what is stronger than the human heart

which shatters over and over

and still lives

-rupi kaur

"You weren't kidding when you said this place was quiet huh? It's waaay different from being in the big, noisy city."

Laurielle kept up majority of the conversation, as August concentrated on leading the way through South Ridge Trail— she had never hiked a day before in her life, but openness was definitely her forte.

"Mhmm," he replied while clearing the way of fallen branches, and other debris "Be extra careful coming through alright? I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself,"

"I'm sure you've got the entire hospital in your backpack, I'm good."

He slightly rolled his eyes and huffed, "Didn't I say we were going hiking? Yes I did— and you decide to wear freaking crocs, I hate those wonky rubber clown shoes."

"They're very comfortable so,"

"Doesn't matter, they aren't the appropriate shoes to have on while climbing up grassy, rocky hills Lauri."

She purposely annoyed him beings that it brought out some of his personality, his fussing may have been entertaining, but at the end of the day he'd be responsible for her if she were to have an accident.

Nevertheless, their adventure had been sailing smoothly until they reached the more elevated level of the journey— August enjoyed the great outdoors where Mother Nature declared the land as her own.

Wildflowers sprung from amongst the ground as they danced in the breeze; Vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and red covered the plains of Earth.

"Oh my goodness look at this view, it's absolutely beautiful."

"Isn't it though?" August agreed before cuffing his hands around his mouth, and simply yelling at nothing in particular as his voice echoed "You try it."

Laurielle quickly shook her head, "No way I can't."

"Yes you can, ain't nobody out here but us Cher."

"Cher?" her eyebrows became knitted together, thinking he had called her another woman's name "Who in the devil is Cher?"

"It's not a person, it's another word for sweetheart or baby— I'm originally from New Orleans, but I've been here so long that my accent comes and goes, I barely use the Louisiana slang anymore which I dread."

"Oh," she replied as her body temperature increased due to embarrassment "May I have a water please, I'm a little parched."

Removing his backpack, he unzipped it while reaching inside to grab her a bottle of water— she thanked him before quickly taking a sip, it was too early on for her to be jealous. At least in the midst of her misunderstanding him, she was happy that he had shared something finally.

"All hydrated?" he questioned as she nodded "Good, because we're about to mosey on to our next destination, downhill... there's a lake."

"How do you know your way around these parts so well without a map, or even a cellphone?"

"First of all the reception out here is horrible so a cellphone would be pointless," he began making his way down the hill before turning around to look up at her, "Second... I've been coming out here for as long as I can remember and not much has changed."

Extending his arms outwards, he motioned for her to lean forward off of the hill. She did as told as he carefully placed his hands around her waist, gently lifting her into the air. She soon made contact with the ground again only standing a few centimeters in front of him.

Laurielle could feel him breathing against her as she looked up at his resting face; She had become bewitched by his steady gaze, with dark brown eyes that held a glimmer of passion, it was a look so uncommon from most men.

He had defined cheekbones, and an angular jawline that may have been carved by the finest craftsman of God's appointed creators. His nose as cute as a button, with plump lips roofed by a thin— military like mustache, and just a tad bit of stubble giving him an unclean, but tolerable and edgy kind of appearance.

"I don't mean to sound rude but, your staring is making me feel a little weird." he said as she quickly snapped back into reality

"Sorry about that, umm... shall we?" she proceeded downward as he followed "You're supposed to be leading the way."

"How 'bout you lead, and I just direct? I don't mind being behind you."

She slightly turned her head to the side, getting a glimpse of him smiling while his eyes traveled down her physique; Placing her hands on her hips, she put a small arch in her back allowing her bottom to poke further out as she began twisting.

He belted out a laugh before covering his mouth, "You're ridiculous Lauri."

They finally had descended from the top and were now at the lake, August took a seat on a nearby log while Lauri decided to be closer to the water, "Be careful— if you fall in I'm not coming to save you."

"And why not August?"

"I'm black, we don't swim." he shrugged as if that were a justifiable reason "I never even learned how to float."

"It's not that deep though," she said while tying her tank top into a knot, she then hiked up her biker shorts before stepping into the water "See, and it feels really good... put your feet in."

Surprisingly August didn't hesitate, he kicked off his boots and socks, then rolled his pants up just above his calves before joining her.

"Look at that turtle," he said as she beamed with excitement

"Oh my goodness where, where!?"

"There." he then splashed water at her while laughing, "I can't believe you fell for that."

"It's on now, get over here." she splashed water back while chasing him around

"Relax, I've got a cramp I don't want to play anymore." his laughing continued as he ran to land, Laurielle followed while jumping onto his back "Big mistake."

He held onto her legs while spinning around until they went tumbling down into the grass— their laughter broadened as they laid underneath the sun, averting their eyes toward the clear blue sky.

"I swear you bring out the little girl in me, I'm having a really great time. Thank you for inviting me out here August."

"I appreciate you coming, and you're always welcome... if I'm being completely honest though, I prefer my domain more than I prefer yours, is that a problem?"

"Not necessarily, I think you're just accustomed to Idyllwild way more than you are to Pasadena, how often do you visit the city anyways?"

"Probably once every other year, Idyllwild isn't a very large place but it's got the necessities that I need."

"So if I were to invite you back to Pasadena, for whatever the occasion may be— would you come or even consider it?"

"I would consider that, just for you Lauri,"

"Aww yay, that makes me so happy."

"Good, plus that gives me my reason to go back..." he then looked over at her "I told you I didn't have one the last time, and now I do."

She began blushing but hid it to the best of her ability, a silence had occurred and the only thing that could be heard was the small current from the lake, and birds singing.

"My grandparents used to bring me down here every summer, pawpaw would sit by the lake with his fishing pole waiting on something to bite, while nana was on the hunt for a honeysuckle shrub— she used to spend hours picking sweet berries just for me and her to eat later."

Laurielle lie there quietly, she didn't want to interrupt him as he began giving her a little insight of his life.

"I was a troubled child, I stayed getting into altercations or fistfights with kids in school, my mama didn't know what to do with me anymore, especially when I turned 17— she kicked me out and I was homeless for a little bit, when my grandparents heard the news they came and got me... and I been here ever since."

"Oh wow it seems like you've been through a lot, have you spoken to your mother since then?"

"The last time we talked was at nana's funeral, like 3 years ago. We got into a real heated argument because that was my first time seeing her again after 7 years had passed, I made her swear to stay away from me and I swore the same."

"Sheesh, it's unhealthy to hold grudges like that though August."

"PawPaw said that, but it's just something I'll have to fix on my own timing— it's an internal type of thing that I'm working on. He was helping me but he died, natural causes... so now I'm just here stuck in the world trying to figure out who the hell August Alsina is supposed to be, because I have no clue."

"Aww honey," she cooed while caressing his cheek "I'm sure you'll figure it all out in no time, and if you ever need any support I'm here for you."

"I don't know Lauri, I don't know if I want to find out who I really am— People may never want to support me, care for me, or even love me... they'll never love me. I'm like a freak of nature to be honest, I don't function properly— like a broken clock that ticks backwards. I've been this way all my life, tragic."

"You're just misunderstood," she said now sitting up to look at him "And who cares what other people think? It's just like I told you in the beginning, different is good... you're no cliché August, give it some time and I guarantee you'll see what I mean."

"I appreciate you," he sat up as well "Don't pity me though, I'm gonna be straight just like you believe."

"You need to believe it as well, understand?"

"I hear you Cher." a small smile spread across his lips

"So when you say that word, which one are you referring me to? Sweetheart, or baby?"

"Which one would you prefer?" he questioned as she became flustered, not wanting to give him an answer

"I'm definitely not going to pick,"

"We're adults here, state what you want woman."

"Oop, look at you getting all feisty— I see you're a little comfortable with me now. I like it."

"It's only because you welcomed me in with open arms, you didn't judge and I respect that."

"Yeah you're welcome by the way," she stuck her tongue out at him as he chuckled "What was your first impression of me?"

"Well back at the library you were bold for just coming up to a total stranger, thinking it's okay to touch them and what not, so bold— also very curious, I thought you were real genuine, sophisticated, you've got this bubbly personality that I admire... when I actually just laid eyes on you I realized that you're one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen."

"Thank youuuu," she replied with humbleness "It's nice to know those things, especially coming from you because you're not an open book like myself, you're mysterious as ever but I dig that, it's refreshing for me as weird as that may sound."

"I'm slowly coming on around, don't worry. If you're patient with me I'll be patient with you."

"We can shake on that one August," she said while extending her hand towards him

He gently grabbed her hand, and pulled her towards him as she gasped becoming surprised at his action which was hugging, his face rested in the crook of her neck as he deeply exhaled, it seemed as though he needed the hug.

So she allowed him to hug her for as long as he liked, with no problems.