The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow across the water. The girls gathered near the shore, sitting on large rocks and chatting. The sound of the river flowing mixed with the occasional bird call, creating a soundtrack that felt peaceful yet full of life.
"This is exactly what we needed," Carly said, her voice softer now, the tension from earlier seeming to slip away with each passing minute.
Lilianna smiled at her, feeling that quiet connection between them. "I'm glad we're all here. We've earned this."
The stars would soon make their appearance in the sky, but for now, they were content to sit in the warmth of the evening, letting the sounds of the campsite and the river lull them into the perfect moment of peace.
The next morning, Carly and Lilianna emerged from their tents. The rays of the morning sun shining in their eyes, the sounds of birds welcoming the new day with a song, the air already warm, it almost felt like a fairytale other than the fact their hair was a mess and they were hungry. Lilianna got out the portable campsite stove, and took the eggs out of the cooler, along with the bacon. Soon the campsite smelled like bacon and eggs making the girls' mouths drool excited to eat. Carly in the meantime was brewing up some hot water for coffee.
"Best morning ever," Carly said with a lazy grin, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes but already warming up to the peacefulness of the morning. "I might just stay here forever if this is how every day starts."
Lilianna grinned, watching the bacon cook. "I might have to fight you for that. I could definitely get used to this."
Carly, with a final tap on the French press, set it down and looked over at her sister. "Honestly, I might consider it. This place has a... magic to it. Like the world's forgotten all the noise."
Lilianna nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "Yeah, it's kind of like everything else can wait. You know?"
The bacon crackled, and the girls continued in peaceful silence, the air thick with the scent of breakfast and the promise of a day filled with new memories.
As they finished up breakfast, a woman began walking toward them, her steps slow but purposeful. She was an older woman, her red hair speckled with patches of grey, and her high-pitched voice carried across the campsite with surprising volume.
"Hello, girls!" She greeted them enthusiastically.
"Hello," the girls replied, trying to be polite, though Lilianna couldn't help but feel a bit irritated by the tone of her voice.
"Is this your first time here?" the woman asked, smiling brightly.
"Yes, it is," Lilianna answered, hoping the conversation would end quickly. She could already feel a slight headache coming on from the high-pitched tone.
"I'm a regular here," the woman continued, not picking up on Lilianna's subtle discomfort. "I just love spending time here. But, girls, you really should be careful around the river. Don't go in unless you want to be gator bait. That's what happened to poor Leanne's husband—he fell in and never came back out. The poor dear." Her voice dropped for a dramatic effect, as though sharing a deep secret.
Carly blinked in surprise, trying to process the unsettling information. "Oh, wow. Thank you for letting us know. We sat by the shore yesterday and had no idea!"
"Yeah, you must've been right between the signs," the woman said, her eyes twinkling with an odd mix of concern and satisfaction. "They're posted every ten feet or so. But no worries! Just stay on land. It's not like the gators are out for you—just don't get too close."
Lilianna forced a tight smile, her mind racing with images of the river and gators as she tried to move the conversation along. "Thank you for the warning," she said quickly. "We'll definitely be more careful."
The woman didn't seem to notice the girls' discomfort and went on, "I'm Lora, by the way—Lora Jones. If you need anything, feel free to stop by. My trailer's right over there," she said, gesturing to an old truck with a camping trailer attached to the back.
Carly, trying to keep the mood light, waved awkwardly. "Thanks, Lora. We'll keep an eye out!"
With one final cheerful wave, Lora turned and walked back to her trailer, her voice trailing behind her, "I'm always around if you need any advice—wildlife, trails, you name it!"
As soon as Lora disappeared out of sight, the girls exchanged a glance. Carly let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.
"Did she really just tell us that about the river?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and amusement.
Lilianna rubbed her temples, still processing what they'd just heard. "I mean, I guess? Gator bait? Seriously? Who says that?"
Carly chuckled. "I'm just glad we're not getting in the river anytime soon. Gators or no gators."
Lilianna snorted. "Yeah, that's one thing we don't need to test today."
The warning had left them both feeling a little on edge, but they brushed it off quickly. The campsite was still beautiful, and the excitement of the day ahead was enough to distract them.
Lilianna grinned, already feeling the motivation to get moving. "I think I'm going to hit the gym and get a good workout in—start the morning strong."
Carly raised an eyebrow and smiled. "That sounds great. I'll work on my tan by the pool, and at least I don't have to worry about gators in there." She winked playfully, then let out a chuckle.
Lilianna laughed, shaking her head. "Good point! The pool is definitely safer than that river."
"Exactly," Carly said with a grin, stretching her arms. "I'll be nice and relaxed while you're over there lifting weights."
"Alright, well, I'll meet you by the pool after. I'll need that cool water to wash off all the sweat," Lilianna said, heading toward the gym with a wave.
"Perfect! See you there," Carly called, already picturing herself lounging by the water, feeling the sun warm her skin. It was shaping up to be a good morning.
As Lilianna got up to the gym, she saw two figures on the treadmill through the gym window. She made her way to the leg press trying not to make eye contact. Lilianna wiped her forehead with a towel, trying to keep her focus on her workout as she could feel the two women's eyes on her. She couldn't help but wonder if this was going to turn into one of those awkward conversations she always seemed to find herself in—small talk that went nowhere. But as she glanced over at the women again, they were still talking to each other, completely unaware of the tension she was feeling.
Her legs were starting to burn from the leg presses when she noticed them walk over. "Great," she thought, taking another sip of her water, bracing herself for whatever was about to come.
The women stopped in front of her, both wearing warm, welcoming smiles that made the situation feel a little less awkward than she'd expected.
"You're new here, aren't you?" asked the woman with the darker complexion, her accent thick but friendly.
Lilianna hesitated for a second, then glanced up at her, trying to keep it casual. "Is it that obvious?"
The blonde woman, who was a little older and had a relaxed, effortless smile, chimed in. "We're just regulars here. Our husbands bring us a couple of times a year to get away from everything."
"Sounds nice," Lilianna said, setting down the leg press handles and standing up, giving them both a smile. "Yeah, this is our first time here. I'm taking my little sister to Orlando to visit the amusement parks. We decided to camp here for a few nights. We're actually from Savannah, Georgia."
"Oh, how sweet of you," the woman said with a knowing smile. "I'm Penelope, and this is Riley." She pointed to her blonde friend.
"Nice to meet you both," Lilianna replied, offering her hand.
Riley took it with a friendly shake. "It's great to meet you, too! You're going to love it here. It's peaceful, but it's not so remote that you feel out of place. Lots of fun things to do around."
"Yeah, it's been a favorite spot for years," Penelope added, her voice softening a little. "If you ever need any recommendations, feel free to ask. We've got all the local spots figured out."
Lilianna nodded, grateful for the offer, but part of her was already thinking about how she would rather enjoy the quiet of the trip without too much interaction. Still, it was nice to have some friendly faces around.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!" Lilianna smiled again, already starting to gather her things as she thought about getting back to her workout.
Riley gave her a small smile before glancing back at the treadmill. "No problem. Enjoy your workout! And have fun with your sister at the parks."
"I will, thanks!" Lilianna said, as she grabbed her water bottle, ready to wrap things up. "It was nice meeting you both."
As the two women walked off to continue their treadmill routines, Lilianna let out a quiet sigh of relief. It hadn't been as awkward as she'd feared, but still—she was looking forward to getting back to her own space and finishing up her workout without any more interruptions.
With a few deep breaths, Lilianna turned back to the leg press and focused on getting through her last set.
Meanwhile, Carly smiled to herself, as the soft breeze lifted the edges of her red-and-white polka-dotted swimsuit as she walked toward the pool. She felt the heat of the sun against her skin but didn't mind it, knowing the cool water would be the perfect remedy. Her French braids bounced lightly as she moved, a carefree vibe settling over her with each step.
She'd packed everything she thought she'd need for a perfect poolside day—towel, sunscreen, water bottle, and a small bag of snacks, just in case she worked up an appetite. She slipped on her favorite sandals, the ones that always made her feel a little extra confident, and made her way out of the tent toward the pool.
The breeze was a welcome touch, softening the afternoon sun. As she approached the pool gate, she could hear the soft hum of cicadas and the distant chatter of campers, but the area around the pool was empty. No kids splashing, no other campers lounging under umbrellas.
"Looks like I've got the pool all to myself," Carly said softly to herself, grinning. She pushed open the gate and stepped inside, the scent of chlorine mixing with the fresh air. The water looked so inviting, sparkling under the sun.
She walked to the edge of the pool, dipping her toes into the water. It was cool, but not cold, the perfect temperature for a lazy afternoon. Carly was tempted to dive right in but paused, taking in the peacefulness of it all.
"Maybe I'll just relax here for a bit before I get in," she thought, deciding to claim one of the lounge chairs by the poolside. She unrolled her towel and spread it out, lying down with her arms behind her head, soaking in the sun.
For the first time since the trip had started, Carly felt completely relaxed. The calm, quiet atmosphere of the pool was exactly what she needed. She closed her eyes, letting the gentle breeze and the sounds of nature wash over her.
Just as she was about to drift off into a light nap, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Carly opened her eyes, squinting up to see who was coming, curious if someone else had decided to join her.
Carly blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat as she looked up at the guy standing over her. He was tall, probably around her age, with shaggy blonde hair that fell just above his eyebrows. His blue eyes gleamed in the sunlight, and when he smiled, two dimples appeared on either side of his cheeks, making her stomach do a little flip. He was wearing a lifeguard outfit, the whistle around his neck gleaming in the sunlight.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he said, his voice warm and casual, his hands brushing through his hair as if he didn't even notice how effortlessly charming he was.
"You didn't, you just surprised me," Carly said, her voice betraying her sudden flustered state as a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
He laughed softly, looking slightly sheepish. "You hadn't moved for a while, so I wanted to be sure you were alright. I thought maybe you passed out from heat exhaustion or something."
As he brushed his fingers through his hair, Carly couldn't help but notice the way his muscles flexed in his arms, the motion effortless but incredibly well-defined. It was like the whole moment slowed down, and Carly found herself caught somewhere between awkwardness and awe.
His smile only made the butterflies in her stomach flutter more wildly. "I'm fine, I promise. It was just so peaceful, I ended up falling asleep." She smiled back at him, hoping her voice didn't sound as flustered as she felt.
"It's alright," he said, his grin never fading. "Well, I hope you have a great time here!"
With that, he gave her one last smile before turning and walking away toward the lifeguard chair. Carly watched him go, her heart still racing, the brief interaction leaving her a little breathless. As he climbed up into the chair and adjusted his whistle, she couldn't help but smile to herself.
"Great," she thought, letting out a small laugh, "just what I needed—an unplanned encounter with a cute lifeguard."
She stretched out on her towel again, trying to shake off the sudden wave of heat that wasn't entirely caused by the sun. Her mind kept replaying his smile, and for a moment, she considered getting up to do a few laps in the pool... but then again, maybe she'd just stay here for a bit longer. There was no rush.
Carly couldn't help herself. Every time the lifeguard glanced her way, her eyes would dart away so quickly, she felt like she was playing an endless game of peekaboo. "Ugh, he totally saw me look at him," she thought to herself, the heat of her blush creeping up her neck. "Why am I so awkward?"
She tried to focus on the pool water, but her mind kept drifting back to him—his smile, the way he effortlessly climbed into the lifeguard chair. And every time he looked over, she'd look away again. "Come on, Carly, get it together," she mentally scolded herself.
Just as she was feeling like she might melt into the poolside, Lilianna walked up to her, dressed in a bright blue bikini that matched the clear sky. Carly glanced up at her sister, hoping the distraction would help take her mind off the lifeguard.
Lilianna sprawled herself out on the lounge chair beside Carly with a contented sigh. She stretched out and then turned to look at Carly, a raised brow quickly followed by a teasing grin. "What's got you so flushed over there?" she asked, her tone light and amused.
Carly froze for a second, her cheeks burning even hotter. "Oh no, is it that obvious?"
"It's just the heat," Carly mumbled, quickly trying to mask her discomfort. She tugged at the edge of her towel and then forced a casual smile. "Want to get in the water?"
Lilianna's grin widened, clearly not buying it for a second, but she shrugged and kicked off her sandals. "Sure, why not? Water's the best place to cool down after a workout, right?" She stood up, tossing her towel onto her chair. "But seriously, you look like you just saw a ghost—or maybe someone made you blush."
Carly let out a small laugh, hoping Lilianna would drop it. "It's nothing, really. Let's just swim."
Lilianna gave her a sideways glance but didn't press further. "Okay, okay. But if you're hiding a juicy story, I'll find out sooner or later."
Carly rolled her eyes, but with a teasing smile, she grabbed Lilianna's hand and led the way toward the pool. As they walked, Carly couldn't help but sneak one last glance at the lifeguard, who was still perched in his chair, watching the pool with a focused expression. When he caught her eye again, Carly quickly looked away, mentally berating herself.
"Just get in the water, Carly. You're fine," she thought, letting the cool water swallow up her anxiety as they both dove in.
After a while Lilianna brought out a volleyball and the game was in full swing, with Carly and Lilianna laughing and shouting as they tried to keep the ball from falling into the water. It was a simple game, but it was the perfect way to pass the time. Each successful hit made them cheer, and each miss was followed by dramatic groans, but they kept at it, determined to beat their record.
"Yes! That's fifteen!" Lilianna shouted, grinning as the ball sailed over the water and landed perfectly in Carly's hands.
"Okay, we need to hit twenty," Carly said, giving her a challenging look. "I'm not letting you win this easily."
They continued their volley, but after a few more hits, Lilianna's attention shifted upward. She squinted at the sky, noticing how quickly the clouds had begun to darken, swirling into a thick layer of grey. The sun, which had been warm and comforting just moments ago, was now hidden behind the growing storm.
"Uh, Carly…" Lilianna said, lowering her hands from the ball. "I think we might want to wrap it up. Looks like a storm's rolling in."
Carly paused mid-serve, glancing up at the sky. The air had already started to feel heavier, and the distant rumble of thunder seemed to agree with Lilianna's warning.
"Yeah, you're right," Carly said with a sigh. She glanced back at the pool, the lifeguard still perched up high in his chair, scanning the area. She wasn't sure if he'd noticed her glancing at him earlier, but something told her she should leave before she embarrassed herself even more.
She packed up her towel, sunscreen, and snacks, and started gathering the last few things they'd left scattered around the poolside. Lilianna, already ahead of her, was tossing the volleyball into the bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
Carly hesitated for a moment, stealing one last glance at the lifeguard, his eyes scanning the pool. As their gazes met, she quickly looked away, her heart doing that fluttery thing again. "Great, now I'm leaving with my awkwardness fully on display," she thought to herself, but there was no turning back now.
She turned away, heading toward the gate where Lilianna was waiting, and the two girls walked out of the pool area together. The first drop of rain splashed onto the ground, followed by another, then another. The storm had arrived.
"Maybe we'll get lucky and the storm will blow over quickly," Lilianna said, nudging Carly playfully as they walked toward the shelter of their tents.
Carly smiled, her thoughts still lingering on the lifeguard, but trying to focus on the next part of the day. "Maybe it's better to just let it go," she thought. The storm wasn't the only thing brewing—it seemed like something was stirring inside her, too.