Every afternoon Sammy snuck into a forest by her house. She would wander deeper and deeper until she was unseen by the outside world. Sammy had a special spot in that forest and she would sit there for hours. The special spot was an old wooden dock that led out to a hidden lake. Sammy loved to be draped in nature and enjoyed the way that the lake was surrounded by all types of trees and foliage. The water contained lily pads with pink and red flowers falling around the circumference of the lake. This was Sammy's happy spot. She would sit there for hours and think about school, her parents lack of attention, and counted down the days until her birthday when she could legally change her name to "Samantha" because "Sammy" screamed immaturity to her. She came to the lake to get away to escape the lack of attention in her not-­so­glamorous life. Sammy liked pictures and constantly made her own works of art. She liked drawing the trees and creatures that she saw at the lake. She enjoyed the inspiration she got from the peace and quiet.

One afternoon Sammy was especially infuriated at her parents. It was her birthday and when she woke up to go to school, no one was home. She was left alone on her birthday. Sammy went to the lake a little earlier than usual that day. She took her time on the walk and admired how the sun pierced through the trees and illuminated her path. She was so relieved to almost be at her spot but when she looked down to avoid the mud in front of her she saw large prints that must've been made by a boot or gym shoe. She has never seen another person's footprints on this path. She hurried to her spot and saw a boy sitting on the dock, invading her special getaway.

"Umm hello?" She wasn't scared, she was more confused. How could another person possibly know about this spot? It's completely hidden from the outside. The boy didn't turn around. Sammy creeped closer.

"Hey. Guy. What're you doing in my spot?"

The boy turned his head slowly and locked eyes with Sammy. She knew him. Tanner was his name and they were in the same film class last year. She had never talked to him before because he had a mysterious and intimidating persona. But this was her turf, and she wanted him gone.

Sammy stood firm on the edge of the dock. She was ready to ban this boy from the lake. "Hey I'm Tanner. Isn't this place beautiful?"
Sammy didn't understand what was going on. Did he not understand that this was her

time? That she wanted to be alone and have this time to draw her worries away? "You an artist?"

He nodded towards the sketchbook in her arms.

"I promise I mean no harm. I just like to sit here sometimes. Take in all the nature around me and think about life. Have a seat. Admire this wonderful earth with me."

Sammy sat down quickly. He seemed genuine. As soon as Sammy sat down, Tanner started talking. He seemed like he had a lot to say. Tanner told Sammy why he comes to the hidden lake everyday. He said that he likes the idea that it's hidden. He likes being able to hide from the world and have time to himself. Sammy stayed silent. She didn't know what to say and she sure wasn't going to start pouring out her emotions to a perfect stranger.

"Draw me," Tanner said abruptly.
"What?"
"Draw me. Nothing fancy or anything. I just want to see what you can do. Please?" Sammy flipped open to the next empty page in her notebook. She started with the shape

of his face and then moved to his eyes. Tanner had such beautiful blue eyes. Gazing into them made Sammy's worries wither away. Her parents not remembering her birthday and a stranger

invading her hidden lake didn't seem important anymore. She liked how honest he was and how much he appreciated their special spot.

"If you don't mind my intrusion, I'd like to join you here again." Tanner cleared his throat and looked down at the dock. Nervous about how Sammy was going to react to the proposition.

"I'd like that."
He grinned and his smile lit up the lake.
"It's my birthday," Sammy blurted it out for no reason. It spilled from her lips. Tanner looked at her and his smile grew even bigger.
"Happy Birthday Samantha."