treading saltwater.

the blonde nonchalantly extends her arm towards lucas, deftly grasping the chilled, deep green beer bottle, effortlessly twisting off the cap in one smooth motion. she repeats the same action with her own bottle, all the while absorbing lucas' current state of his business with rapt attention. ❛ wow! ❜ she exclaims, genuinely impressed. ❛ it sounds like you're juggling quite a lot. how do you even find the time to sit here and have a casual chat with me? ❜ her amusement evident, she punctuates her question by taking a hearty gulp of beer. ❛ as long as you're staying on top of orders and taking care of yourself, there's no need to reinvent the wheel, i guess! if it ain't broke, why bother fixing it, right? ❜ river's gesture becomes more animated as she points a finger squarely at lucas, underlining her point. ❛ but, ❜ she adds, a smile playing on her lips, ❛ should you ever find yourself in a tight spot, just remember that i've got a knack for sanding. visually, there's something so satisfying about it. ❜

river shared, her words tumbling out in a mix of apprehension and self-deprecating humour before she could even think to stop herself, ❛ my name is river, i misplaced the exact time for the consult. it was arranged it over the phone about two weeks ago, — which, in my forgetful state, that's like, eons ago. initially i thought i put the time in my calendar app, but it turns out i had put the date in the notes app. who even revisits their notes, amirite? ❜ the last bit of the question was filled with sarcasm, because when it comes down to it, river has an overwhelming amount of her weirdest, most original self is put; an assortment of long lost grocery lists, observations, and context-free thoughts, like everyone else. right? — right!? ❛ and to add to that, i didn't jot down the actual time. ❜

Wes had spent a while setting everything up before his supposed client got there, annoyed as hell that he had been roped into doing something he'd.. well, never really done before and that wasn't a part of his usual job on the ranch. But given their usual horse trainer was out with an injury, his mom had asked him to fill in, and he reluctantly agreed, given his older brother was busy with running the ranch, of course. The sound of a voice pulled him out of his reverie as he was adjusting a saddle, his grip tightening slightly on the worn leather before he let out a breath and straightened. Admittedly, he hadn't been looking forward to this, not because of her — he didn't even know her — but because stepping into the role of a trainer wasn't exactly on his list of things he wanted to be doing. But here he was.

And then there was her accent. That caught him off guard more than anything. Definitely not from around here. Australian, maybe? It took him a second longer than it should’ve to shake himself out of it and respond. "Yeah, uh—I'm Wes," he confirmed, before quickly wiping his hands off on his jeans. He hesitated for half a second before holding out a hand to her, his fingers curling slightly before he made up his mind. It was only polite. "Nice to meet you, River." His voice was steady but carried the slight weight of someone who'd already had a long morning.

the barn surrounding them exudes a rustic charm, its sturdy, breathtaking wooden structure immaculately maintained. as wes brings up his mother, the same woman river had conversed with earlier, her attention returns to him with a sudden sparkle in her eyes, a genuine smile brightening her face. ❛ your mom is adorable, and very kind, ❜ she remarks with sincerity in her voice, expressing her fondness for the earlier interaction. ❛ i appreciate you filling in. giving lessons to an outsider probably isn't on the of of your to - do list. ❜ she chuckles, wanting to make light of the situation.

wes probably thinks she's just some tourist passing through, that she's just here to take a few photos for instagram before she's on her way, never to be speak of the experience again. even though that's not why river is here, even if she was, it looks like wes is at least attempting to hide his discontent? which is something she can respect.

River was like a gentle bird, a fragile being who had entrusted her heart to someone she believed she could trust. Seven months was a long time to genuinely get to know someone, and Vanna could almost feel the weight of her disappointment. Seeing River like this now filled Vanna with an intense fear of allowing herself to break in such a way again. She refused to let anyone control her emotions like that ever again.

despite the haze of alcohol clouding her mind, river's subconscious acknowledged that vanna's presence was crucial in providing her with the opportunity to verbalize her thoughts and emotions, to give river at least a chance to understand her feelings instead of going to bed a complete mess. the comforting solace offered by vanna's listening ear and comforting hands allowed river to navigate through the overwhelming rush of emotions that had threatened to consume her earlier in their conversation.

with vanna's unwavering support the weight on river's heart began to ease.

river took a moment to process vanna's words, giving a few quick nods of understanding. however, a sudden wave of dizziness overcame her, causing her to let out a small groan of discomfort. despite the temporary setback, river found solace in the calming presence of vanna by leaning into her side.

He'd eat at the station, make small talk, and move on with his day with the same amount of enthusiasm and regard that he had been in the past month as he had only grown quieter in the smaller moments. No one was fully aware of the painstakingly "Wait... please, let me explain everything," he tried to get out around the frog in his throat. Where would he even begin to tell her how everything had come together in the time that they'd been getting to know each other, or how the night was bound to end.

Olivia was a friend, pretending to be his girlfriend, so they could each get something out of his parents and he hadn't counted on the one thing that would send him shattered into pieces after that night. Or the fact that he hadn't been able to look at the ocean the same way anymore, not without being reminded of her smile or the way her laughter rode the waves better than anything else out there. Or that he wanted to go back to that moment and take it back to a time when he wasn't so unsure of his feelings.

It wasn't the right time or the right place, but Colt was ready to abandon his cart and every other thought in his head for a chance to speak to her. Even if she wanted to keep shopping, then he'd be her shadow the entire time until she knew the whole truth as long as she wanted to hear it. It was the least that he could do when there was so much more that he owed her. Colt needed to speak up, say anything more, and start the conversation even as she tucked her face away from him for another direction with her cart.

river's heart felt like a turbulent waters as she takes in colt's genuine remorse and sincerity in his words. despite the initial skepticism, a glimmer of trust began to spark within her. the weight of his emotions was palpable in his voice, conveying the truth behind his apology. in an effort to ground herself, river tightly clutched the shopping cart that had been her only physical anchor in that moment of emotional turmoil.

yet, her attempt to maintain composure was futile as the realization dawned on her, not due to the bustling activity around her but the rise of recognition from onlookers. given the overwhelming sense of exposure and vulnerability, river made a decisive choice to abandon the cart, embarking on a different path this time.

instead of fleeing from colt, she turned to face him, her usually effervescent eyes now clouded with apprehension. taking his hand firmly, she guided him towards a concealed alcove within the grocery store, a sanctuary from prying eyes and unsolicited judgment. ❛ i want to talk, colt. okay? i do. just — just not here. please, not here, ❜ she implored, her intent not to shield herself but to shield him from the repercussions of the unfolding dilemma. in this moment, she prioritized colt's well-being over her own, understanding that he should not be entangled in the complexities of her past that he knows nothing about.

she leans slightly to one side, adjusting her position for a better view, only to find her heart sinking deeply into the pit of her stomach as she spots the crowd directly heading their way. with a quick turn to face colt, she grabs his forearms to ensure his attention is fully on her. ❛ i have to leave. text me later, ❜ she states firmly, holding his gaze for a brief moment before focusing on the impending need to escape the encroaching and inquisitive crowd. to river, every second spent making eye contact with colt was a worthwhile delay.

having to confront the now-growing crowd directly, she plunges forward with determination. she pushes through the dense mass of people, weaving her way through the forest of extended camera lenses, flashing lights, and recording smartphones.

as she approaches the exit, a sudden jolt from the side sends her crashing to the unforgiving floor. she becomes aware of a sharp throbbing pain pulsating through her head, a sensation akin to being struck by a heavy object. Is it the impact against a fruit stand or a sudden collision with the hard, unforgiving floor? the world around her appears hazy and distorted as she hesitantly opens her eyes, struggling to make sense of her surroundings. the muddled vision only adds to her disorientation, further bewildering her senses.

"If you really need the help, I'll definitely lend a hand," she waved her hand at her things briefly. "This is easy to tuck away in my car, honestly, it would probably be easier if I drove you home versus you walking it and risking the breakage." She nodded her head at the other girl, now known as River. "You wanna take me up on my offer?"

She paused for a moment, considering. Then, with careful, deliberate motions, she signed: "Understand with your heart." Her expression softened as she explained. "It's just something my parents would say when I was trying to learn to learn to hear and speak." She punctuated her sentence with a shrug, as if it was something had made such a huge impact on her life.

River's comment though, stopped her right in her tracks, her heart warming at the unexpected compliment from the blonde. "River, wow, that's so sweet of you to say." She reached forward, giving River's wrist an affectionate squeeze. "You're pretty great too, friend."

At the mention of smoothies, Val pretended to consider it, tapping her chin dramatically. "Hmm. Do I have time for a smoothie? Let me check my very busy and important schedule." she teased. Pulling out her phone and unlocking it with a flick before grinning and tucking it right back into her pocket. "Looks like I’m free. Guess I’ll just have to let you buy me a smoothie."

❛ awe, shucks! stop it, you! you're makin' a girl blush and i'm already burnin' up, ❜ she giggles lightly with val, tossing her head to one side to hide her bashful features. with valentina's joking nature, river rolls her eyes playfully, ❛ well i'm so glad you have the time for little ol' me. especially with that superstar status, girlie! ❜ clapping her hands once with excitement, she points an index finger towards the exit. ❛ alright, let's go get these smoothies! i'm thinkin' green goddess, with extra mango, ❜ river hums, half daydreaming about the refreshing drink as a twinkle dances in her eyes.

the sun rays caress her face gently as they step outside to make their way towards the smoothie joint. but, they pair don't get far.

river notices a figure coming from valentina's side. and she looks quickly to see someone hiding behind a long lense, and she can hear the unmistakable clicking of the shutter going off. river stops in her tracks like a deer in headlights. ❛ what do you think you're doing, friend? ❜ she asks but the joy she felt moments before is now gone. her stomach feels tight with a panicked instinct. she knows what this is. but she doesn't have the guts to say it out loud.

as the reality of the situation sinks in, a wave of apprehension washes over river, turning her initial excitement into a mix of fear and uncertainty. the scenario unfolds before her like a scene from a thriller movie, no worse with valentina by her side. amidst the chaos of the moment, river's mind races to assess the potential dangers lurking around them, realizing the gravity of the situation they find themselves in.

it's an ambush. she doesn't have to look, she can feel the crowd coming on, closing in, she can hear the shuffling of feet, multiple feet.

Throughout Esra's time in Briar Ridge, she had never ventured to Stoney Pointe. The turbulent waters here struck her as far more violent than those at the beach, evoking memories of a traumatic incident back in Istanbul. While modeling along a jagged cliffside, Rahmi had stepped in to adjust her bathing suit for the shot, and in that moment of distraction, she nearly slipped and plummeted over the edge. The experience unfolded in an instant; although Rahmi always teased her about being dramatic, the encounter left her with a deep-seated wariness of heights.

The lighthouse at Stoney Pointe loomed before her, not particularly tall but sturdy, its weathered structure casting a long shadow against the rocky shoreline. Below, the waves crashed violently against the jagged rocks, their frothy white crests mirroring the very waters she had almost fallen into three years ago. While the scene held an unsettling familiarity, it also captivated her, drawing her closer to its wild beauty. Perhaps that was the reason for her visit today.

It had been a challenging week since Rahmi returned from his business trip, and Esra felt an insistent need to escape the weight of her thoughts. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what she was searching for in this rugged landscape, but one thing was clear: she yearned for a breath of fresh air, a moment of solace among the crashing waves and the distant cries of seabirds.

Natalie chuckled at the other's joke about the "kitten-in-a-tree" posters, knowing that she'd done similar but it was typically more athletic heroes that she idolized that were hung up on her walls growing up. Anything to keep her motivated and keep pushing even when things got tough. "I get that," she said, nodding slowly. "The little voice in your head can be the worst. Always second-guessing, making everything feel like a bigger deal than it actually is." She took a sip of her drink, glancing over at the other woman with a sympathetic smile. "It’s crazy how often it seems like we're our own worst critics, huh? I think that's why I love it here. Everyone who goes up there just ignores that voice and has fun regardless. It's a good reminder."

She paused for a moment, then added with a grin, "But hey, if it helps, I think your self-doubt makes you seem like you care more about doing things right. I mean, if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t even wrestle with those thoughts, right?" She leaned in slightly, her tone light but thoughtful. At least she told herself that often enough at work or when she was trying to work things out with Enzo. If she didn't struggle, then it wouldn't be worth it in the end, right? "I guess we all have our demons to deal with, just in different ways. And maybe... we’re a little better at handling them when we’ve got someone else to call out the crazy thoughts every now and then, yeah?"

❛ ugh, the absolute worst! i mean seriously, why are our minds so adamant about getting the story of our life figured out, written, packaged, and published?  ❜ presently, she found herself immersed in a particularly fulfilling conversation with natalie. ❛ that's true. that's very, very true. ❜ river's blue-green hues flicker toward the stage where a new performer on stage, mulling over the other's words. it served as a good symbol of self-acceptance and liberation from the shackles of self-doubt. river smiles slowly as she takes in, and ends up nodding in agreement. ❛ karaoke is also great because it can be a total crapshoot. sometimes a guy will go on and blow the house down, while a bachelorette party can terrorize the bar. it's fun to watch, and people are nuts, so theres that, too. ❜

river smiled appreciatively at natalie, grateful for her insight that shed a new light on her inner conflicts. her words gave river a sense of validation, making her feel understood in a way that eased the weight of her self-doubt, transforming it into a badge of honour that symbolized his dedication to doing things with genuine care and consideration. ❛ has anyone ever told you that you're amazing with words? ❜ her brows furrow, head tilts to one side when the question is asked.