I climb into the passenger seat next to Atticus in the small car. He smiles and pulls out of the parking lot of my flat, blasting “Bella Ciao” on his way down the empty road, screaming his lungs out to the lyrics. I just sit and smile, humming along. “So,” I interrupt his singing when it switches to some David Bowie song, Magic Dance, I think?. “Where are we going?” He glances away from the road for a minute in my direction. “You’ll see!” He grins. I smile back, but I can feel how strained it is. I hate these types of disruptions in my schedule. Despite my reservations about the unexpected detour, I choose to go along with Atticus's spontaneous adventure. As we drive further away from my comfort zone, I can't help but wonder what surprises await us at our destination. The car zooms down the winding road, the wind rushing through my hair, and the music blaring in the background. Atticus's infectious energy fills the car, and I can't help but be swept up in his enthusiasm, tapping my fingers and bobbing my head. His joy is contagious, even if it clashes with my need for structure and routine. As the scenery changes from familiar city streets to sprawling countryside, my curiosity gets the better of me. I can't resist asking again, "Seriously, where are we going?" Atticus chuckles, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Patience, my Dear. All will be revealed soon enough." I take a deep breath, trying to let go of my need for control. Atticus has always been the spontaneous one, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone. As the car rounds a bend, a breathtaking landscape unfolds before us. A hidden gem that I would have never discovered on my own. Atticus pulls over, and we step out of the car to take in the beauty surrounding us. The air is crisp and filled with the scent of wildflowers. The rolling hills stretch out as far as the eye can see, dotted with vibrant patches of green and colorful wildflowers. The sky above is a brilliant shade of blue, with fluffy white clouds lazily drifting by. I can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder as I take in the picturesque scene. Atticus grins at me, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "I knew you'd love it," he says, his voice filled with triumph. I can't help but smile back at him, the cheeky prat. At that moment, I give in. I grab the back of his head and pull him in to a quick kiss, smiling even wider when he pulls away with a neon red face. We spend the afternoon exploring the hidden trails that wind through the hills, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty around us. We stumble upon a secluded waterfall, its cascading waters creating a soothing melody. We dip our toes in the cool pool at its base, feeling the refreshing embrace of nature. As the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, we find a quiet spot to sit and eat the picnic I packed the day before. Pasta salads have always been my specialty, and I had enough money to get some bottled teas. Cheap, I know, But honestly still so good. He smiles and laughs as I savor the taste of the pasta. Glaring at him jokingly, I dip my hand into the water by our feet and flick a scoop of water towards him, splashing him and soaking his shirt. He gapes and me for a moment, then grins evilly. “Oh fuck!” I duck out of the way continuously as he tries over and over again to splash me. Eventually, I assume he’s given up. He stops and wraps me in a hug. I laugh at his easy defeat, hugging him back, until I feel his arms stiffen into a human cage. “Hey!” I squirm around as he picks me up. “Put me down, you fucking toe-licker!” He laughs loudly, warm breath hitting my ear, as he walks towards the water. “No.” He says, and promptly drops me into the lake.

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