The Day Out

It was an early morning in Rack’s view. The sun was slowly creeping its way up into the sky, bathing the buildings in golden sunlight. The calm crispness signified that summer was coming. The weather was mild for the time of year, with only a very light sea breeze. It was a perfect morning.

Tim Organo sat outside the apartment block on his motorcycle, gently tapping on the fuel tank. “Geez, woman! Hurry it up already” he thought to himself. Claire was already 20 minutes late. Their dawn ride up the mountain was turning into a mid-morning ride up the mountain. He picked up his helmet, which had been dangling on his handlebar and polished a spot on it.

From the underground parking lot, a bike roared into life and purred softly as it warmed up. Eventually, it moved, and out of the lot came Claire. She turned out and pulled up next to Tim. Taking off her helmet, the bike purred softly. 

“Sorry. I totally slept through my alarm.” She apologised, ruffling her hair “Still. I’m not THAT late. You ready?”

Tim chuckled to himself “I’ve been ready for the last half an hour. So, up the mountain then. Just try to keep up” Tim picked up his helmet and slipped it on.

“Oh, it is on. I’ll see you at the top” Claire replied, with a smile, and put her helmet on. Tim’s bike growled into life, and together, the two friends rode out and along the promenade, before turning out towards the coast road leading to the mountain.

Today was going to be a good day.

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The two friends hit the main road and opened the taps. The contrasting roar of Tim’s V-twin and Claire’s Inline-4 were very different to each other. The straightaways and switchbacks provided the two with a lot of fun, and switched placed many times. While playful, they were organised and kept themselves safe.

Tim was behind Claire, watching her approach the double-S section. She had set a blistering pace in the last section of the route and he was highly impressed. Beautiful, talented, and a great rider too. She had clearly been practicing. Tim smiled to himself and adjusted his riding position as they entered the complex.

Claire was good, but a slight loss of focus sent her running wider than she would’ve liked exiting the final bend onto the long straight. Tim seized the chance and zipped past, chuckling to himself. The ride to the top was almost done, and Tim stayed in front right up to the car park near the summit.

Parking up, the two switched off and dismounted. Removing their helmets, they were both beaming from ear to ear.

“Almost flawless, Miss Dawkins” Tim smirked. “That little loss of focus at the end of the complex cost you.”

Claire scrunched up her nose. “Mneeeea” She dismissed the tease. “Still, that was a lot of fun. I haven’t had a spirited ride like that in a while.”

Tim chuckled and turned, looking up to the summit. “Well” He said, Unstrapping the tail pack and swinging the strap over his shoulder. “Shall we?”

The two strapped their helmets to their bikes, set the alarms, and headed up the trail to the summit. They arrived and the sun was barely over the horizon. The view over the city and water was amazing. Sitting down in the long grass, Tim opened the tail pack and pulled out a couple of bottles of fresh orange juice and a small container of fresh fruit.

Claire sat down beside him, and the two enjoyed a refreshing breakfast.

“It’s nice to get to spend some time with you again.” Tim said, grabbing a handful of blueberries. “It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages. I missed you”

Claire smiled, finishing her strawberry. “Sadly, we seem to get opposite shifts with work. Plus, I’ve had my singing, which takes up a lot of spare time. But it’s nice to see you too.” She leaned her head on Tim’s shoulder, and picked out a cherry.

They sat together, watching the sun rise, finishing the fruit and orange juice. It was a relaxing morning. They discussed work, and music.

Claire was talking about her evening with Arisu, Tim was watching her talk. He smiled. Just being there with her. Claire was an amazing friend. He watched her lips move as she spoke about Arisu’s timid responses when they had bumped into each other, and how she had tried to bring her out of her shell, when she noticed Tim staring. She stopped and looked at him.

“What? Something I said?” She inquired.

“No.” Tim said softly, shaking his head. “Just…. I really like being here, with you”.

Claire smiled softly at him. “I like being with you too.”

The pair looked into each other’s eyes, before leaning in and gently kissed. It lingered, both hearts began to race. The kiss ended and they looked at each other. Neither knew what to say. Neither knew how that had happened. It shouldn’t have happened. They were friends. They had other interests. Yet it had just happened. They both laughed, and Tim looked out to the horizon. Claire leaned her head on his shoulder, and went back to talking about Arisu.

It was almost midday before either of them realised. They had spent all morning chatting, and the first they realised was a rumble from Tim’s belly, causing them to chuckle.

“Crikey” Tim exclaimed. “Sorry about that. I had no idea we had been here so long.”

Claire shook her head, “Me neither. It’s time we ought to go and get some lunch. I could eat a horse I’m so hungry”.

“Classy” was Tim’s response. He stood up, and pulled Claire to her feet. Their gaze met and they hugged, before turning down to the path and the car park. The return journey was even more fun, with both riders toying with each other. They got back into town and slowed down.

Tim’s mind was awash. The kiss was all he could think about. He liked Claire. A lot. She was beautiful beyond words, and one of the nicest people he knew. She was a great friend and had helped him with his proposal to Sydney.

Sydney…. Tim sighed. How would he break this to her? Sure he had kissed Claire, but that’s all it was. A friend kiss. That wasn’t so bad, was it?

He was so lost in his train of thought, he missed a turning and Claire beep her horn at him, bringing him back. Tim pulled over, before performing a U-turn and stopping on the other side, conveniently in a bus stop lay-by. Claire followed suit and pulled up next to him.

She flipped up her visor “You ok? It’s not like you to miss a turn like that?”

Tim nodded and flipped up his visor “I’m fine. Just something popped into my head. Not too important. Guess I’m just hungry.”

“I’ll second that” Claire winked at him. “Come on. Lunch is on me. I know just where to go.” Taking the lead, Claire rode through the city and pulled up outside a little Chinese restaurant. Tim pulled up next to her, and the two parked up in the parking bay outside the front of the restaurant and wandered inside.

The interior of the restaurant was beautifully moody, with some sooth Erhu music playing on a low volume. Candles flickered and there was a lovely smell emanating from the kitchen. Finding a nice table, Tim and Claire sat down, and began to peruse the menu. Opting for the aptly named “Adventurer’s Lunch Set Menu B”, they got to chatting.

Claire pondered what had caused Tim to miss the turning. She turned on her seductive eyes and smirked at him “Come on then…” she started “What is so encapsulating that you would miss a turn?”

Tim sighed. He avoided her gaze and blurted out “You!”

Claire’s eyes went wide, and she blushed a little. “Me? Why me?” she inquired.

“Because!” Tim exclaimed. “You’re an amazing friend, beautiful beyond words, and I really like getting to spend time with you. Also, you are a good kisser. I know it shouldn’t have happened, but it did.”

Claire smiled, “Thank you.” She replied. “I know. I’m not sure how it happened. But it wasn’t a bad thing. I had a very nice time with you this morning. It’s nice to switch off and be myself with someone who knows me. You’ve been a great friend to me.”

Tim could feel himself going red. He didn’t know what to say. Claire smiled as the waitress brought their drinks over. Placing them down, the waitress retreated, and the two friends picked them up.

“To friendship.” Claire toasted.

“To us. Having that friendship”. Tim replied. They clinked glasses and sipped their drinks. “May it be long and fruitful.”

Claire’s brow furrowed. “Fruitful? You think we should eat more fruit? We just polished off a fruit salad this morning”

“No, you nincompoop” Tim rolled his eyes. “I mean a happy and joyous friendship that lasts a long time.”

Claire giggled and raised her glass before taking another sip. “I know. I’m just teasing you”.

Over lunch, the pair thoroughly devoured and enjoyed the set menu lunch, and talked about music and Claire’s singing, upcoming sporting events, the anticipation of summer, swimming, and even shopping (in spite of Tim’s general hatred for it).

After picking up the bill, the pair wandered outside, with arms round each other’s waists, carrying their jackets. The sun shone high in the sky and a light breeze kept everything fresh. They had had their fun, but Tim had to go into work.

“Alas, my dear, our time has come to an end for now” Tim turned.

Claire creased up. “You are an idiot, but I love you like that” she replied, embracing Tim in a tight hug. Tim squeezed back and buried his head in her shoulder, and gently kissed her neck. Claire moaned softly as the kiss sent shivers through her body.

The two pulled back and their eyes met, smiling. “Thank you for this morning” Tim said, brushing Claire’s arm. “It was really nice to see you, albeit a little bit later than planned. Who knows when we’ll get to do it again”

Putting on his jacket, his bike rumbled into life. Claire was still smiling. She had had a great morning and lunch with a great friend. She clicked back to reality and slipped on her jacket the starter button as her bike began to purr. “Cheeky. As for next time, I don’t know. But either way, we should do it soon. I had fun this morning. Thank you, Tim”

Tim smiled, “Any time, kitten. Any time. Thank you for coming out. I enjoyed myself, too.” He pulled his helmet on and did it up.

After sorting their gear, the two friends mounted their bikes. Claire peeled off to the right, heading back for her apartment. Tim watched her go, and smiled to himself, before flicking up his kickstand and turned left, towards the station.

It had been a great day.