I woke up with a start.

Today was the day we would go rafting down the Ocoee. I was excited. Perhaps a little too excited. I got up and headed for the bathroom. As I turned on the water, I smelt a delicious scent: Mom was making pancakes. I kept my hand under the water until it was warm enough to get in.

After showering, I pulled on some clothes and walked downstairs. I saw a plate stacked with pancakes in front of where I sit. It was practically drowning in syrup. This is why I'm fat, I said to myself as I sat down and grabbed my fork and began to eat.

As I scarfed down my meal, my father came inside with the newspaper. He sat down in front of me and started reading. Mother flipped a pancake and set the pan down to come over and kiss me on the head. Right as I had dumped my dishes in the sink, there was a knock at the door. I looked at the clock. It wasn't nine yet. Mikkel wasn't supposed to be here for another ten minutes. I opened the door and was surprised to see Logan instead! He greeted me and told me Mikkel, Hannah, and two others were in the car. Apparently they wanted to leave early so they could listen to the instructions.

"Mom! Dad! We're leaving early!", I yelled throughout the house.

"Okay," I heard my mom say then my dad, "Have fun! Be safe!"

"I will!", I replied as I shut the door and began to walk to the car. Mikkel was in the driver's seat and no one in the passenger side. He beckoned my to sit next to him and I did.

"Hey.", he said.

"Hey, Mikey. Hey everyone.", I waved to everyone. One of the members in the car that I didn't know gave me a confused look. Apparently no one ever called Mikkel "Mikey". Since Mikkel gave no protest or indication that he cared, I just ignored them. We pretty much had a one hour drive since we lived fairly close to the river. Hannah and I texted the whole way there.

Hannah: Hay, Lia.

Me: Hey.

Hannah: Are you excited? I'm pumped!

Me: Yeah, I guess. Mikkel said something about there being no carnage.

Hannah: That's a good thing. It means the rapids won't be as high or dangerous.

Me: All the better for me.

Hannah: Ha ha. Do you think we'll be put in separate rafts or in the same one?

Me: We'll be split up. One raft holds four passengers and one guide.

Hannah: Ah, OK. I hope we get a raft together.

Me: I'm more concerned with being in a raft with Mikkel. He seems to know a lot about this stuff.

Hannah: Yeah, you're right. Well, let's just hope we at least get us four in a raft.

Me: Agreed.

Hannah: So, word is out you two are dating?

Me: Yeah, I guess. Scarlet literally tried to beat me up because if it yesterday.

Hannah: Yeesh!

Me: Yeah. It was actually pretty good. I easily beat Scar.

Hannah: Sounds like we got a fighter.

Me: You better watch out or I'll punch you in the nose!

Hannah: XD

Me: Mikkel is sooo cute. I'm so glad I'm with him.

"Uh-huh. I bet you are.", I heard Mikkel say under his breath. I playfully poked his arm.

"Oh, stop it.", I said with a playfully serious tone. I turned back to my phone.

Hannah: What was going on on the front seat?

Me: Mikkel saw my last text and said, "Uh-huh. I bet you are."

I heard Hannah snicker from behind me.

Me: Don't laugh at me!

Hannah: *Laughs.* It's kinda hard not to when something like that happens.

Me: I'm silently praying that I don't fall out of the raft.

Hannah: Don't worry, I'll save you if you do.

Me: Like heck you will.

* * *

We finally arrived at the site where we would get on the bus. This bus would take us to the site where we put in.

"Okay, everyone. We have another three hours drive to the dam!", the director announced over the megaphone. There groans from others who had also come to raft. We all helped load our gear and rafts up onto the bus. As we all boarded the bus, seating was scarce. Rafting was a busy business. I found a seat next Mikkel and hugged him.

"Don't you dare let me fall out.", I mumbled. He nodded and mumbled something back that I didn't hear.

The ride was boring. The director introduced herself and the driver. As we went by these sites, she would point it out and talk about it. I eventually fell asleep and Mikkel let my head rest on his shoulder as I slept. I felt Mikkel tapping me on my head. I woke up and looked around. I heard the waterfall created by the dam roaring outside. We all piled out, unloaded everything, then finally got in the rafts. Hannah, Mikkel, Logan, and I eventually talked our way into getting a raft together. We had one of the more experienced guides with us, but that didn't affect what was about to happen.

As we all began paddling towards the other side of the dam where we would have to carry the rafts to where the rapids started after the dam, the raft started veering away from our set course. When the raft straightened out, I saw where we were headed.

Right off the 110 foot dam.

End