Forever Misunderstood [Hailee Steinfeld]

XVI

Have you ever felt a dopamine rush that could knock you off your feet?

That's how I felt as the ice-cold mist of the waterfall sprayed over me when I leaned over to look at Liv and Percy emerge from the water below. They emerged with a gasp, shaking their heads rid of water as they celebrated. I turned to Hailee, who squeezed my hand, trembling ahead of the ten-meter drop in front of us.

I returned a comforting squeeze while my free hand turned her sight away from the drop and towards me. "You got this. We got this." She nodded timidly as the bellows of Liv and Percy rang through the forest, urging us to jump. 

"We jump on 3." I smiled reassuringly with my fingers still firmly wrapped around hers.

"Trust me." I pulled her closer as I set my foot at the edge.

"Okay." Her voice faltered before she took a deep breath and returned to a confident facade.

"Lovely. 1, 2 and —" Hailee's fingers wrapped around mine tightly, and she held her breath.

"3", I yelled, jumping with Hailee by my side.

The ten-meter drop seemed like nothing as we floated through the air, landing in the water with a massive splash. I held her hand through the air and in the water, not letting her go, keeping her close. We sunk to the bottom as our feet touched the floor before pushing to the surface in one strong push. Emerging to the surface, we gasped for air, kicking wildly to float on the surface as we wiped the water from our eyes.

That's when I saw her radiant smile, overjoyed at her success conquering her fear of heights, as she hugged me. "That was fricking awesome." I wrapped my hands around her as her head settled onto my shoulder. "You did great. Kinda proud." I praised her as we slowly swam to the shallow end of the lake to regroup with Liv and Percy. 

"That was crazy." Liv shook her head in disbelief as she described her jump as Percy listened patiently. "It was," Hailee added as she walked out of the water. "Woah, where you off to?" I asked, desperately trying to focus on Hailee's words instead of her body. "Up, to jump. Again." She swayed her voluptuous hips sensually as she walked up the trail.

"I gotta go with her before she does something reckless." I jumped out and followed her steps rapidly as Liv and Percy chuckled. 

"Wait up, Haiz." My voice carried through the empty forest as she climbed the slippery moss-covered rocks, trying to reach the platform. 

She didn't reply with words, returning an angelic 'hmmm' as I caught up with her. "Careful," I warned her, pointing to the wet rocks she was setting her foot on. Alas, it was a little too late as she slipped backwards.

"Woah." She shrieked as she desperately tried to grasp onto something. Luckily, my feet were firmly planted, so I could stretch my arms out to break her fall. "You okay?" I lowered her to the ground while she reached for her left foot groaning in pain. "Let me see." I pulled her feet towards me, checking for any cuts or bruises. 

"Looks okay, but can you put any weight on it?" I slowly helped her to her feet, letting her feel her injury. "Everything okay?" I heard Liv ask as she and Percy hurried up the rocks to check in on us. "Ouch, ouch, ouch." Hailee sat down immediately, gripping her ankle as she moaned in pain. 

"Oh, it doesn't look like it. Y/N I got some supplies in my bag in the car; I will take Liv to fetch it. Just wait here." Percy dragged Liv away, heading back to the car. 

"This is so me, ruining everyone's time." Hailee looked at her feet dejectedly, mumbling a few more unpleasant words to herself. "Hailee, look at me." My fingers reached up to her cheek, gently tracing her jawline down to her chin. I hooked my thumb under it, lifting her gloomy face. "You didn't. You could never ruin my day." I stared into her eyes, forcing her to smile.