And then there was light

Old flames

The next day was... eventful, to say the least. Nate and I decided to go to Mount Rainier together for the day. It was a few hours away from the university, so we made a fun road trip type of thing. Yes, yes, I know, very date like. But it's not. At least I don't think it is.

Anyway, I look in the mirror one last time before heading out the door. I'm wearing a pair of black yoga pants with a navy blue crop top and a light grey jacket wrapped around my waist. I have a backpack filled with snacks and other necessary items for the outing ahead. When I lock the door behind me, I'm invited by the smell of vanilla as I turn to my left. There he is. God, even when he isn't trying he's hot. No, Jasmine, turn it off. Turn it off.

"Hey" I say. I try not to show my blushing that is creeping up to my cheeks.

"Hey, ready to hit the road?" I nod.

The ride there was not too bad at all. In fact, it was really nice and not really that awkward. We listened to both of our favorite artists, which are surprisingly very similar. I put on Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR album, while he put on some Taylor Swift. Who knew he was a Swiftie?

When we get to our final destination, both our mouths drop at the site ahead of us. There was a mountain, a volcano that was right there. It was magnificent and beautiful. You definitely don't see those from where we're from.

Nate and I decide to first hike, then chill.

The hike is, well, what you'd expect. Both of us panting and sweaty within the first ten minutes. Well, not both of us. Sometimes I forget that Nate was captain of the football team back in high school. And middle school. And I was, well in the track team. For 2 years.

Some time during the hike, I stop. Literally stop. Because there in front of me was the person I definitely did not want to see after high school. He was my middle school teacher... and my ex. Yeah, I know, but in my defense it was around the time I turned 18 and he wasn't my teacher anymore, so it wasn't illegal?

Nate looks at me, wondering why I had stopped so abruptly and pulls me to the side. I looked at him, now wondering what he was doing. Then I saw a swarm of bikers going at full speed where I was only seconds ago. Well, that was a close one. I meet eyes with a pair of brown eyes boring into mine, causing me to look away. Yeah, things didn't end smoothly with him.

Nate is beyond confused, but there was no time to explain. I grabbed his hand and darted towards the parking lot. He asks me questions frantically wondering why I'm beelining out of trail. We eventually get to the car and I turn around.