Cliff: A Fictional Narrative

We slowly inched our way up to the edge of the cliff. Peering over the ridge, we gasped at the far drop to the water. We quickly scrambled back a few steps, until we were a safe distance away from the edge. “Are you girls ready to jump?” he asked. We simultaneously turned and looked at each other. I saw the fear and doubt in her eyes, but I also saw the determination masked behind those emotions, as I am sure she also saw in my eyes. We locked hands, our hearts pounding in our chests a mile a minute, and took a small step forward. “On the count of three,” I whispered, “One, two, three!” We took off running, our bare feet slapping against the ground until there was no more dirt for us to hit, and leaped off the cliff into the open air, while
our screams were whipped away by the wind.
Earlier that day, the CYO Teen Travel bus was bumbling along country roads toward the infamous Pocono Mountains Waterpark. Thirty excited and rowdy teenagers created chaos within the bus, trying to talk over each other about the multiple attractions at the park. Sitting next to me was my best friend and partner in crime, Olivia. The more sensible one out of the two of us, she keeps me in check and makes sure my klutzy self stays out of trouble and out of the hospital when I decide to tackle a wild adventure. Although, I can usually convince her to participate in my crazy ideas, as long as they are not too dangerous.
Finally, we pulled up to the entrance of the park. All thirty of us poured out of the bus and onto the pavement, anxiously awaiting confirmation to enter the park from our counselor. “Just go ahead in,” she exasperatedly explained, “but make sure you’re back at the bus by four or we’re leaving without you.” Cheers erupted from the group, and we stormed the gates like a herd of elephants.
Once we passed the security check, Olivia and I separated from the rest of Teen Travel. Already I had an insane idea in mind, I wanted to tackle the Rugged Maniac; a four part obstacle course, the Rugged Maniac consisted of a water slide, zip line course, jet ski ride, and cliff dive. I knew I would have no problem convincing Olivia to complete the first three parts, but the cliff dive would pose a challenge. She would vehemently refuse to jump off the cliff, and if I am being honest, I was also terrified of jumping too. Therefore, I decided to offer my idea after we did some minor water slides.
Afterwards, while we were eating lunch, I proposed my idea to her. “Hey Olivia, what do you think about completing the Rugged Maniac?” I cautiously asked her.
“No way Erika, no way am I doing that!” she adamantly refused, shaking her head.
“Please,” I begged her.
“It will be so much fun!”
“No Erika. I’m not diving off a cliff at the end of it,” she sternly replied.
“Don’t even think about the cliff. Think about the amazing adventure we’ll experience and the story we’ll be able to tell our children when we’re old!”
“Fine, I’ll do it, but only because I know you won’t give up on the idea,” she dejectedly admitted.
“Yay! You know you love me,” I sang as I grabbed her hand and led her to the course.
Once the attendant let us inside the Rugged Maniac, Olivia and I took off running toward the water slide. Climbing to the top of the slide, we slid into the tube and held on for a twisty ride. Next, we scaled the tree that led to the top of the zip line course. Strapping ourselves in, we flew through the treetops and felt as free as a bird. Then, we sprinted to the dock that kept the jet skis anchored to the lake’s shore. Starting one up, we hopped on and rode off toward the opposite side of the lake, while the wind whipped our hair into our faces. Finally, we made it to our last destination, the cliff dive. Nervously, we greeted the attendant at the ridge. Looking at each other, we knew there was no going back now. We clasped hands, counted to three, and carelessly jumped off the
edge.
Breaking thru the water, I gasped for air with a bright smile on my face and beamed at Olivia.
Together, we swam to shore and got out. Immediately, I threw myself at Olivia and gave her a ginormous hug. Although shaken up, we could now proudly proclaim that we survived the Rugged Maniac! I am immensely grateful to have a bestfriend like Olivia who will entertain my wild ideas, but also keep me safe at the same time. I have no idea what I would do without my partner in crime by my side, and I know overcoming that challenge together made us closer than ever. Twenty years from now, we’ll be neighbors sharing this adventure with our kids, along with the many other memories we’ll create together as the dynamic
duo.