Lakeside Leaps

“You’ll be fine, just get down here already,” you said while skimming over the large boulders submerged in the shallow waterside of the lake. You looked over your shoulder at me. The sun reflected brightly in your sunglasses, but even brighter was the sweet smile that had formed on your face.
“C’mon! Whatcha waiting for!”
My eyes shifted from you down to the small concrete ledge I was standing on. I wasn’t really hesitant to drop down, I just wanted to admire you for a second.
I smiled as I looked back at you and casually dropped myself down. The water splashed under my feet after which it rained back down on the gravelly shore.
“There ya go.” You laughed over at me and swung your head back forward to proceed your playful journey across the water. Your long, brown hair danced along with the wind, elegantly finding a rhythm within the leaps you took. It fluttered back towards the crown of your head, where a stylish fedora sun hat sat.
I followed in your footsteps, looking down at the rocks as I carefully made my way ever so close to you. It was as if the landscape formed to our presence, the boulders keeping us standing as a peaceful and quiet lake lay resting just ahead of us.
Between every step of having my eyes locked on my feet, I caught a glimpse of you. Your joyous body and adventurous personality made me warm. Your freedom made me, too, surrender to the moment. It made me feel the wind in my hair as we hopped along the waterside.

Yet, in one moment I slipped. My feet stumbled and the water caught my fall.
The lake distorted, echoing a loud splash across the water. You quickly turned around with a worried look on your face, but as I couldn’t help but laugh, that look swiftly dissolved.
“Couldn’t keep up after all, hmm?” You teased, jokingly as you stretched out your arm to help me up. I smiled at you and raised my dripping hands out of the water while trying to sit up straight. “I guess not.”
My wet hand met yours, and without warning, I jerked your hand towards me. What followed was an eruption of screaming and laughter, resolving in your delightful presence next to me in the water. In the moment, your fedora had wandered off and was quickly making its way towards the shoreline. I noticed your colourful, playful blouse was soaked, as was the rest of you. Still, I saw your happiness hadn’t faded, neither had mine.
We both sat upright this time. You swung your wet hair back as you recollected your sunglasses. I managed to grab your fedora, placing it back on top of your head as I looked you in the eyes. And as my hand gently moved down your cheek, I realised this moment would stay with me forever. You kissed me.