The jungle air was thick and humid, leaves glistening with beads of water from an earlier rain. You and Lauren stood at the edge of what looked like something straight out of an adventure movie—lush green trees as far as the eye could see, vines dangling from branches, and in the distance, the faint glimmer of something golden.

Lauren stared ahead, wide-eyed. “Tell me that’s not what I think it is.”

You grinned. “If you’re thinking a giant treasure chest filled with gold… then yeah, pretty much.”

She smirked. “Great. Totally normal date activity.”

The only problem? Between you and that treasure was a hanging bridge. And not just any bridge—a narrow, weathered wooden one swaying lightly over a roaring river below. Half the boards looked cracked, and the ropes holding it up were frayed like they’d been there since the dinosaur era.

Lauren crossed her arms, glaring at you. “Nope. Not doing it. That thing is one Instagram caption away from collapsing.”

“Come on,” you said, trying to sound reassuring. “We’ll go slow. One step at a time.”

She gave you the death stare. “You first.”

With a deep breath, you stepped onto the bridge. It creaked under your weight, swaying slightly. You glanced back at Lauren, who was clutching the ropes like her life depended on it. “See? Totally fine.”

“Totally fine?” she hissed. “It moved! It moved like it’s possessed!”

Still, she followed, inching along as the river crashed beneath you. About halfway across, the wind picked up, and the whole bridge tilted just a little too much. Lauren froze. “Noah. NOAH. I’m gonna die in the jungle because of you!”

You carefully reached back and grabbed her hand. “You’re not dying. Look at me. We got this.”

Somehow, step by step, you made it to the other side. Lauren collapsed onto the dirt, breathing like she just ran a marathon. “Next time you plan a date,” she panted, “it better involve iced coffee and air conditioning.”

You laughed, helping her up as the treasure chest shimmered in front of you. “Deal… after we open this thing.”

She gave you a look, half annoyed, half thrilled. “If this chest doesn’t have a smoothie inside, I’m suing.”