Hi. I'm back from California and I finally will be so much more free until July. I'm excited for all the stories I'll be finishing and starting and I'm excited to be updating again. I missed it. Here's the update. Xx
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Monday
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Carson helped Ivy up onto the rock, their heavy combat boots making loud noises onto the boulder underneath them. The other kids were following them as they made their trek up to a waterfall located in El Yunque. Carson found the thick boots uncomfortable in the heat of the rainforest but it would've been impossible to go hiking in normal tennis shoes.
"Why is it taking so long? Shouldn't we have gotten there a few boulders ago?" Ivy asked, looking at the map in her hands. She wasn't truly sure if she was following the directions correctly but even then she didn't care; it was fun to explore and they were bound to find something just as interesting as their original destination.
"I think we have one more and we'll be there," Carson responded. They waited for their friends to catch up and they all ascended the final giant rock. They could finally hear the running water and the kids were content.
Carson helped Ivy up for the final time and they were met with their own miniature waterfall. The water lead into a pond of salt water that was enough for them to go swimming in. No one was in the area that they had arrived at and they were greeted with their own peace.
"Are you ready to swim?" Carson asked and Ivy's response was her nodding her head.
The group took off their thick boots, and any extra clothing they had which left them in their swimsuits. Ivy set down the designated group backpack that had the towels and flip flops. Jett was the first in the water to see how deep it was and when she had only gone four feet forward and was completely submerged, the group knew the water was deep.
Ivy grabbed Carson's hand and they took off running and leaped into the water. The warm water surrounded them and it felt nice. The water may have been warm but it was cooler than the air around them. The pair swam to the surface and held on to each other while doing so. Ivy swam closer to Carson and wrapped her legs around her waist and her arms around his neck. Her fingers played with the hairs at the nape of Carson's neck and they were both just very content in being with each other.
Carson allowed Ivy to cling to him as he swam to the small waterfall that fell down into the corner of the pond. Ivy squealed as the water fell over the two of them, Carson floating underneath the stream of water.
Carson loved how Ivy was clinging to him. He placed his arms on her hips and rubbed softly at the exposed skin. He loved everything about his best friend. She giggled softly at the feeling of his soft hands.
"That tickles Catson," Ivy tutted, pushing at Carson's hand but he didn't budge. He squeezed at her hips and Ivy couldn't help but shriek with laughter.
"I love your laugh, Ivy my wivey," Carson said softly, he hadn't really meant to say it out loud but it kind of just slipped out. He loved his best friend so much it hurt him. She didn't love him back.
"Well, I love you Catson," Ivy said, sticking her tongue out at Carson before pushing off the dark haired boy and attempting to swim away.
Carson quickly swam after her, chasing her around their friends and dodging in and out around the bodies. They cheered as the pair chased after each other. The Clifford siblings were cheering for Ivy while the Hemmings' and the Hood's kids were cheering for Carson. It became a competition, a playful one of course.
Carson took a final leap of faith and crashed in to Ivy's body. They tumbled, submerging into the water as Ivy wrapped her arms around Carson. She wrapped her legs around him again and ran his fingers through his hair teasingly. They were enjoying themselves, just messing around and Carson lifted them up again so that they were leaning against the bank of the pond. Carson was pressing himself against Ivy to hold her up and Ivy was smiling widely.
Carson though Ivy was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He was so entranced by everything she did and he thought that she looked amazing with her hair matted onto her forehead from the water, her make-up free face and the sun hitting her perfectly. Of course he loved Ivy in all other lighting and make-up settings, and dry but for some reason the way she looked now made his heart speed up and he didn't know how to talk anymore.
He was going to risk it. Carson could only hear the rushing water through his ears as he tuned out the wolf whistles from his siblings and his best friends. He released one hand from Ivy's leg and brought it up to Ivy's face to move her hair out of the way. He let his hand linger on her cheek; Carson was so nervous. He slowly leaned in, giving Ivy the chance to turn away if she wanted to. She didn't. Carson leaned forward and slowly placed his lips onto the brunette in front of him.
***
"She hates me, Dad," Carson groaned. He was lying face down on the bed and had not moved since they had gone home. He wanted to disappear.
Ivy had kissed back. Carson was sure of it. But that was it. She quickly swam away after and spent the rest of her time with Emma and Alexa, leaving Carson to be comforted by Mack and Jett and Bella. Stevie and Charlie went off to their own corner and talked the whole time. At least one Clifford sibling was having luck.
Michael and Ashton had gone to check on Carson. Michael asked Ashton for help since he knew his daughter really well. Ivy was closer to her dad than her mom and figured she could help.
"I'm sure she doesn't hate you," Michael sighed, sitting down on the bed next to his son. Ashton followed his lead but pulled up a chair instead.
"She does. I kissed her and now she won't talk to me," Carson whined, still not looking up.
"You kissed my daughter, Clifford?" Ashton asked and Carson visibly stiffened. He hadn't known that Ashton was in the room and he wouldn't have said anything.
"No?" Carson answered with a question, not wanting Ashton to kick his ass all the way to Australia again.
"It's okay if you did," Ashton answered.
"Then yeah, yeah I did," Carson said confirming his answered.
He felt a hand swat at the back of his head and he could tell it was Ashton. Ashton was grinning though and the swat was playful. Carson let out a small yelp and moved his hands to cover his head.
"I'm glad you finally made a move," Ashton said. He honestly thought Carson was the perfect boy for his daughter and wondered why it took so long for something to happen.
"But she hates me now!" Carson exaggerated, throwing his hands up in the air.
"She does not. She's probably more petrified at the fact that her best friend kissed her. Ivy most likely wants to be with you but doesn't want something bad to happen and ruin what you guys have now. The same thing happened to me and your mom," Michael said.
"Can you believe she kissed Calum because of that?" Ashton asked snickering, and Michael glared at him. It was practically thirty years later and he still wasn't over it.
Carson groaned, not wanting to think of Ivy kissing Mack or Jett. He'd cry for years.
"Anyways," Michael said clearing his throat, "Just give her time and it'll be okay. She's probably just trying to collect her thoughts and find out how she feels. She obviously likes you. She shines a bit brighter whenever she's with you. This will work out and you'll be okay."
"I hope so," Carson sighed.
"I hope so too. You're the only boy I've ever liked enough to let date my daughter willingly," Ashton sighed as well, making Carson chuckle.
He now had hope. Carson had hope that his best friend liked him back to. It could've been false hope but Carson was silently praying that it wasn't. He loved Ivy too much for it to be fake.
***
1,500 words. I just got back from California at like 9 pm and I'm sleepy but I wanted to update and it was fun and this update was cute. Carvy (ship name creds to @cupcakeestyles) and then Ashton and Michael had cute protective dad moments and idk. This was mainly Carson and Ivy and like advice and the other kids will be added in again soon. I hope you guys liked it. Xx
~malumwritings