Laying in bed, Kaylee checked her phone again. She has been checking like this for the past two nights. Asher had stopped drunk calling her as promised, and as much as it's a relief that he's not drinking like that anymore, she couldn't help but think maybe he was calling someone else instead. What if he was calling Serena? They seem so close these days. Was he closer to her now? Ugh. Fine, she'll admit that maybe she was feeling a bit jealous or left out these past few weeks. And she also felt like Asher was deliberately avoiding her at work for the past couple of days.

After her last exchange with Serena, her brain has been all muddled. She didn't know what to think or feel anymore. Was Serena implying that she was leading Asher on? Was she? No, right? No. Asher is her friend, her confidant, her buddy. He's someone important to her.

Asher has been her friend since the first day of med school. In a field where the majority are men and women's voices are drowned out by testosterone, she had to work twice as hard just to be heard and recognized for her achievements. However, Asher was never one of those men that tried to belittle her or disrespect her in any way. He was always a supportive friend that genuinely cared about her. He was there for her through the toughest moments and darkest hours for the past five years.

When her parents decided to get divorced during her second year of med school, she was devastated and her emotions were everywhere. She couldn't focus on her studies while her family crumbled. She missed lectures and her grades suffered. She was angry at the world and she was ready to give up and throw it all away. But Asher was the one that wouldn't let her.

He pushed her, challenged her, and made her realized that being a doctor was her calling and her own dream. She needed to do it for herself and not for anyone else. Throwing it all away out of spite to hurt her parents who were already going through a lot was childish and irresponsible. Asher was the only one who cared enough to talk some sense into her and helped her get back on track. So if it weren't for Asher, who knows if she would have stayed in med school.

Needless to say, Asher had a special place in her heart. But with all of Asher's recent changes, she felt like she was slowly losing him. He wasn't so shy and sweet anymore. And the changes weren't subtle either. It was like overnight he became a completely different person. Out of nowhere, he was suddenly charming, confident, and handsome. While she's happy for Asher finally coming out of his shell, she also missed the old him. The reserved but silly guy that always made her smile.

Now, he's a chatterbox and friends with everyone. She knew she was being selfish, and she hated how she felt but she just could help it. And watching Asher get closer and closer with Serena made her feel heavyhearted like she was being replaced. She just didn't like it. She didn't like this feeling at all.

Ugh...she should just go to sleep.

~~~~~~

"I can't wait for Thursday. I never would have thought I would be this excited to go hiking but this stupid pandemic is seriously making me desperate to go out," Mike said as he closed his locker.

I can't believe it takes a pandemic to get your lazy ass moving.

D209 chuckled as images of Mike in his boxers surrounded by carry-out boxes and bags of chips while playing video games from day to night on his days off came to mind. "Well, just remember we're not in the military so I would leave you behind if you slow me down."

Mike placed both hands over his heart, pretending to be shot, "Agh, man down. Since when have you become so cold?" He chuckled.

Hahaha...if only I can roll my own eyeballs right now.

The two were so busy joking around that they didn't notice someone entered the locker room.

"Hey, what are you two up to?" Kaylee asked, trying to act as casual as possible.

Shit! We need to hide.

D209 turned around to see Kaylee standing behind him. He was still a little embarrassed by those drunken calls Asher made a few days ago. "Uh, we uh..."

"We're going hiking on Thursday. You wanna join us?" Mike asked excitedly.

"Really? Can I come?" Kaylee looked at Asher. She really wanted to hang out like they used.

"Of course, you can come. That's not even a question. Right, Asher?" Mike wrapped his arm over Asher's shoulder with a huge grin. See, he's the best wingman.

Mike! I'm going to kill you when I get my body back. Actually, D209, you should take him with you.

"Yeah, of course, you can," D209 replied with a little smile. It's high time they get over the awkwardness. Both him and Asher will just have to man up because at this rate he'll never be able to get them together. And according to Dr. Lana from the lovecast, she said proximity is the key to increase attraction and familiarity, a necessity for a romantic relationship. So they need to spend more time together.

"Great! I would love some fresh air." Kaylee smiled excitedly.

Kaylee's smile is so beautiful.

"Yeah, I'm excited too. And it's great now that you're joining, Kaylee. I won't have to feel like a third wheel."

Shut up or I'm going to smother you in your sleep.

D209 rolled his eyes at both idiots.

"Why third wheel? Who else is going?" Kaylee asked curiously, looking between the two men.

"Uh, Serena is going," D209 replied softly.

"Yeah, she's the one that's got this whole hiking thing started. Asher and she have been going almost weekly."

"Oh, then is it really okay that I join? Maybe I shouldn't. I wouldn't want to intrude." Kaylee bit her bottom lip and proceeded to open her locker.

No! It's not like that. Tell her D209. Tell her!

"No, you're not intruding. Mike is going and...I want you to come too," D209 said sincerely. He felt Asher's heart pang just by seeing Kaylee's smile drop.

"Okay, I really do want to go." Kaylee peered through her bangs and smiled at Asher.

"Alright, let's go, bro! I'm hungry." Mike dragged Asher to leave.

"See you Thursday. Bye!" D209 said over his shoulder as Mike dragged him away.

"Bye, guys."

~~~~~~

Kaylee checked the time on her phone and then looked down the street. It was finally Thursday, and she was very excited to go hiking. But Asher and Mike were supposed to be here like ten minutes ago. Maybe she should give them a call to find out if something happened to them.

"Hello, Asher? Are you guys on the way?"

There goes Kaylee.

"We're right behind you," D209 said before ending the call. Asher's heart rate accelerated at the mere sight of the object of his affection.

Kaylee immediately looked up from her phone to find a white SUV she'd never seen before pull up from behind her, and Serena was behind the wheel.

"Kaylee! Get in!" Mike popped open the back seat door for her.

Kaylee got in as told. She was a little surprised that Serena was driving today.

"Good morning, everyone," Kaylee greeted as she settled in her seat, a little disappointed that Asher was sitting up front.

"Good morning, Kaylee. Here's some coffee for you." D209 smiled and handed a cup of iced coffee to her.

Kaylee, it's your favorite iced mocha.

D209 wanted to roll his eyes. The only time Asher didn't complain about spending money was when it was on Kaylee.

"Thanks, Asher. Ooo...ice mocha, my favorite." Kaylee happily sipped, Asher still remembered her favorite drink.

"Good morning, Dr. Fisher. Sorry, we're a little late. I had to stop to get some gas," Serena said, looking through the rearview mirror.

"Oh, no worries. Thanks for driving, Dr. Hart."

"Hey, can y'all cut the doctor crap? Don't we hear it enough at work? We're all just going to be on first name bases, alright?" Mike interjected. They were going out to have some fun for the first time in months. He didn't want to feel all stiff and stuffy.

They all chuckled and agreed. They were secretly glad that Mike spoke up about it, making it more comfortable for everyone. It didn't take long before everyone was laughing and bantering, the initial awkwardness and tension were completely forgotten.
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"Hey, I'm going to use the restroom before we start," Serena declared.

"I'll go too." Kaylee followed, leaving the other two to look at the trail map.

After using the toilet, Serena saw Kaylee standing by the basin. "Oh, you don't have to wait for me. You can go ahead."

Kaylee felt a little nervous, but she had to do it. "Serena, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I was out of line the other day. I don't know what had gotten into me, but I shouldn't have said those things to you. Please forgive me."

Serena shook her hands ridding of the excess water and turned to face Kaylee, "Look, I don't usually like to explain myself to anyone because it's nobody's business, but I'm going to tell you now that Asher and I are only friends. However, Asher is a great guy, and sooner or later, he will meet someone that sees that too."

Kaylee pursed her lips and nodded. It's true, Asher really is a great guy, and someday he'll meet a really lucky girl.

"I can tell that you genuinely care about Asher, and he cares a lot about you too. You know that. But do you honestly only see him as a friend? Because, if that's all he is to you, then you need to learn some boundaries. And a word of advice, just because he's always been there doesn't mean he'll always be there. You can't expect him to wait around forever."

"B-but I...we're..." Kaylee didn't know what to say. Was Asher only a friend to her?

"You don't need to tell me anything, just think about it. C'mon, let's go. They're waiting for us." Serena tied her hair up as she walked away. She didn't want to say any more than she already had.

Kaylee took slow steps behind Serena. Her mind was once again all muddled and a mess.

"Hey, did one of yous fall in the toilet?" Mike laughed to which Serena only rolled her eyes.

"So there are two trails. Which one should we take? Both are about equal distance going around the mountain and meeting at the waterfall here." D209 pointed to the park's trail map.

"Ah! I have an idea. How about we make this more interesting? Who's up for a challenge?" Mike looked at everyone with a mischievous wide grin that showed all his teeth.

I know that look. Don't fall for it! He's up to something.

"What do you propose?" Serena asked with a smirk of her own. She's never backed down from a challenge.

"Yeah, what do you have in mind?" Kaylee asked next. She wasn't afraid. It's probably exactly what she needed to distract herself from her messy brain at the moment.

Dammit! D209, say no!

"How about we split up into two teams and each team takes a different trail? And whichever team reaches the waterfall first, wins. Losers buy sushi for dinner. What do y'all say?"

Shit, Mike! Sushi is expensive! Don't do it!

"Okay, I'm in." Serena looked at the two others.

"Sounds good," Kaylee agreed, turning to look at Asher.

"Sure, why not?" D209 replied enthusiastically. He hasn't had sushi before. It'll be another new thing for him to try.

Fuck! I knew he got you with sushi. We better not lose! Do you hear me?

"Great! This will be a lot more fun, guys. So, to be fair, Serena and I should pair up, and you two should pair up." Mike pointed his finger between Asher and Kaylee.

"Why's that?" Kaylee asked a little curious what Mike meant by that.

"Well, Serena and Asher have been hiking lately, so they have that advantage over us if we paired together. And if Asher and I paired together, we might kill each other before we reach the waterfalls. Why? You don't want to pair up with Asher?"

"No, I didn't say that." Kaylee peeked at Asher, hoping he didn't misunderstand her.

"Okay, then it's settled. I'll go with Mike, and we'll take the left trail," Serena announced and started walking.

D209 nodded with a smile, ignoring Asher's whining.

"Hey, wait for me!" Mike took off behind his partner.

Cheaters! Tell Kaylee we need to get moving. Hurry up! We can't let them win.

D209 shook his head with a smile and took a step closer to Kaylee, "Are you ready?"

Kaylee looked up and they held a gaze that Asher's body refused to tear away.

"Yes."