Chapter 18: Roaring Brook Falls, Part 2

"What?" I asked self-consciously.

"Nothing," he said quickly and looked away.

But I'd noticed the red streaks on his face, exactly like they'd been the other day. Maybe, like his eyes, his skin was sensitive to the sun, too.

Trent stood, wiped his palms on his jeans, then extended his hand to me. "Come on, let's go."

I stared at his hand, then up at him. His face was back to its normal pale complexion, and he'd put on his sunglasses.

"What's the rush?" I asked. "I'm in no hurry to go back to school. Are you?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "No." Without another word, he sat back down next to me. "I figured we could explore more together."

"We have plenty of time for that." I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed with contentment. "I could stay here all day."

He laughed, and I felt that familiar heat spread through my body. "I'm sure your family would worry if you didn't come home."

"Probably." I straightened. "You're different out here, you know?"