The lake was on fire. Or at least that's the way it looked to Derek. It was sunset and the shadows in front of the group were growing longer by the minute. Derek hoped they would stop soon, they had been walking since lunch time. The guide at the front of the line stopped. Derek didn't notice and kept on walking, staring at his feet. He didn't stop walking until he bumped into someone. He slowly lifted he eyes to find himself face to face with an attractive girl. Her brown hair was swept up into a ponytail and her blue eyes were twinkling as if they were laughing. When his eyes met them, she gave him a small smile, and then turned back around to listen to the guide.
"In a few minutes, we will arrive at the academy, now I want you to remember that you will be surrounded by strange and new things, so don't be alarmed. Keep this in mind as you enter." He marched off again setting a brisk pace. Derek stood there for a minute, not realizing what had happened. The main thought running through his head was, who is this girl? Then he realized that the whole group was about 50 feet in front of him. He scanned the line and quickly found the girl he had bumped into. She was easily picked out by her blue shirt, a completely different color than the bright hues that surrounded her. He broke into a brisk jog to catch up to her. Derek reached her soon enough and slowed to a walk.
"Hi" he stammered, almost out of breath.
"Hi," came the reply
"Listen, I'm sorry I bumped into you back there I just…" They slowed to a stop, "wasn't paying attention."
"Its ok, I'm kinda glad you did." She said, and started walking again. Once more, Derek stood dumbfounded.
Does she mean what I think she means? He thought. He ran to catch up to the group again
"Hey I don't think I caught your name" Derek implied
"It's Ana," was the reply.
"Ana, that's a nice name. Mines Derek, in case you were wondering I mean. Not saying that you were or anything."
"Thanks, ill remember it"
Score
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, we're here," Came the voice of the guide floating back over the group. "Feast your eyes on the Mountain Academy." A great sense of wonder and awe filled Derek as he looked down into the valley. A narrow river wound its way through it, past the giant castle cut into the mountains, and then out of the valley and into the lake.