I always believed that southern sunsets were superior, but my opinion could be considered biased since I grew up in Georgia. Yet, as I coast through the foothills of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, I find its sunset has me eating my own words. My eyes marvel at the deep orange hues that dance across the sky, greenery flying past my head in contrast as my car barrels for my aunt's lake house. I momentarily let up off the gas to enjoy it for a bit longer, even though we've been driving for nearly eleven hours.

"How much longer?" Jamie asks from the passenger seat.

I glance at my phone map. "Ten more minutes."

Jamie must be getting restless. I can't blame her. I am too. Our first day was a similar drive, from Georgia to Pennsylvania, where we stopped in Pittsburgh for me to get a glimpse at the city I would be moving to for college in a few weeks. Then, after a day of rest, we are on our final stretch to Lake Winnipesaukee.

A summer road trip was my feeble attempt to help Jamie feel better about what was to come of our relationship once I moved. I just hoped she could enjoy the time spent with me and make memories to help push her through my approaching absence.

"You know," I start. "The weather is supposed to be great for the next few days. We can go hiking tomorrow, and my aunt has some kayaks we can take out on the lake." I glance over to see Jamie staring out the window. "Or we can take it easy and just relax on our first day."

To be honest, I'm excited to be so far up north. It's been years since I've come to Aunt Liz's lake house, and the last time I had been with my family. Now that it's just Jamie and me, I'm eager to explore with her. She's just tired and sad right now, but once we arrive and stretch our legs a bit, I bet she will have a change of mood.

Soon enough, we're pulling up to the lake house and I quickly exit my car and grab my bags. Jamie does the same and follows me up the path and gasps when the house reveals itself through the thick, summer vegetation. The setting sun reflects off the wood paneling and shines through the tall windows that overlook Winnipesaukee. A smile quickly grows on my lips, as if I'm greeting an old relative.

"Jeez Peyton." Jamie admires the house while lugging her things up the wooden steps. "You weren't kidding when you said it's like a mini-mansion."

I hunt for the hidden key Aunt Liz had left for us. "Well, it has to be." I unlock the door. "Some summers we had multiple families staying here."

The lake house invites us in as I push the door open. Jamie walks in behind me and sets her bags down and takes it in. For a moment, the somber look on her face dissipates and she's Jamie before I had agreed to attend college out-of-state and leave her in Georgia.

"C'mon," I say, snapping her out of her moment. "Let's catch the end of the sunset."

She follows me out of the lake house and to the water that's still and mirroring the beautiful sunset. The quietness of the lake surrounds me as I breathe in the crisp air. In the distance, there's a playful yell and the splashing of water. We enjoy the sereneness of the lake for a minute or two, and then I glance over at Jamie, who's staring out across the water.

I realize she looks like the old Jamie, the fearless girl who had come to my rescue so many times throughout our senior year. The girl who never shied away from talking me down from my anxiety attacks and constantly reminded me that I could have the world if I wanted. I'm terrified to leave her in the fall when we'll be hundreds of miles apart and no longer in arms reach of each other.

"I can feel you staring at me," she says.

"I'm sorry." My cheeks burn. "You just look happier. Finally."

She ignores my comment and faces me with a mischievous smile. "Wanna go for a swim?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah. Why not?"

Her happiness is contagious, like it's always been, and I laugh to myself. Jamie tilts her head playfully and looks toward the pier that brings you to a deep part of the lake, then looks back at me.

"Race me to the water?"

My cheeks burn hotter at the idea of competition. I take my place next to her, indicating I'm game.

"Loser has to skinny dip?" I tease.

She laughs at my reference and we take off. The wooden pier slaps against my feet and I know Jamie will beat me due to her height advantage. She jumps, then I jump, and the cold lake shocks my body and senses. I come up and see her dark hair slicked back and a hint of a smile on her face.

"Just promise me one thing," I say to her. "That you won't mope anymore until we leave. I just want to make memories with you and enjoy our time here adventuring, without dwelling on the future."

She tries to hold on to the little bit of sadness she still feels but inevitably rolls her hazel eyes and laughs.

"Only on one condition." She smirks. "You hold up your end of the bet."

I immediately know what she means, and I struggle to remove my soaked clothing. When I'm finally naked, Jamie's smile can no longer be contained. She swims closer to me. Close enough to where I can feel her body heat through the chill of the water. I instantly grow hot under her gaze.

"No more moping," she promises. "You have yourself a deal, Peyton Kelly."