Dare to Fall

Chapter XLIII

Thank you so much, Emily, for a beautiful cover. I'm in love with the fonts and especially, the picture itself. Follow her on Wattpad @Emily_Dickson. Make sure to send yours to my twitter, Direct Message me @dreamingtobe_17

***

Cayden's lips met mine, soft and assured. Our kiss deepened naturally, as if our movements were instinctively in sync. My heart pounded in my chest, the sensation of butterflies erupting in my stomach almost overwhelming. The intensity of the moment left me breathless, yet grounded in his touch.

We slowly pulled apart, and when I opened my eyes, his hands were still cradling my face. Our foreheads touched as we let out small, breathy chuckles. The laughter faded, leaving us smiling at each other, our breaths still mingling in the cool air.

His hands slid from my cheeks, fingers intertwining with mine. "Come on," he said, his voice low and warm. I nodded, matching his smile. We walked back to the parking lot, our hands still linked, the connection between us strong and reassuring. This simple moment felt like a snapshot of something I'd hold onto for a long time, a memory I'd cherish when everything else became distant.

***

I must've dozed off at some point in the car, because I woke up to Cayden gently shaking my shoulder. "We're here," he said, smiling as I blinked groggily and looked around. The place was unfamiliar, though there was something peaceful about it, like a hidden world tucked away from everything else.

The woods around us were quiet, only the occasional rustling of leaves breaking the silence. I hesitated for a second as we stepped out of the car—it was already late, around 5:30 PM, and the shadows were beginning to stretch longer as the sun dipped lower in the sky. But Cayden, with that steady confidence he always seemed to carry, led the way.

We walked for about fifteen minutes, the path winding deeper into the trees. My nerves were on edge, the atmosphere slightly eerie as the last of the daylight disappeared behind the horizon. Cayden finally stopped, gazing up at the trees with a satisfied sigh. "It's still here," he murmured, almost to himself.

I followed his gaze and saw it—a treehouse nestled among the branches, old but sturdy. It looked like it had been there forever, a relic from someone's childhood. Cayden grinned at me, a glimmer of nostalgia in his eyes, and started climbing the ladder. "Come on," he called back.

Once he reached the top, he extended a hand to help me up. I took it, his grip firm as he pulled me onto the platform. The wood creaked beneath our feet, and the inside of the treehouse was dusty, the air thick with memories. Cayden pushed open a small wooden door, and we stepped inside. It was simple, but I could feel the weight of the history here.

He walked over to the window and looked out. I joined him, watching as the moon began its slow ascent into the sky. The view from up here was incredible, the treetops stretching out in every direction. I couldn't help but comment, "This place could use a little cleaning up." I smiled at him, but my words seemed to land differently. His gaze lingered on my lips for a second too long, and I turned away, feeling a bit self-conscious.

"I used to come here all the time," he began, his voice soft with remembrance. "When I was six, this was my spot. My friends and I would play for hours. My sister... she'd make me play tea party with her." He laughed, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'd whine like crazy about how bad her 'tea' was, but we always had fun."

The mention of his sister tugged at something in me. "I'd love to meet her," I said, trying to keep the mood light.

Cayden smiled, but it was a sad one. "She'd love to meet you too," he replied softly, his voice heavy with unspoken words.

It hit me then—he was taking me to all these places tied to his past. The beach, the coffee shop his mom used to take him to, and now this treehouse, a place filled with memories of him and his sister. It wasn't just about showing me these places; it was about sharing a part of himself he rarely let anyone see.

"I get it," he said suddenly, his voice breaking the stillness. "I hate how everything becomes a memory. All these moments, these places—they're stuck in my head like ghosts, and I keep thinking if I go back, I'll feel the same happiness I did then. But it's not the same. It's just... lonely now."

I sat down beside him, cross-legged on the dusty floor. "Cayden," I began, choosing my words carefully, "memories aren't supposed to stay exactly the same. They change because we change. If you go back to these places carrying sadness, that's all you'll feel. But if you let yourself find joy in them again, even if it's different... maybe you'll make new memories that are worth keeping."

He looked at me, his eyes soft, yet shadowed with something I couldn't quite place. For a long moment, neither of us said anything. Then, he smiled—small, but real—and it felt like a tiny victory.

We climbed down from the treehouse, and Cayden gathered some wood while I sat on a nearby log, watching him work. He built the fire quickly, his hands deft and practiced, like he'd done this a hundred times before. The flames crackled to life, casting a warm glow against the darkening sky.

"Make yourself comfortable," he said, standing and brushing dirt from his jeans. "I'll be right back." He jogged off to the car, disappearing into the shadows, leaving me alone with the fire. I watched the flames dance, feeling the heat on my face, and took out my phone to snap a picture. The moment was too serene not to capture.

When Cayden returned, he was carrying a picnic basket. I couldn't help but laugh. "You came prepared."

"Smores?" he asked, pulling out a bag of marshmallows with a grin.

We roasted marshmallows over the fire, the sticky sweetness of the smores filling the air. I made mine with a graham cracker, a perfect toasted marshmallow, and a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup. I took a bite and practically melted into my seat. "Okay, I might be a smores master," I declared.

Cayden raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You think so? I could make better smores in my sleep."

"Oh, really?" I shot back, squinting at him in mock challenge. "Is that a bet?"

He laughed, his eyes twinkling. "Game on. Loser has to do whatever the winner says."

***

On the drive back, I crossed my arms, staring out the window as Cayden chuckled beside me. "Told you I was the king of smores," he teased.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Whatever."

We stopped at In-N-Out for dinner, and Cayden still hadn't decided on my punishment for losing the smores bet. As we stood in line, I glanced at him. "So, what's it going to be? I pay for dinner?"

He shook his head. "Nope, it's on me. And no, I'm still figuring out your punishment."

We ordered our food and found a spot near the exit. Just as we sat down, a group of loud teenagers passed by, and one guy lingered, his gaze sliding over me with obvious interest. "Hey there," he said, his voice dripping with sleaze.

I forced a smile, trying to brush him off, but he wasn't getting the hint. "You single?" he asked.

Before I could respond, Cayden stepped in, his expression dark. "Ehem," he said, his voice sharp. "If you can use your eyes, it's pretty clear she's not." His tone was low, carrying a quiet warning that made the guy step back instantly.

The guy backed off immediately, stammering some excuse before bolting out the door. Cayden just smiled at me innocently. "Let's eat."

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't help but feel a wave of warmth for him, this guy who seemed to understand me better than anyone else. "Thanks," I said quietly.

He looked at me, serious for a moment. "If anyone ever bothers you again, just tell me."

I smiled, knowing I was safe with him, knowing that even in the most mundane moments, he was looking out for me. And maybe that's why, despite everything, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.