The following morning brought a sense of freshness that seemed to envelop the cabin like the morning mist rising off the lake. The sun peeked through the trees, illuminating the space with a warm glow, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. Everything except the nagging thought in the back of my mind that I was still grappling with my feelings for Martinus.
I woke up to the smell of coffee wafting up to the loft. As I stretched, I noticed that Martinus was still asleep on the other bed, his chest rising and falling gently. A wave of affection washed over me, mixed with a twinge of anxiety about what the day would hold.
Once I got ready, I quietly made my way downstairs, trying to shake off the thoughts racing through my head. Marcus was already in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while Emma and Nora set the table.
“Good morning, sunshine!” Marcus called cheerfully. “Pancakes are almost ready. Hope you’re hungry!”
“Always,” I replied, grabbing a mug and pouring myself a cup of coffee.
As I took a seat at the table, I felt Emma’s curious gaze on me. She opened her mouth as if to say something but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps above us. Martinus appeared moments later, his hair tousled and a sleepy smile on his face.
“Morning,” he said, stretching as he walked into the kitchen.
“Morning, sleepyhead!” Nora chirped, placing a plate of pancakes in front of him.
“Did you dream of dragons?” Marcus joked, earning a playful glare from Martinus.
“Nope, just you trying to cook breakfast,” Martinus shot back, and the laughter that followed made the lingering tension from the previous night feel like a distant memory.
We sat around the table, eating and joking. For a while, it felt like everything was back to normal—until I caught Martinus watching me again. This time, it wasn’t just a glance; it was a look filled with something deeper, something that made my heart race and my stomach flip.
“Any plans for today?” Nora asked, breaking my reverie.
“I was thinking we could hit the hiking trails,” Marcus suggested. “There’s a great view from the top.”
“Sounds perfect,” Emma replied, her eyes lighting up. “We can take a picnic with us.”
“What do you think, Y/N?” Marcus asked, looking at me. “You in?”
“Definitely,” I said, feeling a rush of excitement. Fresh air, a hike, and a view would be a welcome distraction from my whirlwind thoughts about Martinus.
---
After breakfast, we packed up snacks and water bottles for our hike, the air buzzing with excitement. Martinus and I fell into step next to each other as we made our way down the path. The woods were vibrant with autumn colors, the leaves crunching underfoot, and the scent of pine filled the air.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said quietly, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
“Me too,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the thrill his words sent through me.
As we hiked, we chatted about everything and nothing—light-hearted banter about school, future plans, and our favorite memories of growing up. The more we talked, the more I felt the walls I had built around myself begin to crumble.
We reached a clearing with a breathtaking view overlooking the lake, and everyone dropped their bags to soak in the scenery.
“Wow,” Emma breathed, stepping closer to the edge.
“I could stay here forever,” Nora added, taking pictures with her phone.
As I leaned against a tree, gazing out at the expansive view, I felt Martinus step closer, his shoulder brushing against mine.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, his voice low.
“Yeah,” I said, still staring out at the horizon, but my heart was racing from the proximity.
“Just like you,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.
I turned to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. “What did you just say?”
He grinned, his eyes dancing with mischief. “You heard me.”
A blush crept up my cheeks, and I could feel the warmth spreading across my skin. “You’re ridiculous,” I said, trying to sound annoyed, but I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips.
“Ridiculous, huh?” he replied, stepping closer. “I think you just like it when I say nice things about you.”
I opened my mouth to retort, but the challenge in his gaze silenced me. He was right; there was something about the way he looked at me, something that made me feel special.
“Maybe I do,” I said softly, meeting his eyes, which sparkled with a mix of confidence and vulnerability.
Just then, Marcus called from the clearing, “Are you two lovebirds ready to join us, or are you planning to get lost in each other’s eyes forever?”
“Coming!” Martinus called back, breaking our moment and stepping back. But the tension was still palpable, a charged silence lingering between us as we made our way back to the group.
---
After an afternoon filled with laughter, hiking, and a picnic lunch, we finally headed back to the cabin. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow across the landscape, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me.
As we approached the cabin, Nora and Marcus began playfully bickering about who would cook dinner. Emma was laughing, and it felt like a scene straight out of a movie—until I felt Martinus’ hand slide into mine, his fingers interlacing with mine in a way that sent sparks racing through my veins.
My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced at him, surprised. He looked straight ahead, a small smile playing on his lips as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
“Martinus,” I said softly, almost breathlessly.
He turned to me, his expression serious yet tender. “Let’s just enjoy this, okay? Whatever it is between us.”
I nodded, my heart racing as I squeezed his hand. There was a sense of comfort in that moment, a realization that we were stepping into something new and exciting, together.
---
That night, after dinner, we gathered around the fire pit outside, roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. The warmth of the fire flickered against the night sky, the stars shining brightly above us.
At one point, Martinus and I found ourselves sitting side by side again, the heat from the fire casting a soft glow on his face.
“Hey,” he said, leaning in closer so that only I could hear him over the laughter of our friends. “About earlier… I meant what I said.”
My heart raced. “You did?”
“Yeah. I know we’re still figuring things out, but I like where this is going,” he said, his gaze steady and sincere.
I felt a smile spread across my face. “Me too, Martinus. I really do.”
Just then, Nora interrupted, her eyes glinting with mischief. “What are you two whispering about? Secrets?”
“Just planning our escape from this ghost story,” I joked, trying to deflect the sudden attention.
Martinus chuckled, his hand brushing against mine again. But even as I laughed, I felt the warmth of our connection deepen. There was something beautiful about how this weekend was shifting everything I thought I knew about him, and about myself.
As the fire crackled and our friends continued their antics, I glanced at Martinus, who was watching me with that familiar intensity. In that moment, I felt a rush of excitement, knowing that whatever came next, we would face it together.
This weekend was more than just a getaway; it was the beginning of something real. And as I leaned closer to Martinus, I realized I wouldn’t want it any other way.
