The Groups Prepare to Head Out

Zoey slowly lowered her hand, staring down at the ground scarcely able to believe what she just heard. Eric loved Anna, and she loved him, even though Eric was dating her he loved another woman. Zoey's lower lip trembled slightly, she felt at fault for this, Eric told her he didn't want to come here, and she **** him to go. She wanted to help Eric moved past his last relationship so theirs would be strong, not push him right back into Anna's arms!

The red-haired girl hung her head, somewhat thankful that Anna and Eric seemed to be thinking about her, but it didn't help support her very much. As far as Zoey was concerned, all she heard was that she was in the way of their happiness...she was just a bother for Eric. Kenny, who had just finished packing his bag, came walking out of his room and peered over just catching Zoey wipe a small tear from her eye. The teen pursed his lips, with all his issues he knew he should just walk away before he was roped into something he didn't want to be a part of.

Kenny turned and took a half step towards the stairs before letting out a low groan and setting his bag down by his feet. He wet his lips and turned around, moving to Zoey's side, "Hey, are you okay?" He tentatively asked the weeping girl who jumped at the question,

"Oh!" She sniffled while rapidly wiping her eyes, "Yeah, I'm fine," She said with a **** smile, "Thank you," She added on trying to end the conversation,

"Um...want me to get Eric or something for you?" Kenny asked while rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly,

"No...no that wouldn't help," Zoey lowly replied,

"Is there...is there something I can do to stop you from crying?" Kenny asked with a reassuring smile, "Don't like to see that,"

Zoey let out a half smile, shrugging her shoulders, "Sorry, I just got a little overwhelmed, I'll be okay. You don't need to be here while I'm crying anyway,"

Kenny let out a long sigh and let himself lean against the wall next to Zoey, ready to distract her from her issues, "You too huh? This trip seems to be overwhelming a lot of people,"

"W-What's got you bothered?" Zoey asked while turning and glancing up at Kenny,

Kenny rubbed his eyes for a moment, "I am dealing with a bit of a cluster fuck with my friends." He weakly chuckled, "I had sex with my best friend last night by accident, and my friend Nikki got jealous and is acting out in spite."

"Oh? That must feel awful," Zoey tenderly replied as she gave her eyes a final wipe, "Have you talked to either of them about this yet?"

Kenny let out a forworn smile and lightly shook his head, "No, I'm taking the day to think about things. I don't think Nicole is purposely trying to hurt me, and I need to figure out what's going on between me and Mindy first before I talk things over with her. I think...I think she may have wanted that to happen,"

"The way you talk about Mindy, I'm assuming she's been your friend longer than Nicole," Zoey asked with a small curious inflection in her voice,

Kenny nodded back, "Yeah, since we started school as kids," He said, always happy with the fact that he and Mindy had stayed friends for so long,

"That nice, I don't think I've had a friend for that long, I lose touch with people too often," Zoey sighed,

"I wouldn't worry, we're all still young and have a long time to make lifelong friends," Kenny assured the girl, before crossing his arms, "So how about it?"

"Hmm?" Zoey hummed back with a perplexed look,

"I told you what's turning my world upside down, what's about you?" Kenny lightly pushed,

Zoey hung her head, her cheeks starting to turn slightly red as she wasn't sure if she wanted to bring Kenny into her personal life. Zoey could see that he was a nice enough guy but it's not like he could do anything for one, and two, he was still a stranger to her. "Sorry, I'd rather not...I appreciate your concern though,"

Kenny shrugged and let out a nod, "Fair enough, well, hope whatever it is, it gets better for you." Kenny sincerely told the girl as he walked away picking his bag back up,

"Thanks..." Zoey mumbled back as she turned around and slowly opened the door to Anna's room, "Here," Zoey said while walking over and handing him a first aid kit from downstairs. Eric and Anna both quickly turned in concern as they were immediately concerned with the girls quiet, almost sorrowful voice,

"Um, Zoey?" Eric softly asked while she walked over and stuffed a quick change of clothes from Nicole into her pack,

"Let's go, I think everyone is almost ready," Zoey dismissed while picking up her pack and heading out of the room while a now worried Anna and Eric followed, terrified that she somehow heard their conversation.

The three teens made their way downstairs where everyone was gathered in the den, Rachel and Kailyn both were talking on the couch while Brian gave Kenny a few quick tips with his cave hunt, giving him the red flags for his trail as well as reminding him not to stray far. JJ sat with both Nicole and Mindy, attempting to convince the girls to join one of the groups, though both were adamant about staying inside.

Brian noticed the final three joining the group, and he let out a smile, "Sweet, alright we're ready to go. Everyone got their extra clothes and emergency gear?" He asked while scanning the room, seeing a few nods, "Perfect let's grab our jackets and get moving," Everyone shared a few smiles and followed Brian towards the front door, putting on their boots and jackets before walking out into the crisp mountain air.

The group walked in mostly silence as they made their way a bit lower down the mountainside, some thinking about personal issues while others merely taking in the gorgeous sights. After a good twenty minutes Brain and Rachel, who were obviously leading the others, slowed to a halt, "I think...yeah, this is the split-off point, right?" Brian asked his sister,

"Fuck if I know, I was heading towards the towers, not the mines," Rachel replied,

"That's fine; I was heading to the mines, so we're both going the right way. But I need to head north now, so we need to split up into our groups," Brian smirked back as he turned around, "Right guys, anyone coming to the mines, follow me, and anyone going to the towers with Rachel,"

"I promise not to disappoint," Rachel grinned as Eric, Anna and a mostly **** Zoey moved towards her,

"Guess this is where I say see ya later," Kenny pipped up, "Hope I at least end up finding one cave today,"

"You mean one empty cave, right buddy?" JJ corrected, "I don't want my friend being picked clean by a bear,"

"Thanks, JJ," Kenny sarcastically replied,

"Okay, let's get moving, got a long walk ahead of us," Brian said as he turned around a motioned the others along with his arm, "Good luck Ken!"

"Thanks!" Kenny called back as he began to wander down a separate trail of his own,

"Yeah, guess I don't need any luck," Rachel frown with a toss of her eyes before looking at Kenny with a smirk, "Maybe I can slip away once we get to the towers...share a cave with him for a little while," She quickly turned her head back to JJ and grinned, "Or catch up with him, get what I wanted last night,"

"How far are the towers?" Anna asked shaking the girl out of her thoughts,

"Depends," Rachel replied with a small cough, "Closet one is about one or two hours from here but if you wanted to check out more that'd take another couple on top of that,"

"Guess we should get hiking then, huh?" Eric pipped up with a small grimace,

"Oh yeah, long walk for us, that's for sure." Rachel agreed as she began to lead on, Zoey silently hanging back behind the group, her face still sullen and hanging low with doubt.