7 am.

I'm startled as my phone rings next to my head. Angrily I try to shut it off until I realize it was James calling me. My face lit up but I was still quite groggy.

"Hello?" I answer, still clearing my throat.

"Good morning sunshine. Are you up yet?" I can hear James' smirk on the other end of the line.

"Uhh, I am now I suppose" I sighed trying to keep my eyes open.

"Go freshen up, I will be on the way soon with coffee."

"Can't I have 5 more minutes?" I  mumbled into the phone jokingly.

"If I show up and you're still asleep, I'm gonna toss myself on you and you'll definitely regret it" He chuckled back.

"Mmm that doesn't sound like a bad idea either" My thoughts escape through my mouth.

"Sorry what?" James replied knowing damn well what I said.

"Nothing, I'm up now. I'll see you soon" I can feel my face flush red.

"Alrighty. Bye now" I could hear James' smile thru the phone as he hung up.

My heart flutters simultaneously as my stomach knotted up.

James has always had an effect on me that no other person will ever be able to replicate. He's so honest, kind, caring, and I just fear sometimes I'm not quite what he wants or needs. He's very independent yet some how tends to rely on validation at times to keep himself on the right track.

We've always been close friends but we both fear of ruining anything. I won't dare make a first move and I know James won't either, he's just too timid.

Today we decided to go riding up a mountain along with freelance hiking. Hiking being my thing, riding being his. I've never ridden on a bike before and he had never been hiking. So it was definitely something for both of us to get outta our comfort zones and try to connect more.

As I was finishing up my hair, I heard the doorbell, James let himself in knowing the passcode to my front door. His hands full with 2 tall cups of coffee and a smile from ear to ear.

"Helloooo" his voice echos throughout my house.

"Hi James!" I lean outta the door frame, putting the last hair tie into my hair.

He sets the coffees down on my island and embraces me.

"I brought your favorite." He smiled handing over one of the cups.

"Life saver" I smirked back.

"I just need to grab my coat and put my shoes on, then I'm ready to go." I say after taking a sip.

"No rush. Sun is still only peaking through the sky"

He always spoke so delicately, so soft yet powerful enough to be heard. It always made me feel butterflies hearing him.

I took a swig of my coffee and headed for my coat, it wasn't suppose to be too cold today but morning breeze on a bike definitely required a jacket.

"So, first time you being on my bike. You nervous?" He broke the silence.

"Little bit honestly. But I trust you... right?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Awh man, that means I can't take sharp turns and show off?" He sarcastically replied letting out a hardy laugh.

"James D. Root..." I gave him a stern look.

"Obviously I'm gonna ride safe. But you make up half of that. I'll show you what to do when we get on"

I finished tying my shoes and followed him out the door.

"Okay. I get on first. Always get on from the side of which the kick stand is laying." He then demonstrated how to get on.

"See? Easy." He looked up at me making sure I understood.

I nodded, he pulled out a helmet for me and plopped it on my head.

"You're gonna need this." He stepped closer and started adjusting the helmet to my liking.

My heart started beating like crazy, I was so incredibly nervous.

Once the straps were in place he tapped the top of the helmet twice and looked down at me.

"Feel good?" He asked.

"Perfect. My noggin is all safe now" I smirked back and took a sip of my coffee, trying not to panic.

"Good. I'm gonna get on and I need you to follow after me" He strapped on his helmet and swung his right leg over his Harley.

I nervously finished my coffee and proceeded to try and swing my leg over behind him.

"Don't be scared, the kickstand is still down. We won't fall. Feel free to grab my shoulders" He was so patience, too patient.

I eventually got onto the bike and adjusted my feet onto the pegs.

"Now, I need you to wrap yourself around me... aerodynamics, ya know?" He proceeded to grab my arms and wrap them around his torso. My chest resting onto his leather jacket.

"Perfect" I could see his little grin in the mirror.

"I'm not hurting you, no?" I ask.

"Not at all. You can hold on as tight as you feel comfortable, just don't choke me out, that wouldn't be good" He let out a small laugh.

I nodded and tightened around him, the bike isn't even on but I just feel like my clumsy ass is gonna fall or make the bike tip.

"Ready?" He asked as he turned the key.

"I think so!" I replied.

He hit the starter and the bike rumbled into life. It was incredibly loud but as the idle dropped it got bearable.

He leaned the bike to the right and swooped up his kickstand, balancing the bike with his feet. My heart started pounding as the bike started moving.

James gave me a thumbs up as his way of asking if I was okay. I nodded my head which was his cue to drop into first and ride away.

The cold air rushed underneath my helmet. I couldn't believe I was actually on a bike... with James... this close...

My stomach continued to bounce around with each corner and shift James did. His beard flopped around in the wind.

He began onto the highway ramp which ended up being a tight turn and him speeding up to match highway speeds. His hand reached over my arms signaling to hold on tighter and lean into him more.

I did as was told and held on for dear life. My legs shaking from the cold wind and rattle from the bike. He revved up and flew onto the highway. Easily hitting 60-70 mph.

I so badly wanted to yell at him to slow down but was petrified of distracting him. I closed my eyes putting all my faith into James.

Once we hit cruising speeds I finally opened my eyes to see that the highway was clear from people and the sun was peeking through the mountains we were heading towards. It was quite beautiful honestly, breath taking even.

I turned my head and looked into the mirrors, catching a glimpse of James, his eyes caught mine and he smiled. Revving up once again. I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my head back onto his back. I could feel him chuckling.

——

We finally reached the bottom of the mountain we were going to attempt to hike. James slowed down and parked at the trail entrance, putting down his kickstand and shutting off his bike.

"You can let go now" He laughed.

I didn't even realize I was still holding on for dear life. I released him and apologized.

"No no, it's okay. I don't mind it at all" He smiled back taking his helmet off.

"You can step off first. It'll be easier, ya know same way you got on. Hold onto me so you don't fall."

I slowly swung my leg from the bike all while holding onto James' shoulder. Afraid I was gonna eat shit.

He followed after me.

"How was it?" He asked while helping me take off my helmet. His eyes dug deep into mine and sparkled as the sun hit his face. Part of me started melting.

"You're terrifying." I chuckled back at him.

"Oh come on, that was nothing" He smiled back as he strapped the helmets onto his bike.

I rolled my eyes at him and began scanning the area.

"You ready for this hike?" I asked him knowing he wasn't at all ready for it.

"I mean, we made it this far" He replied.

"Shall we?"

"We shall" He grinned.

We continued on up the hills that lead to a beautiful peak overlooking the mountains, on the way we examined the wild berries and trees that had grown over the hill.

"So which one of these plants do you think is poisonous?" James laughed as he started at picking random berries.

"There's only one way to find out I suppose" I examined the pile of berries in his hand and grabbed one, plopping it into my mouth.

"Delicious" I said grabbing for more.

"Woah now. Save some for me" He pulled his hand back, smiling, his eyes gliding up to mine.

He took a couple for himself and agreed on how good they were.

"Safe to say those were black berries" I said as I continued walking.

James followed behind me, I could feel his piercing blue eyes burn into the back of my head.

—

Once we hit the top, I stopped and widened my arms.

"Look at this beautiful view" I exclaimed.

James huffed as he made the final stretch over to me.

"Wow. That is breathtaking." His eyes jumped from mountain to mountain, soaking up the view. He took a few steps back and reached for his phone.

"Stand still"

"Oh no" I felt so embarrassed, my face burned up.

He held his phone up and snapped pictures of the mountains and I.

"I just wanted a picture of the most beautiful things on the planet..." He smiled as he brought his phone back down.

I felt my body go completely numb. I had never heard James say anything like this before and I quite frankly did not know how to react.

"I-" I didn't even know what to say. My tongue tied up and no words came out besides an embarrassed chuckle.

"One more pic, with us two?" He brought his phone back up and positioned himself next to me.

I could hear his steady breathing against my shaky breath. After the photo was snapped I tried taking a few deep breaths without him knowing.

"You're smooth Mr. Root." My mouth curled into a smile.

"That was the most heart felt compliment i've ever received... thank you." I continued.

"No. Don't thank me. I should be thanking you." He gazed up at me.

"For what?" I blushed again.

"For taking me on this adventure... for always being by my side. For always being the first one to answer their phone when i'm in need" His eyes darkened for a second.

"I will always be here for you James... always. Remember that, forever." I breathed.

He didn't waste another second and proceeded to give me the biggest, warmest hug I've ever received. He held onto me so tight, running his hands through my hair. My body quivered and eventually relaxed in his embrace. I felt as if I were floating. I've never felt such peace in my life.

I rubbed my hand along his back. I didn't want to let go.

"I love you..." James whispered into my ear.

This hadn't been the first time James said this to me, but this time felt so real, so deep. This was a different kind of "I love you" one I never felt or heard before.

"I love you too James..." I replied softly.

I truly do. Ever since I met him, I knew he brought a different meaning into my life. It gave me hope, motivation, a will. He had been my best friend for so long. We both knew this was going to happen.

I pulled back from our embrace and admired his eyes. I felt tears welt up in mine but refused to make them known.

"Let's head back down, yeah?" James suggested.

"Beat ya down there" I smirked.

————