Dark Of Dawn
...
"Are we gonna get things moving up here or what?" Zay asked his best friend Lucas as they reached the ski lodge.
Lucas stood in the middle of the stair case reminiscing on memories he had with Farkle's family. In ways he felt bad for not being as close to Farkle as he used to be, but most of the time it scared him to think what Stuart would've done if he was still alive and saw that him and Farkle weren't as close.
Zay shoved Lucas in order to get his attention, "Still tired?"
"What? No. Yeah. Exhausted."
"Tell us about it," Smackle chimed as she placed her hand on the railing. "I haven't had any decent hours of sleep since finals came up."
"It's not like you have to worry about that," Maya silenty muttered, rolling her eyes.
"You have the key, right?" Zay asked Lucas.
"I do, but the handle is iced."
"Maybe there's another way in."
"There's millions of ways in, but they're all locked."
"There has to be a window we can get in through," Zay informed.
"Are you suggesting we break in?"
"Well no. I was just suggesting an open window, but breaking in could be an option."
"And have Farkle report us?" Lucas queried. "Just lead the way, Cochise."
The two sauntered down the stairs, "Wait here, we won't take long," Lucas told Maya and Smackle. They rounded the corner and continued to walk.
Zay had never been through anything like this. Being away from home and around his friends was a different expirience than just being around them at school. He agreed to the invitation Farkle told him about via text message because he needed the break - from his parents and Vanessa even though she was in Texas.
After stressing over every single thing in his life, Zay made the choice to get away. He needed this trip like no other to de-stress and concentrate.
"So...Smackle looking pretty hot, right?" Lucas asked merely because he wanted to hear his best friends responce. He's noticed throughout the year that Smackle and Zay have gotten closer and closer by the minute.
"Really? Haven't noticed," the dark-skinned Texan dodged the question.
"Zay, take a look around," he encouraged. "Do you see any parents?"
"That's one of the reasons i'm here - "
"I mean can you imagine a more ripe setting just dripping with erotic possibilities?" Lucas asked as they came across a large frozen rock. "Zay, you've laid all the groundwork, you've been the perfect gentlemen every girl wants, even Maya," he placed his hand on his friends shoulder. "Now it's your turn to make a move - come in for the goddamn kill."
"I don't know, man. She has whatever she has going on with Farkle. And believe me, sex is not on my mind."
"Are you gay?" Lucas asked Zay.
"What? I'm not gay."
"You sure? I mean there's nothing wrong with that, but what kind of guy doesn't want to have sex?"
"The kind of guy who doesn't want to screw the guy's girlfriend who invited him here."
"Just do it. She won't even know what hit her..." Lucas turned his back on Zay and continued to walk.
"Okay i'm pretty sure that was Texas Lucas coming in for the kill."
"What can I say? People change people," the green eyed-well built-Texan sheepishly smiled. "So, lil bud' what's your plan in breaking into Farkle's ski lodge?"
"I don't-I don't have a plan."
"You made it sound like you did."
"I don't..."
"You better start thinking because there are three lovely girls here who will freeze their buns to death, and last time I checked that's not a good way to get laid."
Once they reached a door with windows to the side of it, Lucas spotted a file cabinet and slid it over till it was directly under the window. Zay stepped on top of the rusty cabinet and made his way in through the window, stepping inside the ski lodge.
"Have a flashlight?"
"Yeah, here. Hold on." Lucas slid off his backpack and reached for his flashlight. "Don't break it."
Zay caught the flashlight and turned it on. "Who knew they had a piano down here?"
"I did," Lucas advised as he stepped into the same room Zay was in. "Staurt would teach Farkle and I picked up a few lessons."
Zay continued to look around the basement while Lucas examined the piano. "My mom wanted me to play the piano."
"That's nice," the Texan stated, hardly paying any attention. "This way."
Zay followed Lucas out the basement passing boxes, books, a dead rat, snow boards, more boxes.
"How do you still remember the way?"
"I have a great memory," Lucas informed him. "And don't think I forgot about the twenty dollars you owe me."
"Hey," Zay retorted. "At least be grateful it wasn't one thousand dollars."
Lucas guided him through a left corner, "How did your parents react to that one?"
"Not good," he answered, remembering how angry and disappointed his parents were at him.
The two finally made their way into the first floor. "Wow. This looks the exact same."
Zay walked towards the front door and tried to open it, but it was no use. "Door's jammed from the inside too." He peeked his head from the window and saw Maya and Smackle, at a safe distance from each other.
"Think Maya will be mad that you left her alone with Smackle?"
"Nah," he waved off. "She'll get over it."
"I think there was a bottle of Glade up in the second story bathroom. I'll go get it."
Lucas ran up the stairs leaving Zay alone in the first floor.
Smackle and Maya used to be great friends. But once Smackle stepped up her game and gave herself a complete makeover, their friendship fell apart. The drama between the two aggravated once Maya competed in Speech & Debate and won, beating Smackle in the process.
Lucas opened the drawers under the bathroom sink and as expected - he found the Glade fragrance bottle.
"You know," he began once commencing his steps down the flight of stairs. "If we use my lighter we can unfreeze the door handle."
"One day you're going to have to tell Maya about this," he said eyeing the lighter. "That you smoke."
"Relax. I limited myself down to three cigars for this entire trip, plus i'm going to need something to keep me warm."
He put the lighter in front of the fragrance bottle and pressed. It immediately took the appearance of a flamethrower, defosting the handle in the process.
"About time," Maya mumbled in frustration.
"You're welcome by the way..."
"Never said thank you," she retaliated. "Oh my goodness, just look at this place...if we just start up the fireplace and open some of these blinds to let the moonlight in..."
"Wouldn't you rather spend some alone time with Lucas?" Smackle questioned, with bitterness in her words.
"I'd rather drive my fist up your face-"
"C'mon guys. We're here for Farkle, don't let him hear any of this."
"Where is he by the way?"
"He's coming," Lucas answered as he watched Riley approach the door.
"It feels so good to finally be inside," Riley informed as she spread her arms wide. "It's still cold in here though."
"Home sweet home," Farkle chimed in. "I'll start a fire."
"Hey," Lucas scratched the back of his head. "Where were you two?"
"Why?" Riley asked.
"You two were late, so..."
"That was because Farkle slipped on some snow and dropped his luggage, we spent the half hour trying to retrieve it..."
"Just hurry up next time."
"And why would this be your problem?" Riley questioned, her voice rising.
"Well...considering your sense in directions, something tells me you two got lost."
"Well we didn't. And maybe next time you should worry about yourself instead of me."
"That's enough," Maya tried to end their start at an argument.
"I just think a little girl like you would get lost - "
"You are seconds away from being slapped right now."
"Are you sure you'll reach my cheek?"
"You know what? I can't do this. I'm here for Farkle, not for your pathetic bullshit. Farkle where's the guest cabin?" Riley asked.
"C'mon Riley. There are plenty of rooms here - "
"But there's a cabin further away from Lucas."
Farkle stood up from where he was and walked towards Riley, "I'll go with you."
Lucas scoffed after watching Riley and Farkle walk away.
"Seriously?" Maya asked. "What the hell, Lucas?"
"I'm sorry. I just...I don't know, it happened."
"Then don't let it happen again."
Riley waited for Farkle outside the lodge while staring at the moon. She heard him close the door and just then she turned to him, "How far is this walk?"
He chuckled, "Not a long one, but we should hurry."
Riley followed him down the stairs and watched him turn on the flashlight. "If I didn't know any better i'd think you'd want to get rid of me."
"No, that's not it at all. And I sort of left Maya and Smackle in the same place without being there to stop them from attacking each other."
Riley hugged herself merely because it was freezing outside. "You know i'd never think they'd have something against each other."
"Me neither. But to them it's all a competition."
"Hey, Farkle?"
"Yeah?" He turned to her.
"How is it?" she asked. "You know, with you and Lucas?"
He sighed and shook his head not wanting to answer the question, but knowing Riley she'd get it out of him either way. "He's here isn't he?"
"I know he's here, but...that didn't answer my question?"
"There's no answer to that, Riley. What happened, happened. That's it. But from the looks of it, he wants to start shit with you."
They continued to walk in silence for about some minutes until they stopped in a shed.
"This isn't the cabin, right?"
"No," he chuckled. "You wouldn't want to be walking in the dark for the rest of the way, right?"
"I guess not."
"Let's see," he began as he pulled down on a white metal handle. Two red lights appeared and Farkle pressed on the one that was to his left. He then moved on to the motor on the bottom and pulled on it twice.
"Wow, i'm impressed," she applauded as the lights outside the shed turned on.
"Just don't get lost on your way up, okay," he stepped out. "If you need anything we're just down hill."
"Don't have too much fun with Smackle. Wouldn't want to wake up the others."
"I can't make promises, honey."
"Finally," the blonde sighed as she found the bathroom door. She walked towards the shower head and turned on the faucet, as she expected the water was freezing cold.
Lucas and Smackle looked around the house until she finally gave up, "Lucas, I can't find it and neither can you."
"Find what?" Farkle asked as he entered the lodge.
"Spirit board," she answered.
"What?"
"Don't you remember?" Lucas asked. "We were kids...your dad was cleaning his office and I accidently tripped on it? He said he confiscated it from a guest...?"
"I don't - "
"Farkle," Maya began as she walked towards him. "I want to take a shower, but the water is cold."
"Alright, how 'bout this?" He said. "Lucas, you and Smackle look for the spirit board, Maya and I will go fire up the boiler."
"Deal."
"You sure you know how to fire up a boiler?" Maya asked.
"Why is everyone doubting me?"
"Let me guess, Riley didn't you'd be able to fire the generator?"
"Yeah, but she said it in a sense that didn't make me question my confidence around my friends." They both laughed, "Listen, Maya. I'm really happy you're here."
"Hey, anything for you Farkle. It couldn't have been easy."
Farkle led Maya towards a hallway down in the basement, "Okay, first things first...we have to increase the water pressure before we get the boiler fired up."
"See, i'm not a science geek, so that sounds complicated."
"It's quite simple actually. Turn on the engine..."
Maya stood in front a machine she'd never seen in her life, but there was a notch that if it was twisted it would turn on.
"Good, that's good, now press the button."
She did as told and it seemed to work.
The two returned to the first floor and Maya walked up the stairs.
"No way, you found it?"
"Yeah, it was hidden under a pile of old books," Lucas answered as he held the board.
"Why can't we just watch tv like regular people?"
"Because we have a one way ticket to the spirit realm," Lucas said.
Writers Note: Thank you guys so much for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter like the first one. Story WILL get better I promise. I got some reviews wondering about the ships Rucas or Lucaya. Well -trying to me subtle as possible- what's a good story without the drama? If you're a Guest, i'd really appreciate it if you gave yourselves a username. A simple on. Like dog4 or something.
Reviews:
Jaleftwich02: Always happy to read your reviews. And thank you. The story is filled with many twists you won't see coming.
Guest: I agreed with your review completely. Lucaya is (ick) ;) But some stories need drama.
Guest who left a review for Young & Beautiful: I read your reviews. It's been months since i've last gotten one and reading yours made me feel really happy.
HoplessRomance: Thank you. Not every story prioritizes ships over the main plot. And you'll find out in future chapters what ship is endgame. Just keep something in mind: I love the summer rain. ;)
Eloi02: Thank you for your review. Hope to see more of you.
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