Lost Girl in Transition Ch. 01

"Why'd you guys stop?" Kimi asked in a playful tone of voice. "Keep on going, It's kind of hot watching you two make out."

"Yeah, we really get off on watching," Ethan chimed in. "So don't quit just because we're here."

Uncertain of whether or not they should take them seriously, Tristan and Claudia shared a look. Then simultaneously, they both stood and climbed down from the rocky ledge they were on.

"Awww, come on," Kimi said while watching them sink into the water. "You guys are no fun at all."

"If you let us watch you, we'll let you watch us," Ethan joked, but as Tristan and Claudia swam up to where they were, Ethan's face turned completely serious.

"Hey Tristan, what happened to your chest?"

Having forgotten to put his shirt back on, Tristan's scars were exposed, and completely visible through the water that was clear enough to see right through.

"Uh...it happened a long time ago," Tristan mumbled, and in an effort to escape Ethan and Kimi's penetrating stares, he began swimming away.

Looking at Claudia for an explanation, both Ethan and Kimi waited for her to speak.

"He's really insecure about his scars," Claudia explained. "And It's not the type of thing he talks about with just anyone."

"But we're not just anyone," Kimi rebutted. "Ethan and I are both his friends."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. But if you knew the reason behind Tristan getting those scars, you'd understand why he's so reluctant to open up."

Clearly unsatisfied with her statement, Ethan and Kimi continued to give her an imploring look, but all she did in return was start to swim after Tristan.

"Sorry. It's not for me to tell," she said over her shoulder, and kicked her legs to propel herself through the water.

As Claudia reached the edge of the hot springs, she climbed out and joined Tristan, who was grabbing a towel they'd set out for themselves. Large and fluffy, it looked invitingly soft, and as Tristan wrapped it around her, she tilted her lips up for a kiss.

His mouth met hers tenderly, moving with an gentleness that made her feel completely adored. But as he broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, she could see there was worry behind them.

"Did you tell them?"

With a shake of her head, Claudia let him know that she didn't, and his shoulders slumped with relief.

"Thanks. I appreciate you not letting them know."

"No problem," she responded, but the look on her face was one of hope. "I know you're not ready to do it today, but I think It'd be good for you to eventually tell Ethan and Kimi. I mean, we'll all be traveling together for the next three weeks, so It'd probably be good for us to bond as tightly as we can."

"Yeah." With a slow nod, Tristan agreed. "Alright, I'll work up to it. Might take a couple of days, but I'll eventually do it."

"That's good," Claudia said while gazing up into his eyes, and taking his hand in hers, she offered it a gentle squeeze.

As a splash of water came from behind them, Tristan and Claudia turned their heads to see Ethan and Kimi climbing out of the hot spring. A few moments later they were drying themselves off, and after joining Tristan and Claudia's side, they both offered a soft smile.

"Sorry about just swimming off like that," Tristan said while looking at Ethan and Kimi. "I just really don't like when people look at my scars."

"It's cool, man," Ethan replied. "If you choose to tell us one day, then great. If not, no big deal. Just know that we're here for you if you ever need to talk."

"Yeah, we're totally non judgmental," Kimi said. "And we definitely would keep it ourselves, so you wouldn't have to worry about us spreading it around the rez."

"Okay," Tristan said, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, but the awkward moment of silence didn't last long, because Ethan cleared his throat.

"So anyways, we should probably get moving," Ethan said as he led the way down a narrow trail. "There's only an hour before dusk, and we've still got four hours of driving ahead of us."

"We'll stop off for dinner first though, right?" Kimi asked.

"A drive-thru would be better," Ethan said.

"I saw a Taco Bell just before the exit where we got off," Claudia said. "Let's go there.

"That wasn't a Taco Bell, it was a Taco *Hut*," Kimi corrected.

"Okay, so It's a knockoff," Claudia responded. "It could still be pretty good."

"How about Jack in the Box?" Tristan asked. "They have really good tacos there, and their burgers are delicious."

"They have really good milkshakes too," Kimi said. "Nice and thick, with lots of cream."

"Thick with lots of cream?" A crooked smile graced Ethan's face. "Sounds pretty sexual to me."

"That's because you're a man," Kimi said. "While Claudia and I are thinking about food, you and Tristan are thinking about sex."

"Hey, how'd I get thrown into this?" A playful glint came into Tristan's eyes. "And how did you know I was thinking about sex?"

Kimi broke into a smile, and after sharing an amused look with Claudia, turned her gaze back on Ethan. "See? I told you he wasn't as innocent as he looked."

"Oh, I already knew that," Ethan said. "It's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. You never see it coming with them, they're complete enigmas."

"Hmmm," Kimi thoughtfully said as they approached the lot where the Volkswagon bus was parked. "So basically you're saying that Tristan's a psychopath."

"What!" A wide grin split Ethan's face. "I said no such thing, Kimi. Take it back!"

"Only if you make me," she seductively said, and as a predatory look came into Ethan's eyes, she playful squealed and made a dash for the van.

As Ethan chased after her, Tristan and Claudia shared a chuckle. And with fingers lovingly intertwined, followed their friends to the vintage VW bus.