-willow tree-

free.

As Jane and Adaline walked hand in hand, they followed the winding path away from the willow tree, their hearts racing with a mix of exhilaration and fear. The night air was cool against their skin, and the sounds of the world around them faded into a distant hum as they focused on each other and the journey ahead.

After some time, they arrived at the river, its water shimmering under the moonlight. A bridge arched gracefully over the river, connecting the two banks, and Jane paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the scene.

"Look at that," Jane said, gesturing toward the bridge. "It feels like a threshold, doesn't it? Like a passage to something new."

Adaline stepped closer to the edge of the water, the gentle flow of the river reflecting her own swirling emotions. As she watched the water ripple and dance, a realization began to dawn on her. "Jane," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "What are we really doing?"

Jane turned to her, sensing the weight of the moment. "We're choosing to be free, Adaline. We're stepping away from everything that held us back."

Adaline's heart raced as the implications of their choice settled in. "But this isn't just about running away. This is a leap into the unknown. We're leaving our families behind... everything we've ever known."

"I know," Jane replied softly, stepping closer to her. "But it's also about choosing ourselves, choosing our love. We can't live for others' expectations anymore."

Adaline felt a surge of fear mixed with a sense of longing. "What if they never understand? What if we're making a mistake?"

Jane took Adaline's hands in hers, their fingers intertwining. "We have to believe that love is worth it. That we deserve to be happy, together. That's why we're here—on this bridge, about to make a choice that will change everything."

Taking a deep breath, Adaline looked at the river flowing beneath them, its current representing both the challenges they would face and the freedom that awaited. "Together?" she asked, her voice steadying.

"Always together," Jane affirmed, her gaze unwavering. "No matter what happens, we'll face it side by side."

With that, they stepped onto the bridge, feeling the solid wood beneath their feet. As they crossed over the river, they felt a sense of empowerment wash over them. Each step forward was a promise—a promise to embrace their love, to confront whatever lay ahead, and to carve their own path in the world.

As they stood on the bridge, the moonlight casting a silvery glow around them, Jane and Adaline felt a mix of exhilaration and vulnerability. The gentle rush of the river beneath them mirrored the tumult of their emotions.

With hearts pounding, they leaned against the railing, their eyes locked onto each other. In that moment, they each held a photograph—the one they had taken earlier, capturing their love and the essence of that night. It felt like a precious token, a tangible reminder of what they were fighting for.

"Can you believe we're really here?" Adaline said, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked down at the picture, then back into Jane's eyes, feeling a swell of emotion. "This feels surreal."

Jane nodded, her heart swelling with affection. "I know. But this picture... it represents everything for us. Our love, our choice to be free. It's proof that we're real, that this is real."

They both held the photograph tightly, fingers brushing against one another, their connection palpable. Adaline took a deep breath, feeling a rush of affection for the girl standing before her. "I love you, Jane. I love you more than words can say."

"I love you too, Adaline," Jane replied, her voice thick with emotion. "You're my everything. I never want to let you go."

With that, they stepped up onto the rail of the bridge, the world around them fading away. The river flowed below, but in that moment, all that mattered was the two of them standing together. They felt a sense of freedom and fearlessness as they balanced on the edge, the photograph held securely between them.

"This is the only way," Adaline said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "We have to embrace who we are and what we feel—no matter the consequences."

"Yes," Jane agreed, her heart racing with determination. "This is our moment. We're choosing each other, and nothing can change that."

In that shared understanding, they leaned closer, hearts synchronized, feeling the weight of everything they were leaving behind and the promise of what lay ahead. The photograph captured not just their faces, but the essence of their love—a love that defied expectations and transcended boundaries.

As they stood there, the cool night air enveloping them, they knew that together they could face anything. With a final glance at the picture, they shared a soft, lingering kiss, sealing their commitment to one another.

In that instant, they felt invincible, ready to leap into the future hand in hand, united in love and purpose. With the river flowing beneath them and the world behind them, they took a deep breath,

With their hearts racing and the world around them fading, Jane and Adaline stood on the rail of the bridge, holding tightly to one another. The moment felt suspended in time, filled with a mixture of fear, exhilaration, and an overwhelming sense of freedom.

As they looked into each other's eyes, they felt an unbreakable bond—a connection that propelled them forward despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Adeline nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Together. Always together." and with that final word, they leaped off the edge of the bridge, hand in hand, feeling weightless as they soared through the air for a brief, exhilarating moment.

Time seemed to slow down as they fell, the cool night air rushing past them, filling their lungs with a sense of liberation. They were no longer bound by the constraints of their past lives; they were free, unencumbered, and utterly alive.

In that split second, a rush of emotions surged through them—joy, fear, excitement, and a profound sense of love. They were embracing their truth, defying the expectations of their families, and stepping into a world where they could be who they truly were.

As they neared the water, an instinctive thrill coursed through them. "We're doing this!" Adaline shouted, laughter bubbling up as the exhilaration of the moment enveloped them.

And then, with a splash, they hit the water, the coldness engulfing them completely. The shock of the river was immediate, but it was refreshing, invigorating.
they were finally free.

In that moment, they felt a sense of triumph and empowerment. They had taken the leap together, not just off the bridge, but into a future filled with possibilities. The river symbolized their journey—with the promise of adventure and love.

Adeline and Jane were finally at peace.