Zack and Chloe reminisce

After everyone showered and ate some breakfast, each one of them went over to their rooms to pack. They would stay in the woods well into the afternoon, so a few supplies and tools were needed. Two baskets with sandwiches and fruit juices were also prepared.

Chloe was the first one that finished packing, being joined shortly after by Zack. The two old friends laughed when they noticed that both of them opted for a red short-sleeved t-shirt, the difference being that Zack was wearing pants while Chloe wore shorts. With their hiking boots firmly tied and carrying their backpacks, they were ready to go.

“Remember that time when your parents took us camping and that frog scared the hell out of Taylor?” Chloe asked between laughs as they got out to the deck.

Zack grinned at the memory. “The look on her face was priceless,” He reminisced. “I think we were no more than nine or ten at the time.”

“Oh, and you kept telling her to kiss the thing to see if it would become a prince.” Chloe laughed. “We used to have so much fun camping back then.”

“Yeah,” Zack nodded, looking at his friend. “Why did we stop doing those things?”

“We grew up, found new friends, I joined the soccer team,” Chloe shrugged. “Suddenly it was like we didn’t have any more time to spend with each other, doing those things we liked.”

“That must be it.” Zack agreed, looking at the lake. They stood there, holding the deck’s rails and gazing at the lake for a couple more minutes until Zack turned his head back to Chloe. “You know what, I’m glad that we’re going to the same college.”

Chloe chuckled. “Of course you do, we both know that you can’t function without me.” She grinned teasingly at him.

Zack threw her a look of fake shock. “And you’re no better, McRose,” He stated, chuckling. “We’ve always been like magnet and steel, remember?”

“Yeah,” The redhead agreed. “We don’t even know what life’s like without each other.”

Zack grinned. “Well, let’s hope that we never have to find out,” He said. “I’ve grown quite fond of you for the last eighteen years and you know that I don’t like to lose stuff.”

Chloe laughed. “So I’ve been relegated to stuff now, Bishop?” She lightly punched his arm.

“Hey guys!” A male voice spoke from behind them before Zack could answer. “You’re ready too?”

They turned around to see Brandon walking towards them, Ashley following him closely. They were dressed much like as Zack and Chloe were, except that Brandon’s t-shirt was white and Ashley was wearing a blue tank top. They were carrying backpacks as well.

“Yep,” Zack answered. “Looks like we were the first ones.”

“Vicky and Heather will take a little longer,” Ashley informed them. “I don’t know about Gavin and Kurt, though.”

“Gavin is setting up a few apps on his phone to help us in the woods, so we don’t get lost,” Chloe told them. “As for the other one, well, I think all of us are hoping that he stays in bed.”

“True, my friend,” Zack said. “Too many truths in a single sentence, actually.”

After they shared a good laugh at Kurt’s expense, the four of them moved to lighter topics, such as what they were expecting from the hike. Chloe was easily the most excited of them, sightseeing being the main reason why she agreed to come on the trip.

Gavin was the next one to join them, dressed exactly like Brandon, although his backpack was a smaller one. Chloe noticed that he wasn’t making eye contact with her on purpose, which made her shook her head and sigh.

”Poor Gavin, if he doesn’t change that attitude, he’ll never find a girlfriend.” She thought.

On the other hand, the redhead found out that she didn’t have a problem being around him. She had showed her ass to him because he was looking and that, for a moment, made her forget about her body issues. She wasn’t interested in him romantically or anything, she wouldn’t have done it for any other guy that wasn’t one of her two closest friends.

Victoria appeared next, dressed in a pink tank top, white shorts and a pair of hiking boots. Her backpack was small like Gavin’s one. Zack’s eyes lingered for a while on her toned, smooth legs.

“Where’s Heather?” Ashley asked as her best friend sidled up to them.

“Oh, she went to hurry up the douchebag.” The green-eyed blonde replied, making everyone laugh.