The SUV tumbled through the gravel roads like a poorly made theme ride, threatening to send Kali's uneasy stomach into knots. The road was flanked on either side by thick forests, blocking any view other than the oppressively dense trees. She and her four friends had been trudging down the poorly kept trail for the better part of an hour, following the promise of a half decent lake house so out of the way that most people could not be bothered to travel to, but just as she was beginning to wonder if the trek had even been worth it, Nathanial called out in relief from the passenger seat, "Damn, finally. It's up here on the left."
Rey practically climbed over Kali to get to the window, and she shoved her back with a laugh. The trees slowly thinned and broke, revealing a glimpse of the lakeshore and a beautiful view of the mountains. As they came around the last bend, they got a view of the cabin, sitting just above the waterline with a simple pier jutting out into the lake. The forest cluttered tightly around the cabin, but enough was cleared out to make room for an outdoor seating area, a fire pit, and even an old fashioned timber swing set. All the way across the lake, Kali could see tiny houses and buildings clustered together, the public cabins and campgrounds far more crowded due to the easier access.
As they clambered out of the car, Liz and Rey excitedly ran off to check out the cabin. Kali rolled her eyes and started grabbing her bags as the guys began to unbury them. Tucking her long black hair into a messy bun, she shouldered her heavy duffle, and growled under her breath, cursing her ex, Ian. They had gotten into a huge fight the week before and had broken up practically on the eve of the big trip, leaving her to pay for their part of the cost as well as making her something of a fifth wheel on the vacation. She had debated just not joining them at all, but her friends had insisted that she come, if for nothing else than to have fun without Ian. Buried in her angry thoughts and weighed down by her two heavy duffles, Kali misjudged her step and nearly tumbled up the stairs of the cabin before a hand caught her arm.
"Ope," Weyland said with a grunt as he helped her steady herself, "Careful. It's been awhile since I studied up on my bushcraft first aid. Don't want to crack your head open before you even get into the cabin."
Kali let out a flustered chuckle, "Sorry. Just mentally cursing Ian again. It's where half my mental energy is going these days."
He just shrugged, "Sounds like a worthy focus, but maybe *after* you've navigated the treacherous terrain known as 'stairs'?" She laughed and nodded, grunting as she fought her bags inside. Kali had known Weyland the longest, growing up with him since middle school. He had always been a bit quiet but reliable. He was tall and lean, short dark hair framing a usually nervous expression on his face. They had bonded as nerdy outcasts back then, never really joining the "popular" crowds or trends.
With a screech, Liz shot by, nearly bowling her over in the front doorway, and Kali resisted the urge to trip her friend with one of the duffles. Liz had been the opposite of Kali before they met, always joining social clubs and hanging with the popular crowds. However, she had managed to avoid letting high school be her peak and had actually developed into a decent person, even though she was flamboyantly sociable. Despite growing up a bit since high school, her rambunctious personality was as colorful as her flame red hair.
As Kali muscled her bags inside, Nate came back to help lift them into the dining room. He was taller than the rest of the group, built like a freight train yet steadfast and calm. Despite their near opposite personalities, Liz had been dating him for a couple of years ever since hooking up with him at a friend's wedding. Unlike many of her flings, Nate actually seemed to ground her in a semblance of responsible maturity while still encouraging her playful side. Kali had not thought anyone was capable of taming her friend, but he somehow managed.
With a huff, Kali finally dropped her bags, then collapsed in a heap on top of them, more weary from the long drive than the short exercise of unloading. Liz tore by again, a fistful of bathing suit in her hand and already kicking off her shoes as she giggled and motioned everyone to the lake. Rey followed behind, still tying her long brown hair back and pulling off her shoes, though she managed to shove both hers and Liz's against the wall before following the red headed ball of energy outside. Compared to Liz, Rey was a Tibetan monk. The brunette was always calm and in control, which was probably why Weyland was so fond of her. However, she had a quiet confidence that he lacked, and somehow managed to even pull him out of his trademark quiet comfort zone from time to time. Despite being the newest of the group, Kali felt like she could relate the most to Rey's calm and thoughtful demeanor.
Weyland came over to Kali on the pile of luggage, holding a hand out to her, "C'mon, let's go swimming, it'll be nice after the long drive."
Kali took his hand and smirked, "You think you had it bad? You were driving. I was stuck in the middle seat all the way here!"
He rolled his eyes and dig his trunks out of his bag, "I'll cook dinner. Will that make us even?"
"Deal," Kali replied and left to change.
After a late afternoon swim in the crystal clear lake, Kali dragged herself inside, still tired but feeling far less sore and irritable. The rest of the group followed shortly after, and Weyland started up dinner as everyone else started to unpack. The cabin was rather nice in a modest sort of way, with an ample kitchen and three small rooms as well as a small social space with a couch and a love seat. Clearly, it was designed as little more than a shaded respite from the beautiful outdoors, however it was cozy enough that the five of them did not feel too cramped when they all crashed in the small living room area for dinner: a smattering of bacon, potatoes, and grilled vegetables.
By the time they gorged themselves on the meal, everyone was exhausted and ready for bed. The couples retreated to their rooms, leaving Kali with a pang of loneliness in her gut, but she shoved it down and bid the rest of her group goodnight with a smile.
-------------
The next morning, Kali awoke with the sun, a bit cold and sore from sleeping on an unfamiliar mattress. With a stretch, she climbed out of bed and dug in her bag for something to wear. Lazily, she settled for just a pair of fresh underwear and her baggy t shirt. It was not anything her friends had not seen before. Liz and Weyland had been her friends long enough not to care about a bit of skin showing, and their significant others had joined them for more than a few nights of strip tease drinking nights. Besides, it was a vacation, and they were supposed to be here to relax. Kali stumbled out of her room in her ragged attire, but immediately felt overdressed when she came across Nate and Liz in the dining room.
Liz sat on the edge of the table, bare naked save the robe that barely held onto one shoulder and bunched up behind her. She was leaned back onto her palms, back arched with her bare chest catching the morning light. Nate was still in his boxers, but he was on one knee, leaning into her, face buried between her spread legs. Kali froze as she stepped into the doorway, ready to flee in embarrassment but the sight actually made her pause. Liz was a scandalous flirt and Nate was an attractive, athletic guy, but the view of the pair was actually rather... beautiful. Her body shivering, his back muscles shifting, their bodies moving and twisting into each other, the sunrise pouring into the old cabin... The entire view was magnificent, in that way that being on a mountaintop made looking at postcards seem irrelevant or cheap.
Suddenly, Liz gasped with excitement and threw her head back, incidentally catching her friend's eye. Kali froze and blushed realizing she had been caught staring. However, Liz merely smirked, letting Nate continue for a couple more seconds before tapping on his shoulder and pulling her robe closed. He turned and saw Kali, then laughed nervously as he hurriedly wiped off his face and stood up.
Kali let out a timid smile, "Sorry to... interrupt..."
Shaking his head, Nate cleared his throat, "No! No, sorry. We didn't realize anyone else was up."
"Yeah," Liz growled in feigned disdain, "since when do you get up this early?"
Desperate to change the subject, Kali brushed her hair back and stepped into the kitchen, "I don't know. I think the fresh air makes me more of a morning person. You guys want breakfast?"
Nate nodded quickly, "Yeah, I'll help."
"Don't worry about him," Liz said, "he already ate."
Nate glowered at her, but Kali could not suppress a giggle.
Liz just shrugged, "Geez babe, relax and stop trying to pretend she didn't just walk in and see your tongue half way up my-"
"Liz!" Kali exclaimed, though she still could not fight the smile off her face.
Her friend waved her hands and raised an eyebrow, "What? You two are so wound up. C'mon Kali, you've walked in on me doing WAY worse with guys. Don't pretend like you didn't enjoy it."
