sand and salt

lava

TW: Slight body shaming and body dysmorphia later in this chapter. Feel free to skip if this makes you uncomfortable.

       This is how I die. That was the first thought that flickered into Adeline's mind as she looked up at the death trap of a climbing wall. Lava randomly spilled down the rocks. Campers fell off left and right.

"Ah, the good old lava wall. I'm happy with only have to climb that once a week." Adeline glanced over to find Caleb looking at her gaze of horror, a small smirk graced his lips.

"What if I fall off? Or get swallowed by lava? Is this thing even up to code?" Adeline questioned frantically, she seemed to feel itchy everywhere as she scratched her arm.

Caleb laughed sarcastically, "Let's just say you won't forget your first time." Adeline looked at him and he flushed, "On—On the wall. The first time on the wall." Caleb cleared his throat awkwardly and seemed to take a new interest in his shoes.

Adeline's eyes widened as she realized what he'd accidentally insinuated. She brushed it off and went back to stressing, "Well hopefully I don't burn to death."

Caleb grinned, "Hey, worse case just use your water powers or whatever it is you can do."

Adeline gave him an impressed look, "See this is why I need you. I completely forgot I could do that for a sec." She crouched down to tie her shoes.

"No problem. Can't have you dying up there," he joked, running a hand through his hair.

Gods that was hot. I would definitely be ok with that being the last thing I see.

"Yeah not dying is definitely preferable," Adeline replied sarcastically, popping up from her crouched position. "Alrighty then. It was nice knowing ya, Caleb," she sighed, giving him a small mock salute.

She turned to walk away when she was swallowed by Caleb's embrace. The pair stood awkwardly for a moment until Caleb spoke up.

"I—uh thought you might want one last hug before you're trek or whatever," he explained, embarrassment clear in his voice.

Adeline managed to not be awkward in her reply, "Thank you, Caleb. Let's hope this isn't my last hug."

Especially from you. Gods get a grip of yourself.

Adeline tried to ignore the ongoing war in her brain as she returned her attention to the boy in front of her.

"Hey in all seriousness you're gonna do great," Caleb professed. He let go of her and scratched the back of his neck.

Adeline beamed back at him, "If I survive this you wanna meet me at the beach after this?" Caleb's face lit up.

"Yeah! Yeah, that'd be great! What time?" He asked, obviously very excited at the beginning of his statement.

"Let's say about two thirty?" Adeline replied. She tightened the strap on her helmet.

"Great—uh yeah—perfect actually. Alright see you at two thirty," Caleb gave her a lopsided grin and walked away with seemingly a skip in his step.

Adeline grinned at the boy's reaction and headed toward the wall. She stared up at the rocks on the outside, trying to comprehend how to go about this. She grasped a small rock a hoisted herself up.

Adeline had made great progress, that was until the lava began to flow down. Her eyes widened in fear desperately trying to remember how she summoned the water the last time.

I really need water right now! Is that even how it works? Ugh this is pathetic.

Before she realized it, water started to flow from her hand, hardening the lava into rock. She tried her best to make it to the top. She occasionally paused to create more rock.