Ignited

by Desni Dantone

  A furtive shuffling woke me up. When I opened my eyes, I saw light shining through the tent, and Nathan trying to squirm out from under me. For a moment, I was horrified to realize we had cuddled together all night, and he had woken with my head on his chest. Then the amusement of watching him trying to wiggle away without waking me outweighed the awkwardness, and I got over it.

  He pulled off a fairly decent job, and didn’t realize I was awake until he finally managed to get free and sat up. When he glanced down at me, I flashed him an over-the-top smile.

  He shook his head as he got to his knees. “If you’re up, let’s go,” he said before he climbed outside.

  “Somebody’s grouchy this morning,” I muttered.

  He jerked the tent flap back. “Yes,” he grumbled. “Come on, get up.”

  He was waiting, impatiently, by the time I crawled outside. He started to roll up the sleeping bags and dismantle the tent as I went in search of a tree. By the time I rejoined him, he had the bag over his shoulder, waiting. I blushed as I sauntered back.

  “Ready when you are,” I said, trying to sound like I didn’t care that he knew what I had been doing.

  He wasted no time in taking off. I fell into step behind him.

  “So, where to today? A particular patch of bare trees to the west? An especially high peak perhaps? Maybe one with some snow? I could use a little change in scenery.”

  “If you stop complaining and keep up, we might reach our destination today,” he said.

  “Wait, what?” I faltered briefly. “You mean we’re not aimlessly wandering? We’ve actually been going somewhere?”

  “Yeah,” he said like he clearly thought I was an idiot for not already knowing that.

  I cleared my throat. “So, where are we going?”

  “I know of a cabin.”

  “Whoa, wait,” I called as I trotted to catch up to him. “Are you saying there’s a chance I might get to sleep in something other than that crappy tent tonight?”

  “If you can keep up,” he said. There was a challenge in his voice.

  Suddenly, I had a burst of energy. No more walking? No more sleeping on the ground? No more cuddling with Nathan for warmth? No more peeing behind a tree?

  I had found my motivation, and it was a wonderful thing.