20 | ski trips

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January, 2019

My eye's lifted lazily when the shriek of Kaden's alarm reached my ears. When I was conscious enough to gather my surroundings, I realized that I was on the couch in Kaden's living room. To my side, I noticed Owen laying down with his eyes opened and on the other couch laid Kaden, who was sound asleep.

I groaned, reaching for his phone and hitting end. Though I desperately wanted to go back to sleep, today wasn't the day to hit snooze until the last minute.

Today Kendall, Cole, Molly, Kaden and I are driving to Vermont for Kendall's birthday. Apparently there's a ski resort there which Cole insists is the best, and none of us had anything better to do.

Yesterday Kaden and I realized that we both had a ton of homework, therefore we figured that it'd just make more sense for me to stay the night there so we could work on it together, and he wouldn't have to wake up even earlier to pick me up. Of course, we didn't actually end up doing much, as we got distracted by watching a new Netflix series which held a name that I couldn't care to remember.

"Kade, wake up." I called, my tone clouded with fatigue.

He didn't budge.

"Kaden." I said a little louder, using my elbow to to prop me up.

Whether Kaden was truly asleep, or just ignoring me, I wasn't in the mood to put up with it.

Groaning, I grabbed a pillow which had fallen on the ground and hit him with it. His eyes squinted, before opening to give me an annoyed glance.

"What the hell Avery?" He complained, finally sitting up.

"It's five-thirty. We have to leave in forty five minutes, get up."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. How did I get stuck driving?"

"Cole drives a Porsche, my car is too small, Molly doesn't drive and it's Kendalls birthday. So unfortunately, you're the only option left."

"It's not like my car is cheap." He grumbled, more to himself than to me.

"Yeah, but it's also the biggest." My homework was scattered across the coffee table, mixed up with Kadens. While we spoke I reached over for my backpack, shoving all of my papers into my bag and putting Kadens into a pile.

"Ave you can leave it, I'll deal with it later." He insisted.

I brushed him off, finishing in seconds. "Kaden I just stacked some papers, it's nothing. We need to get ready."

Kaden frowned, but didn't argue. "Fine. I'm gonna take Owen over to Helen's first. I'll be back in ten."

"Alright. How far is Cole's house from here?"

I looked in Kaden's direction, although he was already shrugging on his jacket by the door. He gently hooked a leash on Owen's collar. "Ten minutes? Molly lives by Mugs and Kendall lives about fifteen minutes from her. We should be on the road by seven for sure."

"Sounds good!" I called, before hearing the front door shut.

It felt weird being in Kaden's house alone, the giant household almost felt eerie while it was empty. Folding the blankets I had used and setting my backpack to the side, I headed into the bathroom to get ready.

I had never been to Vermont, nor had I ever been skiing, but I could only assume that it was gonna be cold. My winter jacket and snow pants were stuffed in a separate bag, along with some gloves and a hat. However, for now I just slid on black fleece-lined leggings and an oversized knit-white sweater. I brushed my hair and my teeth before heading into the kitchen.

Personally, the kitchen was my favorite part of Kaden's house. Although it had clearly been updated, it was done so in a way which still highlighted its original character. The countertops were a beautiful marble, while the cabinets were a sculpted off-white. There were a few glass cabinets neatly places by the normal ones, while the light fixtures were made from an elegant brass, with Einstein bulbs.

While I poured myself a glass of water, Kaden walked in. "I'm gonna get changed, can you call Cole and make sure he's awake?"

"Yeah, of course." I agreed, taking a sip from the glass.

Kaden gives me a small smile before going up the stairs. I reach for my phone to call Cole.

At first, after several rings, it went to voicemail.

The second time around, Cole answered and did not sound pleased.

"Avery, shut up."

"We're picking you up in thirty minutes and you weren't even awake yet. So no, I won't shut up." I rolled my eyes though Cole couldn't see it, raising the glass to my lips once again and finishing its contents.

"It's way too early for this." He complained, though the noise in the background indicated that he was getting up.

"Kade and I have been awake for half an hour already, get over it. Besides, it was your idea to go all the way to Vermont."

"And I stand by that, ski resorts in Maine just don't compare. I'm hanging up on you now."

"So sweet of you Cole." I gushed sarcastically, only to be met with the sound of a dead call.

After a fifteen minutes of scrolling through various social media platforms, Kaden walked speedily down the stairway. He was dressed in black sweats, a white t-shirt and a flannel jacket.

"Alright, are you ready to go?" He questioned, taking the glass by my side and setting it in the dishwasher.

I frowned. "I could've done that you know."

Kaden rolled his eyes, pulling out his phone. "Now we're even for you stacking my homework. We're exactly eleven minutes away from Cole's house, so we better load the car now."

While speaking quick and efficiently, Kaden grabbed a blue IKEA bag and slipped on a pair of Oakley aviator sunglasses.

I grabbed my white duffle bag, which held snow gear and slung it over my shoulder, following behind Kaden. He waited for me to exit before closing the door behind me and locking it.

Kaden clicked a button on his keys which lifted the trunk of his car, and I immediately set my bag inside. One of the seats in the way back was raised, since there were five of us and the Range Rover's backseat only carried two people.

Following besides me, Kaden set his blue bag next to mine, than shut the trunk. I opened the passenger door, sitting down as soon as the door unlocked. While getting in the drivers side, Kaden started the car.

I cranked the heat immediately.

"Jesus Ave, eight-five degrees?"

I turned to Kaden, who was no longer looking at me, but focusing on backing out of the driveway. "Don't worry, I won't keep it at that, when it's set higher it heats up faster. At this rate, I'll be frozen solid by the time we get to Cole's house."

Rolling his eyes with a small smile, Kaden replied. "You're so dramatic."

A steady conversation carried over the next ten minutes as we made our way to Cole's house. However this wasn't necessarily abnormal, talking to Kaden was always incredibly easy.

As we drove I admired our surroundings, the tall evergreens dusted with snow along with the ombré sunrise which filled the cloudless sky.

I turned to Kaden, who's hair was messily styled and green eyes were shielded by sunglasses he didn't need yet. He was talking, but admittedly his words were blurred. I could only focus on him.

What is it about Kaden Wells that made me thoughtlessly trust him?

We approached a gate, which snapped me out of my bizarre thoughts.

"We're here to pick up Cole Jennings." Kaden spoke in a polite manor to a guard that looked as if he obviously recognized him.

"Of course, I haven't seen you around for a while, Mr. Wells." The man spoke which a friendly smile, opening the gate.

"I guess it has been a bit. Thank you." Kaden returned his tone.

Cole neighbourhood was similar to Kaden's, and left me in equal awe. Large, brick mansions sat alongside beautiful white ones. Although the lawns were coated in sleek powdery snow, it was obvious that normally they'd be perfectly landscaped.

Runswick was really something else.

As we pulled into Cole's driveway, my jaw dropped a little more. His house looked like one out of a movie, it was stunning. However, I shut my mouth tightly when Cole stepped out of the front door, wearing a black winter jacket and looking exhausted. Slung over his shoulder was a Pine Hill football bag, and in one hand he held a small bag which likely was Kendalls birthday present.

Cole frowned when he saw me in the front seat, and I shot him a mocking wave. Kaden pressed a button to his side to open the trunk for him.

"I hate both of you. I called shotgun!" Cole complained immediately, setting his bag on top of mine.

Kaden rolled his eyes. "You get to sit next to Kendall, you should be thanking us."

I laughed at Kaden's remark, while Cole's eyes narrowed into slits. "This is unfair."

"Life's not fair. Get in, we're gonna be late." I replied lightheartedly, while Cole pouted in the backseat.

Next we went to pick up Molly, who lived in a much more modest, yet equally pretty neighborhood. There was no gate, and the houses which lined the street looked a lot like mine, large but nothing like Cole or Kaden's.

I called Molly as we sat in her driveway, letting her know we were outside. Her tone was neutral and kind, and she wore a look a excitement as she approached Kaden's car.

"Hey Molly! So you can either sit in the way back, or swap with me up here. I'm genuinely good with either." I smiled, rolling down the window.

She laughed a little, returning my tone. "I'll sit in the back."

Cole leaned over to let down the seat, which lead to Molly climbing over the seat. She set her present for Kendall next to the rest of ours, than sat down.

"Okay Cole, how do we get to Kendalls house?" I asked as he let up the seat.

He rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Do none of you know?"

I looked to Kaden who simply shrugged, while Molly's expression hinted guilt.

"Well, I guess that leaves you!" I exclaimed, giving Cole a teasing smile.

"She lives in Norpoint. Just go straight until you hit 34th street, then turn and you should see the neighborhood." Cole sounded annoyed while he spoke, but nobody seemed to really care.

The four of us held an easy conversation while driving to pick up Kendall. It mostly consisted of Molly and I debating with Cole, and Kaden laughing along.

Eventually, Cole pointed us to a victorian style house, which I naturally assumed was Kendall's. "There it is."

I had come to the conclusion that there was no ugly parts of Runswick, Maine. Although Kendalls house was also in a more modest part of town, it still stood amongst gorgeous homes. You could tell that it was older, but it had been kept up beautifully, like it was just built.

"Can you go get her?" I asked, turning around to look at Cole. On our last shift, Kendall had dropped and shattered her phone, therefore texting her wasn't an option.

"Why do I have to do everything?" Cole grumbled over-dramatically.

"Because you're so kind hearted." Molly added sarcastically, patting him on the back.

Finally giving up, Cole unbuckled his seatbelt and headed up towards Kendalls red door.

Hesitantly, he knocked. He almost looked... nervous?

After a few moments, a woman in sweats opened the door. She had dirty blonde hair, and seemingly light eyes that matched Kendalls. Cole looked stunned for a moment, before she eagerly wrapped him in a hug.

"Cole! I've missed seeing you around here, how have you been?" She expressed joyfully. Cole gave her a genuine smile as she pulled away.

"I've been good, Mrs. Lockhart. How are you?" He replied politely. Their words were muffled through the car windows, but still clear enough to interpret.

"Pretty good myself. Let me call Kendall down, it was so nice to see you again dear."

Cole nodded, returning her expression. "You too."

Kendall's mom turned her head away from Cole, and yelled Kendall's name loudly. In a matter of seconds, Kendall raced down the stairs in a white winter jacket.

Her eyes widened as she spotted Cole at the door, but she didn't say anything. "Bye Mom, I'll be back by eight."

With a whole-hearted smile, Kendall's mom wrapped her in a hug than closed the door, leaving Cole and Kendall on the front porch.

"If your birthday present to me is your company, I hope you got a receipt." She smiled sarcastically, as the two walked towards the car.

"Ha ha, really funny." Cole remarked, earning a laugh from Kendall. The two opened their doors and took a seat. Kaden entered the address to the ski resort in his GPS.

"Happy birthday Kendall!" Everyone except Cole exclaimed as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Thank you guys." She replied kindly, her face expressing genuine gratitude.

"We have presents for you to open later. How does it feel to be eighteen? You're a legal adult!" I asked, turning to face Kendall as Kaden began to drive.

"The same as being seventeen. You guys didn't have to get me gifts." She said in all seriousness, causing me to wave her off.

"It's no problem! I can't believe you're eighteen while I'm still sixteen." Molly huffed, although it was clear she wasn't actually upset.

"At least you're the next birthday, Molly." Kendall replied.

Molly nodded, but didn't say anything else. Kendall turned to face forward once again. "On another note, why is Cole in such a bad mood."

Cole sighed. "I'm right here you know."

Kendall ignored him and looked back at me. I shrugged. "I guess he's not a morning person."

"Again, I'm right here guys." He added a little louder.

Kaden rolled his eyes. "Do you guys want to stop at Starbucks or something?"

Everyone agreed, except Cole who furrowed his eyebrows. "We work at a small coffee shop, shouldn't we like not be going to coffee chains or something?"

Kendall huffed. "Cole for someone who's not actually stupid, you sure act like it. Just because we work at a coffee shop doesn't mean we can't go to Starbucks. Plus, you need coffee more than anyone else here, you're being more of a jerk than usual."

"Whatever." Cole mumbled, more to himself than to us. As he pulled out his phone, Kendall immediately took it.

"What the hell?" He exclaimed. She rolled her eyes.

"Dude seriously, snap out of it. I'm not in the mood to put up with this. Also, we agreed on no phones today, except for Kaden's in case of emergencies." Biting the inside of her lip, Kendall gently held out her hand to give Cole his phone back.

He met her gaze, and the annoyed expression he wore previously softened. Taking his phone, Cole tossed it lightly towards his bag in the back. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Kendall smiled a little. "Apology accepted."

"Now that you two are done fighting, Kendall, here's the aux." Kaden spoke up, reaching a cord back to Kendall.

I looked at him, offense coating my features. "How come you always refuse to give me the aux?"

Kaden shrugged. "It's her birthday, and Kendall has better taste in music."

I narrowed my eyes at him while he shot me a look of amusement.

"I am so honored." Kendall dramatically placed a hand over her heart before plugging her phone in.

The first song on her shuffle was one we all seemed to know.

Off key, but in sync, we all yelled the lyrics.




❦ psychotic ❦



Three hours later, we arrived in Vermont. The rest of the car ride consisted of various dispatches between Cole and Kendall, Molly sleeping, Kaden contributing to conversations but ultimately focusing on driving, and me trying to keep the peace.

However, I learned to never trust Cole's judgement when it comes to ski resorts, even ones that are three hours away.

While Kaden found a place to park, I admired my surroundings with a dropped jaw. At the bottom of several beautiful ski hills and thousands of tall evergreen trees speckled with powdery snow, was a huge log cabin. Several people went in and out, ski's and snowboards perched all around the wooden exterior. Although the sky was partially clear, large snowflakes still fell, coating my hair.

"I told you Vree. Worth the drive, right?" Cole gloated, coming up next to me.

I huffed, throwing Cole a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, I guess."

Before he could reply, Kendall and Molly approached us. Their conversation abruptly stopped when Molly suggested we go rent gear.

"Shouldn't we wait for Kade?" I questioned, who hadn't returned yet.

Right on cue, Kaden approached the four of us. "No need, I'm right here."

I turned to Molly who shrugged.

"Let's go then." Cole announced.

The line to get gear wasn't long, and we kept ourselves entertained. While Kaden, Molly and I held a casual conversation, Cole and Kendall bantered as usual.

"Don't worry Cole, when you fall I'll catch you." Kendall teased, nudging him with her elbow. An employee handed her a pair of black ski's with neon bottoms.

"We've never skied together Ken, I wouldn't be so confident." Cole smirked.

She rolled her eyes. "And here I was thinking that you finally ditched that nickname."

"But you like it so much!" Cole smiled sarcastically. Kendall glared.

The two walked out of the building, waiting for the rest of us to get our ski's. I turned to Kaden and Molly. "I'll never understand their relationship."

Molly nodded. "Honestly... me either. They'll probably get married though."

I laughed. "I can see it."

We didn't waste time joining Cole and Kendall immediately after we received our skis. Once the five of us were together, we walked towards the ski lift.

I turned to Kaden. "Be perfectly honest with me, am I gonna completely suck at this."

Kaden smiled knowingly. "Nope, not at all."

I narrowed my eyes at him, earning a laugh. "Okay, probably. I'll teach you though, it's like riding a bike. Once you get it down, you get it down."

Dreadfully, I snapped my boots into place, the boards now strapped on my feet. Cole, Kendall, Kaden and Molly seemed to walk effortlessly in them, while I was tripping with ever step.

After four falls on the flat, icy, snow, I finally caved and let Kaden help me up. I was able to make it to the ski lift.

"When we get to the top, wait for everyone else. Cole and Molly, do you wanna go on the ski lift with me?" Kendall spoke up as we waited in line. Molly's smile faltered slightly, but she immediately repaired it and nodded. Cole agreed as well.

Before I had time to chime in, Cole, Kendall and Molly were already getting on. I rolled my eyes, and Cole yelled, "see you on the other side!"

"Okay, so when's you're getting on you don't want to hesitate. All you have to do is slide straight, and don't fall." Kaden spoke with a small smile.

I met his gaze. "Okay, I can do that."

Our conversation was interrupted by a green light flashing, indicating that we could get on. Carefully, I slid forward and sat down when the seat approached.

"You did it!" Kaden exclaimed, putting his hand up for a high five.

I gleefully returned it. "I'll be a pro before you know it."

"I have no doubt." Kaden replied. Even through his googles, I could see his green eyes locked on mine.

I inhaled, turning away. "This is beautiful."

Kaden nodded, looking away from me and focusing on our surroundings. "I'll second that."

"We're really high up though, I'm gonna fall when we're up there." I laughed a little to cover up my nerves.

"You won't, I'll be there the

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