The morning eventually came to Lover's Lake, painting the sky with deep orange hues over the wispy clouds. The water reflected the tree line, dark figures of tree branches dancing across the top, waving and swirling over the soft waves from the morning wind. A bird chirped at the window, landing quietly at the birdhouse that Reefer Rick had placed on the stairs at the back of the house that led down to the lake. Two men in a rowboat moved slowly across the lake, fishing rods in hand.
Jackie watched the lake from behind the window that had been cracked open, allowing the scent of the Earth's surface after the midnight showers to invade the home. The soft fabric of her sweatshirt wrapped comfortably around her tired skin as she leaned forward into the window to get a better look. She had closed the blinds but peeled two back so she could peer out without being caught.
Slow steps approached her from behind. Eddie rubbed his tired, squinting eyes, his face scrunched up from his early morning. "What are you staring at?" He asked, his voice groggy as he stood behind her.
Jackie turned around to see his tired face and unruly hair. His posture was slouched as he rested his hands on his hips. He looked so exhausted but he seemed to be trying so hard to stay awake and enthusiastic. It was almost endearing. She grinned, gesturing to the blinds. "Looking at the lake." She moved to the side, letting Eddie peek through the blinds to see the sunrise.
Eddie shook his head. "Look at those assholes in their boat," He grumbled. "Otherwise I would just open the blinds."
"Yeah, but it's still pretty," She offered, trying to remain positive as she peeled open another two blinds to continue watching the sunrise. "It's crazy how it does that, right?"
He looked down at Jackie, watching her intently as she stared out the window. She had crouched down to stare out at the lake. Her eyes wide open as her glasses nearly hit the blind, her mouth agape as she smiled at the sight. Her golden hair seemed to shine brighter in the rising sunlight, making her blonde streaks burn brighter. She was so excited, despite how early it was and how poorly she slept. "Yeah," He hummed. "It's pretty."
"I'd give anything to be on that lake," She sighed, watching as the old men in the boat rowed across the gentle waters. "Seems so relaxing."
Eddie nodded. "It is. My Uncle Wayne, he took me fishing a few times. I wasn't any good, I broke the rod, but it was nice."
Jackie smiled at the thought of the two on a boat, trying to enjoy a bonding experience when suddenly, Eddie accidentally snaps the rod in half. "How'd you manage that?"
"I don't even know," He shrugged, a crooked smile forming on his lips. "I think I must've been holding it wrong. I cast it and then it just... snapped."
"I have to say, Eddie," She huffed out a small laugh. "I've gone fishing a few times but I can't say that I ever broke the rod."
"Well, I can't say that wilderness exploration has ever been my area of expertise."
Jackie shook her head. "Eddie, honey, casting a rod is not 'wilderness exploration expertise.' It's self-explanatory."
He gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "Ouch."
"Sorry," She winced.
"Jackie, I am deeply offended."
"I'm sorry!" She laughed.
"You know what?" He looked down at her again. "One day, when all this is over, you and I are gonna go fishing. I'm gonna catch a fish."
"Oh, are you?"
"With my bare hands," He added. "Then I'll show you just how good I am."
"Oh, sure," She laughed, turning her attention back to the serene images of Lover's Lake. "But seriously, when all this is done, I'm gonna go sit on that lake."
YOU ARE READING
Teenage Dirtbag (Eddie Munson x OC)
Science FictionIn which Jackie Hopper's life falls apart all over again, and ends up finding the company of an old friend under dire circumstances.