My heart beats a million miles an hour.
I’ve never been more nervous in my life…
Because it’s my first-time skydiving.
I’m flying high above the Big Island in Hawaii…
Seconds away from jumping out of an airplane…
And plummeting 12,000 feet to earth.
The pilot turns around in the front seat and flashes a wide grin.
The terror of the moment hits me full on.
Kiley
I don’t think I can do this.
Nate, my instructor, leans over my shoulder.
A harness attaches the two of us together.
His soft brown eyes provide instant comfort.
I think I’m in love with my skydiving instructor.
I’ve never met anyone more in control than Nate.
Plus, he’s incredibly sweet.
It also doesn’t hurt that he’s incredibly sexy.
I stare deep into his eyes.
I just look over the edge.
It feels like my heart is about to explode.
Nate
On the count of three. Ready?
I scream bloody murder as we plummet.
The initial rush feels like a roller coaster.
But soon, everything slows down.
And it’s like I’m floating.
A few more seconds go by…
And then Nate pulls the chute.
We immediately jerk upwards.
And then something weird happens.
We rapidly veer west, and start descending fast.
The chute is tangled in itself.
Nate pulls a Swiss Army knife from his back pocket…
And begins cutting at the chute straps.
Meanwhile, we’re nearly sideways…
We plunge to earth at a terrifying rate.
Kiley
Nate! What is going on?!
He remains intensely focused.
And then, all of a sudden…
He cuts off the tangled chute.
Nate
Let’s hope the emergency chute works.
He pulls the emergency chute.
It opens without a hitch.
But we’re still in deep trouble.
He opened the chute too late…
And we’re descending too quickly.
We’re headed straight for a massive rainforest.
Nate
Sorry, but this is going to be a bit of a rough landing.
Next thing I know, we’re skimming the treetops.
Luckily, we burst through the foliage…
And into a clearing of shrubs.
We crash into the tall, but soft, tropical grass.
The next thing I know, I’m on my back.
My breathing is rapid and shallow.
I’m bruised, but nothing is broken.
I can hear Nate’s muffled voice beneath me.
Nate
Do you mind rolling over so I can detach us?
I roll over. Nate unclips himself.
Then he stands and helps me to my feet.
We appear to be smack in the middle of the rainforest.
Kiley
What are we gonna do?
He digs into his backpack and pulls out his radio.
Nate
Nate to Andrew, Nate to Andrew. Do you copy?
There’s a short delay, then Andrew comes through.
Andrew
This is Andrew, copy.
Andrew
What happened to you guys?
Nate
We had a bit of a malfunction.
Nate
Got blown way off course.
Andrew
Do you know your location?
Nate
All I know is we went too far west.
All of sudden, Nate’s ears perk up.
Nate
Wait. I hear a waterfall.
Andrew
Oh! I know exactly where you are!
Andrew
Wow! You’re WAY far away from the landing zone!
Andrew
Over a day’s walk at least.
Nate
What do you suggest we do?
Andrew
I’m going to call in a rescue helicopter.
Andrew
Get to the waterfall.
Andrew
You’ll have to hike down the mountain alongside it.
Andrew
Follow the river a little more after that.
Andrew
Then the helicopter will meet you where the river gets calm.
Nate clicks off the radio and turns to me.
Nate
Ready for a little adventure?
Kiley
Like we haven’t had one already?
All of a sudden, the sky thunders and breaks open.
A massive downpour begins.
We start trekking toward the falls…
And are quickly soaked to the skin.
After a bit of silence, Nate speaks.
Nate
You know, maybe this isn’t the right time…
Nate
But if we make it out of here…
Nate
Do you think I could buy you a drink?
My heart flutters. I blush.
Kiley
Are you asking me out?
Nate
Is that unprofessional?
Kiley
Do you do this with all your clients?
He stops, and looks me dead in the eye.
I can feel the honesty behind his words.
It’s powerful. It sends a shiver down my spine.
Kiley
Then, yes, you can buy me a drink…
Kiley
If we make it out of this alive.
Nate
I’ll make sure we do then.
If he only knew how much I want to kiss him.
It’s huge! Nearly 80 feet high.
We start trekking down the slippery hill alongside it.
Higher up on the mountain, we see a horrifying sight.
One by one, huge trees fall over, snapping like twigs.
They’re being mowed down by something huge.
Nate
It’s headed right for us.
For the first time, Nate actually seems frantic.
I look back up the mountain.
The mudslide is coming fast and hard.
Kiley
Yes, yes! I trust you!
Nate
We have to jump or we’ll die.
Kiley
Can we at least go on the count of three again?
He takes my hand and we leap.
Time stops as we free fall.
My heart is in my throat.
All of a sudden, we’re caught in rushing whitewater rapids…
Being pulled under the surface…
And sent down miniature falls.
But I never let go of Nate.
The intensity lasts for what feels like forever.
Then everything starts to slow down and become calm.
The river opens up, and we drift lazily against the banks.
I’m still holding tightly to Nate.
I’m about to say something to him…
When I realize that he’s not moving.
He doesn’t respond. His eyes are closed.
The side of his head is bleeding badly.
I drag his limp body up onto the banks.
It takes everything I’ve got.
Kiley
Nate! Can you hear me?!
Again, I get no response.
Overtaken with a misery I’ve never felt before.
I put my head against his chest to listen for a heartbeat.
Nate
Told you we’d make it…
Nate’s eyes are open now.
I wrap my arms around him.
Then I hear the helicopter…
Coming towards us in the distance.
I leap up and start waving it down.
He gestures me back to his side.
Nate
Does it count if the drink I buy you is apple juice?
Nate
And the date we go on is at the hospital?
I break into a beaming smile…
As tears well in my eyes.
Kiley
Yes. It absolutely counts.
The emergency rescuers run toward us.
I’ve never been more excited for a date in my life.
