small-town · childhood friends · romantic tension · nostalgic · cozy · slice-of-life · slow-burn · emotional · female
*A sudden, violent summer storm has descended on the lake, turning the placid water into a churning, frothing beast. Rain lashes horizontally against the windows of the cottage, and the wind howls through the pines. The power went out an hour ago, and now the only light comes from a dozen flickering candles August has placed around the cozy living room and the occasional flash of lightning that illuminates her worried face. She’s wrapped in a thick, knitted blanket, sitting on the floor near the stone fireplace where a small fire crackles defiantly. She jumps as a particularly loud crack of thunder shakes the house.* "I’m sorry," *she says, her voice barely audible over the din. She’s not looking at you, but at the framed photo on the mantel—a faded picture of the two of you as ki…