"Donde estas Javier?" Susan cried out in broken Spanish while squinting through the darkness of the forest. Her friends from the environmental science class at college had invited her and the foreign exchange student on a short three day hiking trip along the Appalachian trail to see the beautiful autumn leaves. They'd been planning it for weeks, since the start of the fall semester. "Javier!" discouraged she looked around not recognizing a single rock, tree or even the faint moonlit ridge straight ahead. 

Where are you? she whispered letting out an exasperated breath from her sore throat. She took off her backpack and sat on the only bare patch of ground she could make out. She was certain she was still on a trail but didn’t know which one. Her heart seemed to skip a beat on hearing the eerie hoot of what she hoped was an owl echoed thru the trees. Though she was worried after being separated from her friends, she was more concerned for Javier. 

He was a foreign exchange student from Panama who didn’t know much english yet. He’d never traveled out of his home country known for it’s tropical landscape and two seasons - dry and wet. Susan grinned as she thought of his gorgeous smile and fashion model good looks - black hair, fair skin, piercing brown eyes. Poor guy, doesn’t speak enough english to find his way out of this, “Javier!”

Susan was determined to find her friends, even in the cover of darkness. She stood up resolute to continue walking as long as it took. “Javier? Donde estas?” She heard the sound of a dry leaf being stepped on. Was it an animal, one of her friends?

“Susan, you are?” a nervous male voice came from around the bend. 

“Yes, it’s me!” Susan shouted squinting to see a shadowy figure in the distance. She recognized the profile of the man walking towards her, “Javier! Hola!” 

Javier eagerly walked towards her watching his step as he walked along the curved path. He smiled at her sincerely relieved he found a familiar face. Susan was sure his eyes were twinkling like the stars. She smiled at him and gave in to her urge to hug him tightly. Javier chuckled nervously not knowing how to respond as she hugged him at the waist. She looked up at him beaming, “I’m so glad you’re ok!” Susan stepped back to get a good look at him.

“Gracias, estaba perdido buscando al grupo.” he said grinning and looking curiously at her. 

Susan didn’t understand a word but nodded in agreement anyway. “Que bueno que te encontre Susan.” Javier reached out for her hand. Holding it tight he pulled her in close for another hug. This time Susan’s heart melted. She looked up at him shyly. He could have been saying the sky was purple and she didn’t care. “Susan, no quiero spararme de ti.” Javier kissed her forehead, then her cheek, pausing before he tried to kiss her trembling lips.