Eleven

As the heavy rain pummels the Georgia soil outside my window, I find peace in the sound. It's been raining since last night, which I also found grace in because it had granted me an excuse to cancel my plans with student council. It's a rare opportunity for me to be able to relax on a Friday night.

Now, it's high noon on Saturday, and the rain is still going strong. Half of me is still grateful, while the other half is becoming restless. Should I see what my friends are doing?

As if on cue, my phone chimes. It's our group text.

Gibbs: Perfect day for muddin', am I right?

Darian: You're such a hick, Gibbs.

Gwen: I JUST washed my hair...

I laugh at my friends' responses and find slight appeal in the idea of taking out some four-wheelers and riding out in the rain. Call me country, but it's a great stress reliever.

Peyton: I'm in need of a little fun.

Then a name I've never seen in our group chat appears. My heart flutters. Who added her?

Jamie: What the hell is "mudding"?

And then the chat goes wild.

Darian: LMAOOO

Gibbs: Seriously, Chicago... We MUST culture you.

Gwen: Guys, don't be rude.

I can't help but find Jamie's ignorance adorable. We really do need to show her how we manage to have fun in a small town like Branton.

Peyton: Just wear old clothes. It'll be fun.

Gibbs: So... is that a yes?

Gwen: Fine! I guess I'll just wash my hair AGAIN.

Darian: On my way.

Jamie: ...Guys, I need a ride to the lake house...

My blood rushes to the surface as I quickly type a response, attempting not to sound desperate.

Peyton: I'll pick you up in a few.

Jamie: Thanks, P.

A deep breath escapes my lips and I smile to myself. Another opportunity to hang out with Jamie. The only thing that has me nervous is the fact that we wouldn't be alone, because I'm convinced it's obvious how Jamie makes me feel. I try not to think about it as I throw on an old pair of gym shorts and an old debate club t-shirt.

I nearly run out the house, surprised to find the mid-October day so hot. Just one of the many perks of living in the South, I guess.

Jamie is outside waiting when I pull up. She's also wearing a pair of gym shorts, a faded gray t-shirt, and some dingy looking shoes. Yet, she still looks stunning.

She eagerly climbs into my car and looks at me. I watch her eyes travel over my exposed legs. My face heats up.

"What am I really about to get myself into?" she asks.

I smile. "It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

I give her a side glance.

"You'll like this one," I say. "Promise."

"And if I don't?" she teases.

God, why is she so flirty today? The burning in my cheeks has to be noticeable!

"Then I guess you'll never have to hang out with us again."

My brain tells me to resist looking at her because I know if I do, my eyes will just give me away. Yet, my heart is begging for just one glance. I feel Jamie already looking at me, which makes something deep within... hot.

"Nah," she replies. "I like hanging out with you too much."

My stomach flips. Had she meant to say "me"? Or did she really mean me and my friends? As much as I want to flirt back, I can't find the courage.

We pull up to the lake house in no time. The rain is now slowing down, and the sun is miraculously making its way through the clouds. Darian and Gwen pull down the gravel road behind us. We exit our vehicles and expect Gibbs to exit the lake house. He never does. Darian and Gwen approach us.

"Can't believe I'm about to do this," Gwen complains. "Does he know how long it takes me to do my hair?"

"I can tell you he doesn't care." Darian rotates his baseball cap, forcing the bill behind his head. "Chicago, are you ready for this?"

"I'm not really sure what 'this' is," she answers. "I'm kinda scared to be honest."

That's when I hear the roaring of an ATV. Everyone's attention is searching for the source of the noise, and then Gibbs emerges from the tree line on a bright red four-wheeler, popping a wheelie for show.

"Jesus," I whisper.

Gibbs tears through the field, slams on his brakes, and nearly covers us all in mud right away. Luckily, his depth perception is off.

"Hope you guys are ready to get dirty," he teases in a sexy voice. "I have two other bikes in the back."

The rest of us make our way around the lake house and spot the two bikes. Gwen climbs onto the back of the ATV Darian has picked, leaving me with Jamie.

"Have you ever driven one of these before?" I ask.

"Does it look like I've driven one before?"

"Touché." I climb onto the bike and rev the engine. "Guess you're riding passenger."

"I'm supposed to get on there with you?" Her hand rests on her chest. "How do I know you're not gonna kill us on that thing?"

Darian and Gwen take off after Gibbs, no longer hanging back. Jamie and I are alone, and I seem to have the upper hand in this situation. The confidence flows through me.

"I guess you'll just have to trust me, then."

Jamie's eyes glow, and she takes my response exactly how I intend. The fact that she gets excited about me flirting back makes me giddy inside. She hesitantly climbs onto the back of the bike.

Her arms snake around my waist and hold me tight. The flame in my stomach grows three sizes. My skin is ablaze, and not from the sun finally coming out from behind the clouds. I take a deep breath.

"You better not kill me," she threatens in my ear.

But instead of responding, I give the bike some gas and take off. Jamie lets out a small yelp and her grip on me tightens even more. I'm so glad she can't see the massive grin that's on my lips.

I catch up with my friends who are waiting for our arrival. Gibbs gives me a big smile when we make it close enough.

"'Bout time," he teases.

"Sorry," I apologize. "Jamie was a little... hesitant."

"You scared, Chicago?" Darian laughs.

Jamie scoffs. "I'm chill."

She's playing it cool, but her grip on me says otherwise.

"Try and keep up!" Gibbs yells as he takes off down a beaten path.

Jamie and I fall behind because I don't want to overdo it on the first run. I want her to have fun, not be completely terrified, because I know riding a four-wheeler for the first time can be very intimidating.

Then, Gibbs tears through a mudhole and sprays mud in all directions. Some of it hits Darian's ATV, but it doesn't bother them. He and Gwen tear right through it as well.

"We're driving through the mud?" Jamie panics.

"Why do you think it's called muddin'?" I question.

We hit the mudhole full speed. The sensation of mud and water hitting my legs cools me off from the heat my body is radiating.

"Ugh!" Jamie protests.

I can't help but laugh to myself.

"Don't be such a city girl!"

I speed through the field and after my friends, half wishing Jamie would rest her head against my neck. Just her touch sends me up the wall. I just can't believe one person has me feeling this exhilarated.

After about half an hour, and a few mudholes later, we're taking a break.

"So, Chicago, how are you feeling?" Gibbs asks.

"Dirty," she answers.

The group erupts with laughter.

Jamie sits on the tail of our bike while I sit at the front. After her holding on to me for so long, I feel cold now that she's not. I'm hoping to start up again soon just so I can have an excuse to be close to her again.

"Peyton?"

I snap out of my trance. "Yeah?"

Jamie's smile melts my heart. "Think you'd feel safe if I drive once?"

I'd be lying if I said yes, but she looks way too excited for me not to agree.

I shrug. "Sure. You can't be as bad a driver as Gibbs."

"Hey!"

Jamie takes the driver's position as I scoot up behind her. I bask in the new sensation as my thighs press against her, sending chills through my body. Our friends start up their bikes and leave us alone, again. I'm grateful for the time alone.

"Okay, so you make sure the gear is in neutral..." I instruct as I lean forward to hold the brake and shift gears. "Then once it's in neutral, you can hit the gas."

My chest is pressed tightly against Jamie's back, and I can feel her tense under me. Am I making her nervous?

"O-Okay," she says. "And once it's started?"

"Just shift up."

She follows my directions and before I know it, we're chasing after our friends again. I feel her body relax when I pull back.

We ride in silence for about ten minutes as Jamie tests the waters while hitting a few mudholes and laughing in response. I'm lost basking in the feeling of Jamie's toned stomach while trying not to make it obvious that I'm enjoying it.

"Okay..." Jamie starts. "I can see why you like doing this."

"Right?" I agree. "It's relaxing."

"That's not how I would describe it."

"You're just not comfortable yet."

That's when I feel her lean back into me to press her back against my chest again. Something deep within me stirs, hard, and my legs tighten against her. My lips are close to her neck, and for a moment I wonder what it would feel like to kiss her skin.

She stops the bike after a while and searches for Darian, Gwen, and Gibbs. We had lost them due to her slower pace, but I can hear their bikes in the distance.

Then they both appear and are racing straight for us.

"What are they doing?" Jamie asks.

"It looks like they're... racing?" I respond.

But when I look around, my heart sinks. I know exactly what my friends are doing. Jamie had stopped right in the middle of a giant mud spot, and my friends were about to absolutely drench us.

"Shit," is all I could whisper.

Then, within seconds, Jamie and I are covered in cold, wet mud. It's everywhere. In my hair, on my face, all over my arms and legs...

But when I open my eyes and look at Jamie, I erupt with laughter.

She's covered in mud and only specks of skin show through. Her clothes are ruined, and her hair is matted with chunks the earthy substance. That, paired with the frown on her face, equals the most hilarious sight I'd seen in months.

"Are you serious?" she hisses.

"Now you look like you've had some fun," I tease.

Everyone drives back up in hysterics and I can't help but join. Even though they had played dirty, I know it's because it was Jamie's first time. They had to break her in eventually.

"Sorry Chicago," Darian apologizes.

Gibbs chuckles. "You were lookin' a little too clean."

Jamie doesn't look happy, but there's still a hint of thrill on her face. She may not be comfortable, but at least she's having fun.

"You guys suck!" Jamie yells.

Then she reaches down into the mud, grabs a handful, and throws it right at Gibbs' face. This inevitably leads to a mud war between the five of us and ends with everyone literally covered from head to toe.

When everyone is finished, we all just stare at each other.

"Now what?" Jamie asks.

"Now, we go to the lake," Gibbs answers. "Last one there has to skinny dip!"

The five of us take off for the lake that's just over the hill. Jamie and I surpass Gwen, who isn't even really trying to outrun us. Darian hangs back to make sure she's okay. Gibbs isn't fast. At all. Which leaves Jamie and me racing for the water.

"You're fast," she pants.

"Yeah?"

"You're not gonna win, though."

I know Jamie's a lot faster than me, but she isn't pulling ahead. Is she trying to let me win?

"Don't let me win." My legs pump harder. "You better not let me win."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Like I said..." The sound of our bodies moving swiftly fills my ears. "Competitive."

We're almost there. I can feel the cold water already soothing my hot skin. I feel heavy from the mud, but I am not backing down.

"Loser still has to skinny dip?" Jamie teases.

I just scoff at her.

Then she finally leaves me. Her height gives her a great advantage as she shoots in front, my eyes watch her in awe. But she stops right at the edge of the pier. I smirk to myself.

My feet hit the wooden pier and I glide over it, jump, and feel the cold water of the lake surround me. It only hurts for a second, but once I'm submerged everything in me that had been screaming falls silent.

I pop my head back up.

"I won!" I shout.

"I made it to the water first!" she protests.

"You have to get in loser!"

She takes off running over the pier and jumps in right next to me. The cold water splashes my face. I feel excited and a just a little boastful.

She comes back up clean without the mud that had once covered her skin. A cute frown grows on her lips.

"I'm not skinny dipping," Jamie refuses.

"But you lost."

"Technically, I came in second."

"You seemed excited about that bet being just between me and you, though."

The sunlight reflects off the water and in her eyes. They're glowing. I watch them flicker back and forth from my gaze to my lips.

"I was only excited because I thought you were gonna lose."

The look on her face tells me she isn't just flirting with me anymore. Does she really mean that? I feel my body tingle at the thought of being naked in front of Jamie.

Then a splash shocks me out of my fantasy. Gibbs, Darian, and Gwen are now joining us, and the moment comes to an end.

"Looks like Peyton beat you, Chicago," Darian teases.

Jamie just splashes him in response.

We swim for a bit to wash off the mud that had once covered our bodies, and then climb back onto our bikes and ride around until we're fully dry.

Through it all, I can't help but notice that there's been a huge shift within Jamie's and my relationship. It's snowballing, and the more I paid attention, the more aware I became of how she acts specifically around me. The flirtatious comments, the staring, the smiling... it was all so exhilarating, yet terrifying.

I'm afraid, because she's tearing down my walls faster than I can rebuild them, and there's nothing I can do about it.