The next morning, Hollyn woke up early, the excitement and nervous energy coursing through her veins. She quickly got ready, packed the last few items in her backpack, and double-checked everything. Lottie had woken up when Hollyn did and had been watching her curiously. She got up, her tail wagging when she realized her owner was going somewhere. Hollyn's heart melted at seeing that and she knelt in front of her, scratching behind Lottie's ears.

"I'm sorry, girl, but you can't come with us this time. We'll go another time, okay?" She tells her, kissing the top of her head. Lottie let out a soft whimper and licked Hollyn's face. "Aw, I'll miss you too. But I'll be back soon, okay? I promise."

Lottie huffs, nuzzling Hollyn's face and gives her a small lick. Hollyn smiles, rubbing the top of Lottie's head. She got up and grabs her phone before she left the room with Lottie trailing behind her. She went downstairs and was greeted by her parents. They were both dressed in their pajamas and were enjoying breakfast.

"Morning, sweetheart. You're up early." James commented, looking up from the newspaper he was reading.

"Yeah, Cole and I agreed to meet up around nine, and I wanted to get an early start." Hollyn replies, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She knew her dad would ask, so she continued. "We're going camping for the weekend. Since today is homecoming, I thought it would be nice to get away from the chaos."

James smiles softly as he nods in understanding. "That's sweet of you, Hollyn. I'm sure Cole will appreciate it."

"I hope so." Hollyn smiles, taking a sip of her coffee. "Do you need me to do anything before I leave?" She asked, glancing between her parents as she grabbed some of the bacon off the plate on the kitchen island to eat. She had noticed some bacon and eggs were already made. Carolyn and James exchanged a glance, silently communicating with each other.

"No, we're good here. Go have fun, sweetheart." Carolyn reassured her, glancing back at her with a soft smile.

"But not too much fun." James added, causing her face to turn red.

"Dad!" Hollyn mumbled, rolling her eyes playfully. She knew her parents were just teasing her, but it still made her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Sorry, couldn't resist," James chuckled, giving her a wink.

Hollyn stayed standing at the kitchen island, continuing to eat some more bacon as she checks the time on her phone. It was still a bit early so she decided to grab herself a plate and get some eggs to. She loved her dad's cooking. "Dad, I swear, if you didn't own and work at the ranch, you could easily become a chef." She murmured as she continued eating.

James chuckles, smiling at the compliment. "Thanks, kiddo." He replied, finishing the rest of his coffee.

After Hollyn finished eating, she put away her empty dishes into the dishwasher. She gave her parents a side hug and grabs her backpack. "Alright, I'm heading out. I'll let you know when we arrive. Love you guys."

"Have fun, sweetheart!" Carolyn called out.

"Don't forget to call if you need anything." James added.

Hollyn smiles and heads out the door. She went over to her car and placed her backpack in the trunk before she climbs into the driver's seat and starts the engine. Her heart was pounding as she left her house and went next door, anticipation and excitement coursing through her veins.

When she pulled into Cole's driveway, she saw he was sitting on the porch with his backpack next to him and he was looking down at his phone. As she climbed out of her car, his head snapped up and he grinned. Hollyn smiled, her heart skipping a beat at seeing him.

"Hey." She greeted, walking over to him.

"Hey, you're early." Cole chuckles, his eyes softening as he stood up. "Couldn't wait any longer, huh?" He teased, raising his eyebrows.

Hollyn blushes, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, well, you're the one who was already out here waiting for me." She countered, crossing her arms.

Cole laughs, shrugging his shoulders. "Fair enough. Shall we?" He gestured to the car.

Hollyn grins and nods. "You wanna drive or should I?" She asked curiously as they walked over to her car together.

"You'd let me drive your car?" Cole asked teasingly, smirking as he looked at her.

"If you promise not to crash." Hollyn quipped, raising her eyebrows at him.

Cole holds up his hands in mock surrender. "I promise." He grins. "You know I wouldn't purposefully crash your car." He added and she nodded in response.

"Okay, then you can drive." Hollyn agreed, tossing the keys at him.

Cole catches the keys, grinning at her. "Sweet. Let's go."

"Hollyn!"

Hollyn freezes when she heard that familiar British accent she missed so much. Her heart raced and she turns around, surprised to find a dark-haired boy standing by a grey car in the driveway. "Julien?" She whispered, her eyes widening. "Julien!" She couldn't help the excited squeal that left her mouth as she ran towards him, throwing her arms around him.

"Julien?" Cole mumbled, looking and sounding confused. He had no idea who this boy was and he didn't like it at all.

Julien smiles as he hugged her, and she felt the warmth that always filled her whenever she was with him. She missed him so much. "Mon cherie, it's so good to see you!" Julien smiles brightly as he hugs her, picking her up and spinning her around. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Jules." Hollyn laughs, hugging him tight. It's been months since they've last seen each other and she's missed him a lot. "What are you doing here? I thought you were back in London."

"I am. But I'm here for the week. My older sister is having her baby this week so she wanted us here for his arrival." Julien explains. "And I wanted to see my favorite American." Hollyn couldn't help the way her heart fluttered at his words.

"You're so sweet, Jules." She giggled, a wide smile on her face. She felt giddy and the warmth from his touch made her heart race. She couldn't believe he was here, right in front of her.

"Of course, ma cherie. I couldn't come and visit without seeing my favorite American." Julien winks, letting her go and takes a step back. "Oh, is this the infamous Cole Walter you told me all about?" He questioned curiously when he noticed Cole behind Hollyn. Cole had a clenched jaw and crossed arms, his eyes narrowed. He didn't like this guy one bit.

"Yup, that's him." Hollyn laughs, turning to face Cole. She smiles, her heart filling with warmth as she looked at him. Cole's face softens when he locked eyes with her, and he offers her a small smile. She glances back at Julien, her cheeks warming up. "Jules, this is Cole. Cole, this is Julien." She introduced the two boys, hoping they would get along.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Cole. Hollyn's told me a lot about you." Julien said politely, extending his hand out to Cole.

Cole clicks his tongue as he shakes his hand. "Wish I could say the same. Hollyn didn't mention she knew any British guys." He said stiffly.

"Well, now you know. We met at an art school in France, I showed her around the school and the city while she was there." Julien grins. "We became fast friends after that." He winces slightly when the grip on the handshake tightened. "That's a tight grip you got there, bud." He chuckles nervously. "Remind me not to get on your bad side." He tried to joke, hoping to ease the tension.

"I'll make a note of that." Cole replied dryly, giving his hand one last squeeze before letting go. He didn't like this guy one bit and the way his eyes kept lingering on Hollyn.

"So, are you guys going somewhere?" Julien asks in a curious tone, his eyes looking over at her car that was packed. "I was hoping we could catch up. It's been months since I've seen you." He had been hoping to hang out and catch up with Hollyn and was a bit disappointed to see she had other plans.

"Yeah, Cole and I are going camping. We're skipping homecoming." Hollyn explained, smiling a little bit as she glanced over at Cole. Cole had to fight back a smile as he looked back at her, their eyes locking.

"Skip? You talked about how much you love homecoming." Julien points out, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're missing homecoming to go camping? Who are you and what have you done with Hollyn?" He joked.

Hollyn rolls her eyes, chuckling softly. "I'm still me, Jules. It's just... This weekend is hard for Cole and I didn't want him to be alone, so I suggested we go camping." She explained, shrugging her shoulders.

"Well, aren't you just the sweetest." Julien smiles, his gaze softening as he looks at her. "It's very thoughtful of you."

Hollyn's cheeks reddened at the compliment, and she glances down, trying not to blush. She couldn't stop herself from glancing over at Cole, though. His expression had softened, but his jaw was clenched. She couldn't tell if he was annoyed or jealous.

"It's not that big of a deal." Hollyn murmured, smiling softly as her cheeks turned red out of embarassment.

"Nonsense, ma cherie. It is a big deal. And a very sweet gesture." Julien insists, smiling warmly. "Well, I don't want to keep you guys any longer. Have a good time, you two. We'll catch up later." He pulled Hollyn in for another hug, giving her a gentle squeeze. Hollyn hugged him back, feeling a mix of emotions. She was happy to see Julien, but a part of her couldn't shake off the tension that lingered in the air between him and Cole.

"Thanks, Jules. We'll definitely catch up soon." Hollyn smiled, pulling away from the hug.

Cole nods in acknowledgment, still maintaining a guarded expression. "Nice meeting you, Julien. Take care."

"You too, Cole. Have a great camping trip, you two." Julien waved as he headed towards his car.

"Bye, Jules!" Hollyn calls out to hi before she turns to Cole with furrowed eyebrows and a small frown forming on her face. "Cole, are you okay?"

Cole sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, just wasn't expecting to see suddenly see some British guy you didn't mention before." He grumbled.

Hollyn bites her lip, a guilty expression crossing her face. "Sorry, I should've mentioned him. I thought I did though. Anyway, he's just a close friend." She reassures Cole, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Come on, let's go. I can't wait to get there."

Cole looks at her, his eyes softening slightly. "Are you sure? If you wanna stay and hang out with him, that's fine." It wasn't, but he didn't want to hold her back.

"Nope, I'd much rather spend the day with you." Hollyn smiles softly at him and bumps her shoulder with his. "Besides, we're already packed and had planned the trip. We should get going. We've got a long drive ahead of us."

Cole smiles, feeling his heart race as he looks at her. The tension slowly eased, and he felt himself relax. He didn't know what it was, but the thought of this guy taking Hollyn away from him made him feel uneasy. "Okay, if you're sure. Let's go." He said, walking towards the driver's seat. Hollyn smiled and got in the passenger side, her heart pounding. She glanced at Cole and felt a pang of guilt as she wondered how to bring up Julien.

She knew that Cole was a little jealous of the guy, but she didn't know why. After all, Julien was only a friend. They weren't together. As Cole started the car and they began their journey, Hollyn couldn't shake the tension that lingered between them. She wanted to address the elephant in the room and ease any concerns Cole might have about Julien.

"Cole, I'm sorry if Julien caught you off guard. I should have mentioned him earlier." Hollyn began, casting a worried glance at him. "I thought I told you about him...I guess I forgot. But we're just friends."

Cole sighs, keeping his eyes on the road. "I know, it's just...It caught me off guard, seeing some random guy appear and be close with you. Plus he looks like he could be a model or something." Cole admits, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "It's stupid, I know. But I can't help feeling a little...Threatened, I guess."

Hollyn couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips as she realized something. "You're jealous." She stated, a teasing tone lacing her voice.

Cole's eyes widened and he quickly glanced at her, his face reddening. "What? No! Why would I be jealous?" He scoffed, glancing back at the road, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.

"Yes, you are. And there's nothing wrong with that. I would be too if some random girl appeared and acted all cozy with you." Hollyn admits sheepishly, her face turning red as she realized what she just said. "I mean..." She stammers, struggling to find the right words. "Uh...You don't have to worry about anything, Julien and I are just close friends. We haven't seen each other in a few months so we're just happy to see each other." She added, hoping to change the topic. Her heart kept racing as she kept thinking about what she said.

Cole's expression softens as he listened to her, and he couldn't help but smile at her flustered response. "Well, I guess maybe I am a little jealous," He admits, side glancing at her before looking back at the road quickly. "But that's only because I don't want to share you." He blurts out, his eyes widening slightly when he realized what he just said. "Wait, I didn't mean it like that." He tries to backtrack, his cheeks reddening even more. "What I meant was, I like spending time with you and I don't want some guy stealing you away from me and ruin the time we spend together." He rambled, trying to explain his thoughts.

Hollyn couldn't help but giggle as she watched Cole get flustered. It was rare to see him flustered and it was adorable. Her heart skips a beat and her cheeks were tinged with pink as she processed what he said. "You don't have to worry. As I said, Julien is only a close friend. Nothing more." She reassured him, offering him a soft smile.

"Good. Not that it's any of my business." Cole murmurs, his gaze darting towards her for a brief moment before he looks back at the road. "I guess, I'd rather it be just the two of us. That way I can have all of your attention." He teased, flashing her a small smirk. He tried to ignore how fast his heart was beating and how his face was warm. He couldn't believe he had admitted that.

Hollyn grins, her heart skipping a beat and she blushes a little bit. "Well, you've got my undivided attention, Coley." She said teasingly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. Cole smiled softly, his gaze lingering on her before looking back at the road. She could feel her heart racing as she looked at him and wondered what he was thinking. She wondered if she should say anything else, but she was enjoying the comfortable silence between them.

She turned the radio on as they continued the drive, the sound of the music filling the car. The tension slowly faded away and the mood lightened. Hollyn even sang along to some of the songs and managed to convince Cole to sing along with her, much to his embarrassment. She loved hearing him sing even though he claimed he was terrible. To her, his singing was wonderful.

As they continued their journey, Hollyn and Cole found themselves lost in the music, laughter, and the shared moments that made their bond stronger. The initial tension from the unexpected encounter with Julien had dissipated, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere. It was a reminder that their friendship was strong enough to withstand the tests of time and unexpected encounters. When they approached their camping destination, the excitement bubbled up again. They couldn't wait to set up their campsite and spend the rest of the night enjoying each other's company. With a song playing on the radio, the two of them were excited about the journey ahead and the memories they would make together.

On the way there they made some detours for food, snacks, and gas. And at lunch they had stopped at a diner they found along the way. It was a classic type of diner, with a jukebox and a bar, where they sat and ate lunch. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, and they enjoyed the delicious food and drinks. It was nice to have some time to catch up and talk without any distractions.

****

After lunch, they headed back to the road and drove until they finally arrived at the camping ground. Soon they pull up to the camp site and parked, eager to start setting up their tents and prepare for a night under the stars. Cherry creek is a large mountain area in Colorado. It's full of trees, flowers, and wildlife. There are hiking trails, lake and a camp sight. There were other campsites, but Cole and Hollyn had found their favorite place that they always went to. They found a spot close to the lake, setting up their tent and the fire. They made sure they had plenty of wood for their campfire and they were ready to set up camp. They were excited and couldn't wait to relax and enjoy their time together.

As Hollyn and Cole were putting the finishing touches on their tent, Cole glanced over at her, admiring the way the sunlight lit up her features as she worked on helping him with putting the tent up. Her long, brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, her eyebrows were furrowed together as she struggled to put the pole in its place. He couldn't help the chuckle that left his lips and he had to turn away, his heart racing as he felt himself fall even more in love with her.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Hollyn asks, narrowing her eyes as she looked over at him. "This is a lot more complicated than I remember." She complained with a frown.

Cole laughs again, his eyes twinkling as he looks back at her. "Here, let me help you." He stood by her, reaching his hand out and gently guiding her, helping her put the pole in its place. Her body was close to his and the scent of her vanilla shampoo filled his nose. His heart raced, his face warming up. He glanced over at her, catching her gaze and they stared at each other.

"Thanks." She smiled shyly, her face was red and her heart was pounding as she felt the warmth of his body against hers. It wasn't the first time they've been this close, but this time felt different. Maybe it was the fact that they were alone, without any distractions or people around them. Maybe it was the way the sunlight shone down on them, making everything seem brighter. Or maybe it was the way their eyes locked and they were unable to look away. Either way, they couldn't help the way their hearts raced as they looked at each other.

"No problem, I'm happy to help." Cole clears his throat and forces himself to pull away, ignoring the urge to stay close. He was trying his best not to blush and he turned back to work on the tent. "Let's keep working on this before the sun goes down. We want to get it done before dark." He added, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Right." Hollyn murmured, trying to get back into focus. She felt her cheeks warm and her heart was racing. She couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same way she did. If he felt the same flutter in his heart when he was close to her. She shook her head and tried to get back to focusing on the task at hand.

Once the tent was finally up, Hollyn and Cole set up a few more things, such as a campfire, chairs, and a couple of lanterns. They had a cooler as well and brought along some food, drinks, and s'more supplies. They had eventually made some dinner as the sun was slowly setting, and the sky was painted with warm hues of orange and pink. After dinner, they sat in their camping chairs, gazing at the sunset as they enjoyed the quiet evening.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Hollyn murmurs softly, a content smile forming on her face as she gazed at the sunset. "I always loved watching the sunsets. Especially out here."

Cole nods in agreement, a small smile appearing on his face. "It is. The view is always so beautiful." He agreed, glancing over at her, his heart racing when he noticed the way her brown eyes sparkled in the dim light. She was radiant, and the beauty of the sunset was nothing compared to her. He couldn't stop staring, mesmerized by her.

Hollyn smiles, glancing back at him and catches his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat when she met his gaze and saw the look in his eyes. The look that was always reserved just for her. It was the look that made her feel safe and warm. She couldn't help but wonder if her eyes had a similar expression, reflecting the feelings that she had tried to suppress for so long. She forced herself to look away and looked back at the sunset. Soon enough they cooked some hotdogs over the fire for dinner and once the sun had completely set, they were sitting around the fire, talking and laughing as they looked at the stars too.

"So, uh, how about we make some s'mores?" Hollyn questioned, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. Cole had been unusually quiet and she wasn't sure what was on his mind. She knew something was bothering him, but she didn't want to pry.

Cole snaps himself out of his daze at the sound of her voice. He'd been thinking about the events of the day, and how much he loved spending time with her. How he was trying to grasp these new feelings he felt for her. "Hm? Oh, yeah. That sounds good." He replied, nodding. Hollyn stood up and went to grab the bag of marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate. Once she had gathered everything they would need, she returns to the campfire and placed the ingredients on the paper plates. "Okay, we're ready to go!" She grins, feeling her excitement grow as she watched the fire crackle and pop. "I love s'mores, I haven't had them in awhile. It feels like it's been forever since we've been here." She mused, her gaze flickering over to Cole.

He was looking at her with slight amusement, amused by the way her eyes lit up as she spoke. "Yeah, it has been awhile." Cole agrees, glancing over at her, his breath caught in his throat as he looked at her. The orange glow of the fire illuminated her face, casting shadows on her features and highlighting her eyes. Her smile was breathtaking, and he couldn't look away. "Thank you for going with me instead of going to homecoming, I really do appreciate it." He added softly, a genuine smile on his face.

"You don't have to thank me. I'm happy to spend time with you." Hollyn reassures him, smiling warmly. "Besides, who wants to go to homecoming when we could have fun like this?" She gestured to the campsite, letting out a chuckle.

Cole grins and nods, his heart racing as he listens to her. "Yeah, this is way more fun than homecoming." He admitted, his eyes locked on hers. The sound of the crackling fire seemed so distant, his heart pounding in his ears. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. He had never seen anyone as beautiful as she was in that moment.

Hollyn's cheeks turned pink, and she couldn't help but smile shyly as she met his gaze. She turned away and distracted herself by getting a marshmallow ready. She stuck the marshmallow onto the stick and held it over the fire, turning it carefully to avoid burning it. She didn't like them burnt, she liked them more golden brown. She watched the flames dance, the warmth of the fire soothing her.

Cole watched her, admiring her concentration and her gentle touch as she turned the marshmallow. The warmth of the fire reminded him of her, and how it felt whenever he was around her. Warm, inviting, comforting. He couldn't get her out of his mind. Not even the distraction of making s'mores seemed to help. He was in trouble. He knew he was, and he knew he should stop thinking about her, but he couldn't.

"Hey, you're burning yours." Hollyn giggled, nudging his arm and breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, right. Sorry." Cole chuckled, turning his attention to the marshmallow that was in the flames. He pulled his out and blew the fire out. He didn't care if his was burnt, he would eat it anyway.

Hollyn smiled and continued toasting her marshmallow. She pulled hers out once it was golden brown and grabbed the chocolate and graham crackers. She quickly put her s'more together, letting out a satisfied hum as she took a bite. She can't remember the last time she had one, but it was so good.

Cole smiled as he watched her. The way her eyes sparkled when she enjoyed something was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He wanted to make her happy, and seeing her enjoy a simple thing like a s'more made him feel happy. He started making his own s'more and took a bite, grinning as the sweetness filled his mouth. It was delicious and he had missed having them. They ate their s'mores in comfortable silence, savoring the sweet treat and enjoying each other's company. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the faint chirping of the crickets and the occasional owl.

"You have some..." Hollyn trailes off, gesturing towards his face. "A little chocolate."

"Oh." Cole's cheeks flushes and he reaches up, trying to wipe it off. "Did I get it?" He asked, a sheepish grin forming on his face.

Hollyn giggles and shakes her head. "No, you're getting it all over your face." She grabbed a napkin and leaned over, wiping the chocolate off of his chin.

They were so close, and it felt like time stopped. He couldn't think straight, his heart was pounding in his ears, and all he could focus on was her. Her breath tickled his face, and her scent was intoxicating. It was like suddenly he was hyperaware of every single detail about her. The way her brown hair framed her face, the way her eyes sparkled in the light, the way her lips looked so soft and inviting. Her touch was soft and gentle, sending sparks through his skin.

Cole swallows thickly and his gaze flickered down to her lips. His mind was a mess, his heart was racing, and he couldn't stop thinking about how much he wanted to kiss her. It was crazy, she was his best friend. They had known each other since they were kids. They grew up together. It would change everything. But in that moment, he didn't care. All he could think about was how much he wanted her, and how much he wanted her to want him.

"There." She whispered, pulling her hand away and smiling up at him. Her heart was racing, and her cheeks were flushed. She didn't know what was happening, but it felt like her entire body was on fire. She had never felt this way before, and it scared her. She was terrified of ruining their friendship, but at the same time, she wanted to be with him.

Cole clears his throat, stepping back and looking away in hopes of hiding the blush he knew was on his face. His face felt warm and it wasn't because of the fire. It was because of her. He didn't know what to do or say, and he was afraid that if he said anything, he'd ruin everything. So, he decided to stay quiet, trying to regain his composure and his thoughts.

"Um...Thanks." He muttered, forcing himself to meet her gaze. Her gaze was intense, and he could see the conflicting emotions in her eyes. It was like she was trying to figure out what was happening, just like he was.

"I think we should head to bed. It's getting late." Hollyn murmured, standing up and walking away from the fire. Her heart was racing, and she couldn't stop thinking about him. She needed to put space between them, she needed to calm her racing heart. She couldn't believe she had almost kissed him. It would have ruined everything, and she couldn't lose him. He was one of the most important people in her life.

Cole was quiet, his mind reeling from what had almost happened. He stood up and grabbed their plates, tossing the trash away before he stopped the fire. He had heard faint rumbling, a storm was coming, and he didn't want them to get caught in the rain. Once the fire was out, he went to the tent and laid his sleeping bag on the ground. Hollyn had done the same, and they both laid down, their backs turned towards each other. Neither of them said anything, they were both lost in their thoughts, wondering what would have happened if she hadn't pulled away.

She hated how things were now. It was awkward, and the tension was palpable. She wanted to go back to how things were, but she didn't know how. She didn't know how to fix this, or what to say. She knew things would never be the same, and that terrified her. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep her feelings a secret.

"Goodnight, Hollyn." Cole mumbled as he tried to calm his racing heart.

"Goodnight, Cole." Hollyn whispered, her eyes wide open and staring into the darkness. She knew sleep wouldn't come easily tonight. Not with the way her mind was racing. She flinched when she suddenly heard a loud crack of thunder. Great, now they had a storm to deal with. She hated thunderstorms.

The sound of rain hitting the tent and loud booming thunder woke Hollyn up. She sat up and looked around, blinking the sleep from her eyes. She couldn't believe she had fallen asleep, the last thing she remembered was Cole saying goodnight. She didn't remember falling asleep. It was still dark, and she could see the faint outline of the trees outside. The rain was coming down hard, and the sound of the wind whistling through the trees was haunting.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She hated storms. Caught in a whirlwind of emotions and the looming presence of the storm, Hollyn felt a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. She glanced over at Cole, wondering if he was awake too, but he seemed to be sleeping soundly. She envied him for a moment, wishing she could just close her eyes and drift back into the safety of sleep.

But sleep eluded her as the storm intensified. Thunder rumbled louder, and flashes of lightning illuminated the tent in sporadic bursts. She hugged her knees to her chest, feeling small and vulnerable amidst the chaos of nature. Her mind was a mess, and her heart was pounding. She was overwhelmed with feelings of dread and fear, and the only thing she wanted was to feel safe.

She flinched when suddenly there was a flash of lightning, the bright light illuminating the entire tent. A split second later, the sky was filled with thunder, a deafening boom that rattled the ground. Hollyn was startled by the sound, letting out a squeak and closing her eyes, hoping the storm would pass soon.

Cole jolts awake, startled by the sudden loud noise. He sat up, glancing around the dark tent. "Hollyn?" He called out, his voice laced with concern.

Hollyn didn't answer, she was too scared to even speak. She buried her face in her knees, trying to hide from the storm. Cole could see her trembling, and he immediately realized she was terrified. He moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her tense up, and then she was clinging to him, burying her face in his chest. He rubbed her back soothingly, murmuring words of comfort as the storm raged on. He thought she had gotten over her fear of storms, but clearly, she was still scared.

Cole held Hollyn close, feeling her trembling against him. His heart clenched at the sight of her so frightened, and he wished there was something he could do to make her feel better other than holding her. "It's okay, Hollyn. It's just a storm. We'll be okay." He whispered, his voice calm and soothing.

"I'm sorry. I hate storms, and I feel so silly being scared like this." Hollyn sniffles, pulling away slightly. She didn't want to be a burden, and she didn't want to keep him up. She didn't want to keep him from sleeping.

"Hey, don't apologize. There's nothing wrong with being scared." Cole reassures her, brushing a few stray tears away. "I'm here for you. I'm not going anywhere. You're not a burden, and you're not bothering me." He promised, his gaze sincere and full of emotion.

Hollyn looked at him, her eyes watering. He was always there for her, and he always knew what to say. He made her feel safe, and he always put her needs first. She was so lucky to have him in her life, and she was so grateful that he was there for her.

"Thank you, Coley." She whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. Despite the raging storm outside, she felt a sense of peace wash over her as she snuggled closer to him. She closed her eyes, focusing on his steady heartbeat and the rhythm of his breathing. In that moment, she knew she was exactly where she belonged.

Cole smiles softly and holds her close, rubbing her back soothingly as the storm rages on. He could feel her heart racing, and he hated that she was so scared. "Everything's going to be okay. I'm right here." He murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Hollyn closed her eyes, taking comfort in his embrace and the reassuring words he whispered. She knew the storm would pass, and she knew they would be okay. She couldn't stop herself from flinching at the next roll of thunder despite the fact she knew she would be safe with Cole.

Cole frowned, hating to see her so scared. He held her close, trying to comfort her as the storm continued. He could hear the rain pounding on the roof of the tent, and the wind howling as the storm raged on. He wondered how much longer the storm would last, and he hoped that it would pass soon. He didn't like seeing Hollyn so upset, and he wished there was something more he could do to make her feel better.

His mind wandered off to their almost kiss at the fire earlier. It seemed like ages ago now, lost amidst the current turmoil of the storm. Yet, the memory lingered in the back of his mind, a flicker of warmth amidst the chaos. Cole couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it wasn't just a fleeting moment of impulse. He wondered if Hollyn felt the same way, if there was something more between them waiting to be explored.

But now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Right now, his priority was Hollyn and helping her through this storm, both the one raging outside and the one brewing within. He tightened his embrace around her, silently promising to be there for her no matter what.

As the storm eventually began to subside, giving way to a calmness in the air, Cole felt Hollyn's breathing steady against him. He knew she had finally fallen asleep, finding solace in his arms. He was relieved that she managed to rest despite the storm. He laid her down, careful not to wake her, and pressed another kiss to her forehead. "Sleep tight, Hollyn." He whispered before settling down to sleep himself.

A/N cole & hollyn are so sweet, i love them with all my heart