The morning after our cozy night around the fire was met with a light drizzle that tapped against the cabin’s roof, creating a soft, rhythmic soundtrack to our lazy morning. I woke up earlier than everyone else, the events of the previous day replaying in my mind like a movie reel.
After our heartfelt conversation, I felt lighter yet more anxious than ever about where things were headed with Martinus. It was one thing to share a moment under the stars, but quite another to face the reality of what that meant when we returned to our everyday lives.
I tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to disturb anyone, and made my way to the kitchen. The smell of coffee brewing filled the air, a welcome comfort that always felt like home. I poured myself a cup and leaned against the counter, looking out at the lake through the rain-speckled window.
As I took a sip, I heard footsteps behind me. Martinus appeared, ruffling his hair as he entered the kitchen.
“Morning,” he said, his voice husky from sleep.
“Morning,” I replied, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach as I caught his gaze.
He poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter next to me. For a moment, we both just stood there in comfortable silence, sipping our drinks and watching the rain.
“You know,” he said, breaking the stillness, “I’ve always liked rainy days.”
“Really? Why’s that?” I asked, intrigued.
“It’s like the world slows down a bit, you know? Everything feels quieter. Plus, it’s a good excuse to stay indoors and just hang out,” he said, glancing at me with a small smile.
“True,” I said, my heart warming at the thought of being cozy inside with him. “What do you want to do today?”
“I was thinking we could play some board games later,” he suggested. “But for now, maybe we could go for a quick walk? The rain isn’t too heavy.”
I hesitated, glancing outside at the gray sky. But the idea of being alone with him, away from the group, was tempting. “Okay, let’s do it,” I said, a smile creeping onto my face.
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We slipped on our jackets and headed outside, the rain a soft drizzle as we walked along the path by the lake. The world felt alive in a different way—colors brighter, the air fresh and crisp.
As we walked, we chatted about trivial things—favorite movies, music, and inside jokes—but I could feel the current of something deeper running beneath our playful banter.
At one point, Martinus stopped and picked up a small rock, tossing it across the water. It skipped once, twice, before sinking beneath the surface. “You think that’ll be a great story to tell?” he joked.
I laughed, “The legendary rock that skipped across the lake! It will be the talk of the town.”
He grinned, the kind of grin that made my heart flutter. “Maybe we should start a collection of all the legendary rocks we find.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yeah, but you like it,” he said, turning to face me, his expression serious for a moment.
“Maybe I do,” I replied softly, our eyes locking in a way that made everything around us fade away.
We stood there, the rain a gentle backdrop to the electric atmosphere between us. Just then, the sound of laughter broke the spell, and we both turned to see Marcus and Emma emerging from the cabin, followed closely by Nora, who was holding an umbrella.
