A/N: Just because I couldn't help myself

August 26, 2016 11:27 a.m.

"Oh my...how are you doing that," I asked breathless, staring in wonder, "This should be illegal."

"Hurry up you slow poke," McKenna encouraged ever so nicely not missing a step as I trailed after her.

"It is over a 100 degrees," I grumbled, tripping over my own shoe. Managing to stay upright, I used my t-shirt to wipe the sweat off my face.

This was disgusting.

We were on a hike.

Again.

This was hell.

How do I get sucked into these things?

I have no fucking clue.

Taking a deep breath, I stopped for a second looking around. We had been going for a good two hours now and were on a steep incline at the moment. To the left were more cliffs that we thankfully did not have to climb. The right showed a wonderful view of the park.

There were miles of outstretched land. The green popped so evidently next to the mountain. This was a place where you could sit and be at peace for hours.

"Hey, um, McKenna," I called, "This view is so amazing, I say we just sit here and enjoy it, you know. We can't neglect these mountains for other ones. Now that's just cruel."

McKenna turned back and looked down at me. She raised her eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on her lips, "Reece, I've seen two six year olds pass us and a dad carrying twins. Twins Reece."

I took a sip of water taking in what she said.

"They sound like amazing individuals. I might have seen them too, but I think I have heat stroke."

McKenna rolled her eyes, with a laugh, "C'mon, we're almost there!"

With that she turned back around and trudged on. She was dressed for the occasion, with her baseball cap, tank, leggings, and hiking boots. She even had me prepared right down to my own brand new hiking boots.

It did not help.

Taking one last breath of fresh air, I grasped the sleeves of my backpack and followed.

"You know you're only ahead because touring has kept you in shape," I mentioned. Ignoring the twinge of pain in my leg, I made an effort to catch up.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," McKenna teased nudging me.

I shook my head with a small laugh.

It was partially true. When touring you do tons to make sure you can keep up on stage for hours on back to back days.

Turns out, being back stage did not give you the same motivation or workout routine.

When I had told McKenna I was taking a break from touring, interviewing- basically showing my face to the world, she was shocked.

But when I explained why, she was unbelievably supportive. I took a leap and offered to come on tour with her as well. McKenna was ecstatic about it and I can't say I wasn't happy.

Watching her perform and just being in her presence is a feeling I would never trade.

The days I'm not there, I decided I would spend back home with my dad, Dia and Aliza. I figured being in a home with people I cared about rather than an empty apartment would do me good.

It did.

"Oh thank god, we made it," I shouted climbing the last incline. Moving to the side, I collapsed on the floor my calves screaming.

The sun was blinding but oh the sweet feeling of not moving was amazing. I could stay here forever.

When I thought it couldn't get any better, I was suddenly greeted with a shadow of shade. I smiled, grateful and opened my eyes.

It was McKenna.

Fixing her hat, she kneeled down next to me.

Her hazel eyes were bright and oh so alive. It's insane how easily you can get let in their depths. Her full pink lips were curved in a small smirk. She was supporting beads of sweat as well and yet made it look so good.

"Hey," she mentioned, as she pointed in the distance at another pathway going further up, "If you look hard enough you might be able to see those kids I was talking about."

I stared at her dejected, "You are not nice."

McKenna broke out into a laugh as she patted my shoulder.

She was enjoying this way too much.

Once I caught my breath, the faint irritation in my leg grew. I could finally feel the pain it was in now that we had stopped moving.

I grimaced, my leg forcing me to stand up.

"You okay?" McKenna asked.

"Yeah," I said focusing on stretching like I was told. I've been off of crutches for some time now. It's been great. I had been able to start walking on my leg and even going to the gym, but this was the most strenuous activity I've done since the accident.

"My therapist said I should be pushing my boundaries," I added knowing I would be feeling this more tomorrow.

"Yeah, I remember," McKenna muttered, "We did choose the easier route too."

I looked up at her in the middle of my stretch.

"You know one day, I will beat you," I said, "And I will never let you forget."

McKenna smiled cheekily swaying from side to side, "All I hear is you'll be up for more hiking trips."

Shit, I kind of did walk into that one.

I was about to respond, when I finally realized where we were standing. Seeing that my attention was elsewhere, McKenna turned to see what I was looking at.

The view was breathtaking.

Realizing McKenna had decided to sit and enjoy the view, I sat down next to her.

This, this was nature at its finest. I could see for miles and miles up here. I could see the lakes and rives and how they blend with the green of the plants. Just above the tallest mountains, the sky broke in a beautiful blue completing the image.

I could hear a band of birds somewhere in the distance chirp as if creating their own soothing melody.

It felt like I was at the top of the world. I may have been physically exhausted but the view was emotional medicine.

"Stop touching me," I said, realizing McKenna was looking over at me.

"I'm not touching you," McKenna replied confused.

"You're eye touching me," I clarified, raising an eyebrow in her direction.

McKenna shook her head with a slight laugh.

"I was just thinking how happy I am that you came on this trip with me," McKenna said resting her head on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I don't know how you got so lucky," I said interlocking my hand with hers.

"Jerkwad," McKenna muttered.

I let out a laugh, still not over how awesome the view was. It just may have made the hike worth it.

"I'm serious, though," McKenna went on, "I know hiking is not your favorite thing to do."

I shrugged, kissing her on the forehead. "I know touring has been getting pretty crazy and stressful. The last few weeks can get insane. I wanted to help give you an escape, even if its temporary," I said.

"Aw, you definitely did. It's been great," McKenna said warmly.

"And hiking isn't the worst thing in the world," I admitted, "I mean I kind of like it, in a sick, twisted sort of way."

"I knew I could spark a relationship between you and nature," she joked.

Admittedly, McKenna was able to. This was one thing I had never seen me doing in a million years. Jared was always the hiking, outdoorsy type, not me. My mom also loved picking up new things; she would've appreciated it.

I was glad I was able to do this. It felt like they were here too, taking it all in.

"You know, I really deserve those donuts you promised me when we started this. Blueberry donuts are calling my name," I said, the thought occurring to me.

McKenna let out a laugh, "We'll get those for you when we leave." Sitting straight, she unzipped my backpack and took out her notebook, "but I want to stay for a bit if that's okay."

Grabbing my novel out of the bag as well, I looked over at her. As McKenna crossed her legs, I could tell she was already engrossed in her journal.

"I was going to say the same thing," I said with a smile.

Finding the page where I left off, I couldn't remember the exact moment I fell in love with her.

I just knew I could no longer imagine a life without her because she was the reason I was able to discover me.

And I was starting to like that person.