Another hiking group takes shape

Taylor smiled as she replied the text she had received a few minutes before and that’s how Hannah found her as she joined her best friend under the shade of a tree near the lake’s shore.

“Seems like someone’s happy,” Hannah teased her. “Do I want to know?”

“Just Josh sending me a message, and being very sweet while at it,” Taylor replied, placing her phone beside her. “I think I’m gonna give him a chance when we go out this week.”

Hannah chuckled. “You go, girl!” She exclaimed before her expression turned into a playful one. “Hope it doesn’t prevent us from doing a bit of this from time to time.” That said, she quickly leaned in and briefly pecked the brunette on the lips.

Taylor blinked twice before breaking out in a good laugh. “I swear, only you Hannah…” She said between laughs. “How did it go with my brother, by the way?”

Hannah smiled awkwardly, she couldn’t just go to the guy’s sister and tell her she was thoroughly fucked by him and enjoyed every minute of it. “Well, it was okay,” She ended up answering. “He beat me in pool.”

That made Taylor laugh harder than before. “Really?” She asked her friend. “Well, I must find him and give him a trophy, then.”

“No need, he’s coming here, look.” Hannah said, briefly pointing a finger at Ravers’ Cabin, where Taylor’s younger brother could be seen descending the steps from the deck.

Zack was dressed very differently from someone who wanted to enjoy some time at a lake. Instead, he was wearing a shirt, a pair of jeans and hiking boots. He walked up to them, all the while thinking it was very awkward to look Hannah in the face with Taylor by her side. He didn’t want to cause a rift in their friendship, after all.

Taylor was about to inquire her brother about the need of such an attire, but someone beat her to the punch.

“Zack, my friend, you’re looking like you are about to head out on a hike.” Peter’s friendly voice pointed out as he approached the trio.

“Well, I am,” Zack replied. “I was in there showering and thought it could be a fun thing to do. I may even bring the tent I have in my car.”

Hannah kept herself quiet, she knew how Zack was feeling, so if he wanted to head out into the woods to think and sort out his feelings, she was all for it. Taylor kept her mouth shut as well, even if she wanted to give him hell for possibly going after Victoria during this hike, she also didn’t want to make her brother upset because of her opinions.

“Well, Dustin just headed out on one, wait a sec, this could be fun,” Peter said before turning to Taylor. “Can I borrow your phone for a bit, Tay?”

Taylor nodded and handed it to her old friend. “No long calls, okay?”

Peter nodded and walked a few steps away from them. Zack just observed him speaking and nodding for almost a full minute before he came back. “Good news, Dustin didn’t left yet, something with his backpack,” He informed them. “If you don’t mind waiting for a while, Zack, we can join them. I wanna go too.”

“Not at all, man” Zack answered. “I still have to prepare my stuff.”

“Cool! I won’t be long,” Peter turned around in a sprint to the rental cabin. “Just come to our cabin when you’re done!”

Zack chuckled before turning to Hannah and his sister. “What about you two?” He inquired. “Wanna join us?”

“Sorry, Zachary, prancing around in the woods isn’t my idea of a fun Spring Break.” Hannah replied, with a small smile.

“And I came here to rest, little brother,” Taylor added. “Next time, okay?”

Zack nodded. “Alright, then,” He said before turning around. “Well, I’m gonna go pack my stuff, later!”

As the youngest of the Bishop siblings headed back to the cabin, Hannah turned to the older one. “Hey, where’s Ash? I’m not seeing her.” She asked. Indeed, only Gavin, Chloe, Kendra and Shawn remained at the lake, although at different spots.

“She went back to their cabin a few minutes before Zack came,” Taylor replied. “Perhaps she’s taking a shower.”

“I need to talk to her,” Hannah said, staring at the lake. “What do you think about putting the Intervention in action?”

“The Intervention?” Taylor inquired, her face a mask of confusion. “I thought that was just something we joked about as kids, I mean, why now? Have you changed your mind or something?”

“Aw, c’mon, Taylor,” Hannah shot back, exasperated. “We’ve seen how she is today, and I’ve talked to him after we played pool and I think this is the perfect time to intervene.”

“Well,” Taylor shrugged. “I was all for it back when we discussed it and you said they were too young. Then Brandon got into the picture and it was no longer an option.”

“Now it is,” Hannah affirmed. “There won’t be a better time for us to do this. It has to be before she gets weak and takes Brandon back.”

“Dammit, Hannah!” Taylor grinned. “Now you got me all giddy thinking about it.”

Hannah smiled. “I take you approve then?” The blonde asked and the brunette nodded excitedly. The ex-cheerleader then jumped to her feet and jogged to Ravers’ Cabin. “I’ll talk to her!”