While Jess gathered towels for her and Marty in preparation to go to the pond, he came out of the kitchen carrying the bucket.  Taking the towels from her arms, he surprised her by holding the bucket out for her.

"What are you doing?" she laughed, while he grinned at her.  "What's the bucket for?  Are we going fishing?" 

"No, you're going fishing.  I'm going to teach you." 

She looked at him like he was crazy, because it was crazy.  She'd never had any desire to fish because so many parts of it seemed disgusting to her.  She had no intention of ever touching worms, let alone skewer them on a fishing hook.  But the idea of touching a live fish was even worse.  She'd have to hold its slimy body so she could get the barbed hook out of its mouth, and the whole time  it would be trying to get away.  Her body shuddered involuntarily just at the thought of it.

"That's alright.  You can do all the fishing," she said, holding her hands up, but he thrust the bucket towards her.

"C'mon, Jess!  Didn't say you were bored with always doing the same things the other day?" 

"I guess," she said in a more subdued voice.  

She'd resigned herself to being stuck on the property for the duration of the summer since it looked like the only way she could leave was by visiting girls she didn't consider friends.  Deciding to make the best of the situation, she was determined to have as much fun as she could with Marty, enjoying the extra time she got to spend with him before school started again.

"I reckoned if I teach you how to fish, that would be something different," Marty explained.  Jess opened her mouth to argue with him, but hesitated when she noticed the excited look in his eyes.  He really wanted to do this.   

"Okay, okay," she said, giving in and taking the bucket.  He grinned broadly while reaching into his pocket, his eyes full of mirth. 

"You're going to need this to get the worms," he said, handing her the pen knife.  Taking it from him, she held it in her hand.  It was still warm from being in his pocket, the black plastic hilt bumpy like tree bark.  "Come on," he said, stepping aside and holding his arm out, directing her to the back door. 

Marty had always found his worms by digging through the leaves on the forest floor, so she headed in the direction of the trees.  Once she found a likely spot, she sat on her heels, and opened the knife.  Using it to push away the layer of rotting leaves, she saw dark exposed dirt.  She gently dug into it and a fat worm rose to the surface, its body glistening as it wriggled, trying to bury itself again.  It looked every bit as disgusting as she thought it would.

"Go on," Marty urged.  She made a face at him, and then gently picked it up using two fingers.  It was squishy, like slimy jello.

"Ugh," she exclaimed, dropping it in the bucket, and shuddered again.

"Don't be such a baby about it, Jess!" Marty said with a laugh.  "It's just a worm."

"It's disgusting!" 

"Well, you need more so you better get on it.  At this rate we won't even make it to the pond before you gotta go."

"Fine!" 

She poked through the ground some more, finding five more slimy worms before Marty said she had enough.  He sprinkled a layer of loamy leaves over them to protect them from the sun, then they headed back into the cabin to gather their things. 

This time when they walked to the pond, Marty carried the blanket, towels and food while she carried the fishing pole and bucket.  It was a hot day, with no breeze to stir the trees.  Even though they were shaded most of the way, the air felt oppressive and by the time they reached the pond, Jess was sweating.  With the sun beating down on her, she looked at the cool inviting water while Marty placed their things under the willow tree. 

"Let's swim first," she said when he joined her.

"What?" he exclaimed loudly.  "Are you trying to scare the fish away?"

"I'm hot!"  He snorted in response, and she added, "I know you're hot too.  Let's swim for a while and then I'll fish.  They'll come back if they see something to eat."

"Alright," he said with exasperation, but his sour expression let her know he didn't think much of the idea.  She stowed the bucket of worms in the shade of the tree and quickly pulled off her dress.

Once they were swimming in the water, Marty's good mood recovered and he proceeded to chase her, splashing her with wave after wave of water.  Forgetting all about fishing, Jess swam hard, chasing Marty and being chased until she was exhausted.  While they rested in the warmer shallow water, her stomach growled, the bowl of corn flakes she'd eaten alone that morning, long worn off.

"Let's eat lunch," she said, getting up.

"I thought you were going to fish after we swam!" Marty complained loudly.

"I will, but I'm too hungry now.  And besides, this will give the fish a chance to come back," she added with a smile. 

He frowned at her, angry he couldn't argue with her logic, and she turned.  As she went to the tree, she was practically bouncing, delighted she'd actually won an argument while he came grumbling behind her.  Settled on the blanket, Jess pulled food out of the basket, knowing as soon as he started eating he'd forget all about fishing.

Later, as she was pulling out wrapped banana bread slices for their dessert, Marty said, "You know what?  I changed my mind." 

"Changed your mind about what?" she asked, opening the wax paper and laying it on blanket between them.

"I'm not sure you can learn how to fish."

"What?" she asked, looking up at him sharply.

"I don't reckon you're ready yet."

"What do you mean I'm not ready yet?" she demanded with outrage, her hands on her hips.

"You can barely hold a worm," he said, picking up a slice.  "If you can't hold the worms, you can't bait a hook.  And if you can't bait a hook, you can't fish." 

He met her scowl with a mild look while he took a bite out of the bread and chewed.

"If that's what you think, then you're wrong, Marty!" she fumed, jumping up.  "I can put a worm on a hook as good as you!" 

Snatching up the handle of the bucket, she stalked over to the fishing pole where it laid against the log.  Sifting through the loamy soil, she uncovered a few worms.  Choosing one, she gingerly picked it up, not wanting to squish it.  Even though she was determined to get it on the hook, she was still disgusted by the feel of it.  Marty joined her and she hid her revulsion as she prepared to pierce its body. 

"Don't poke yourself!" Marty warned, and she looked up at him.  Instead of the smirk she'd expected, he was looking at her with concern. 

"I'll be careful," she said, steeling herself. 

Gritting her teeth, she speared its body with the hook a few times before deciding she was finished.  It wasn't as good as Marty usually did, but it was close enough, and she smiled at him triumphantly.

"Now let's see you catch something," he replied, the smirk back in place.

She walked to the edge of the water and Marty sat on the log to watch.  Pulling her arm back like she'd seen Marty do dozens of times, she threw it forward in what she hoped was a fluid motion, but something went wrong.  The bobber landed with a plop just six feet in front of her instead of in the middle of the pond like it was supposed to.

"Naw, Jess," Marty said, standing as she reeled in the line.  "Don't release it when your arm is going down."  She was angry he was pointing out her error, but his features were smooth, his concentration on the fishing pole.  "You gotta go part way and then use your wrist to cast it out the rest of the way," he instructed. 

"Oh-kay?" she said slowly, unsure what he meant.  Had he used his wrist when he cast out the line?  She hadn't remembered it if he had.  She turned back to the water, determined to do it right.

"Come on, Jess.  You can do this," he encouraged, as he stood out of the way, and she looked over her shoulder. 

He was smiling kindly, his brown eyes full of warmth and sincerity, and she felt the familiar pull to just stare.  Forcing herself to face forward, she felt a blush creep up her neck and hoped he hadn't noticed.  She reached back and then tossed the line out again.  This time the bobber landed ten feet ahead of her and she turned towards him with frustration.

"I'll show you what I mean," Marty said, coming closer.  "Reel in the line."  When she had it ready, she held the rod out to him, but he didn't take it.

"It'll be better if you hold it," he said, stepping behind her.

Taking her right hand in his, he moved even closer, so close his chest was now pressed against her bare back where her swimsuit dropped down.  Jess felt her heart stop beating momentarily at the contact of their skin.

"You don't want to bring it down all the way," he said, lifting her arm up and back.  He slowly moved it forward to demonstrate, but all she could concentrate on was how hard she was suddenly finding it to breathe, feeling his firm chest pressed against her. 

"When you're about half way, you use your wrist like this."  At that point, he tilted her hand.  "That's what makes it go far.  See?"

She nodded because she didn't trust her voice enough to speak.  Her breathing was too erratic.  

"I'll show you again," he said, and then  he put his hand on her stomach.  

He held her steady, her body pressed more firmly against him while he made her arm go through the motions, but she was no longer aware of what he was doing.  The warmth of his hand was spreading through her body, creating a heat she'd never felt before.  He went through the motions one more time, but much slower while her heart banged in her chest and she struggled to breathe.

"See, Jess?" he said close to her ear, but his voice was lower, more husky.  "It's easy."

His chest was moving against her back as his own breathing quickened, and she knew that whatever she was feeling, he was feeling it too.  He laid his head against hers, and then his fingers moved on her stomach, gently caressing her through the fabric of her swim suit.  She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling like she was melting inside. 

His head dropped further, nuzzling into her neck and her knees nearly gave out.  Feeling his hot breaths going through her hair, she was lost, falling through time and space with every nerve in her body alive and on fire — and she never wanted it to stop.  Then a voice came into her head.   

Soon those feelings will get stronger — to the point where you forget about everything but being with him.  Her eyes flew open, remembering Annie's warning.  All it takes is one momentary mistake for your life and this family's name to be destroyed. 

She pushed Marty's hand off and wrestled her other hand out of his grip. 

"I — I think I — I know — what you mean," she said shakily, going closer to the water to get away from him.

She stood at the water's edge in shock, her nerves still jangling, and pulled her arm back to cast out the line, praying it would work this time.  Somehow she managed to get it to land a decent length away, although nowhere near the middle of the pond like Marty always did. 

While she stared at the red bobber, she tried to make sense of what had just happened between them.  Why had it happened?  She and Marty had hugged lots of times and that never happened before.  He'd even had his shirt off the other day when they'd done it. 

But then she remembered.  There had been moments when she'd felt that spark of electricity between them.  Like the time she'd laid with him on the blanket to get warm in the sun.  She just hadn't known that's what it was, or that it could be so dangerous.  

She was astonished at how quickly things had escalated, and how strong the feelings were.  Annie had said she knew girls like Jess who had given in to those feelings, and now Jess understood how that could have happened.  What if Annie hadn't warned her ahead of time?  What would they have done if she'd let it continue?  She and Marty had almost made the biggest mistake of their lives.

"I'm sorry, Jess," she heard behind her, and she turned around.  Marty looked deeply ashamed, his head hanging.  "I shouldn't have done that."

"It's — okay," she said, feeling equally guilty.

"I won't do it again.  I promise."  He looked up at her, his eyes begging her not to hate him.

"Marty, it's really okay."

"I don't know why — why I —," he stumbled, seemingly searching for words.

"I'm not mad about it," she said, cutting him off.

"You're not?" he asked, his eyes widening with surprise, and she was dismayed to see his expression lighten.  This wasn't good.  She had to make sure he understood how serious the situation was.

"But we — we can't —."  She stopped, unable to go further, and sighed.  She wanted to tell him the truth, that they might do something that would make her have a baby, but she couldn't make herself say the words.  It was too personal, too embarrassing. 

"We can't what?" he asked, and she looked at him resolutely.

"It can never happen again," she said firmly.  "Or I can't see you anymore." His face fell and she cringed inside, knowing she'd hurt him.

"I know," he mumbled, his head hanging in shame again.  It killed her to see him looking so beaten like that, and her resolve to be firm with him crumbled.

"Let's sit," she suggested gently, heading towards the log. 

He followed with his head still hanging and sat a few feet from her.  While she watched the bobber, he stared at his clasped hands in his lap. 

She felt awful.  She wanted to hug and comfort him until he felt better, but she knew she couldn't take that chance now.  She owed it to Annie, for the trust she'd placed in her, and to Doug.  She couldn't bring scandal on the family.  But most of all, she had to do it for Marty.  Even though it hurt him, she had to keep her distance to protect him, for the sake of both their futures.

There was a yank on the line, startling her out of her thoughts.  She instinctively tightened her hold on the fishing rod just as there was another, longer pull.  She was startled by how strong it was and turned to Marty.  He looked just as startled.

"A fish," she gasped.  He stared at her for a moment, and then he grinned.  "What do I do?"

"Reel it in!" Marty exclaimed excitedly as he jumped up.

She stood while the fish pulled harder, her brain trying to put together how to carry out Marty's order while keeping the fishing pole from being dragged out of her hand.  She started turning the crank on the reel, but it was difficult.

"It's strong!"

"You got a big one, Jess!" Marty said, beaming.  "Don't let him get away!"

Seeing happiness in his eyes again, she was determined not to let him down.  Using all her strength, she slowly reeled in the line.  When the bobber came close to shore, the fish appeared, splashing the surface of the water as he fought to break free.  Jess pulled on the rod and the top of it bent from the weight of the fish, but she couldn't lift him out of the water.

"Marty, grab him!" Jess yelled, and Marty splashed in.

Taking hold of the line, he lifted the wriggling fish into the air with triumph.  Jess's eyes grew large seeing how big it was.  It was easily as big as any of the large ones Marty had caught.

"Look at him, Jess!  You did it!" he shouted gleefully and she grinned back at him, bursting with pride. 

"Now you gotta take the hook out," he said, bringing the fish to her and her smile fell. 

"I don't want to touch it."

"You gotta do it," he persisted.  "You can't leave the hook in his mouth." 

His determined expression let her know she didn't have a choice.  With a sigh, she set the rod down and prepared herself.  Grabbing onto its cold, wet body with both hands, she watched its mouth open and close, the barbed hook pierced through it.  It didn't feel as slimy as the worms, but its body was slippery.  As it wriggled desperately, Jess felt it sliding out of her grasp and held on even tighter.

"I don't think I can hold him and get the hook out!" Jess cried, trying to keep from dropping him, and Marty's face changed.

"I reckon not," he agreed, stepping forward to help her.  "Hold him steady." 

Taking the hook, he gently worked the barb out while Jess fought the urge to look away.  When he was done, the fish bled a little and he went to the bucket of worms.  Dumping them in the grass, he stepped in the water and filled it.  Jess came forward and started to set the fish inside, but as soon as its tail touched the water, it began splashing, and she let go.  It was too big for the bucket, and it panicked, continuing to flail as it tried to escape.  It was terrible to watch, but at least it was taking huge gulps of water to breathe.

"I probably ought to take care of it," Marty said while he watched the fish, and Jess straightened, understanding what he meant by 'take care of it'.  He lifted his head, his eyes serious when they met hers.  "We shouldn't let it suffer."

"But I want to let it go!"  Marty's mouth dropped open with disbelief.

"After all that, you don't want to eat it?" he asked loudly. 

"No," she said emphatically.  He studied her for a long moment, and then shook his head.

"It's your fish," he grumbled, bending to pick up the bucket. 

He set it in the water, then gently tipped it until the fish leapt out.  With one last flip of its tail, it swam away.  Watching it swim to freedom, Jess immediately felt better and smiled at Marty.

"Caught the biggest fish ever your very first time out, and you let it go," he said, still unable to believe it.

"Yup," Jess answered with a grin.

"City kids," he muttered, shaking his head again as he picked up the bucket.

"Don't call me a kid!" Jess said, but she was laughing at the joke.

****

Whew!  This was a hot one!  The hormones have finally kicked in, and the stakes have suddenly been raised a lot higher.  There wasn't a kiss, as so many of you have begged for, but I really hope the scene delivered.  Will Marty and Jess be able to keep from acting on their feelings?  Or will they succumb?

I really hope you enjoyed this one!  If you did, please let me know and show your love with a vote!   The more activity this story has, the higher visibility it has, allowing even more readers to find it.  I'm incredibly grateful for all the support all of you have shown for Marty and Jess so far.  I honestly feel I have the very best readers on Wattpad.  The video is Cliff Crofford and Billy Mize singing Tell Him No.