117 Cliff jumping

From the top of the cliff, McKenzie glared at Liz and Max kissing. They are down on the beach, but she can still see what is going on. Max's embrace, Liz clinging onto him, the two of them connected at the lips… McKenzie felt like jumping down there, right in-between them to stop their damned kissing!

McKenzie saw Max with many girls before. He would flirt openly, touch woman's shoulder or a knee and then they would go somewhere private. Max was never kissing and hugging like this openly in the middle of the day! That is why none of his girls had the courage to claim that she is his girlfriend. Everyone knew what is going to happen when Max and the girl of his choice left the event, but no one had a proof.

McKenzie gritted her teeth while confirming that Max changed, and it's all Liz's fault!

\"Zi…\", Oliver called. \"You need to stop asking for trouble.\"

McKenzie snorted. \"What do you know? What kind of a friend are you?\"

Oliver was on the verge of fuming. Why is McKenzie so unreasonable? Their parents are friends, and Lewis, McKenzie, Oliver and Hunter (and Max and Rina) know each other for more than twenty years. They played together as toddlers. Oliver was always a supportive friend to McKenzie, and now she is snapping at him because Max has a girlfriend?

Oliver flexed his fingers few times while trying to compose himself and to say what is on his mind.

\"Zi, I am a very good friend, aware that we came here to celebrate Hunter's birthday. Try focusing on that and keep your Max-related agenda for later. We are here to relax, and I have no intention of babysitting you. What are you thinking? Everyone can see that you would shoot poison out of your eyes at Elizabeth if you could. I heard what Hunter told you down there. Are you really planning to provoke Anderson brothers? You know that will spoil tonight's celebration, and in that case your problem will be much bigger than: Max has a girlfriend. Do you want to ruin the mood for everyone, including Mr. and Mrs. Anderson who were kind enough to invite us here? How are you going to explain that to your parents? ...\"

\"Fine. Fine!\", McKenzie interrupted Oliver. \"I get it. Stop nagging.\"

Oliver exhaled in frustration. McKenzie does not sound like she got it. Just like Lewis said, she is stubborn, and she will keep on pushing her luck until she gets stopped harshly. Oliver glanced toward Lewis who is standing at the back and remembered Lewis' words after they heard what Hunter told McKenzie on the beach...

\"If Zi wants to start a war with Max, and in extension with the rest of the Anderson family as well, that is her problem. I don't want to have any part of it. She is a big girl, and she can make her own choices, and bear the consequences…\"

Back to present…

It's not that Oliver does not agree with Lewis, but he wants to do his best to prevent a disaster because if McKenzie does not stop, this can easily escalate into more than just a spat between friends.

\"If you got it, then stop staring at them, and if you can't maybe you should go elsewhere or pack your things and go back home. You know that Max and Liz are dating, and they will be holding hands and hugging and kissing and whispering to each other and much more than that when they have privacy. He had so many girlfriends before, and you were cool about it, why are you so obsessed with this one?\"

\"This one is different.\", McKenzie admitted her thoughts.

\"How different? Because he brought her here? I don't see any difference other than in your behavior.\" Oliver snorted and went to join Lewis in waiting for their turn to jump. He said everything he had.

The line for jumping is not long, but the time gap between jumpers can take a while because previous jumper needs to swim away in order to avoid people getting hurt by falling on each other. To ensure this safety, at least one person stands at the edge and gives a thumbs up when the area is clear.

…

Max and Liz reached to the top of the cliff…

By now, Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie jumped once and didn't climb back to the cliff again.

Ashton, Jake, Derek, Mike, Mia and Hunter did two jumps each, and were back up, preparing for the third one.

Liz glanced down and realized that it looks much higher than when she was looking at the cliff from the beach. Ah! This is terrifying!

She was nervous, and they kissed, and then she was fine, but now she is nervous like hell. Should they kiss some more? A lot more!

Liz watched Mia and Hunter run and jump, at the same time, next to each other… they both cried 'woohoo' when they leaped off the cliff… spun two (or three) times before plunging into deep water headfirst… elegantly, like two majestic sea-creatures. Ah, it was a beautiful sight and Liz would enjoy the show profusely if not for the fact that she is about to jump as well.

Liz was so anxious that Max who was right next to her sounded like he is few miles away: \"…legs at 45 degrees… spring as far away from the cliff as you can… jump feet first… point your toes and squeeze your legs together tightly while keeping them straight… do your best not to scream or make any noise, it will only get you to run out of oxygen…\"

Liz knows that Max is giving her instructions for beginners and that she should listen, but her heart is beating in her ears and it's impossible to focus.

Max was not sure how much of it reached Liz because she is staring blankly. \"Did you hear me?\"

Liz's head snapped toward Max. \"Yes. 45 degrees. No screaming. Squeeze. Straight…Anything else?\"

Max's eyebrows furrowed when he realized that she didn't hear much. But he knows that she is determined to go through it.

\"One more thing: don't let go.\" He lifted his hand which was holding onto hers.

Liz's eyes widened in surprise. \"We are doing it together?\"

Max smiled and responded with a small nod. \"I said that I will not leave your side. Ready?\"

\"Can you repeat the instructions again?\"

Max chuckled and patiently repeated the instructions.

Liz looked into his deep blue eyes while he spoke and felt his thumb caressing the back of her palm and all her nervousness disappeared (almost).

This time she heard him that she should not scream in order to preserve air in her lungs, and that she should keep her legs together and straight in order to minimize resistance when she hits the surface… things fell into place. Many things fell into place since Max entered her life, and she is discovering a new side of Elizabeth who was sleeping somewhere, hiding probably from the fear of unknown.

When Max finished talking, Liz got on her toes and kissed him on the lips. \"I am ready now.\"

Max smiled in response, glad to see that Liz relaxed.

Max glanced at Hunter who was standing at the edge and looking down. Hunter showed a thumbs up, indicating that there are no swimmers below the cliff.

Max and Liz gave each other small nods before they broke into a run and leaped off the cliff while holding hands.

They hit the surface at the same time and Liz thought that the water pressure will squeeze the soul out of her.

It felt like forever until they stopped descending deeper into the ocean.

Max tugged Liz's hand and pulled her into a hug.

Her eyes opened wide when she felt his lips on top of hers. Ah, and underwater kiss! Liz was reminding herself not to open her mouth, because the salty water will get in.

They both gasped for air when they reached the surface.

Relieved that it's over, Liz held onto Max and laughed while expelling remaining adrenalin and stress.

\"Did you have fun?\", Max asked.

\"Yeah.\" Liz enjoyed the rush. Or maybe she was glad that it's over and she is alive.

\"Do you want to do it again?\"

Liz paused. \"Ask me when we reach the beach and my legs stop shaking.\"

Max wanted to tease her, but a loud whistle was heard from the top of the cliff.

\"Hey! Don't linger!\", Hunter shouted.

Max waved, indicating that they heard him.

\"Let's go.\" Max gestured toward the beach and let go of Liz so that they can swim that way.

It took Liz few seconds to release her grip on Max and peel herself away from him.

A moment later, Liz exclaimed: \"Ah!\"

Max looked at her in panic, thinking that something bad happened. A muscle cramp? Or a current is pulling her away?

\"My top came off…\", Liz whined while her eyes darted over the water surface.

Max lifted an eyebrow. He didn't notice until she mentioned it: the string which is supposed to be around her neck is not there. It probably came loose when they hit the water and when they separated, the top came off completely.

Liz looked around frantically and spotted the green-orange fabric. \"There!\"

She wanted to dive to get it, but Max stopped her. \"Let me. The currents are strong.\"

He dove in the direction she pointed. In few seconds he reached the target and his fingers wrapped around the fine green-orange fabric.

'Let go! What are you doing?', a naughty voice rang in his head. 'Are you going to miss this chance? Liz is topless right next to you!'

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