Just hanging out

Mike stood at the balcony's edge, leaning on it and peering down at the immense view before him, the trees almost framing the distant view of the lake as the sun slowly starts its descent into evening. He takes a deep breath, and exhales slowly, admiring the sight for a quick moment before looking over his shoulder and seeing Brianna approach.

"Everything okay?" she checks in, standing at his side and joining him in looking out at nature,

"Me? I'm all good, just taking a second to breathe it all in," he smiles, "What about you?"

Brianna nods, "So far so good..."

"Think you're going to try and swim at some point? Maybe talk with the others? I saw you and James just huddling in the living room before" he asks about her, not wanting his two best friends to feel like they were dragged along just to watch him have fun,

"Maybe another time, I think we just need this first day or so to get used to things. You know me, I've always been slower to adapt than you have" she said with a half smile.

Mike nodded in understanding, giving her a soft squeeze on the top of her shoulder to let her know it was okay. In his own mind he thought he was an introvert, usually preferring sparse company if any at all, and enjoying the quiet more than the loud. Though it was as his father had said, he was better at fitting into new situations than he gave himself credit for. Brianna and James on the other hand? They'd already had reputations as outcasts long before he arrived, that wasn't going to change in the course of a few hours.

"You're still worked up about the idea I'm walking into trouble again, aren't you?" he asks openly, shifting posture to lean on one elbow and face his redheaded friend,

After a few moments fidgeting with her fingers, she nods, "I am. I'm just worried about you Mike, you think every girl who comes along is going to change your life. I don't want to see you heartbroken again, there's only so many times I can witness that without breaking myself."

"Hey..." he said softly, putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a hug, "I get it, and you're right. That's exactly the sort of thing I do but... well, I don't think that closing up entirely and letting opportunities go by is the answer"

Once the hug broke, she considered for a second and then smiled, "I know I know. At least tell me you're aware of what you're getting into?"

"Not even sure I've properly 'gotten into' anything yet Bri. Dani's a flirt, that's clear as day. Whether that turns into anything? Casual or otherwise? Eh, too early to tell." he shrugs off, "Don't worry, even if it's just a temporary thing, I'm not going to let it destroy me, but I appreciate you lookin' out for me, as always."

The two hug again before breaking away, returning to stand around the edge of the pool as it seems the group of Christian, Amy, Danielle and Kate are all chatting about some tidbits of gossip.

"Hey Brianna-" Amy greeted with an interested look, "Gonna join us in here?"

The redhead smiles bashfully and brushes some of her red locks behind one ear, "Perhaps another time, getting a bit late to start swimming I think, maybe whenever we all go down to that lake?"

Christian nods excitedly, "For sure! Always wanted to see what the falls down there look like. We should make a day of it! You know, bring some food, a speaker, really enjoy it yknow?"

"Sounds like fun to me!" Mike concurs, sitting down at the pool's edge and letting his feet dangle in the water.

"Plus it might be a way to get out of the house, especially if Nathan's around" Danielle adds with a hint of annoyance in her voice,

"Is he really that much of a problem?" Brianna asks, mostly for her own sake given she's expected to share a room with the guy,

"Look, for you he probably won't be a big deal, you don't put out the vibes he looks for. Basically my cousin is just a serial player, never been in a relationship but has a body count that could put a hooker to shame." Dani explains, "Just yknow, mind yourself around him. I've never known him to be a creep or anything but if you get uncomfortable? Let me know."

"Okay..." Brianna confirms, not all that comforted by the advice.

The group spends the last hour or so of daylight talking about this and that, Kate and Amy complaining about school, Mike and Christian talking more about video games and sports, and Brianna mostly quiet with a few small conversations with Danielle between the moments that the cheerleader spends talking with the others.

Soon, the deck begins to get somewhat dark, dusk setting in as everyone gets out of the pool and makes their way back inside, finding James sitting at the TV still playing his games. A few stomach's begin to rumble, and as the first night at the lodge kicks off, the teenagers need to consider what they'll do with their time.