You Owe Me

July Prompt Challenge, Day 5: Mousse

Sweat dripped down my forehead, almost reaching my eyes. I wiped at it with my gritty sleeves, scratching my face and groaning. Bug bites covered my shins, and I’m pretty sure a blister just popped on my left heel.

I hated hiking.

“Come on, Jen!” Mia called from up ahead.

That’s right. That’s why I was out on this sun-dappled trail being eaten by every little parasitic creature I could imagine. I flopped down on a nearby log and fumbled to get my water bottle from my backpack. Mia jogged back to my spot on the trail, her dark brown ponytail swaying back and forth with her steps.

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“Another break?” She stifled a groan. “We’re barely two miles in!”

“Hey, I might be here for you, but you also know I don’t like this.” I gestured at everything around us. I winced as the bark bit into the back of my thighs.

“Right. You hate everything natural and beautiful and outside.” Mia rolled her eyes and gently nudged my shoulder. “I appreciate you coming out with me after Lara bailed, but can we not stop every ten minutes please? We won’t finish the trail if we keep this up.”

I smiled. “Fine. I guess I can suck it up a bit longer.”

“Great!” Mia reached her hand out to me. I grabbed it, and she hauled me up.

“But you need to slow down. I can’t keep up with you at your normal pace.”

“Got it!”

“You owe me a chocolate mousse from Piretti’s,” I huff.

Mia stops and stares at me, her lips tugging into a small smile. “Only if you catch me first.” With that, she takes off at a sprint.

“Walked into that one,” I say through ragged breaths as I take off after her.