On shaky legs, I make my way to the edge. Micah surfaces with a shake of his head, like a shaggy dog, before making his way to shore with sure strokes. Once he’s there, he raises his hand.

“Now or never, Meg!”

I swallow hard, fill my lungs, and leap off into the sky.

I’ve got a heart to retrieve.

MEG: I think I have a crush.

VADA:…

VADA:…

VADA:…

VADA: I’m sorry, who is this?

MEG: Hilarious, Carsewell.

VADA: First, no fairy wings, and now a crush? You know you have the entire year to gap it up, right?

MEG: I went cliff jumping today. In a two-piece bathing suit. With a boy. Because he asked me to.

VADA: OH SHIT.

MEG: I know. RIP me.

VADA: Is it weird that I’m getting all emotional? I’m so proud of you!

MEG: Not completely. Although my mom would not be impressed.

VADA: All the more reason.

MEG: That’s what Micah said!

VADA: Is Micah the name of The Boy. The Boy Who Jumps Off Cliffs?

MEG: Yes. He’s the first person I met here and somehow, not on purpose, we’ve seen each other almost every day since?

VADA: Like serendipity or like stalking?

MEG: I couldn’t possibly know for sure, but if it’s stalking, I know where he lives and met his family, his dog, his best friend, and I got a job next door to where he works.

MEG: So, I think that would make me the stalker?

VADA: Definitely. But hold up. YOU GOT A JOB THERE?

MEG: Oh, right. Yeah. I did.

VADA: Meg. Does your mom know you aren’t coming home?

MEG: Um …

VADA: Jesus H. If I wasn’t in the middle of …

VADA:…

VADA: Iowa. Apparently. Luke drives so slow, we’ll probably grow old and die before we make it to Cali.

VADA: Anyway! You’re moving to Marquette? Because of Micah?

MEG: No. Because of my great-grandma Betty. But I need to go. I’m having dinner with my uncle and Miss Betty in forty minutes and I’m still in my suit.

VADA: MEG. WHAT. I’M IN IOWA. I MAY VERY WELL DIE HERE. YOU CAN’T JUST TELL ME YOU’RE MEETING LONG-LOST FAMILY AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH CLIFF JUMPERS AND THEN LEAVE.

MEG: Gah. I’m sorry! I promise to FaceTime you when I get back.

VADA: You better.

MEG: And I’m not in love with anyone.

MEG: It’s a crush.

VADA: Sure. Tell me that again when I can see your face.

MEG: Give Luke a hug for me.

VADA: He says, YOUTUBE: Call It What You Want by Taylor Swift.

MEG: SHUT UP AND DRIVE LUKE. *kisses*

I toss my phone on the bed and flop down on my back before bouncing back up with a groan. Better get cleaned up.