“Really? The big ugly yellow one right by here?” She scrunches her nose and narrows her brows. “Why? Is that your idea of a romantic date, hanging out around the water tower?” She not-so-subtly tries to choke back a laugh.
“This isn’t exactly a date. It’s just us creating memories and life experiences. We’re not going to just hang out around it. We’re going to climb it. I’ve always wondered what the view from the top looks like.”
She blinks. “Since when were you adventurous?”
“Hey! I’m adventurous.”
“You must really be into Andrew. I’m guessing this is something he’s always wanted to do?”
I shrug. “No. It’s something I’ve always been too scared to do, and I think Andrew will be the perfect person to support me while I do it.”
“Okay then,” she says, her words dripping in doubt.
“Don’t talk me out of this. Rebecca asked me to do it a few summers ago, and I said no. That’s one more experience I could’ve had with her, but I was too afraid. I’m trying not to be afraid anymore.”
Realization crosses her face, and she just nods, looking downat her feet. “I think it could be fun. Send me a picture from the top, will you?”
I give her a soft smile. “The view is going to beamazing.I know it.”
I finish getting ready and give Dani a quick hug as I hear the doorbell. “Andrew’s here.”
“Good luck! You better hope this doesn’t scare him off. You guys only went on your first date five days ago. It’s not too late for him to change his mind.”
“Shut up before I change my mind about you!” I yell back.
“What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know!” I chuckle as I close the door behind me.
Before I can even turn around fully, I’m swept up into Andrew’s arms, and the excitement I had when I first got out of the shower is instantly back. Something about being around Andrew just makes me want to do all kinds of crazy things. This boy could probably get me to jump out of a moving train with him if he set his mind to it, but I’ll settle for climbing a water tower today.
Setting me down, he asks, “So where are we going?”
“I was thinking we could take a little drive to the ugly duckling,” I say, using our given nickname for the hideous yellow water tower.
“For what?”
“To climb it. Duh.”
He arches a brow. “That doesn’t sound like something you’d be into.”
“Well, today I’m not letting my fears hold me back.”
“I like this new side of you.”
I purse my lips. “Don’t get used to it. I can already feel the panic welling up inside of me with each step I take toward getting there.”
He swirls me in his arms. “Don’t panic! I’ll be right by your side the whole time. This will be fun!”
As he releases me from his embrace, I find my keys, twirling them in my hands, stalling. “Maybe we can do it tomorrow instead. The clouds might ruin the view.”
Andrew glances at the clear blue sky above us and laughs. “It’s too late, Em! You’ve already convinced me to go.”
Standing at the base of the water tower, I’m beginning to realize just how crazy this idea was. I understand now why I had avoided this experience in the past. This is nuts. It must be at least a few stories high. I know the second I get on that ladder, the ground is going to feel a million miles away.
Andrew nonchalantly asks, “Do you want to go first, or do you want me to?”
“Uhhh.” Sweat beads on my forehead.
