"Fall!" Nicky screamed as she pushed against Kristine's shoulders forcefully, knocking us back. The water splashed around us as I faced Jason in a hard stand off, his face showing similar anguish as mine from the struggle. Kristine was sitting on my shoulders as we battled Jason with Nicky on his, the fight lasted a while but Nicky seemed to be getting the upper hand on us. I tried to push forward by Kristine was falling back. I managed to get us close enough for Kristine grab her sister and pull them down with us. There was a lot of laughter as I resurfaced.
"Let's try it a little deeper!" Nicky yelled wading our further. With Kristine on my shoulders I was struggling to breath as the waves would wash over my head so we were completely submerged.
On the shore Ling and Jackie were organising all of our bags for the long swim we had ahead of us. All our packs had been wrapped up in plastic and stuffed into the sleeping bags so we could swim them across the gap. Ling tried not to say or ask anything but couldn't stand how overly quiet Jackie was behaving.
"Ready for the swm?" she asked still packing and wrapping. Jackie didn't look up.
"Yeah. I've always been a good swimmer so I'll be alright. You?"
"It should be easy" Ling stated giving her an unnoticed smile. "We can be alone and have our own private island, just be able to enjoy each other's company should be good. No more running into people like Kristine and Nicky"
"What's wrong with Kristine and Nicky?" Jackie asked surprised.
"Nothing. It'll be nice to have some privacy is all. You and Jason can... "
"I don't think Jason is all that into me. We talked about it before and he". Jackie paused, looking down at the packs and wrapping a shirt up. "He said that he thought I just wanted to be friends because I hadn't done anything for him to think otherwise". She was holding back a few tears and Ling could see it. "It's not like he'd be interested in me anyway".
"Don't say that. You're wonderful Jackie. But it's true that you didn't really make a move. We were starting to wonder if you actually were interested".
Jackie had packed everything and was running a finger through the sand. "I didn't want to rush anything. I mean I came to Fiji for him, I thought he could have figured it out himself. I wanted to take it slow because I've never had a real relationship before, not like you two have. I want to... ". Jackie's face crumbled as she cried silently. Ling circled around and gave her a long hug, brushing through her blonde hair and acting comforting.
"Come on guys, we need to get going!" Jackie called as she trudged into the ocean. They were carrying out sleeping bags that were wrapped up tight. Ling threw me mine and gave me a certain look. A quick look to Jackie and I could tell she had been a bit emotional earlier, I wasn't sure if she knew but after she's been crushing she couldn't control her blushing.
"Bye guys" I called to Kristine as she walked out of the water, she waved goodbye but Nicky was too busy being close with Jason to give her goodbyes. Ling and I swam out past the waves together, my shoulders were starting to get burnt from the constant Sun but a look in the distance made me wonder how much longer it would be out as menacing storm clouds were beginning to gather. "Move it Jackass!" I called when I saw Jason was still near the shore with Nicky.
"I hate the rain!" Jackie yelled as we swam. The clouds had moved overhead and covered everything in a grey
light. The light blue ocean had turned a navy blue and the window strengthened. We were at least over half way there now and the larger waves were helping carry us.
"You're wet anyway!" Jason yelled between strokes. Ling and I continued to swim together but it wasn't easy as the waves were beginning to break and crash over us. "Who's idea was this!?"
"We're almost there" I yelled over the loud winds. I felt something brush against my toes and feet. No one had made shark jokes before we started the journey because we were all secretly worried about that possibility. I felt it again, harder this time. I kicked my feet down. "Uh, we're already there". I stood up in the shallow waters, the water level only up to my abdomen. I reached down and offered Ling a hand up to her feet.
"That makes it easier" she laughed as we all stood up and trudged towards the shore. The waves crashed against our backs and often knocked us over but eventually we got there. Everyone collapsed on the wet sand, breathing heavily and pleased we at least made it. I was worried the distance would be too far and half way we'd have to turn back.
"Shit!" Jackie yelled as a lightning strike struck the ocean loudly and not far away. "Jesus".
"That could have hit us" Ling stated in shock. "Maybe we should get off the beach?"
"Good idea" I yelled as another strike hit somewhere nearby as the flash of white light was simultaneous with the thunder. I grabbed mine and Ling's bags as we headed into the small jungle.
Our new island was probably about a single kilometre squared, it didn't take long to get from one side to the other. We set up a camp site in the centre, surrounded by palm trees and thick grass that took a while to flatten before we could erect our tents. Our sleeping bags didn't look like they were going to get dry any time soon so Ling hung them outside, thanful that she and Jackie had bought an extra blanket so we wouldn't have to get too cold.
"I think we can stip the fire cooked dinner tonight" Jason yelled as we congregated outside our tents. The storm's
winds were whistling in our ears and shaking the trees and leaves around us. Ling copped a large leaf in the face that hit with a splat noise and looked as though the flora were trying to suck her face away.
"Yeah. So who's sleeping where and with what?"
"Well there's two blankets". Ling started once the plant had finished it's attack. "We could share one between the three of us and you have the second one, Jason".
"I couldn't steal your blankets from you guys. I can sleep without one".
"You'll freeze" Jackie declared quickly looking to the three of us. He hadn't bothered to get dressed after the swim as the rain would have dampened whatever we'd pulled on. So we were still in our swimming trunks and bikinis.
"Maybe we should share your tent? Give these two some privacy".
"Are you sure?" Ling asked, wrapping her arms around my back. I thought that I was cold but Ling's fingers were freezing.
"Yeah that sounds alright. I'll keep my hands to myself, I swear" Jason joked showing us his innocent palms. I shrugged before we bid goodnight to each other and retreated into our own tents. Once inside the powerful blowing and ripping of the storm outside seemed less threatening, like the thin fabric of our tents protected us.
"Poor Jackie. It must be pretty awkward in their tent right now". I nodded slowly as Ling spoke. Checking my watch it was only four in the afternoon but when you're trapped by the weather like there there isn't much to do other than sleep.
"Don't worry about it. It's there deal, they have to sort it out themslves. If it even comes up".
"Jason's pretty thick not to see how much Jackie likes him".
"Well yeah, but she hasn't exactly been sending him love hearts and writing poems".
Ling looked up at me. "If you were Jason you would have noticed".
"Maybe, maybe not" I replied. I turned on my side so I could face Ling and try not to stare at her blue bikini. "I mean if I were him maybe I would have been a bit unsure. Maybe used Nicky to see if Jackie was jealous". Ling scoffed angrily.
"So you'd have used Nicky?"
"No, maybe he likes Nicky more than Jackie. It's not his fault".
"Yes it is". My rebuttle was interrupted when a palm leave crashed into the top of our tent. Everything shook for a moment but settled down quickly.
The next few hours weren't exactly easy as the storm continued to rise in power. We were probably heading for a cyclone or dangerous tropical storm. For food we opened up a packet of 2minute Noodles and devoured them raw which wasn't too bad. We had a torch handy but didn't really need to use it, I sort of enjoyed the darkness or just sharing it with Ling.
"So who's idea was it to head out to the small island in the middle of the ocean during typhoon season?" I asked smuggly to the dark silhouette that lay beside me, holding my hand. The shadow punched me in the belly. "Orf!"
"Sorry" Ling sounded worried that she may have hurt me. I smiled and leaned forward for a kiss, missing her lips and feeling the tip of her nose between my lips. "You missed".
"Let me try again" I replied. I moved my head down slightly and began to kiss over her neck. "Better?"
"Much" Ling sighed and let out the slightest of moans. I could feel that Ling was a bit lost in thought at the moment, her mind elsewhere. "Remember that thing we talked about before?" she asked very quietly.
"Probably. But I may need a bit more than that to know what we're actually talking about".
"Back in the apartment" Ling let out a small sigh and sat upright. I could see her silhouette against the grey tent top. "When we discussed how great it was that I was me and you were you".
I laughed. "Yeah I do. I'd be scared if you wanted to be me". Ling ran a black hand through her hair.
"I do want to be you". I paused. I knew what she meant but found it more entertaining to pretend that I didn't.
"Not like that. Just the roles we're playing. The way I'm special and you're my special someone". Ling's voice was
soft and a little nervous.
I leaned up to her so our noses grazed each others. "Have you been thinking about this long?" Ling shrugged. I leaned my hands forward and wrapped my arms around her back. "Do you think I can? I mean there was that thing that happened with Jackie but it felt like that was a bit different".
"Why? She's about the same size as I am if not a bit bigger".
"Yes. But she wasn't you. I'd feel terrible if anything happened to Jackie, but if it were you that I'd... I couldn't live with myself". I could barely see through the dark but I could somehow tell that Ling was smiling. "That doesn't make me a softy!"
"Just a woose". I scoffed and dove on Ling, my fingers in her sides as I tickled. She threw her arms and legs around whilst screaming laughter and pleading for me to stop. Eventually we collapsed together, still giggling. "I'd love to be in you. To be apart of your wonderful soul, even if it is for a short time".
"I'd love it too. I just want to know that we've considered the cons before diving straight into it".
"Maybe half the fun is not knowing?" Ling asked sneakily. "I agree but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Jackie was fine with it. She often talks about it, only with me of course. She says that being in you, in there..." Ling's hands were rested on my front but began gliding them down to my hips. "Was really amazing. She didn't want to leave, though it took her a few months for her to admit it". Ling was now rubbing over my groin tenderly.
"Seems unfair that she got a taste when I didn't".
"Hey, it was your idea" I announced, defending myself. "Do you think that's it's because of you that I can do this?"
"Like a virus?"
"No. Well, same sort of concept but I wouldn't call it a virus. Like while I was inside you passed a few things on to me. Infecting me with your love, so to speak". Ling blushed. "I guess the responsible thing to do is experiment with this theory".
"Really?" Ling asked excitedly. I nodded and leaned in for another long kiss that Ling savoured as though it could be our last.
