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“I missed you back,” I say with a heavy breath out.

At least I can say that back.

Just as I think that he’s going to kiss me, he pulls away and puts the truck in reverse.

He drives out of the neighborhood and the GPS shows forty-two minutes.

Forty-two minutes of being stuck in his truck, just wanting to lean over and kiss him.

◆◆◆

We are walking down a steep path, the only way to get to the falls. A light breeze blows through the trees, which makes the walk slightly more manageable.

The walk is a tight dirt trail with tree roots bulging from the ground. I try not to trip as we reach a steep area.

Squirrels run up and down the trees as the hum of birds echoes through the branches.

The air feels a little tighter today.

I’m not sure if it's because we’re not going to be seeing each other for who knows how long after today, or if the temptation of one another is becoming too intense. Two months of pure attraction, without kissing. For two teenagers that’s unheard of.

A large boulder sits unclaimed by the many people who are already enjoying the sunny day.

I slip off my sandals and can’t help but shake the feeling of anticipation washing over me. I promised myself I wouldn't get too attached. Distance isn’t something I saw for my future, I’m too clingy.

But what if Sean is what I want for my future? How do I make this big of a commitment? I keep trying to justify the way I’ve been toward him, but it’s only getting harder.

I don’t understand anything anymore.

The sun cascades across the water and it’s a near perfect day.

Sean lifts his shirt over his head and I gawk at his tan skin and prominent muscles sending my heart into an arrhythmia.

Sean places a beach towel down and sits on top of it. I quickly step onto the towel after my heels begin to burn from the heat of the rock. He instantly hands me an Otter Pop.

We’ve been eating them all summer. It’s sort of become an inside joke between us.

“Tell me—did you feel like you got the whole high school experience after this summer? The parties, going out every day. The whole shebang?” he asks, bumping his shoulder into mine.

It really was the full teenage experience. Though after the first party, I didn't drink again. The dancing though—that never stopped.

“It really was. I had the best summer. I just hate how it’s gonna end soon,” I say, crunching my pink popsicle.

“No, no. None of that.” He shakes his head, brushing the condensation from his soda onto his towel. “We aren’t gonna talk about that. This is just a regular day. Okay?”

“Got it. Normal.”

I throw my head back, taking in the sun on my cheeks. I’ve gotten a nice tan from being out every day, but I want to be as dark as possible so I’m not a ghost in the winter.

I open one eye in Seans direction to take a quick glance.

He’s staring out at the people on the other side of the water.

They’re at the highest rock, cliff jumping. It’s probably a good twenty feet above the water.

That’s why people come here, to cliff jump. Just a little up the way is a small waterfall that’s surprisingly not the main attraction. It’s too dangerous for smaller kids here, so families steer clear, which is nice. No screaming kids.

“So, what’s your plan for the fall?”