First Arrivals

Hours ticked right by as the now inflated group got the lodge prepared for the party to come, Kenny and Scott had still yet to return, but thankfully the rest of the list of things needed to get done was just about ready to get checked off. The first of which was Nicole and Bella's project of setting up for Devin's band. "Okay girl, plug that in, and let's see if you're as smart as you look," Bella suggested as she finished plugging in the last of the speaker connectors,

Nicole knelt down and put the master plug into the wall with a smile, "I assure you, I'm even smarter," Nicole winked back while sauntering over and with a few turns of a knob turned on the radio. Immediately the entire lodge erupted with music, every speaker in the separate rooms blasting out at near max volume. A mixture of screams left everyone and Nicole quickly smacked the off switch, "Sorry! Sorry!"

"At least we know they work," Bella murmured rubbing her now ringing ears, "Good news is you're still hot enough to make up for that little blunder," Nicole's brow slightly raised, beginning to wonder just how much of this redhead's flirting was real instead of playful.

"Good enough timing there," Brian interjected as he and JJ gave the large couch a final shove, pushing it against the back wall while Anna set some more chairs around the edges of the rest of the room, "I think we're wrapping up on the setup,"

"I hope Kenny gets back soon, we've done what we could to see up the snacks and drinks but.." Kailyn tacked on, looking down at the large table they had set up in the center of the den. Even with Rachel raiding every hidden spot she could think of it was sparse, barely enough drinks for the number of people coming and nowhere near enough food,

"They'll be back before we know it," Rachel assured her friend, "I gave Scott a call when I realized my dad hadn't refilled the liquor cabinet from last time we were here. He promised to make a pit stop with Kenny on the way back, probably just holding him up," It was almost on cue that the group all heard a quick knock on the door, "Speak of the devil,"

"Oh, they probably have their hands full!" Anna exclaimed in concern, "Mindy, help me give them a hand?"

"Yeah, of course," Mindy almost reluctantly agreed, taking off with the blonde to the entry. Throughout the last few hours, Mindy had done her best to keep away from Anna. Locked in or not at this point, Mindy still couldn't help but feel some residual guilt for what she was helping happen to Anna. Initially, it was much smaller, the thought that Anna would at least be happy with Brian was a comfort, but knowing who Brian was now it seemed like Anna was only being set up for pain. Mindy tried not to think about it.

Anna pulled open the front door but her eager smile to see Kenny shifted to surprise as she only saw Devin standing before her, "Oh hey, Anna, what's up?"

"Devin, hi, wow, a little early, huh?" Anna replied as she peeked past him spotting a few others, "I see you're not the only ones,"

"Not sure about them, but we're just here to set up before the place is swarmed," Devin explained as Anna stepped to the side letting the flock of six enter the building, "Where is that by the way?"

"Right in here!" Nicole called out from the den doorway where she stood shoulder to shoulder with Bella, "That's Devin,"

"Mhm, mister lead singer of White Glass, right?" Bella asked back as Devin casually approached the pair,

"And lead guitarist," Devin added as he gave both girls a once over, "You're a new face, haven't seen you at any of my shows with Nikki before,"

"We just had the pleasure of meeting," Bella replied before letting her eyes peek past Devin's shoulder where she saw two more people lugging in some equipment. The first who caught her eye was another man, clearly older than Devin, closer to her age. His brown hair was close to shoulder length with a trimmed but full beard to match. Next to him was an interesting sight, a slender girl with stark white hair and electric blue eyes. Her skin was pale and flawless, a black leather jacket covered up what seemed to be a White Glass band shirt, and a heavy set of boots clunked with her every step. Unlike her bandmates, this girl seemed much more reserved and not very happy to even be here, "And your friends?"

"That's Daniel, and that's Winter," Devin replied turning and pointing to the pair, "Drummer and Bassist, both killer at it too,"

"Winter? Now that's an interesting name, where'd that come from?" Bella asked the girl who nearly scowled back,

"Where can I put our shit, Nicole?" Winter muttered back, ignoring Bella completely,

"Behind me right in the far right corner, everything should be set up for you guys to hook right into the system," Nicole replied, and without a word, Winter pushed past the pair, moving into the den.

"You might not have been able to tell by that but she's actually really nice," Daniel pointed out as Bella watched Winter leave in a mixture of surprise and even irritation at being snuffed,

Bella let out a sharp exhale, turning back to Devin and Daniel with a smile, "I'm sure," The redhead giggled, "But you've got my interest, those sleeves, they have to come with a fun little story," She continued, motioning to Daniel's tattooed arms,

Daniel's grin grew, "They do, and I'd love to tell you it, maybe over a drink later tonight?" The man boldly offered while Nicole snickered in the background,

"Why wait, let's get a drink now," Bella urged, moving over to Daniel, and walking beside him as they both entered the den,

"Damn, she moves faster than you," Devin said while sharing a laugh with Nicole, "Glad Brian offered us this gig, I can offer you a backstage pass for later. Could probably even get you some one on one time,"

Nicole smirked, Devin was always a fun hook up, "We'll see," She merely replied, deciding she should at least tease him a little bit.

Meanwhile, back at the front door of the lodge, the others arrived to find out who exactly were showing up so soon. Following in behind Devin's band, were William and Quinn Greene, a pair of twins that often mingled between the groups of friends as well as being younger siblings to Bella. Despite close similarities their looks differed greatly as William took after his father with deep brown hair, and deep blue eyes while Quinn took after their mother like her sister, sporting luscious amber hair along with a small unique addition of having both a blue and a green eye, though the difference was subtle.

Along with them was Ellie Westchester, a stunning blonde who was a well known friend to both Nicole and Anna. She used to be just as wild as Nicole, but had recently started exclusively dating William, Anna preferred this much more tame version. And lastly, off to the side, was Avery West, Scott's younger brother, and local geek of the group. His short dirty blonde hair was unkempt like usual and his thick framed glasses all but hid his blue eyes. It was clear he was already uncomfortable and was actively searching the group in front of him for anyone her knew.

"Will...you're pretty early man," Brian said while opening the door, allowing the four to come in as well,

"Sorry, Brian, it wasn't the plan to get here so soon, but as soon as Avery heard his older brother was here...we just ended up zooming up so we could see him," William explained with a sheepish smile,

"Not to mention my older sister?" Quinn tacked on, admittedly doing it to protect Avery from any shame of he might feel from being outed,

"Bella's right back...scratch that, she is already in the den with her new prey," Rachel softly giggled as she saw Bella leading Daniel away,

"Scott?" Avery pipped up, more calling out rather than asking,

"He's not here right now, Avery, he had to run down down, he'll be back soon," Mindy replied, which caused the teen to both turn sullen and relax as he finally found a familiar face,

"Oh okay, sorry everyone, I shouldn't have rushed us," Avery meekly apologized,

"No sweat, I just feel bad, we're only just getting set up, but we still have a little ways to go before the party starts," Brian nonchalantly replied,

"Works out to me, Will, come on in here," JJ said to his hockey team mate, immediately pulling him away from the group,

"Anna, what's going on, girl? Please, save me, I've been stuck in the boys club all day," Ellie begged to the blonde was heading over to her,

"Ouch!" Quinn exclaimed with a small scoff, "At least tell me Juliet is here,"

"No dice, sorry, she's coming along later. Feel free to get comfortable though," Brian said as he turned away with Rachel following suit, leaving Mindy with the remaining pair,

"Man...I was really hoping to see Scott," Avery sighed as soon as the others were clear,

"Don't worry, he should be back soon, he's already been gone for a few hours, shopping can't take that long," Mindy jokingly replied,

"Until then, looks like you're stuck with us," Quinn smiled to the geeky blonde, "So, no Julie, but where's Kenny. I know he's supposed to be up here too,"

"Also gone shopping," Mindy replied, "It's been a little bit of a drag without him," She snickered as the trio started to head further into the lodge,

"Hope he gets back soon, he's always a good time," Quinn murmured back with a smile.