Samigail – Snapshots

Go Hiking

When they get to the park at the base of the mountainous area she's chosen, she's already regretting her decision to put it on her list. A large, fat bug travels in lazy circles around her face, and she swats it away with an angry frown. Sammy, however, is grinning; practically bouncing on the balls of his feet from excitement.

The mountain is intimidating from where they stand, and she tilts her head up to get a better view at it, sucking in a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Fearless Abigail Armstrong is stuck struck with anticipation…and maybe a slight twinge of fear of the unknown.

"Come on, Abi." He pulls her in for a side-hug, rubbing her arm in an attempt to comfort her. "I told you I was going to help you check this list off, and I meant it."

She's rolling her eyes at him, but can't help but crack a smile at his hyperactivity.

"You're not letting me back out then, are you?"

"Not a chance." He winks before grabbing her hand, pulling her along behind him until she keeps pace.

At first they go gently, not really chatting much as Abigail surveys her surroundings. Sammy lets her tread gently, holding on to her hand and pointing out random pieces of scenery, attempting to quell her nerves a bit.

Half an hour in and they're racing each other, shouting and teasing while they stumble over rocks and roots in their path. She's laughing; a boisterous, carefree sound that his ears anticipate. He wishes he could hold on to her laughter forever. But soon enough she's teasing him again, and he quips back to her lovingly as he races to keep up. Every so often she looks back, grinning, until finally she slows.

Sammy catches up and she simply holds out her hand, her breathing becoming even again after the running they've done. He looks on as she walks; slowly but with purpose. She takes her time now, but she is relaxed. Abigail holds on to his hand with one of her own, sometimes two, as she takes in the scenery. There's a clearing up ahead, and when they reach it she gasps, letting go of his hand as she stands in awe.

"Look," She says, nearly breathless. "I can see the ocean."

Abigail is grinning from ear to ear, struck by the vast, open space below them. In a panoramic view, there is dense forest ahead, with only a few rocky cliffs separating them. In the distance, however, the vibrant blue of the ocean begins and blends with the clear sky. From his place next to her Sammy lets out a peaceful sigh, pulling her in.

"Now," He begins, a slight teasing tone creeping into his voice. "Aren't you glad we didn't just pretend this wasn't on your list?"

"You were right," She shakes her head, her gaze flickering between him and the landscape in front of them. "I knew there was a reason I brought you along with me."

They sit on the rocks together, munching on the lunch they've packed while chatting idly about their next adventure. She'd brought the list she'd made, written neatly into a new journal he'd gotten her before third year, and they spend the afternoon circling things and planning out what to do next.

And every so often, when her mind is going a mile a minute and she can barely say an idea before the next one comes to her, he kisses Abigail. Right in the middle of a sentence, or a silence, when he just can't seem to handle his lips part from hers. And she grins and blushes, but she always kisses him back.

And he always feels his heart jump when she does.

He can't wait to continue checking off her list.