Chapter 2- Confessions Under the Cherry Tree
Rina and Karin got dressed and locked the front door behind them. This is going to be like our first date... Rina smiled happily. She glanced over at Karin who smiled at her. Today It was just the two of them going out for a picnic by the lake. It was perfect.
“You look sexy in a sun-dress,” Karin teased.
Rina blushed. Karin... you're so raunchy sometimes...
Rina got into the passenger seat next to Karin and set her bag on top of her feet.
“This is gonna be great!” Karin exclaimed as they were driving down the street. “Just a one on one friend to friend fun!”
Friend...? Rina looked quizzically at her.
“What? Aren't you excited?”
“Yes but...”
“WHOA! Look! Ducks!” Karin yelled and jumped out of the car as soon as she shut off the gas. “Hey little guys!” she ran over. The ducks gave a quack of alarm and flew off into the air. “Animals hate me I tell you.”
“It's because you totally just scared them off!” Rina laughed.
“No matter, they're just jealous 'cause I'm hotter than them,” she sniffed and started walking towards the lake. Rina jogged to keep up.
“Let's sit under that cherry tree!” Karin pointed and skipped over.
Rina couldn't help but smile. She acts like a kid even though she's so mature...
“Omigod Rina... the sun... it's melting me... aaahhhhh! Quick quick the umbrella! Before I die!” Karin fell back on the grass dramatically.
“Geez you're so dramatic! People are totally staring,” Rina giggled and opened the umbrella.
Karin grabbed it away from her and stabbed it into the ground. “Much better!”
Rina sat down and opened the picnic basket. “Alright we have-”
“Rina give me the food, damn I don't care what it is! I'm hungry!” Karin whined.
“Okay okay! I made pasta primavera for you,” she smiled and handed it to her.
“Oh my god Rina, you are a goddess in my book!” she gasped and grabbed the pasta from her. Karin began forking the pasta into her mouth quickly. “Hey... what's wrong? You're totally teary eyed,” Karin swallowed and scooted closer to Rina.
“It's nothing! Just my allergies that's all...” Rina sighed, looking at her lap.
“Don't give me that shit Rina. If you're trying to cover something up, it isn't working at all,” Karin poked her shoulder.
Rina looked her in the eyes. “You said when you kissed me... it wasn't a joke. But now... now you're acting like nothing happened!”
“Rina...” Karin stroked her cheek gently. “I like you. I like you a lot...” she said, and kissed her cheek softly.
“Then how come you said we were “friends?” Rina sniffed.
“Because I didn't know your feelings yet... and I didn't want to rush you...” Karin tucked a loose strand of Rina's hair back behind her ear.
“Thanks for caring about me...” Rina tucked her knees in.
“Come on, let's go on a boat ride!” Karin jumped to her feet and held out her hand for Rina.
Boat rides are for couples... does this mean...? Rina smiled and blushed thoughtfully.
“We'd like to rent a boat for thirty minutes please,” Karin said to the man at the boat rental.
“Rowboat or Paddle boat?” the man asked.
“Hm rowboat,” Karin said and handed him the money.
“Alright, follow me,” the man led Rina and Karin around to the bank of the lake where two rowboats floated in the water. The boat man helped them both into the boat and gave them their life jackets and rows.
“Have fun,” the man waved them off.
“Thanks!” Karin called back.
“Come on let's row to the fountain!” Rina laughed.
“Yeah! Come on rowrowrow!” Karin yelled. “Fullll speed ahead!”
“Ow... my arms are like noodles...” Rina complained.
“Well we made it! Come on, be excited!” Karin poked her stomach.
“I am! Look at how tall the fountain is!”
“Yeah we better not get any closer or we'll get soaked.”
“It's such a nice day...”
“Yeah too bad it's almost over...” Karin sighed. “Here, come in the middle so we can sit by each other.”
Rina happily scooted over to sit next to Karin.
“Do you think it's weird for girls to like each other Rina?”
“Mmm no... love can be found in anyone,” Rina said as she lay her head on Karin's shoulder.
“Yeah,” Karin kissed the top of her head.
“Can we go somewhere private tomorrow?” Rina asked, looking up into Karin's soft gray eyes.
“I'll go anywhere you want to go...” she placed her hands on Rina's cheeks and pulled her in. Their lips met for the third time. But this kiss was longer. Karin wrapped her arms around the younger girl and slipped her tongue between her lips. Rina's lips parted to welcome in the kiss. When they broke apart, they just gazed at each other for a moment, and paddled back to shore in silence, both thinking the same thing. Wow.