As Kida and Sam disembarked from the bus, a mixture of emotions washed over them, tinged with nostalgia and apprehension as they set foot once more on the mountain. The crisp air enveloped them, carrying the familiar scent of pine and snow.
"Home sweet home, huh?" Kida remarked with a touch of sarcasm, her voice laced with unresolved tension.
Sam offered a small smile, her gaze sweeping over the landscape, "Minus the incident, I kind of miss this place."
Their footsteps crunched softly in the snow as they made their way along the trail towards the cable car station. Each step seemed to echo through the silent woods, a reminder of the solitude of their surroundings.
Suddenly, Kida froze in her tracks, her senses on high alert as she heard a distinct snap emanating from the dense foliage to their left. Sam mirrored her hesitation, her brow furrowing with concern.
"Did you hear that?" Kida whispered, her voice barely above a murmur as she scanned the area for any signs of movement.
Sam listened intently, straining to pick up any unusual sounds amidst the quiet of the forest. "Hear what?" she asked, her tone hushed in response to Kida's sudden alertness.
"I don't know, sounds pretty close honestly," Kida replied, her eyes darting back and forth as she remained on edge.
Sam offered a reassuring smile, though her own unease lingered beneath the surface, "Could be an animal or something. We are out in the wilderness, after all."
Kida nodded, albeit reluctantly, before steeling herself and resuming their journey. With each step, the tension in the air seemed to dissipate slightly, replaced by a cautious optimism as they ventured deeper into the heart of the mountain.
Kida's footsteps faltered for a moment as she voiced her concerns, her words laced with a hint of apprehension. "I really hope that Josh is okay. I don't think he's going to be standing at the door with a party hat, holding a welcome home cake."
Sam offered a reassuring smile, though her silence betrayed a deeper understanding. "He's fine," she replied, her tone tinged with a sense of calm that seemed to heighten Kida's suspicions.
Kida's eyes narrowed slightly, her intuition prickling as she pressed for answers. "Sam... you say it so casually. Kinda makes me feel like you've been seeing him."
Sam hesitated, her gaze shifting uncomfortably as she struggled to find the right words. "Kida, hear me out," she began, her voice tinged with hesitation.
But Kida wasn't about to let her off the hook so easily. With a determined expression, she stood her ground, her resolve unyielding. "How long have you been seeing Josh?"
A sense of tension hung in the air as Sam wrestled with her response, knowing that honesty was the only option. "Shit," she muttered under her breath, her eyes meeting Kida's with a mixture of guilt and remorse.
Kida's patience was wearing thin, her demand for the truth unwavering. "Come on, Samantha. Spit it out."
With a heavy sigh, Sam relented, her confession tumbling out in a rush of words. "Okay, fine. I've been seeing Josh for almost 10 months," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's been asking for me, and honestly, I'm not sure why specifically me. I know that Chris is closer to him, and I know that you've dealt with grief before. But maybe he needed someone who he could vent to without being judged or have some type of understanding. And Kida, it was hard seeing him in a state that you couldn't imagine. He was completely devastated. But along the way, I think it built our connection to a deeper level."
Kida's expression softened slightly as she absorbed Sam's confession, a mixture of surprise and understanding flickering in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her tone more curious than accusatory.
Sam offered a sheepish smile, her remorse evident in her apologetic demeanor. "He said that he wanted it to be between us. But I slipped up just now. But I'm sorry, Kida," she replied, her voice tinged with regret.
Kida shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Hey, I'm not mad, Sam. I am relieved, however, that someone had actually kept tabs on him while we thought that he ghosted us."
A sense of camaraderie settled between them, a silent understanding that tonight, they would stand by Josh's side, no matter what. "Well, tonight's the night we make him feel that he's not alone," Sam declared, her voice filled with determination.
As they walked toward the cable car station, the familiar sight of the closed gate greeted them, a barrier to their reunion looming ahead. Kida's brow furrowed as she spotted a note pinned to the gate, her eyes scanning its contents with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Looks like the gate's busted," she remarked, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Chris says we have to climb over the wall."
With practiced ease, Sam and Kida scaled the wall, their movements fluid and effortless as they made their way over the obstacle. Once on the other side, they continued their journey, the cable car station coming into view ahead.
But their attention was soon drawn to a lone backpack resting on a nearby bench, its presence a puzzling anomaly in the otherwise deserted station. Kida's eyes narrowed as she approached the bag, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. "That's weird," she commented, her voice laced with concern. "Who leaves their bag out in the open like this?"
Sam's gaze followed Kida's, her eyes widening in recognition as she pieced together the identity of the bag's owner.
"That looks like... Chris's bag," she observed, her voice tinged with apprehension.
Kida's lips quirked into a wry smile at Sam's jest, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Well, where the hell is Chris?" she wondered aloud, her tone more curious than accusatory.
Sam's attempt at humor fell flat as she called out into the empty station, her voice echoing against the walls in search of their missing friend. "You're not in the bag, are you?" she called out, her words tinged with a hint of concern.
Kida couldn't help but chuckle at Sam's quip, her amusement short-lived as she considered the possibilities. "Maybe he went to go jizz in the woods," she suggested, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Sam shook her head, her expression one of skepticism. "Could be the case, but I'm pretty sure the station has a bathroom around the back," she countered, her voice tinged with amusement.
As they debated Chris's whereabouts, a sudden buzz emanated from his backpack, a dim light pulsating from within. Kida's eyes widened in surprise as she peered closer, her curiosity piqued by the unexpected turn of events. "Looks like he lacks survival skills too. He left his cell phone," she remarked, her tone tinged with amusement.
Sam glanced at the bag, her gaze lingering on the glowing zipper as she debated their next move. "Maybe we should just zip it up for him," she suggested, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
But Kida's curiosity got the better of her as she reached for Chris's phone, her fingers itching to uncover its secrets. "Well, I might've missed out on a lot of things, but I see that these two are still in touch," she remarked referring to a text from Ashley on Chris' phone, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she prepared to reveal the contents of the message to Sam.
Sam hesitated, torn between respecting Chris's privacy and satisfying her own curiosity. "Keeds, put that back. He might show up," she cautioned, her voice tinged with apprehension.
But Kida was undeterred, her desire for answers outweighing any sense of propriety. "I lowkey want to preview the message just to see what they're up to,"she admitted, her tone tinged with excitement. "They could be dating, which is about time for Chris's balls to drop."
Sam rolled her eyes, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she reached for the phone. "Either way, they'll tell us when they're ready," she replied, her voice filled with a sense of certainty.
Chris turned the corner, catching Kida and Sam off guard, eliciting startled squeals from the two.
"Damn it, Chris! You scared the living daylights out of us," Sam exclaimed, her heart still racing from the sudden fright.
Kida nodded in agreement. "Yeah, seriously, you need to work on your stealth skills," she teased, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
Chris grinned sheepishly, his eyes flickering with amusement. "Sorry about that, guys. I got a bit caught up in something," he apologized, his tone apologetic.
Spotting Kida holding his phone, Chris's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What's this? Playing secretary, are we?" he quipped, his voice laced with playful suspicion.
Kida shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hey, it could be a new career path for me," she joked, though her tone held a hint of sarcasm.
Chris chuckled, though he couldn't hide his curiosity. "So, what were you up to with my phone?" he asked, reaching out to retrieve it.
Kida held onto the phone for a moment longer, her lips quirking into a playful grin. "Just making sure you're not getting into any trouble," she replied, her tone light.
With a mock glare, Chris snatched his phone back, shaking his head in amusement. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much," he retorted, though there was a hint of warmth in his voice.
Changing the subject, Chris gestured for them to follow him, leading them to the back of the cable car station. There, he revealed a surprise—a makeshift shooting range nestled behind the building.
As Kida's eyes lit up with excitement, Sam's expression turned wary. "Why the hell is there a shooting range at the back of the ski lodge?" she questioned, her tone skeptical.
Undeterred, Kida eagerly expressed her interest in trying it out, while Sam hung back, expressing her discomfort with firearms due to her pacifistic beliefs.
Despite Sam's reservations, Chris and Kida took turns shooting, with Kida's natural talent and playful banter making Chris feel like a novice in comparison.
After their shooting session, they made their way to the cable car door, where Chris fumbled with a key to unlock it.
As they waited for the cable car, Kida took the opportunity to explore the cable car station, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings. She wandered around, taking note of the various equipment and tools scattered throughout the station. It struck her as odd that the cable cars were moving, yet there was no one present to supervise their operation.
As she examined the station, a sense of unease settled over her, a feeling that something was amiss. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that every corner held a hidden secret waiting to be uncovered.
"Kida, come on! The ride's here!" Sam's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.
Hurrying back to Sam and Chris, Kida joined them as they boarded the cable car. As they settled into their seats, Chris struck up a conversation, his voice filled with a sense of contemplation.
As Matt and Emily approached the second cable car station, they found themselves the first to arrive at Mount Washington. They treaded the path towards the lodge, Emily venting about the trek while Matt juggled their conversation and the burden of their luggage.
Unlike Emily, who seemed to pack for every conceivable scenario, Matt was a minimalist, carrying only what he deemed necessary for a two-day trip. He couldn't fathom the compulsion women had to pack excessively for short excursions, feeling the weight of Emily's overstuffed bags in his left hand compared to the lighter load in his right.
The winter air bit at their exposed skin, despite Matt's layers of clothing. His grey sweater, another shirt underneath, and his cherished purple college letterman jacket provided some insulation against the cold. Yet, the Canadian chill still penetrated his attire, reminding him of the harsh climate they were facing.
"I wished they could build the cable car station right next to the lodge. And where's a bellboy when we need one?" Emily lamented, her voice tinged with annoyance.
A shiver ran through Emily's body, prompting Matt to offer his jacket. "Do you want me to lend you my jacket?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"No, I mean... I'm already feeling weird about this place the closer we get," Emily replied, declining his offer.
Matt nodded, a hint of vindication in his tone. "See what I've been saying?"
Emily responded sarcastically, "Congrats, Matt, you're right for once..."
As they neared the wooden bridge, a telltale sign they were about half a mile from the lodge, Matt remarked, "It's gonna be one hell of a family reunion."
Emily concurred, her thoughts interrupted as a figure suddenly leaped off the bridge, startling them both.
"Whoa! Dude!" Matt exclaimed, while Emily cried out, "Jesus!"The figure, now revealed as Mike, laughed heartily. "You guys!"
"Michael!" Emily exclaimed, her annoyance palpable.
Mike attempted to diffuse the tension with humor. "You really should've seen your faces right there."
Matt's irritation was apparent as he addressed Mike. "Mike, what the hell, man? I almost gave you a smackdown right now."
"What the hell were you even doing up there?" Emily demanded, her chest still heaving from the sudden scare.
Mike defended himself, explaining, "I was the first to arrive, Em. Got bored waiting for Josh, so I thought I'd have some fun."
Emily didn't buy it, calling Mike out. "Michael, you're a jerk."Mike attempted to brush off the tension with a light-hearted remark.
"Come on, Em, we're all friends here. No need for violence, just a little harmless fun. It's spooky out here in the woods. Let's get into the spirit of things!"But Emily wasn't having it.
"The spirit of things?" she retorted. "Seriously, what's wrong with you?"
Mike tried to diffuse the situation, explaining, "I'm just trying to lighten the mood, Em. Don't be like that.
"Unsatisfied, Emily pressed on. "Like what?"Mike's frustration showed. "The way you're being. You always get like this."
Feeling defensive, Emily snapped back, "And what do you mean? Are you insisting that I'm being bitchy? Sorry that I wasn't enthusiastic after you scared the shit out of me."
Mike attempted to defuse the argument. "Can we not, Em?"
Matt took a deep breath, addressing the tension head-on. "Michael... I'm just gonna lay it out, otherwise this whole weekend's gonna suck ass for everyone. Um, this is super awkward, and we all know it. Let's just, uh, acknowledge it now and move on. Okay?"
Emily interjected, her tone pleading, "Matt–"Mike quickly jumped in, wanting to ease the discomfort.
"I hear you, man. I get it; I don't wanna make this weird."
Matt sought confirmation, asking, "Cool. So we're good?"
Mike reassured them, "All good."
Emily couldn't resist injecting some humor, albeit sarcastically. "You guys gonna make out, now?"
Mike played along, responding in jest, "Oh my God, totally, we're so gonna make out!" Then, returning to seriousness, he added, "Uh... no, seriously, I'm gonna go check on the cable car back down the trail."
With that, Mike began walking towards the cable car station.Matt bid him farewell, saying, "See ya, man."
Mike echoed the sentiment, "See ya."
Matt added, "Alright."
As Mike walked away, he waved with a casual, "See ya!"
Matt scanned the dimly lit surroundings, his gaze lingering on the ominous silhouette of the lodge looming ahead. Despite the chilly air nipping at his skin, he felt a bead of sweat forming on his brow as tension mounted between him and Emily.
"Well, that wasn't so bad," he remarked, his attempt at lightening the mood falling flat against Emily's palpable irritation.
Emily's frustration boiled over as she cursed softly, her annoyance echoing in the stillness of the night. "Ah, crap!"
Puzzled, Matt furrowed his brow. "What's wrong?"
Her impatience evident, Emily sighed heavily. "Could you take these the rest of the way?" she asked, gesturing towards the scattered bags at their feet.
"The bags?" Matt echoed, a flicker of confusion crossing his features."
Yeah, just... all the bags," Emily replied, her tone clipped.
Perplexed, Matt's eyes searched hers for an explanation. "Why?"
Anxiety threaded through her voice as Emily explained, "I need to go find Sam."
Matt hesitated, uncertainty shadowing his expression. "Okay... ?"
An urgency tinged Emily's tone as she pleaded, "Sorry, I just–I really need to talk to her before we get all the way up there."
Realization dawned on Matt as he absorbed Emily's words, a pang of sympathy softening his features. "This really can't wait? We're almost there."
"It's important. Matt, please," Emily implored, her desperation palpable.
Reluctance lingered in Matt's gaze as he voiced his concern. "Em, I really don't think it's safe for you to go out by yourself."
Frustration laced Emily's reply as she snapped, "Seriously, Matt? Do you not know who I am? I am capable of handling myself."
Attempting to reason with her, Matt pressed on, "I get that, but it's dark out-"
Her patience wearing thin, Emily interrupted sharply, "You're going to protect me from it being dark outside? What are you gonna do? Flex your muscles being all big and bad??"
Sensing the tension escalating, Matt sought a compromise. "I'll just leave our stuff here, it's not like anyone's going to steal it."
Exasperation colored Emily's retort as she snapped, "Oh my God, Matt. You are seriously becoming a headache. You can't even leave me alone for five minutes as if you're my security guard."
"Em-" Matt tried to interject, but Emily cut him off with a sharp rebuttal.
"Why can't you just trust me? Why do you have to defy against my words? I don't need you to shadow me, Matt," Emily argued, her frustration mounting.
Feeling defeated, Matt relented. "Um, okay. Whatever."
A softening in Emily's tone hinted at her gratitude as she conceded, "Thank you, dear. I'll see you up there after I find Sam."
"Yeah, see you in a bit," Matt replied with a sigh, picking up the bags and heading towards the lodge while Emily made her way towards the cable car station, leaving the tension lingering in the chilly night air.
As Sam, Kida, and Chris stepped off the cable car station, they were met with the sight of Jessica standing alone, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if she were waiting for someone.
"Hey, Jess," Chris greeted her with a grin, his playful tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. "Waiting for your prince charming?"
Jessica rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her expression as she turned to face them. "Very funny, Chris," he she retorted, though there was a warmth in her voice that belied her annoyance.
Chris couldn't resist teasing her further, his curiosity piqued by the sight of the note clutched in her hand. "So, who's the lucky recipient of that love letter?" he teased, nudging her playfully.
Jessica shot him a playful glare, but there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she replied, "It's for Mike."
Chris's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his grin widening at the revelation. "Woah, drama," he remarked, unable to contain his amusement.
But Jessica shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "Not really. Pretty clear cut, actually," she explained. "Em's out. I'm in."
Sam and Kida exchanged a glance, their surprise mirrored in their expressions. It was unexpected news, to say the least, but there was a sense of acceptance in Jessica's words that made the situation seem almost mundane.
"Huh," Sam murmured, her thoughts racing as she processed the information.
Chris, always one to push the boundaries, couldn't resist poking fun at Jessica's note, reaching out to snatch it from her hand with a grin. But Jessica was quick to react, snatching it back with a playful swat.
"Hey, hands off!" she scolded, though there was a hint of laughter in her voice.
Just then, Kida, ever the observant one, interjected with a question that had been on everyone's mind. "Does Emily know about you and Mike?" she asked, her tone gentle but direct.
Jessica's eyes sparkled with mischief as she responded, her words laced with her signature sass. "Oh, I'm sure she'll find out soon enough," she replied with a smirk. "But why spoil the surprise?"
"And she has Matt to keep her occupied."
Kida's heart sank as Jessica's words registered. "I'm sorry. Matt's with Emily??" she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Mhm, you've missed out on a few things while you were..healing," Jessica replied casually.
Kida felt a wave of realization wash over her, a pang of regret gnawing at her heart. "I see that things really have changed," she murmured, her tone somber.
Kida's heart sank as Jessica revealed Matt's relationship with Emily. Though she'd harbored a secret crush on Matt, she knew she couldn't dwell on it. Despite the pang of disappointment, she resolved to focus on the present and cherish her time with her friends.
"Alright, enough drama for one day," he declared, slinging an arm around Kida's shoulders. "Let's get moving before we freeze our asses off out here."
But Jessica shook her head, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "I think I'll wait here a bit longer," she said, her tone thoughtful. "I'm sure Mike will be along any minute now."
With a smile, Sam wished her luck, knowing that Jessica could handle herself in any situation. As the rest of the group continued on towards the lodge, Kida couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was only just beginning, and that the events that awaited them would test their bonds in ways they never could have imagined.
Traversing the hill toward the imposing lodge, Matt found himself enveloped in a contemplative silence. The anticipation of reuniting with friends mingled with a sense of unease, especially regarding Josh's well-being amidst the lingering grief. Thoughts of Kida, their once unbreakable bond now fractured, nagged at him persistently.
With each step, memories of Kida flooded back, accompanied by a twinge of regret for his past actions. He recalled sleepless nights, futile attempts to reach out, and the deafening silence that followed. Despite his patience and consideration, Kida remained elusive, leaving him to grapple with a sense of loss and longing.
Yet, amidst the longing, Matt recognized the need to embrace the present, where Emily awaited his attention. As he approached the lodge, he resolved to set aside his regrets and focus on the friendships and connections that remained within his grasp.
As Matt rounded the corner of the path, he spotted Ashley on the wooden pavilion outside the lodge gate. She was engrossed in the telescope, her murmurs lost to the wind. Seeing an opportunity for a prank, Matt stealthily approached, crouching low to avoid detection.
As Ashley peered through the scope, the sudden appearance of two eyes sent her into a shrieking frenzy. Recognizing Matt's laughter, she groaned in annoyance and relief.
As Ashley recoiled in shock from the sudden appearance, her heart racing, Matt couldn't contain his amusement, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hey Ash, didn't mean to scare you," he said with a grin, his tone dripping with mischief.
"Jeez, Louise, Matt! You almost gave me a heart attack," Ashley exclaimed, her hand instinctively flying to her chest.
Matt chuckled, his grin widening. "Well, I did mean to scare you 'sort of' scare you but not like for real scare you..."
Ashley playfully pushed Matt in response, her nerves still jangling from the surprise. "Oh my gosh oh my gosh!"
"Sorry Ash, damn. I was just reciprocating a scare from Mike when Emily and I were heading through the bridge," Matt explained, a hint of apology in his tone.
"It's fine Matt," Ashley replied, though her nerves were still on edge.
Their conversation shifted to more mundane topics, but Matt's mind was elsewhere. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over him since seeing Emily's strange behavior.
As he glanced at the telescope, his curiosity got the better of him. "So, what were you looking at? Anything juicy?"
Ashley hesitated, her response evasive. "Uh -"
But Matt was already reaching for the telescope, his curiosity piqued. "Lemme check it out."
Reluctantly, Ashley acquiesced, though her unease grew as Matt peered through the lens.
As Matt's eyes fell upon the scene unfolding in the distance, his heart sank. Emily and Mike stood together, locked in an embrace.
"Alright... Aw, son of a bitch. Seriously Emily? What the hell, man?" Matt muttered under his breath, his frustration evident.
Ashley attempted to reassure him, though her own unease mirrored his. "Hey, listen. It's probably nothing."
But Matt couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at him. "Nothing? It proves something to me. I knew that her and I are taking things slow but right now I think I'm just being placed as a second option. I don't understand..why is she so strung on Mike?!"
Ashley had no answers, her own confusion mirroring Matt's. "I-I don't know."
With a sharp inhale, Matt tore his gaze away from the telescope, his frustration boiling over. "Take it slow my ass. Goddamit."
With that, he stormed off the pavilion, leaving Ashley behind in his wake.
"Matt..." Ashley called after him, her voice tinged with concern, but he was already out of earshot, lost in his own turmoil.
As they walked towards the corner of the path leading to Josh's lodge, Kida leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she regarded Chris, who looked distinctly uncomfortable under her intense gaze. "Chris, tonight you will walk out of that lodge as a new man."
Chris fidgeted, casting a doubtful look toward the floor. "I'm not sure, Kida. What if Ashley doesn't feel the same way?"
Sam rolled her eyes while Kida gave him an exasperated look. "You're killing me, dude. How can't you tell the signs that she likes you!" Kida exclaimed.
Sam chimed in, trying to bolster Chris's confidence. "You guys have the same interests."
"And more than that," Kida continued, her voice emphatic, "Academic, goofy, quirky—both are hot in your own ways. Come on, Chris, do you not pay attention to how she looks at you?"
Sam laughed lightly, adding, "It's like love at first sight..."
Chris looked skeptical. "Seriously, is that the best you can come up with?"
Kida leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The point is, Chris. Just go for it! Who knows what might happen next. You might not even be a virgin by the end of the night. I know that willy is gathering cobwebs."
Chris's face turned a deeper shade of red. "I—I don't want to sleep with Ash," he stammered, avoiding their gazes.
"Liar," Kida teased, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I know you have a world of erotica going on in that brain of yours. I'm sure it's not always about geek tech, Game of Chairs, or whatever you're interested in."
"Game of Thrones," Chris corrected automatically. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he added, "And fine, maybe I should take a chance."
Kida and Sam exchanged gleeful looks, their faces lighting up with eager anticipation.
"Atta boy, Chrissy," Kida said, nudging him playfully. "I knew that those balls were going to drop eventually."
Chris shot them a wary glance. "I said MAYBE, and if this doesn't work out, I'm blaming you two."
Sam shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "Whatever. We'll be waiting by the end of the night."
As they rounded the corner of the path leading up to Josh's lodge, a figure appeared from the right, lost deep in thought. It was Josh, almost at the lodge gate when Chris spotted him.
"Yo! Josh!" Chris called out.
Josh looked up, a smile breaking across his face. "Chris, it's good to see you!"
He quickened his pace, approaching the group with a warm, open demeanor. "Sammy! Good to see you!" he greeted, enveloping Sam in a brief hug.
Sam returned the embrace, her voice carrying a genuine warmth. "You too. How's it going?"
"It's been sunshine and rainbows," Josh replied with a grin, then turned to Kida, who had remained unusually quiet. She was staring at him, taking in the slight changes—the hair that had grown just a bit, the same old Josh yet subtly altered. Memories of their slight-sibling bond flooded her, stirring a mix of joy and longing.
"Keeds..." Josh said softly.
The sound of her nickname broke her restraint. Kida rushed into his arms, her emotions nearly overwhelming her as she fought back tears. Josh felt a lump form in his own throat as he recognized the depth of her feelings.
"I thought that I'd never see you again, man," Kida murmured into his shoulder.
"Hey, don't you worry about me. I'm here now. I'm okay. I'm alive," Josh reassured her, rubbing her back gently.
"You could've sent me a postcard or something," she muttered, half-complaining, half-teasing.
Josh chuckled softly, the sound comforting in its familiarity. "Well, I was undecided between choosing a tropical paradise or the swamp."
Kida laughed, the sound mingling with Josh's in a melody of shared history and unspoken understanding. "It's good seeing you, Joshie."
"Same here, soul sister," Josh replied, releasing her from the hug with a smile.
Chris, who had been watching the reunion, wiped at his eyes dramatically. "Does anyone have a tissue I could borrow?" he joked, drawing a fake sniffle.
"Alright, show's over," Kida declared, stepping back as the moment passed. They all began walking towards the lodge gate together.
"Man, I feel like this mountain gets bigger every time I climb it," Chris commented, a mock groan in his voice as he surveyed the path ahead.
"Oh yeah? Feels the same to me," Josh responded, his familiarity with the terrain clear in his casual dismissal.
Chris smirked. "Oh, come on, you grew up here. It probably feels like it's shrinking."
"I guess that's true," Josh conceded with a laugh.
Chris raised his phone, peering at the signal—or lack thereof. "When you gonna install some cell towers up here? I'm getting withdrawals already."
Josh shot him a playful look. "You got a spare million lying around, and I'll fix you right up."
"Funny you should say that..." Chris retorted, patting his pockets with a grin. "Ah, I think I left it in my other jacket."
Josh had just swung open the gate, their steps crunching in the snow as they made their way up to the lodge. At the entrance, they were greeted by Ashley, who sat patiently on the stairs, and Matt, who stood to the side, brooding over his recent unsettling discovery.
Josh, seeing them for the first time, greeted cheerily, "Hey guys... Get up here okay?"
"Yeah... well, more or less. But it's so good to see you!" Ashley's voice was tinged with genuine relief and happiness.
"'Sup with him?" Josh nodded toward Matt, whose grim demeanor stood in stark contrast to Ashley's brightness.
Matt stood silent, deeply entangled in his thoughts and visibly upset, not joining the conversation.
"Oh, nothing, he's just having a moment to himself," Ashley muttered, her tone softening to convey the weight of the situation they chose to leave unspoken.
As Josh and Chris ascended the steps, Sam nudged Kida, hinting that she should speak to Matt, feeling that they needed to mend their strained relationship. Kida hesitated, her expression filled with apprehension, but Sam's reassuring look gave her the courage she needed. With a deep breath, Kida prepared herself to confront the past she had been dodging and cautiously approached Matt. Sam, meanwhile, casually drifted over to Ashley, striking up a light conversation while keeping an eye on her best friend's tentative reconciliation.
Matt was a cauldron of mixed emotions. The vision of Emily, his recent partner, now seemingly back with her ex, Mike, gnawed at his thoughts. The breakup between Emily and Mike had seemed final, and in the vulnerable aftermath, Emily and Matt had found comfort in each other's arms. Matt had devoted himself to her, spurred by their shared night of vulnerability that had blossomed into months of what he thought was mutual caring and support. He was always the gentleman, putting Emily's happiness before his own, even when it cost him emotionally. Yet, seeing her with Mike, possibly rekindling old flames, had left him feeling sidelined, his efforts futile. But as he stewed in his hurt and confusion, wondering whether their embrace was merely friendly or something more, his tumultuous thoughts were interrupted.
He barely noticed her approach, lost as he was in his brooding, until the soft scent of jasmine and honey reached him, pulling him back to the present. Looking up, he saw Kida standing there. Her presence, radiant and comforting against the cold night, was like a beacon. Her dark skin glowed under the moonlight, and her hair, adorned with natural coils, framed her face beautifully. For a moment, all his frustrations and heartache seemed to dissolve, replaced by the familiar warmth of her presence, reminding him of better times and what felt like home.