Beneath the Surface

A Day Full Of Surprises

Early morning sunlight streams through the curtains, casting a warm glow on my room as I get up and take a shower, accompanied by the rhythmic flow of Amari's yoga practice. My phone interrupts the tranquil morning with a cheerful ring.

"Good morning, babe," Liam’s voice greets me. “Oh boy, I’m someone’s babe,” I say to myself, smiling. “Good morning,” I reply, relishing the novelty of being someone’s special someone. The unfamiliar warmth of romance tinges my cheeks as I blush my way to class, fingers dancing over my phone while texting.

"Hello! I’m right in front of you; stop texting. You just spoke over the call," Amari exclaims. “Just one more text,” I reply, smiling. Amari and I settle into our seats, eagerly awaiting the start of the lecture.

A few minutes later, Liam walks in, and I can’t help but admire how nice he looks. As he approaches, he greets both Amari and me with a charming “Good morning.” The lecture begins, but my attention can’t escape the magnetic pull of Liam’s presence.

As the day unfolds, the sun hangs high, promising adventure. Liam, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, surprises me with a series of spontaneous plans. He leads me to a cozy spot in the park and unveils a picnic basket—surprise one: a spontaneous picnic bathed in sunlight.

“I love it!” I exclaim. We spend the afternoon enveloped in laughter, good food, and the simple joy of shared moments.

Next on our impromptu agenda is an art studio adventure. Stepping into a world awash with vibrant colors, Liam hands me a paintbrush. Surprise two: an exploration of our inner artists.

“Ever tried painting, Samara?” he asks. I shake my head, intrigued. “Nope, not really.” With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he declares, “Well, let’s change that. Surprise two: let’s unleash our inner artists!”

Brush strokes turn playful, evolving into a paint war that echoes with laughter and the rhythm of background music. As we stand amidst our shared masterpiece, the canvas becomes a testament to the chaos and joy of our spontaneous artistic endeavor.

The day extends into a rooftop movie night under the stars. Liam’s surprises take an unexpected turn as the soft glow of the projector illuminates the rooftop.

“Surprise three: a movie night under the stars,” he declares, presenting the projector. Cuddled under a blanket with the cityscape around us, we start watching movies. However, the plot of our evening takes an unexpected twist.

“Surprise intermission,” he whispers, with a mischievous grin. As the movie plays, Liam’s hand finds mine, fingers entwining in a subtle yet significant gesture. The soft glow from the projector casts a warm ambiance, and the atmosphere seems charged with unspoken emotions.

Midway through a romantic scene, our eyes meet, and a silent understanding unfolds. “Just one more kiss,” I whisper. Before I can fully grasp the moment, Liam’s lips are on mine, the projector casting a soft glow as we share a lingering kiss.

The warmth of his embrace and the intimacy of the moment set the stage for a make-out session under the starlit canvas of the cityscape.

The rooftop movie night, now a canvas of shared kisses and whispered promises, transitions seamlessly into the next chapter of our evening adventure.

Liam, with a mischievous smile, takes my hand and leads us back to the dorm room. “I want to show you something,” he whispers, setting the stage for our night of surprises.

Laughter echoes through the quiet hallways as we share stolen glances and navigate the anticipation of newfound intimacy. Returning to the dorm, I catch Amari’s curious gaze, her eyes silently questioning the mystery of my disappearance from class.

“Where did you two disappear to?” she asks, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Offering a playful wink and a secretive smile, I leave Amari intrigued, the untold details of the evening lingering in the air.

As Amari probes into the unspoken moments, our conversation weaves a tale of laughter, excitement, and the blossoming romance that has taken center stage in the whirlwind of surprises. The day, born from spontaneity and shared adventures, leaves an indelible mark.

The following morning, I wake missing Natalie. I check my phone for all the pics and videos we took together and feel an urge to tell her about the happiness I’ve experienced over the past six months. I want to hug her and tell her that she’s the best friend I’ve ever had and that even though she’s passed away, I still hold a place for her in my heart.

Later that day, I finally decide to open the box Nathan gave me, and to my surprise, Natalie had kept everything we did together safe in a box.

**Kindergarten:**
The first glimpse inside reveals a pair of tiny handprints preserved in colorful paint. Our kindergarten project, where we dipped our hands in vibrant hues, leaving an imprint of our budding friendship. Natalie’s infectious laughter echoes in my mind, and the innocence of our shared escapades fills the room.

**Elementary School:**
A collection of worn-out notebooks unfolds our journey through elementary school. Handwritten notes passed during class, the clandestine exchange of secrets, and the doodles that filled the margins paint a vivid picture of our camaraderie. Natalie’s quirky sketches bring back a rush of laughter, and the nostalgia is almost palpable.

**Middle School:**
Tucked beneath the notebooks is a folded piece of paper. Unfurling it, I discover a list of shared dreams and aspirations we crafted during our middle school years. The handwritten notes reflect the unbridled optimism of our youth, and I can’t help but smile at the resilience in Natalie’s words.

**High School:**
The next layer unveils the high school chapter of our friendship. Photographs capture the essence of our teenage years—prom nights, football games, and shared victories. Each snapshot holds a moment frozen in time, a testament to the bonds that withstood the tumultuous waves of adolescence. Natalie’s radiant smile in those pictures mirrors the effervescent spirit that defined our high school days.