life

The cool wind off the lake sent gooseflesh over my bare arms as I jogged to catch up with Julian.

"Took you long enough," He said from where he was leaning against a tree.

"Hey, it's not my fault your legs are longer than mine," I laughed, taking his hand and leading him towards a narrow path between the trees.

"I'm going to assume you actually know what direction we should be going this time."

I rolled my eyes. Take a guy down the wrong trail once or twice and suddenly you're considered 'bad with directions'.  "I am 90% sure that it is the right path this time."

"You know, if you told me where we were going, I could read the map for you." He grinned at me.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise!"

"Alright if you say so. Just remember you won't get the surprise I have for you until we get there." He winked at me just before he helped me over a fallen tree. 

It was nice to have things feel this easy between us again. Our relationship had felt a bit strained lately, both of us had been super busy with school and work, and we were desperate for a mental break.  Thankfully I managed to convince him to take me camping over the long weekend, no textbooks or iPads allowed. 

We spent the last 2 nights in the valley, and today was our last full day in the wilderness before we had to go back to the real world.  I was currently trying to take us to a place my parents found last year, what they described as a miniature lake Louise.  Mom said it was the perfect place for a romantic picnic.

The sun rose higher in the sky as we continued our journey, Julain and I talked about what we might like to do this summer once the semester was over.

Finally our path opened up into a breath taking...meadow. Not so much as a puddle in sight.

"Damn. I was sure I got it right this time," I mumbled.

Julian laughed, "Were you holding the map upside down again? Or maybe it was sideways this time."

"Not funny babe." I glared at him.  I was starting to get frustrated that I couldn't find the correct trail.

Julian walked out into the clearing and sat down in a ring of buttercups. He patted the ground beside him and motioned for me to sit. "Here, let me see that map." I begrudgingly handed it over as I sat down beside him. "Now where were we trying to go?" I pointed to the star my dad marked on the map. Julian studied the map, pushing his ashy brown hair back off his forehead. He needs a haircut soon, maybe I could convince him to let me do it. I giggled at the thought.  "Alright. I think I figured it out."

"Of course you did genius." I said as I shrugged off my hiking bag.

He rolled his eyes at me. "Listen here goldilocks," he tugged at my ponytail. "This," he said pointing back to the map, "is where you tried to bring us, and judging from the way the sun was hitting us, this is around where we actually ended up. Completely opposite directions." He shook his head. "I don't know how you manage."

"Ugh." I flopped backwards into the grass.  "So basically we're lost."

"No, we just need to follow the path back to the lake, I can get us back to camp from there at least." I pressed my palms into my eyes. So much for that surprise romantic picnic. Julian leaned over me, one arm on each side of my body. "Would your surprise and some lunch make you feel better about your poor sense of direction?"

"Yes," I said, giving him a quick peck on the lips as I sat up.

"Alright, hold out your hand and close your eyes." I felt a small velvet box drop into my hand. "OK, open it." I lifted up the lid to reveal a simple but elegant silver necklace, a small aquamarine gemstone glistened in the center. Much too fancy for the middle of the woods,  but still, I could not ask for a better surprise.

"OH babe! It's stunning! Thank you!" I beamed up at him. "Will you put it on me?" He looped the fine chain around my neckand kissed my cheek.

"Happy almost anniversary Amelia." I turned my head so my lips could meet his. Julian slipped off his hiking bag as I pushed him towards the ground, trying not to break the kiss.  Everything felt so right, the rough patches we've had lately just melted away in the bliss of the moment.

And then the ground opened up.

And we were falling. I think I screamed.