A breeze swept across the dirt path trail through the forest. Couples walked arm in arm up the trail. Small snowflakes fell from a cloudy sky. Matt followed them up the hill panting.
"It's Valentines Day, all these couples all lovey dubby and here I am alone as always."
Feeling very sorry for himself he passed a fence leading to the mountain. A wood sign with painted letters Lovers Mountain.
"What a load of BS. I can do this alone."
He continued walking taking a deep breath of the fresh air. After a while he made it out of the forest and emerged onto the mountain path. Leaving the amalgamation of greens behind and onto the grey and sandstone rock. Ignoring half of the people, he tried to get ahead of the crowd and enjoy the walk. Looking to his left he saw the forest below. A blob of green from the distance that stretched for miles all around. A mist rolled in slowly over the evergreens and the ground. The laying snow from before crunched under his boots. Someone brushed against his arm, he turned his head and another lone figure. He rushed to catch up to them. Skidding to a stop on the frost Matt turned to the person. "Hey."
She put down her hood and turned to him, "Hi." She smiled sweetly and moved a strand of brown hair from her face.
"I see you're hiking alone too."
"Yeah," she laughs sweetly, "Guess we're sailing the same lonely boat."
She put her gloved hands into her red puffer jacket. They carried on up the path chatting until they came to the peak.
She looked out to the other mountains, "They're really beautiful aren't they."
"Yeah, they certainly are." He agreed in awe of the world.
She pulled out her phone and stepped up next to him. "I'm sorry, but would you mind if I took this photo so I don't look alone this Valentine's?"
"Erm... I guess not?" He laughed not knowing whether to take that as a compliment. Click.
That looks good she smirked.
"Funny cos that looks like you're blinking." He retorted snarkingly.
"Yeah well nobody's perfect," she laughed.
Together they made their way back down the mountain. Taking a slow descent in order to avoid the crowds. When they finally made it to the bottom she handed him her phone.
"What am I meant to be doing?" He glanced confusedly at her.
"Please don't tell me your that dense. I'm giving you my number."
"Oh, have I made that much of an impression on you," he grinned.
"Don't get too excited. I just think you might be a good friend."
Still grinning from ear to ear he typed the number into his phone. He paused for a second.
"Hang on. We've been walking for like four hours and we still haven't been properly introduced." He pointed out. He held out his ski-gloved hand. She put out hers and shook.
"I'm Matt," he said.
"Hi Matt, I'm Lauren pleased to meet you." She said before bursting into laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"This just seems really formal and I don't know where to go from here."
"I don't know either now, you've put me off." Before he even thought what he would do next she grabbed him into a hug which he awkwardly reciprocated. All Matt could think of was how sweet her perfume smelt, it was verging on intoxicating. After a few seconds they separated and walked to the car park. They separated with a quick goodbye then headed to their respective vehicles.
Matt sat in the boot taking his hiking boots off and replacing them with a scuffed pair of trainers when his phone pinged.
Lauren Hey new best friend. Sorry for that awkward hug and goodbye before. I'm just a little awkward with goodbyes lol.
No problem. Maybe we can talk later.
Lauren I would like that.
He sat there with his phone in hand. 'New best friend. I can work with that.'
