The lake was always their place.

A stretch of clear water at the edge of Ravenswood, framed by tall pines and wildflowers, where the world felt wide and endless. Every summer since they were ten, Elena and Amara had spent their afternoons there, barefoot, sun-kissed, laughing so loudly the sound bounced across the water.

Amara was the first to run toward the dock, tossing her sandals to the grass.

“Elena, come on!” she yelled, turning around with a grin that seemed to catch the sunlight.

“I’m coming!” Elena called back, rolling her eyes but smiling as she jogged after her best friend.

The air was warm but when they jumped in the water shockingly cold, but it didn’t matter. Their laughter rose with the splash. For a moment, there was no weight, no world outside of Ravenswood, just the two of them floating on their backs, staring up at the pale summer sky.

Amara closed her eyes. “Can you believe we’re starting college next week?”

Elena let the water carry her. “No. It still feels like we’re twelve.”

Amara chuckled softly. “We were a mess at twelve.”

“You were a mess,” Elena corrected.

They swam until their fingers wrinkled, then lay on the grass to dry, the heat wrapping around them like a soft blanket.

........

Later that week, they volunteered at the community center downtown. It was Amara’s idea she liked being around people, and Elena liked being with her. They sorted donated books, handed out free meals, and helped kids paint pictures that made no sense but were perfect anyway.

Mrs. Reynolds, who ran the center, watched them with a fond smile. “You two are like a storm and a calm sea. Perfect pair.”

Amara bumped Elena’s shoulder. “See? Even the old lady agrees.”

“She’s not old,” Elena muttered, but she was laughing.