(2) Excerpt from a part of my book

Lee is going down to the river and runs into a close friend..

I was walking down by the park by the river. The moonlight lighting my path, I jumped over the creeks and streams that fed the coursing river below. The sounds of nature pleasing my senses, the natural scent of fresh water making my nose yearn for more.

“Hello?” A soft voice echoed from down the trail.

I looked up from the ground, as I had been staring at the darkened pathway. “Hi.” I waved in the direction, knowing full well that they couldn’t see me.

I got closer and the moonlight cast a shadow over the figure, bringing it into closer view. “Oh thank god. It’s you, Lee.”

“Yep, it’s me.” I threw my arms open, a smile pulling my lips apart.

The soft voice of laughter delighted my senses. “C’mere!” The figure moved closer and pulled me to them, embracing me. The strong arms wrapping around my body like a ribbon on a present.

“What are you doing out here?” I asked, my curiosity growing. The moon rose higher in the sky, its full light now over us two.

He grinned, a tug of happiness pulling out his voice. “Just waiting.” He turned me towards the river and the abandoned boardwalk that once held a festival. He leaned against me and wrapped his strong, muscled arm around my shoulder.

“For what?” I laughed, moving out from under his arm and walking down the boardwalk, taking in the beauty that surrounded me. I reached the edge and stared into the deep, dark waters, that were at least five feet below. I knew that at this time of year, they had to freezing, cold as a modern freezer. I threw my feet over the edge, leaping into the rivers still waters, ripples soon surrounding me. The shivers ran up my spine and into the base of my skull, the freezing water soothing me nonetheless.

“What the f**k, Lee?” The moon was over my head, the waters around me glistening as they slowly moved, like soft waves in a quiet ocean. “You know that s**t is cold as hell, right?”

I dunked my head under the water, dousing myself in darkness. I came back up and shook the water away from my eyes. “Actually, hell is hot, not cold.” I smirked.

He walked down the boardwalk. I could only hear him, as he was feet above me. “You know,” He began, leaning over the side, “I won’t get in that water. You’re gonna have to come up.”

“Nope.” I dropped back under, letting myself fall to the bottom. I held my breath, opening my eyes only to see nothing. I let my feet feel below me and I reached down and tugged at the rocks. Soon one came free and I began swimming up.

A loud sound hit the water, undoubtedly it was Jackson, worried that I had drowned or swept away by the currents despite the water being calmer than I had ever seen it.

Soon, warm arms found me. He curled his arm around my waist and pulled me up. I didn’t protest, I decided to play along, I pretended to be passed out, making my body go limp as a fish.

Our heads breached the waters top, fresh air filling my lungs.

“Lee?” Jackson shouted, “Lee?”

I laughed, my head jerking up. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Holy s**t,” He sighed, “You scared me.” He let go of my waist, “What were you doing?”

I lifted the rock that I still had in my hand, “I was going to get this to throw at you. You know, so you’d come down. But I guess I didn’t need to, all I had to do was go under for more than ten seconds and you’d freak the f**k out.”

“That’s really messed up,” He turned and began swimming towards the edge of the river bed.

“What?” I laughed, following him. “Don’t tell me you were actually worried.”

“Yes,” He reached the edge, grabbing onto the rocky beach at the shore. “I was.” He pulled himself out of the water, shivering.

“Awwwh,” I frowned, pulling myself up next to him. “Is the little puppy salty?”

Jackson paused taking his soaking shoes off to glare at me, “Yes. The little puppy is salty. Look at me! I’m soaked, Lee.”

I looked him over. His hair was drenched, the sopping mop dripping cold water down his face. Wait, no. His hair wasn’t dripping water down his face, was he… crying? He noticed me looking and turned back to his shoes.

“Oh, come on.” I nudged him on his shoulder. “Just answer the question.”

“What question?” He grumbled. Ringing out his soaking socks.

“Why you were waiting here?” I reminded him of the question I had asked before jumping into the river.

“I was waiting for you.” He pulled of his shirt, shaking the water soaked garment out before getting up and hanging it on a dusty lamp post behind us.

“How’d you know I was coming down here? I didn’t tell anyone.” A lightning bug flew past my face, it’s little flash of light illuminating my face for just a moment.

“I saw you down here last week, I figured maybe you’d come here again this week.” He sat down again, kicking a rock back into the water. “Well, that and it’s f*****g pretty this time of year.”

I nodded solemnly, the serenity of the river enveloping me. Soon I rested my head on the rocks behind me, finding comfort in the fact that I wasn’t alone.

Author's Note

please do not get offended by the cussing! if that is something that bothers you please ignore! <3