In the end, it's only us - Kate Martin

16. Lost in the Moment

April 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa

Chapter 16.

Narrative

Olivia's POV;

As we walked hand in hand through the quiet streets, the setting sun hitting us but cooling down as the cool breeze ran through the air. I couldn't help but feel a sense of ease whenever I was around Kate, something I've never felt before with anybody. Not even my first love.

On our first date, it's safe to say that both of us were a nervous wreck, at least from what I heard from Jada. But tonight, it felt different. We were relaxed, laughing and talking.

We stopped at a small ice cream shop, just like we did our last date. After grabbing our ice creams we decided to head to a park.

As we ate our ice cream, strolling through the park, the world around us had disappeared to us. It was just us, lost in the moment while our fingers were intertwined, our hearts beating in sync.

At one point while strolling, Kate turned to look at me with a curious expression. "What's your favorite memory as a kid?" she had asked me, her voice gentle and soothing.

I thought for a moment before answering, "I'd say when I was at some park with Drew and we saw our bully, then he legit pooped himself." Kate listened intently, laughing as soon as I told my story. I joined in as well, remembering how funny that moment was.

"Like he full-on shit himself?" Kate says as she wipes the tears from her eyes from laughing too hard.

"Oh my goodness, yes! It was so funny, that's karma. I still think about it to this day and it makes me laugh so hard." I tell Kate as I also wipe my own eyes.

When I finished telling more stories, Kate also shared her own stories. From how she first got into basketball to how she knocked a tooth out from a young boy because she threw the ball to his face. After sharing these childhood stories, I felt as if there was a deeper connection forming between us.

As the night progressed, we found ourselves at the edge of some lake, watching the stars above us. Our hands close to each other, Kate leaning close to me. Her voice was barely a whisper, "I'm so glad I met you, Liv."

My heart skipped a beat once I heard this. "Me too," I replied, my voice also calm and a whisper.

And in that moment, that's when I knew that this could be the start of something beautiful. Something special that I could cherish forever without getting hurt.

Kate's POV;

As we sat there, on the dirt, our feet swaying softly in the cool water. Olivia turned to look at me with a beautiful smile, "Kate, can I tell you something?"

"Of course," I replied, my heart beating a little faster as to what she was going to tell me.

"I feel so comfortable around you," Liv said, her voice barely audible. "Like I could be myself around you without that fear of judgment."

My whole body melted at her words, especially my heart. "I know what you mean, and I feel exactly that way too."

We sat there for a moment, the gentle water running being the only sound. Without thinking, I reached over and grabbed her hand.

Liv turned to look at me in surprise and delight. "I like this," she said to me, her voice full of gentleness and love. "I like us."

I smile hearing her words, happiness consuming me. "I like us too," I say back to her.

After a few moments, we decided to get up and walk near the lake.

As we walked along the lake, hand in hand, Liv suddenly stopped and pointed to the dark sky.