(1) Learn How To Love

Camping

💫

After what was maybe 20, 25 minutes, Steven pulled the Dondai over onto the side of the road.

You looked around, confused, as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "What are we doing?" you asked.

"We're here," he replied, shrugging as if it were obvious. Before you could respond, Steven got out of the car and started to unload his things from the trunk.

You followed him out of the car and watched while he put on one of the biggest backpacks you'd ever seen. "Yeah, I just sorta feel like camping by the side of the road is basically an invitation to be murdered," you quipped, leaning against the side of the car.

Steven rolled his eyes with a smirk; "we're going on a hike."

"Oh, a hike..."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all! I just..." you lifted your duffel bag with a grunt of effort. "wish I packed lighter."

You and Steven laughed together before setting off on your journey. You thought you had seen all of this place, but you soon found out that there was more in Beach City than... well, the beach. All around you, trees stretched high and curved to cover the sky above you. The sunlight steaked through the leaves and colored everything around you in spotted, golden light. You were maybe a hundred paces into the woods when you stopped at the foot of a secluded waterfall, surrounded by greenery.

"Woah," you spoke breathlessly.

"Down here, there's more," Steven took your hand and led you around the lake, to a cave entrance by the waterfall.

You followed Steven through the entrance and down a long path, lit only by the fading sunlight behind you. As you walked behind him, heels clicking on the damp stone, the roar of the waterfall outside went from a deep echoing vibration, to a sharper, crashing, sound. And as you turned the corner, you could see why. The cave opened up to just behind the waterfall, creating a natural window. The water must have worn down the rock enough over time that it made the hole. You approached it slowly in wonder, letting the mist spray your face.

"I come here sometimes," Steven spoke, his words echoing off of the dripping stone around you. "When the world is just... too much, y'know?" he looked over at you, his eyes showing a vulnerability you'd never seen before.

"Yeah," you turned and stood closer to him. "I know what you mean."

"It's incredible how something so loud... can quiet your thoughts like that."

"It drowns everything else out," you added, your thoughts perfectly in sync.

"Yes, exactly!" Steven grinned. His smile lingered as he examined your face, only slightly lit by the sunlight shining through the waterfall.

"Looks like the sun is setting soon," he cleared his throat awkwardly. "We should keep going."

You nodded, although you were a little confused. Before you could say anything, you and Steven were walking again. A few short minutes later, you reached a clearing in the forest by the edge of the lake. You pitched your tent (after many failed attempts) and set your things inside while Steven started work on the campfire.

"Could you get mine, too?" Steven asked, sparking flint by the tinder.

"Hm?" You glanced over your shoulder.

"My tent?"

"You... brought your own tent?"

"Yeah," Steven abandoned the fire for a moment to look at you. "I figured... better safe than sorry after yesterday?"