Staci and Brian made their way back to their campsite, hand in hand, still laughing from their ‘swim’. They quickly changed, and set up the wood for a fire. The sun was starting to set, casting a beautiful orange glow on everything around. Staci sat back and watched as Brian made a circle with rocks, then put the firewood in the middle. He quickly got the fire lit, and got comfortable beside Staci, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close. She sighed contentedly, and rested her head against his shoulder. Brian turned, and kissed the top of her head lightly before speaking.
“How about some ghost stories?” he suggested eagerly.
“I don’t know. I don’t know very good ones. I’m not that big of a fan…”
“Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you,” Brian whispered in her ear with a soft laugh.
“Like you could do much,” she teased. Brian groaned.
“What is this?” he asked. “Pick on Brian day?”
Staci laughed.
“I guess it is. Well, how about you tell the story, then I decide whether I want to share one with you.”
Brian thought for a moment.
“Alright, if you insist. Let me just think for a minute. I wanna get a good one.”
Staci nodded, watching the distant look in Brian’s eyes, as he went through all the tales in his mind, trying to find the perfect one. Finally, his face lit up.
“I got one!” he exclaimed. Staci smiled, and got cozy in his embrace. Brian cleared his throat before beginning.
“It all started at a wedding party, when one of the guests suggested they play a fun game of hide-and-seek…”
“…when the maid opened up the trunk, years later, she came across the missing bride, still in her wedding dress, but by that time, she was only a skeleton,” Brian finished in cold whisper. Staci stared at Brian for a few minutes, before finally speaking.
“I am never playing hide-and-seek ever again!”
Brian laughed, and hugged her closer. She giggled a little bit herself, then pulled slightly away from Brian.
“So, are you gonna tell a story now?” Brian asked, smiling. Staci grinned.
“I think I remember one from when we used to go camping.”
“Good, let’s hear it!” Brian bounced excitedly. Staci swallowed and took a deep breath.
“OK, here it is. It’s called ‘Dead Giveaway’…”
Once Staci finished the last sentence, Brian was holding her so tight, she was beginning to lose the feeling in most of her body.
“Uh, Bri, you can let me go now,” Staci gasped out. Brian snapped out of his gaze and looked down at his girlfriend.
“O-oh yeah, sorry,” he stammered.
“Bri baby, you weren’t really that scared, were you?”
“Of course not! I’ve heard worse!” Brian defended. Staci nodded and rested against him again. Suddenly they heard howling in the distance. Brian bounced up and jumped into the tent. Staci laughed and followed him in.
“Brian,” she whispered. “It’s just a wolf probably far, far away. Don’t worry, it’s natural to hear those things in the woods.”
“How do you know it’s a real wolf, and that it’s far away?” Brian asked, his voice muffled from the sleeping bag being over his face. “It could be that giant cat in your story, and he could be coming for us! Did you wish for me to be torn into shreds sometime recently, just like that kid did? Remember, the bully got killed by that monster thing the night after the kid made his wish!”
“How could you even think that I would want something to happen to you? It was just a story Brian! It never happened!”
“Are you sure?” Brian asked quietly sounding like a little child.
“Yes, I’m positive. Now come out of the sleeping bag, you’re going to suffocate!”
Brian slowly came out of hiding. He stood up, cleared his throat and looked down at the ground, obviously embarrassed. Staci looked at him sympathetically.
“Don’t worry Brian,” she started. “I won’t tell any of the other guys about this.”
Brian’s eyes lit up, and a small smile appeared on his face.
“Promise?”
“Promise. Now come one, I want some marshmallows!” Staci said eagerly, taking Brian’s hand and pulling him outside. She reached into her pack, pulled out the snacks they brought, and got them set up. She started on one marshmallow, while Brian began eating some chips. Once the marshmallow was a golden brown, Staci pulled it away from the fire. Taking it off with her hands, she brought it to Brian’s lips. He smiled, and opened up his mouth, waiting. Staci started laughing, and smushed it across his face. Brian’s mouth closed, and he stared at her in shock.
“You did not just do that…” he shook his head. Staci nodded, still laughing.
“I think I just did.”
Brian sighed. Without warning, he lunged for her. Staci was too quick. She got up, and made her way to the other side of the fire. Brian shook his head again, and started to walk towards her. Staci moved in the opposite direction, keeping her eyes on Brian. He smiled to himself, but kept on moving. She did the same, but since she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, she tripped over a large rock, and fell to the ground. Brian laughed, and ran over. He knelt next to her, and brought his hands to her sides, tickling her until she had tears coming down her face. Figuring she had enough, he stopped, resting his hands on his legs, and stared down at her. Staci finally calmed down, catching her breath. She looked up at Brian after opening her eyes, and turned crimson, noticing his intense gaze. Brian smiled and leaned down for a kiss. Staci brought her hand to the back of his neck, bringing his face closer. She pulled him down on top of her, running her hand up and down his back, while the other played with the little curls at the base of his neck. A content sigh came from Brian, loving the feeling of her soft lips connected with his and her hands roaming around. He reluctantly pulled his mouth away, but kept his body where it was.
“Brian, as much as I like the feeling of you on top of me, are you gonna get off?” Staci asked, smiling. Brian thought for a moment.
“I would, but it’s really comfortable,” he said, then leaned down by her ear. “I could stay like this forever,” he whispered, kissing her neck softly. Staci closed her eyes, and sighed.
“I’m starting to like this too,” she mumbled, loving the feeling of his soft kisses moving down from her ear, to the bottom of her neck, then back up again.
“Brian,” she murmured.
“What baby,” he asked against her, giving her neck one last kiss before looking into her eyes. She smiled.
“I think we should stop this before it goes too far.”
“Since when do you complain if it goes too far?” he questioned, grinning.
“Since we’re outside in the middle of a forest. We can continue this sometime at home, I promise.”
Brian rested his forehead against hers, kissing
her quickly, but tenderly on the lips. He slowly moved off of her
body, lying on his back. He grabbed her waist, bringing her against
him. He stared at the sky for a few minutes before talking.