Chapter 32: You're Just Cute

“Yes,” several people agreed.

“Do we need to synchronize our watches? I have eight forty,” he said after looking at his watch.

The group did a collective glance at their watches or phones.

The driver waited until everyone was done checking. “Good.” He climbed back on the bus and closed the doors.

Our trail guide was a young woman with black hair twisted in twin buns and a red tropical flower sticking out of each. Her name was Alika. She wore clothes similar to Griffin’s, only they looked much more feminine on her.

“Let’s gear up,” she said. “Please follow me into the lodge.”

Griffin and I spent the next fifteen minutes getting our packs loaded with water, snacks, and a lunch. The hiking company also supplied bug repellent and rain gear. By the time we were back outside and moving to the beginning of the trail, I felt like a real outdoorswoman.