walked to them.

Lily silently went inside the house. I stopped before Logan and Drew. There was nowhere to hide; it was the moment of truth.

“Listen…” I said to them, looking down at my feet.

“No,” Logan cut me off. I stared at him, then looked at Drew. They both had serious expressions, and I suddenly felt uneasy.

Drew spoke next.

“I am sorry, Rebecca. I’m saying that for both of us. This has never happened to us before, and we screwed it up, like stupid motherfuckers…”

“The truth is that I like you, Rebecca. More than anyone ever before, and it scared the shit out of me. That’s why I decided to date Phoebe. Like a coward. I wanted to get you out of my system, and I failed. Unsurprisingly.

“I also saw how you and Logan looked at each other sometimes... There was no doubt that if he wanted to be with you, that is what would happen.” Drew fell silent. I had never seen him like that.

“Man, I told you this already. You’re right about only one thing,” Logan said. “Becca and I were attracted to each other, and we couldn’t do anything about it. I want to be with Melanie, no matter how much I wanted Rebecca…”

Drew’s eyes snapped at Logan. He was waiting for an explanation. It was almost painful to watch. I knew for sure that in that moment, Logan and I would tell him the truth.

Logan turned to Drew, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Drew, listen, Becca and I... Well, we talked at my house, after Melanie left for her hometown. We agreed that it wasn’t healthy, this thing that was between us. I want to be with Mel, and I said exactly that to Becca.

“We were honest with each other. I guess what is between us now is only a connection and the understanding that we won’t be together.”

“Was there something between you two? You’ve been acting overprotective towards Becca…”

Logan looked at me. I took a deep breath and nodded. He nodded in return and turned to look at Drew.

“Yes,” Logan said simply.

“Wow... I wasn’t expecting that... Did you two kiss or... did you have sex?” Hands in his pockets, Drew’s eyes darted between Logan and me.

“Yes,” I answered him.

I wasn’t going to share that with anyone, but I felt that he needed to hear the truth.

“I... Drew, listen, I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t say anything to anyone. No one knows about it... I cheated on Mel with Becca.”

After that, Logan fell silent. I didn’t know where to look, but I needed to see Drew’s reaction. He furrowed his brow, but stayed solemn and quiet. He was confused, that was for sure.

Logan spoke again. “I kind of forced myself on Becca... I kissed her and...”

“Logan, that’s not true, and you know that,” I said. “We got carried away, both of us, and it happened. Since then, there was nothing. Then, we talked this through yesterday, and now, we’re only friends.”

“When did this happen?” It was the only question Drew asked.

“In August... On my second day on campus, at the party. That’s why I was avoiding him…”

Drew stood so silently. I was afraid of his next words, but I was ready to hear them.

“Damn... I’m surprised... Honestly... You were always judging me for my behavior with girls. So I wasn’t expecting that answer. Maybe a kiss, but sex, that’s a different level. Welcome to the club, man.”

“Drew…” I didn’t like this turn in our conversation. My heart sank. Maybe we should have lied to him instead of telling the truth.

“Was there more since August?” Drew peered at me. Then he looked at Logan.

“No.” Without hesitation and without looking at each other, Logan and I answered in unison.

“Okay... Makes sense...”

“Drew, you’re my best friend, and Becca is a wonderful girl. If you want to be with her, just be with her. Don’t think about any other stuff... She likes you. You like her. I am not your competitor. I am your friend.”

“I don’t like sentimental or emotional shit, but damn... You had Logan and me on a rollercoaster ride, Rebecca, and it drove us both insane.

“We have never even liked the same girls, we didn’t have similar taste in them. Now you’re standing in front of us. So beautiful and so vulnerable. We were both jerks to you.”

He extended his hand to Logan for a handshake, but instead, Logan pulled him into a bear hug. He whispered something to Drew, but I couldn’t hear exactly what it was. After that, Logan winked at me.

“I will leave you two alone. I believe you should talk.”

With that, he was gone. I stood before Drew, not knowing where to look. He just took my hand in his and walked me from the house to his car.

It was around 4 p.m., and I had no idea where we would be going, but I wanted to follow him.