Time flies when you’re having fun. As spring fully blooms and the semester is nearing its end, Wyatt and I do all the things we didn’t get to do when we first dated in secret. Turns out I’m obsessed with his hands, because any time we are together my hand stays glued in his. Holding his hand openly, not having to hide it, gives me a different kind of thrill than our secret stolen touches gave me back then. The weather feels perfect most days and I drag him out for picnics, although I try to keep my pantry and fridge stocked so that we won’t have a repeat of our first picnic, which in hindsight was way too expensive. 

The semester is ending soon and so the workload is at its heaviest with all the final assignments and exams coming up and so I work hard to convince Wyatt to take breaks so that we’ll get to enjoy the sunshine as well. I’m not too concerned with my grades this semester as I’ve studied more than ever before and since Wyatt’s been studying with me a lot of the time I’ve basically had my own private tutor. Of course, Wyatt also works as an actual tutor and teaching assistant for other people so I feel a bit bad for taking advantage of his skills for free, but I don’t think he would ever let me pay him for his time. 

We are finishing our presentation for our course, going through it one last time before it’s completely done. 

“Isn’t it so crazy that this assignment and all the work we’ve done this whole semester for it is, like, the reason we got close and started dating?”, I reminisce out loud, thinking about how we got paired up for it and how much I dreaded it at first. 

“Yeah, I think about that sometimes. I don’t think we would have ever even properly talked otherwise.”, Wyatt says, adding, “I sure wouldn’t have ever gotten the courage to talk to you.”

“And I probably would have pretended what we did on the beach never happened.”, I say with a sigh. “We’ve changed quite a bit since then, haven’t we?”, I smile at Wyatt as he agrees. “Yes, we have.”

“But speaking of the beach and what we did there… other than pick up trash of course”, I say with a mischievous look, “we should totally go on an overnight trip to the beach!”. The idea just hit me, I think it would be so much fun to go back where it all started for us, but this time as a couple. 

“After the semester is over, of course.”, I add, mind racing with ideas. “To celebrate that the semester is over, like a reward for all our hard work and how much we’ve been through.”, I give Wyatt a hopeful look. He looks excited for it.

“Great idea!”, Wyatt says, but I see the concern creeping in as he thinks it through, most likely thinking of the cost. 

“Yay!”, I grin, “Oh! Let’s invite our friends too!”, I’m thinking he won’t let me pay for him, but maybe if more people join, the cost of accommodation will be lower if it’s shared by everyone. “Let’s book like a beach villa and then share the costs with everyone?”, I suggest, before he can start changing his mind and getting all worried about it. Wyatt agrees, but hesitantly adds, “Okay, but let me know beforehand what it costs so I can figure something out.”

“Of course, will do!”, I say cheerfully, “It’s going to be so much fun! I can’t wait!”. Wyatt chuckles at my excitement and patiently listens to all my ideas as I ramble on about everything from what I think we should do there to whom we should invite with us. The presentation is forgotten for the moment, but I’m not worried about it, instead I put all my effort and focus into planning this special celebratory trip to the beach.