A TALE OF TWO LOVERS

MUD SLIDING

"We are almost there. 10 minutes?' Blake said and I sighed through the phone.

"Hurry up, You've got about 25 minutes before it begins and you'll not have enough time to get ready if you don't hurry up" I said.

"Don't worry. He will be there on time. I know this is about Max" he countered and I breathed out a laugh.

"Well then hurry up" I said.

"Not even gonna deny it?" he said before I heard him hit the breaks.

"What, why are you stopping?" I asked.

"Amanda..."his voice filled my ears.

"We are here. He was just joking with you and I can't wait to see you either" Max said and I was lost for words.

Blake that i***t had put the phone on loud speaker. "If this magic works, you guys have to thank me" Blake's said.

"Not before I strangle you with a thread" I said and he shivered slightly.

I could hear Max's chuckle as they closed the car doors "So, how do we do this?" Max asked.

"Get in, I'll tell you inside" I answered before cutting the phone.

Slimy Jake was right, I can't handle a sudden conversation with someone I liked. I walked towards the bathroom to splash water on my face, my cheeks were hot and I needed to cool down. I walked out of the bathroom as Blake and Max walked in. They were a sight considering how cheeky they were and they walked over as soon as they spotted me. I had seen him at school the day before and yet I missed him, it was a bizzare feeling and when he reached, he didn't stop but rather engulfed me in a hug.

"You are too honest" he commented as I returned the hug.

"It's something I'm not entirely proud of" I said.

"Well I'm very grateful for it" he said before we let go.

"Of course you are" I said and he leaned close, dropping a kiss on my cheek.

"I missed you too" he said with a smirk and I cleared my throat.

“Move aside” Blake said, pushing Max out of the way before raising his hands for a hug “Amanda” he boomed and I gave him a hug.

“Ouch!!” he exclaimed when I pinched his side.

“Loud speaker, really?” I said

“I was just trying to help” he defended and I tightened the hug.

“Weren’t we running late? Amanda let go so we can get ready” he said loudly, turning his head slightly to look at an amused Max.

“Fine. I already picked out your jumpsuits, so go get dressed” I said after letting go of Blake.

“We will begin in 20 minutes” the intercom sounded and I motioned to the dressing room.

They made their way towards the room at the left with Blake as the guide since he was familiar with the place. Fiona stood to my right, a leg propped on the wall and a smirk plastered on her face. She threw a thumbs up sign as I made my way over.

“Too comfortable, I’d say. A kiss on the cheek? In public? How blasphemous” she said.

“You don’t even look surprised. He’s prepping you up nicely” she continued and I smacked her arm.

“Prepping? I’m not chicken” I said as I leaned on the wall next to her.

“Could be turkey then. Whatever his tastebuds prefer” she said and I turned my head slightly to give her a dead pun look.

“For today, it will be losing” I said.

“Ooh I like that. No mercy” Fiona said as Max and Blake came out of the dressing room.

The jumpsuits fit perfectly and I loved the fit. He was a well built individual and it was clear that he did some sort of sport since all his muscles relaxed in the jump suit. As they walked over, every move of his stretched the material slightly and his muscles contracted, relaxing as he came to a stop.

“Mud sliding? What a weirdly fun activity” he said and I smiled.

“It’s a tradition. We do this whenever there is something to celebrate” I said and he nodded, looking me up and down.

“You look great. Didn’t think a jump suit could look this great on anyone” he complimented, making a smile grace my lips.

“Thanks. You look dashing” I answered and he smiled down at me.

“Never tried it?” I asked and he shook his head.

“I would love to though” he said, his eyes glued to my lips.

‘How sad, your first time and it will be a loss” I said and he looked up at my eyes.

“Sure?” he asked and I smirked.

“Yeah. You are competing against 3-time winners” I said.

“That serious?” he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

“You have no idea. Blake knows all about it” I said.

“Yeah, he told me about it. He hasn’t been able to join because of me” he explained.

“I know, he always said his friend needed him” I said with a nod.

“Here” he said, fishing out a box from the bag he was holding.

I took the box, only to see the brand name of an expensive Belgian chocolate. It was a box of them and I looked up at him and back to the box.

“These are expensive, I can’t accept this” I said, wondering how much it must have cost.

“It’s for your birthday. I hear it’s the day after tomorrow’ he said and my eyebrows went up as my heart fluttered.

“Still..” I started and he held up a finger.

“Happy early birthday. How about you do the same for mine? if that would make you feel better” he suggested and I looked at the chocolate.

“Great. It’s ….” I stopped “Today?” I exclaimed, trying to act unaware.

“Been asking about me?” he asked with a smile.

“Background check, for safety” I defended, drumming my fingers on the box and avoiding eye contact.

“Right. Right” he said and I smiled slightly.

“We begin in 30 seconds. The two competing teams should get on the rink” the intercom sounded and I walked to place my gift in the bag before walking to the rink.

It was Fiona and I versus Max and Blake. Hayley and Brandon would face Aaron and his friend Felix and a final would be between the winners of the two rounds. We were in different rooms as one room ould only take two teams at a time. It was a beautifully constructed building that housed over fifteen rooms of mud sliding and we were regulars. There was an endless supply of mud that was levelled after every competition and this was where I wanted to work part time. The owner was a thirty year old man who inherited it from his parents and he had the best personality. A mix of cheeky, humorous, serious and with his face, he was a delight.

" No rules. You may push, Pull, shove or whatever but no harming one another beyond what's required. The race begins when the horn goes off and those whoever passes the line first wins" Fildon, the owner instructed as we got on the marks.

The horn sounded and the siblings didn't miss a beat before pulling one another to the ground. This led to a tumbling mess, a domino effect as they pulled all of us down with them. Fiona pulled Blake, making sure he didn't stand and I placed my elbows on the ground, trying to get up when my leg was pulled and I found myself looking up at Max. I could see the smirk behind the transparent cloth we wore on our faces as he came close enough for his lips to be directly on top of mine. He stilled for a moment, watching as I froze in place before pulling away. He glided, making me curses I stood.

"This is fun" he said as he glided away, loud enough for me to hear and I smirked as I stood up.

He was too slow and I caught up in minutes before I jumped, making him catch me by the waist. The action moved us round and round before we came to a slow stop. Blake and Fiona fought to our right as they jumped on one another, pulled each other and just fought as if forgetting the initial mission. I moved close to his face and he looked up at me, his heartbeat quickening beneath my hand and I smiled in his ear.

"Happy birthday" I whispered before slightly kicking his shin.

The movement caught him off guard and he let go as he glided backwards. I went fast, passing Blake and Fiona and his uncontrollable laughter only served to make my heart flutter. He stopped the motion, bringing his knees down and his hand on the ground. Excellent control, I thought as I looked back at him while gliding away. He stopped the momentum, immediately making his way towards me and I realized that I was wrong, he wasn't slow at all. He reached out to catch me, making me move aside as he missed but that didn't stop him as he caught my arm. His pull made me swirl in to his arms as he placed a hand on my neck and another was sprawled on my stomach.

My heartbeat quickened as did his on my back and I took a moment to catch my breath. He moved us in a dance motion and I loved the air on my skin as it cooled me down. The mud got colder as air got hotter around us.

"Taking the opponent hostage?" I asked.

"I guess I'm enjoying this more than I thought" he said, the smile on his face audible.

We were breathless, the reason being either the close proximity or the exercise we just had.

"Not fair. This position" I said.

" Doesn't sound like you are complaining" he answered and light laugh came out of me.

I placed a hand on the back of his head, lightly pushing on the helmet, his head in to my neck. I moved my head backwards, enjoying the moment as my head rested on his left shoulder.

"No, I'm not. That doesn't mean you are winning though" I said, unwinding the hands on my stomach.

He buried his head in my neck, his other hand still on my neck and I turned slowly making him adjust his posture so that we were face to face. The hand on my neck refused to budge as he came closer, our lips slightly brushing and I closed my eyes.

"It's scary how comfortable I feel" he said against my lips and I could help but agree.

"I could say the same" I said and he smirked.

It was a shame, but I had to ruin the moment that felt so beautiful. "Sorry" I apologised before pinching his side and pushing against his chest.

The finish line was in sight as I glided to it fast. I passed Blake and Fiona once again, who seemed to fight at every movement yet were going faster than we were. Max's unbelieving chuckle sounded from behind me as I circled Blake and Fiona.

"Fiona, Max plays like a seasoned player. This won't be an easy win of we do win" I warned.

"Just do your best, that's enough" she answered as she sat on Blake after pulling him down.

"Got it" I said, gliding away after catching a glimpse of Max.

He was too fast and he had once again reached me. In my attempt at an escape, he pulled my arm and I was once again, in his arms.

"You are playing dirty" he said.

"Ofcourse I am. We are on mud" I answered and he raised his eyebrows.

"You know what I mean" he said.

"I apologised, didn't I?" I asked.

"That doesn't cut it. I was having a great time until you mercilessly pinched my side" he said, trying hard not to sound comical and I laughed lightly.

"Had to. It's a game" I said with a grimace.

"Then you won't mind what I'm about to do" he said, his hand on the side of my face.