The ride there

If you have any reason to be happy, it's that you were already in the passenger seat when Candy decided to pack the rest of the car full of people. Denise took up the spot behind Candy for the most leg room, while Rebecca was next to her and Chris right behind your seat. There were another three seats that could fold out in the very back, and Dana managed to squeeze herself back there, Tammy and Zoe awkwardly pressed in on either side of her. Somehow on top of that everyone managed to fit at least one bag into what limited space was behind that, and you grumbled to yourself about how your bag was probably getting crushed at the bottom of the pile.

The trip itself took about another couple hours, Tammy and Zoe keeping to themselves on their respective phones while Dana and Candy chatted with the three girls taking up the middle row. You were pretty quiet, still annoyed about the whole situation, almost thankful for the extra company but still pissed about Candy not even telling you first. An hour into the trip, you're almost falling asleep when your phone vibrates in your pocket and you see a text from Chris, the only other person on this trip you could call more than a friendly acquaintance.

---(u ok?)

(Doing great, obviously)---

---(tryin to be nice u ass)

(Alright, sorry. Just kinda annoyed by the whole thing)---

---(yeah i didnt get a lot of details but i thought it was kinda weird that you and candy were doing this)

---(considering you guys like hate eachother now or whatever)

(Our moms made us. I don't really wanna talk about it)---

---(fine fine just tell me about it when we get to this place)

---(and try to lighten up and relax!)

(You want me to relax but you're the one who invited Dana)---

---(hey she wasnt wrong tho)

---(try to enjoy a week with seven babes ;) )

-

You shake your head and look back at Chris through the rear view mirror, sighing but smiling a little more when she cracks a cheeky grin. Chris, for her part, is legitimately hoping to have a nice time with this somewhat patchwork group of friends, and is doing everything she can to make it fun for everyone involved. Which is why she's hoping she can make it up to you when you discover just what she's been doing with your luggage, which she grabbed and has kept under her seat while she fiddles with it, preparing a nice little prank to start off the week. She's positive it'll get you to loosen up, once you get over the surprise, and hey, if she didn't who knows what any of these girls would've done to it. Better her than the bully in the backseat who'd have tossed all your underwear out the window....

You wake up from a daze when Candy honks the horn, causing a titter from the passengers behind you. Looking out the window you see that you've arrived, which you have to be happy for despite the rude awakening, which Candy doesn't even acknowledge as she turns the car off and slams the driver side door behind her. It's actually a pretty nice looking place; big enough, if only one story, with a lake visible just down a nice dirt path, on the opposite side of the house from the road that you came into the clearing on. You exit the car on pins-and-needles legs, and Chris is already unloading everyone's bags; she hands you yours personally, and gently keeps Dana from snatching Tammy's or Zoe's while the rest of your group heads inside to settle in. With a deep breath, one that you have to admit is pleasant in the forest air, you start inside, hoping to grab a decent room before Candy sticks you on the couch.