November 9th, 2016

Mount Oswald, California, USA

Cabin, I

It was an early Thursday morning, and the start of the Kinsky High Fall Break. Two cars lined up on the street outside of the Kawakami house — one a cheap red pickup truck, and the other a family-sized yellow sedan. Aaron lifted a suitcase into the back of the sedan while Kat watched from the sidewalk.

“So, what’s the duffle bag for?” Kat pointed at a large gray duffle bag around Rose’s shoulder. Rose turned towards the girl. 

“Just my stuff for the trip.”

Kat looked at her skeptically. “You brought a suitcase and a duffle bag for a two day trip?”

Rose shrugged. “I’m a girl. I pack a lot of stuff. You should know that.”

The blond gave her a raised eyebrow, but didn’t pursue any further. Sadja walked past the two, stretching out her arms. She wore an oversized light denim jacket and matching jeans, as well as a cream-colored turtleneck sweater.

“Well, I appreciate the earlier break. Does kinda suck that we don’t get as many days for Thanksgiving, though.”

Aaron grabbed the duffle bag from Rose and placed it in the sedan. “Thanksgiving is on a Saturday this year. And one weekend to see all my extended relatives is plenty enough for me.”

Kat turned back towards the house, which had all its lights off. “Who has Bonny?”

“Oh, she’s with Maria, actually.” Rose walked over to the sedan’s passenger door. “Both of our parents are out for the week. But Maria offered to take care of her, since they still have a bunch of stuff from Appy.”

Kat smiled. “Aww, that’s nice.”

“Yeah, I think she makes a good dog sit- wait, shit, I forgot my charger. Give me one sec, babe!”

Aaron waved at Rose as she ran back into the house. Meanwhile, Sadja got into the sedan’s back seat. She slumped down and rested her bent knees against the front seat, when she felt her phone vibrate in her jacket pocket. It was a new message from Cole.

| You got the plan?

Sadja typed up a quick response.

| I gotchu. Ill try and keepem together the whole time 🙂

The response from Cole was also quick.

| Alright. Thx boo

A small smile came to Sadja’s face. She looked up as she felt the car shake to the left and right, signifying Rose’s entrance into the passenger.

“Okay, I’m good to go.”

Aaron nodded and started the car. On the other side of the sidewalk, Lukas sat on a bench looking at his phone. Kat, who was in her own car,  reached her head out of the front window, and slapped the side of the door to get his direction. 

“Hey, Lukas! We’re ready!”

Lukas snapped to attention, putting his phone back in his pocket and quickly getting into the passenger seat beside her. Kat turned the key and the engine sputtered to life. Her hand reached into a compartment right below the radio, and she pulled out a CD encased in a flimsy plastic guard.

“All I’ve got in here is my old classics mix. I hope you don’t mind.”

Lukas shook his head. “Not at all.”

He could name a few songs he’d rather listen to than Born to Run and Sister Golden Hair, but in this environment it felt calming to him. These were songs he ultimately associated with Kat; and here she was, right next to him.

The car ride to Mount Oswald was mostly quiet in that truck. Kat didn’t bring up too much conversation, beyond pointing out a deer on the side of the road. And Lukas didn’t bring up too much because his mind was stuck in the same place that it had been since Halloween night.

It took about an hour and thirty minutes to get to the cabin. Aaron, who had gotten there a little earlier, guided Kat as she parked her car on a nearby dirt road. 

The cabin was two floors in total, with a large open first floor that connected the living room and kitchen. Sadja dropped her suitcase and flopped on top of the sofa.

“I can get used to this, real fast.”

Kat looked around the cabin, setting her case where Sadja had hers. Aaron paid careful attention to Kat’s countenance.

“I know, I know, it’s not the five star resort you’re probably used to.”

Kat turned towards him. “No, I like it! It’s very rustic.”

Aaron gave a dismissive wave, as he walked deeper into the house. “There are three bedrooms and a sofa. One bedroom upstairs, two right across from each other on the first. The sofa folds out to a bed.”

Lukas looked down at where Sadja was laying. “I can take the sofa. I’m used to sleeping anywhere.”

Aaron reemerged from behind a wall, pointing back. “The two rooms are down here. I’ll take the second floor room for Rose and I.”

Rose nodded, as she carried her own suitcase and duffle bag up the stairs. Kat took off her leather jacket and hung it on the wall. “So, what’s the plan for today?” she asked.

Aaron walked up to a large open window that peered out into the forest. “Well, seeing how warm it’s been over the past few days, I was hoping it would be good to swim… Oswald has that nice little ravine, I’m not sure if any of you have been there before. But it looks like it’s not gonna be great for today. My backup plan was to go on one of the longer hikes, but seeing how you girls dressed, it might just have to be me and… Lukas!”

Aaron turned to the boy, a shocked expression on his face. Lukas stood rather calmly by the door. He looked down at himself, as well as around him, but couldn’t find anything off.

“What?”

Aaron put his hands out in front of him. “You were going to hike in that?”

Lukas was wearing a normal pair of chinos and a hoodie, along with the standard pair of shoes he wore to school. He shrugged.

“I mean, I can hike in anything. It’s Oswald, not fuckin’ Everest. Oswald’s like, a slightly taller-than-average hill.”

Aaron gave a deep, heavy sigh. “I guess we’re sticking with the easy trail.”

While Sadja laid down on the couch, already beginning to fall asleep, something near the fireplace caught her eye. She tried to focus on it, identifying its curves and edges. When she finally realized what it was, her eyes widened, and she jumped out of the couch.

“Oh my God, guys!”

The group switched over to Sadja. She reached down beside the right side of the fireplace, and pulled out an old acoustic guitar that she showed to the group.

“Kat, you gotta play this for us.”

The group switched over to Kat. Her cheeks began to turn red.

“I-I mean… not right now.”

Sadja put her hand on her hip playfully. “Tonight, then?”

Aaron’s mood suddenly changed, as he had a lightbulb flash in his head. “Wait, that’s it! We can have a campfire tonight. We’ll eat breakfast now, then go on the hike, get back and chill, and then have a campfire.”

Rose nodded. “That all sounds good to me.”

The rest of the group concurred. The cabin stay had officially begun. 

…

A few hours later, the group was in fact hiking up the mountain. The easy trail. Kat and Lukas followed behind the rest, walking together as the others led on not that far behind. 

“You remember that trip we took to Oswald in fifth grade?” Kat asked her childhood friend.

Lukas gave her a funny look. “We had a field trip to Oswald in fifth grade?”

“Yeah. It was like a three day thing, I think. They had it over in the campground near the park service. I remember we were split up into a boy and girl cabin, and we had different groups led by different instructors. You and Cole kept freaking everybody out by trying to get scorpions to show up or something.”

The boy’s eyes opened in realization. “Oh yeah, I do remember now! One of the instructors told us that UV light attracts scorpions, and Cole had a UV setting on his flashlight, so he kept shining it on people’s hands and feet while they were sitting down.

Kat giggled. “And who gave him the idea to do that?”

Lukas shrugged. “It’s past the statute of limitations at this point. I can’t be convicted.”

The two came up on a steep incline covered in smaller gravel. Lukas was able to find footing fairly easily, but Kat almost slipped on her way up.

“Shit, I might not be able to do this right,” she spoke while looking down at the gravel and trying to find the best method to get past it.

“Here, I’ll help you. Hold my hand.”

Lukas extended his arm, and Kat took it. She grabbed his hand tightly, carefully guiding her feet atop the larger stones. She had done a reasonably good job up until the end, where her shoe got stuck on a rock jutting out. She tripped upwards, leaning into and pushing up against Lukas’ chest. Once she got her footing again, she smiled and wiped off the shoe. 

“Thanks for the assist there.”

“Y-yeah, sure thing.”

“…can I have my hand back?”

Lukas looked down and realized he was still holding on to it. He quickly withdrew. “Oh, shit! I’m sorry.”

Kat laughed. “No problem. Let’s catch up with the others.”

In front of them, Sadja and Rose chatted among themselves. They both looked up when, atop a large boulder, a familiar black teen stood and waved his arms out in greeting of those below.

Sadja cupped her hands around her mouth. “Shoooowww Offff!” Her voice echoed through the mountain.

About ten minutes later the group reached the top of the trail. Aaron reached it first, and he looked hands-on-hips at the exhausted crew before him.

“Can we… take five?” Rose asked as she sat down on a flat rock.

“Five minutes?” Aaron looked shocked. “We barely did any work.”

Rose looked up at him, wiping off sweat from a wet forehead. “You’re the worst type of fitness partner.”

Lukas sat himself down on a different rock close by. Kat came to follow him, but instead of picking a different rock she sat behind him, leaning so that the two were back-to-back. 

“So, how you holding up?” Lukas asked as he opened up his water bottle to take a sip.

“Well, I’m glad I didn’t bring the jacket after all. I’m sweating like a pig.”

After Lukas drank some of the water, he reached the bottle back behind him. “You want some?”

He could feel a hand reach out and grab the bottle from him. He could feel the heavy breathing against his back, and the soft hair as it hit his neck. He could hear the quiet gulps of water being drunk down, until suddenly these sensations stopped when Kat leaned forward to inspect the bottle.

“Oh, fuck. I think I drank the rest of it.”

Lukas chuckled. “How are we supposed to survive the trip down?”

She turned her head, just enough to see the outline of the boy behind her. She smiled. “Life finds a way,” she spoke as she handed the bottle back to Lukas. “Life finds a way.”

…

That night the five gathered outside the cabin. Lukas and Aaron scavenged sticks for a large bonfire while the girls cooked inside. Aaron lit the patch with a gas lighter, and within seconds the fire roared to life. Lukas sat down on the bench, mesmerized by the crackling waves, almost not noticing the plate being sat within his lap.

“I got you your favorite,” Kat said as she sat down next to him. “Homemade macaroni and cheese, and some of the rotisserie chicken. Only the dark meat.”

Lukas looked down at the plate. “You make it sound like I have the taste buds of an eight year old.”

“It’s because you do have the taste buds of an eight year old.”

Sadja, who took off her turtleneck and jacket to reveal a tight orange shirt, squeezed past the two, her plate balancing on her hand. “I made some red curry, if you want to be adventurous.”

Rose came last, with two plates. She handed one to Aaron. “Thanks, dear,” Aaron responded. Rose gave a short mm-hmm in response.

As the five ate, a few different topics were brought up. Sadja and Kat talked about drama in the choir department. Lukas mentioned his recent Physics exam. But as the night went on, a pattern began to emerge.

“I can’t help but notice you two are uncharacteristically quiet.” Sadja directly looked at the couple across from them at the campfire.

Rose, rather than looking solemn, gave a furtive look. “Oh, us? I haven’t even noticed. Must just be tired from the hike.”

Lukas leaned forward. “You two are up to something. I can tell.”

Aaron shrugged his shoulders. “But what are we up to, Lukas? What could we possibly be hiding?”

Lukas considered the question, and could think of a few ideas. But he held off, and went back to his normal sitting.

All of a sudden, Sadja spoke out emphatically. “Kat!”

Kat turned towards her. “Huh?”

“You really thought I’d forget, didn’t you?”

“Forget about… oh no.”

Before Kat could react, Sadja rushed back inside the cabin. She came back shortly after, the guitar in hand.

Aaron smiled as Sadja placed the guitar in Kat’s lap. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you on the strings.”

Sadja sat back down in her spot. “Oh, you’ve been missing out. She’s a goddess on this thing. Play us a ballad, girl.”

Kat looked nervously at her friends, who perched closely to listen to her. But then her eyes met Lukas, and Lukas gave her that smile he always did when he heard her sing. And Kat smiled too, and everything felt a little bit better for her.

“Well, okay then,” Kat whispered softly. She positioned the instrument and began to play.

She performed Going to California, and the entire time Lukas felt himself in a trance. For a moment he forgot about the other friends, about the campfire, about the cabin, about Kinsky, about the world. And in that time it was just him, and Kat, and her voice.

When she finished, the rest of the group clapped. This snapped Lukas back to attention, and he clapped too.

“That was gorgeous, Kat!” Rose cried out.

Aaron smiled again. “I’m telling you, the two of you need to start a band. Make it a duet or something.”

Sadja turned over to Kat. “I think I’m happier in her shadow. It’s a nice shadow to be in.”

Kat looked at each of the friends around her. Her eyes ended on Lukas. He didn’t speak aloud, but rather spoke with his eyes. And Kat spoke back the same way.

“Well, I’ll put this thing back.” Kat got up from her seat and began to walk back into the house, when she was stopped by Rose.

“Oh, don’t worry about it girl. I’m feeling pretty tired, so I think I’m headed for bed. I’ll take it.”

Kat felt confused by the interaction, but let her handle the guitar. Rose walked back inside, and closed the door behind her.

Aaron turned towards Lukas. “So, how you feel about Kinsky football right now?”

Lukas chuckled. “Is that what you were waiting to say?”

“What’s so wrong with that?”

Lukas waved it off, and the two engaged in a conversation. Sadja and Kat talked on their own. After a few minutes of the remaining group speaking and laughing amongst themselves, Aaron felt a vibration in his pocket. He took the phone out and checked the notification. It was a single text message.

| I’m ready for my appointment. xoxo

Casually Aaron put the phone back in his pocket, and got up from his seat to stretch.

“Well, I think it’s about time for me to hit the hay. I’m trying to get up pretty early tomorrow morning, don’t want to miss the alarm or anything.”

Sadja looked up at him. “Alright then, we’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Aaron waved goodnight to the three, then walked back inside. He took off his shoes by the mat, and walked through the house towards the stairs. As he climbed up, he suddenly stopped near the top, and placed one foot heavily down on the stair. He unapplied and reapplied this pressure a few times, but the stair never made any noise. He took one last look down the stairs, then went inside the bedroom door.

As he went inside, he closed the door softly behind him. His hand motioned over both locks, turning them each in the right position.

“Well, miss…” he spoke softly as he finally turned around. “…I heard you needed a check up?”

Rose was sitting on the top of the bed. She wore a series of black leather straps connected by small silver-metal rings. The outfit exposed both her breasts and shaven vagina. Around her neck was a black collar, which connected down to a long piece of white rope. Her legs were spread out, and she leaned back with her arms providing support.

“I heard you were the best at what you do,” she replied back sensually.

Aaron smiled. He took a few steps forward, unzipping his pants as he did so. “Oh, don’t worry. I am.”

…

Back at the campfire, things were quiet. Sadja watched the two in front of her, who both sat watching the flames. She smiled.

“Well, it’s getting pretty late for me too.” She got up from the bench, wiping the dirt from it off her behind. “I think I’ll go head off to bed.” 

“Yeah, I think I’ll go sleep to-” Lukas began to get up, but Sadja stopped him by pushing down his shoulder as she passed by.

“Oh, no. Don’t head back just because of me. If you guys wanna stay out here, stay out here.”

Lukas sat back down. He looked over at Kat, who shrugged. By the time the two looked back at Sadja, she was already almost at the door.

“I’ll see you two tomorrow, okay?” She spoke as she waved to them. They waved back. Sadja closed the door. Lukas and Kat sat alone by the fire.

It was quiet, for a while. Lukas didn’t know what to say, so he nervously picked at a loose rock in the stone bench for which he sat. Suddenly, the girl spoke up.

“Have I ever told you why I look at you, when I sing?”

Lukas turned his head up. Kat was looking right at him.

“I… I didn’t know you did that.”

Kat’s face morphed into a smile. “Really? God, I practically stare at you. At least I feel like I do.” She turned back towards the embers. Lukas could see the patterns of fire light up her face.

“Whenever I’m performing, I’m always really nervous. I’m afraid I’ll get up there and screw up real bad in front of hundreds of people. So I look for your face in the crowd, and once I find it I concentrate on that instead. You keep me grounded, in a way.”

Lukas looked off into the distance. “Why not Cole?”

Kat shook her head. “Oh, Cole is always so stone-faced. I don’t think he means it, but he is. You, on the other hand… you’re always smiling. Your smile is contagious, I think. It always makes me feel better. It makes me feel like everything’s going to be okay.”

Lukas turned back to the fire. There was silence between the two. His heart began to race, faster and faster. Despite the warmth of the fire, he could feel a different warmth. The warmth of the girl beside him. The one he’s known for almost his entire life. He realized this might be the best — and last — chance he’d ever get. 

Slowly, shakily, his hand moved across the cold stone of the bench. It kept going, until it found the soft flesh of Kat’s hand. Gently he moved his hand across it. Nothing happened, and everything began to feel a little bit more natural. He stopped shaking. He put his hand over Kat’s, and slowly but surely he squeezed her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers. 

But something was wrong. Kat, who had been in a trance, suddenly realized what happened. Her reaction was sharp. And opposite.

Quickly she removed her hand from his grasp, and slid a bit farther down the bench. 

“Lukas, no.” She spoke kindly yet firmly, and shook her head.  “Not like that.”

Lukas’ heart dropped. His body went from 100 to 0. His eyes widened, and the shakes returned.

“Kat, Kat I… I’m sorry.” He put his hands to his temples, and tried desperately to hide himself. “I-I just… after Halloween, I thought…”

Kat turned to face him. He tried to look away from her, but couldn’t. Their eyes locked in with one another, and Lukas noticed a curious thing. Kat’s face was confused, and she slanted her head to the side.

“Lukas…” she whispered. “What happened on Halloween?”

It was at this point that the full weight of the occasion hit Lukas soul like a thousand bricks. Kat didn’t remember. She was too drunk that night to remember anything at all. 

In hindsight it felt so obvious to him. Yet in that moment on Halloween night it had made so much sense to him to have kissed and held her as deeply as he had, regardless of whatever state she was in. It was only now that he realized the full weight of his actions. He felt so confused, so ashamed, so dejected. His whole body clenched up. Tears began to well in his eyes. His breathing began to hyperventilate. 

Kat spoke one more time, even more softly than she had just a moment ago.

“…Luke?”

Lukas suddenly shot up from his seat. He covered his face, cowering as the tears began to flow.

“I’m g-going to… I’m going to go now. I-I’m going to go back. G-good n-night.”

He rushed himself back inside the house. The outside was now silent, save for the flickering of flame. The light had faded from Kat’s eyes.

She was alone now.