Two days had passed in a blur, and tomorrow we'd be heading back to school.
I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
On one hand, I was excited to go back to my normal routine sleeping in my own bed, having Wi-Fi again, and spending my afternoons gaming instead of pretending to enjoy outdoor activities. But on the other hand, I was going to miss the lake, the crisp morning air, and, most of all, the sunsets.
The sunsets here were unlike anything I'd ever seen golden light spilling across the sky, reflecting off the water like liquid fire. I couldn't leave without seeing one last sunset, so I slipped away from the camp, heading deep into the forest where the lake was most peaceful.
As I reached the dock, I spotted a canoe tied to one of the posts. Perfect.
I was just about to step in when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Can I join?"
I turned to see Alex standing there, hands in his pockets, looking way too casual for someone who had just caught me sneaking off alone.
I chuckled, shaking my head. "What, you don't trust me to go out on a canoe by myself?"
"I just figured you'd appreciate some company," he said with that easygoing smile of his.
I rolled my eyes but gestured toward the canoe. "Fine, but you're paddling."
"Deal."
We climbed in, and true to his word, Alex took the paddle, pushing us off the dock with effortless ease. The water was smooth, barely making a sound as we drifted further out. I leaned my head back, letting the golden light wash over me, taking in the view.
It was the golden hour,the sky painted in soft oranges and pinks, the lake glowing under the fading sun. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling completely at peace.
Alex, however, wasn't looking at the sunset.
He was looking at me.
He probably didn't even realize he was staring, but when I turned my head, catching him in the act, he quickly looked away, suddenly very interested in the paddle.
I smirked. "See something interesting?"
He cleared his throat, his grip tightening on the handle. "Yeah, this paddle. Really top-tier craftsmanship."
I laughed. "Uh-huh. Sure."
To his credit, he didn't fumble or get flustered like I expected. Instead, he flashed me a lopsided grin. "Hey, don't underestimate a good paddle."
I shook my head, amused. "Noted."
We fell into an easy conversation, starting with random small talk before somehow ending up in a full-blown discussion about our deepest fears.
"So, you're telling me," Alex said, resting the paddle across his lap, "if you were stuck in the woods and had to choose between trusting a man or a bear, you'd choose the bear?"
"Depends on the man," I said with a shrug. "Most men are sketchy. At least a bear is honest about wanting to kill you."
Alex laughed, shaking his head. "Wow. And here I was thinking I had a chance."
I smirked. "The only man I'd ever trust completely is my dad."
He pressed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Ouch. That hurts, Maddie."
"Don't take it personally," I said, though I was smiling. "It's just facts."
We sat there for a while, letting the silence settle between us, the kind that didn't feel awkward. It was nice, just floating there, watching the sun dip lower.
But as the sky darkened, we knew it was time to head back.
Alex paddled us toward the dock, and as we stepped onto solid ground, I suddenly felt a little sad. The camp was ending. And while I was looking forward to my normal life again, a part of me knew I'd miss moments like this.
As we walked back to the camp, still talking and joking, I realized something strange.Spending time with Alex didn't feel forced. It felt... easy.
When we reached the campgrounds, we stopped at the path leading to our separate cabins.
"Well," Alex said, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "guess I'll see you back at school."
"Yeah," I said, suddenly unsure of what else to say.
He gave me one last smile. "Goodnight, Maddie."
"Goodnight, Alex."
And with that, he walked off, disappearing into the night.
I stood there for a moment, staring after him, before shaking my head and heading to my cabin.
Tomorrow, we'd be back to reality. But tonight? Tonight was golden.