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“Same,” Rock nods, as I near him, our eyes still watching Cal have fun, diving down, then surfacing a few moments later. Then, Cal bursts out of the water with infectious enthusiasm, as droplets cascade down his drenched underpants. He rushes towards Rock, his outstretched arms aiming for a friendly hug. I manage to jump to the side, leaving Rock exposed. Caught off guard, Rock finds himself enveloped in a wet hug.
Laughter echoes as Rock playfully pushes Cal away, pretending to be annoyed. “Cal, you’re making me all wet! Get off!” he exclaims, his mock indignation failing to conceal an amused smile.
Dripping with water, Cal grins like a mischievous water sprite. “Ah, come on! A little water never hurt anyone!”
Still dripping and grinning, Cal turns to me then.
“No, no, don’t you dare!” I warn, shaking my head as I take a step back.
Grinning with glee, Cal closes the distance between us and presses his wet body against mine, leaving me with a sudden, unexpected chill. Laughter bubbles between us, a spontaneous eruption of joy.
“There!” he exclaims victoriously. “Now you’re all wet. You might as well take a dip!”
“No way,” I shake my head. “All you managed to do is make me cold.”
“I could think of a few ways to warm you up,” he winks at me again, and I know what he means. Worse yet, I like it.
But Rock interrupts us. “Maybe it’s best we head back.”
“Why?” Cal wonders. “My clothes aren’t even dry yet.”
“Are you in a rush to go back?” I wonder, approaching him. Without thinking, I gently place my hand on his arm. Electricity hits me momentarily as our gazes lock.
“Well… no,” he clarifies.
“Then, we could stay here for a little while longer?” I suggest.
He ponders it for a few moments, then he smiles. “Do you want to?”
“Mhm,” I nod, smiling back at him. “I feel… at ease here.”
I didn’t want to tell him that their village is making me feel unwelcome, because nothing has really happened. No one has been mean to me, no one has said anything. And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that they don’t want me there, that the only reason they are tolerating me is because of Rock.
“Alright then,” his voice pulls me back to the present moment. “We can stay.”
I gaze at the lake, for a moment wishing that we could stay here forever like this.
Chapter Twelve
Cal
We end up spending the entire day by the lake. The crackling flames dance in the cool night air, casting flickering shadows on our faces. We are huddled around the fire, Rock, Elena, and I; lost in conversations that intertwine with the curling tendrils of smoke rising into the starlit sky. The night seems to bind us together, refusing to let us go, as we find solace and refuge in each other’s company.
“So, how long do you plan on staying here?” I ask Elena, once our last topic has been exhausted.
“Where here exactly?” she asks with a smile.
“Well, here,” I try to clarify, but I don’t really manage to do so.
“You mean camping out here in the woods?” She helps me out.
“Yeah,” I nod.
“I don’t really know,” she admits, sounding a bit confused. “I haven’t really thought about it. I guess my plan was to return when I get that perfect shot I came here for.”
“Perfect shot of a bear?” I ask, although I know that’s not what she meant.
“Bear shifter,” she corrects me. “I know what you think about that, so I won’t bug you with it. But yeah. I still believe that they are out here somewhere. I just… haven’t been in the right place at the right time.”
