"Uh, hey? Can we talk?"(O/O) (OPEN)

She tried to copy his movements.

"Almost there– watch that rock," he spoke.

She made sure to be careful. She could feel the support of Mariah on her back and she smiled a little.

He slid down to the very bottom, inches from the creekwater. He looked up, ready to catch her if need be.

She stood next to him eventually and looked around. "Where are we?"

"At the bottom of the hill now," he replied. "Or.. McMormin's creek. If you're fancy,"

Water from the stream began to strangely divert until it was swirling around Kallie's ankles. She giggled. "Oh no, not you too, Tess…"

Atlas peered down athis now-wet shoes. "Well… Good thing I brought flip flops.."

The water formed a small wave and splashed him teasingly. "Tess, don't!" Kallie reprimanded.

Atlas laughed, "Jesus chrust, nature is rude."

"Sorry," Kallie apologized.

"Eh, not your fault, I guess,"

The water splashed his ankles. "Tess!" Kallie yelled. The water retreated. "Thank you!"

He laughed throatily, "Funny,"

She blushed. "Sometimes Tess can misbehave even more than Mariah, if that's possible…"

"Well, luckily I can swim," he peeled off his shoes.

"Oh, that's good," she said, sound relieved.

Atlas pushed on his flipflops.

Kallie did the same. "Uh, Atlas…?"

"Yeah?" He spoke.

"I like you," she blurted. "Uh, a lot. Um… I love you." She winced at the terrible delivery of her confession and hoped that he wouldn't be embarrassed.

He blinked, looked sideways and back. "Oh,"

"I understand if you don't feel the same way about me, but… I just thought I should tell you. I don't know how it's supposed to sound. I've never done this before…" she admitted, scuffing her toe on the ground.

"Well," he drew a slow breath. "I do too, i mean.. or else I wouldn't've kissed you," he smiled

She looked at him with wide eyes. "Y-You really love me?"

He shifted his weight. "Yeah."

Her face broke into a smile and a stream of sunlight cast light all around them.

"Woah, wow," he squinted, laughing lightly.

Kallie blushed shyly. "S-Sorry…"

"No, it's cool," he looked up, "Really cool,"