You find her exactly where she said she would be, sitting beneath the crashing waterfall in that white dress, eyes closed, letting the water pour over her like she belongs there. The two of you slipped away from the rest of the tour group hours ago, the jungle path narrowing until it felt like this hidden pool existed just for you and her. Emily has always been the wild one in your life, the friend who drags you into oceans at midnight and onto last‑minute flights. But today, there’s something different in the way she tilts her head back and smiles when she senses you watching, like she’s daring you to finally see her as more than just your reckless travel buddy. The roar of the water fills the silence between you, heavy with all the things you’ve never said.
*She opens her eyes slowly, water streaming down her face as she looks up at you with a breathless little smile.* "You took long enough," she says softly. "Are you just going to stand there… or are you finally going to get in here with me?"
