Lost

The trees calmly dance in the breeze. Deers run at the sight of hikers. Amari wiped the sweat from his face.

“Good thing the sun is going down. It’s too hot.”

Amari looked back at his friends, who were struggling to keep up.

“Come on, out-of-shape asses.”

Jada caught up to Amari and slapped him on the back of his head. Amari was unfazed but stared at Jada, confused.

“What was that for?

“This is your idea of fun?”

“Yes?”

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

Amari didn’t know what to say; he liked Jada. He thought exposing her to something he enjoyed would get her to like him.

“Telling you”

“I’m tired, and it’s getting dark. I don’t think it’s safe for us to go any further.”

“It’s fine. The trail is safe, and I’ll protect you.”

Jada scoffs.

She walks away with Amari following behind her. Bianca, Darius, & Hakeem were barely keeping up.

“Slow down, you too; we’re dying here!” Shouted Bianca

“Alright, let’s take a break, then head back to the car.”

“Finally, that’s the best idea you had all day.”

Jada smiled at Amari. She pulled out a bottle of water from her bag and gulped it down. Amari watched her every move.

“Next time, I plan what we do,” said Hakeem

“Yea, this was a shitty idea, Amari.” said Bianca

Bianca rolled her eyes.

“I didn’t invite y’all; I invited Jada. Y’all tagged along. The only people supposed to be here are me, Jada, and Darius. You two could’ve stayed home. Back me up here D.”

Darius is in his own world with his headphones on full blast. He nods at Amari even though he has no idea what he said. Amari walks over and takes them off.

“What?”

“Never mind, we are heading back.”

“Already? I thought we were going to see the lake.”

“Everyone isn’t having a good time, so we’re not going to make it. Plus y’all walk too slow, and the sun is going down; they are scared.”

Jada knew what he meant by that.

“We are not scared; we are cautious. Now let’s go.”

“Fine.”

Darius shakes his head and puts back on his headphones. Zoning out the rest of the world as usual.

The sun goes down, and Amari notices Jada is a bit nervous. She is walking with her arms crossed. She keeps looking around. He reaches out for her hand. They both stop walking.

“What?”

“Wanna hold hands for safety, of course?”

“Righhttt for safety,” she says sarcastically

Jada takes Amari's hand, and they keep walking. Bianca, Darius, and Hakeem follow. The walk felt like hours, the sun went down, and the woods became dark and silent. The trees didn’t dance in the wind.

“Amari?”

“Yea?”

“I hate to admit this, but I am terrified right now.”

Jada squeezed Amari's hand tighter. Amari’s body felt electrified.

“As I said, I’ll protect you.”

He rubbed his thumb against Jada’s hand to reassure her that she was safe.

Bianca walked past them both towards the giant sign that stated no cars past this point.

“Great, the car should be right here.”

Bianca stood in shock. Amari and Jada walked over to Bianca.

“What’s the matter?”

“What the fuck do you mean, what’s the matter? The car is gone!”

“Gone?” Said, Hakeem

“Yea, gone look!”

Amari and Hakeem search for the car.

Bianca's face turned red, and her eyebrows touched.

“I should have stayed my ass home in my cozy bed on a fucking Saturday, but nooooo I had to listen to Jada and tag along because she didn’t want to be alone with Amari’s thirsty ass!”

Jada froze in place.

Amari heard Bianca’s rambling and walked over to Jada.

“Thirsty?”

Jada just stood there with a guilty look on her face.

“I didn’t mean to say that,” said Bianca

“You said exactly what needed to be said.”

Amari couldn’t believe Jada, as if he needed Jada.

“You know what… whatever. I don’t need this. I’ll ask Aaliyah out tomorrow. Let’s just find the car.”

“Aaliyah?”

“Why do you care? I’m thirsty, remember? You didn’t want to hang out with me, so don’t worry about it.”

Jada crossed in arms and pouted.

Hakeem was still searching for the car.

Bianca walked over to Darius and ripped his headphones off.

“Hello, earth to Darius!”

“What?”

“The car is missing. Go help look for it.”

Darius didn’t move from his spot; he just looked around.

“I don’t see it.”

“Duh idiot, you actually have to move and look for it.”

“Why? It’s obvious somebody stole it. We parked it right here.”

“Stole it?”

“Where else would it go?”

Bianca rolled her eyes. Darius started to walk the opposite way.

“Where are you going?”

“To pee, relax”

Bianca watched Darius walk off, but he vanished before her eyes.

“What the-“

Bianca ran over to see if she could see him.

“Darius?”

She looked all around but couldn’t find him.