When I First Met You

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas in the woods

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas in the woods

It was December 24th and I was alone on Christmas Eve. Our beach day was approximately a week and a half ago and since then I have not seen Hyunjin. We tried on numerous occasions to meet up but they all fell short when he had a sudden photoshoot or event to do.

Kaida and Vera were no different. They both were engrossed in their work; Vera was preparing hard for her acceptance into Julliard and Kaida was working double shifts at the Cherry Café and preparing for her own exit out of university. I was the only person in the group who still didn't have a hobby or job.

I guess I didn't really need either of those things since I was supported financially by my parents. They owned a small family business back home and insisted I study full time without any distractions.

I sighed and pushed send to submit my final piece of assessment for Professor Julian. She has been hounding me about missing class and urging me to look for external work as an art student. But what work was there? I didn't have the brains nor the skills to put together pieces of work at high-end art collector firms.

I walked over to my duffel bag hanging half-open on my bed. "Almost done packing.." I said out loud to no one in particular. I shoved my remaining clothes and sleeping bag into the duffel before zipping it shut. I was going to spend Christmas at a camping spot outside the city near a wildlife national park. I didn't want to spend my Christmas moping around in an empty apartment, that would be depressing.

After pulling on a thick grey coat over my layered clothing and slipping into my brand new boots. They were gifts from my parents after I told them about my camping plans. They bought me a whole new camping set which included a new sleeping bag, thermos, various overalls, hiking boots, and cutlery.

I slung my duffel over my shoulder and my small bag pack under my free arm and made my way out of the apartment and to my rental car. I had rented a car out for the next 48 hours and it was sitting outside my apartment complex.

I stopped short when I saw two tall figures standing near my car.

"Why are you so slow? We've been waiting here for over twenty minutes in the cold," the familiar sound of Vera's voice echoes through the car park.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought you had plans with family," I quicken my pace to reach them.

"It's our last holiday together, we're not just going to ditch you," Kaida says and pulls me into a hug as soon as I was within reach. She pulls back and gestures towards the car, "but seriously can we get in already I'm freezing."

I nod and quickly unlock the car, whilst both girls shove all our bags into the back. I slip into the driver's seat and started the engine, blasting the heater to warm the car.

"Ah yes hot air," Kaida pulls her gloves off and fans herself.

I chuckle and quickly look up the address for the cabin. It's only an hour from where we were. I set my phone on the stand and begin reversing out of the car park.

"We need some road-trip music," Vera calls from the back.

"Already on it," Kaida says whilst connecting her phone to the car's Bluetooth. She starts playing a song and the music begins blasting through the speakers. K-Hip Hop music booms from the music and both girls begin singing along to Loco's new song.

"We'll come through with that..."

"Late night, late night oh...."

I smiled at the girl's absurd singing skills. They had beautiful voices and instead opted to ugly sing a hip-hop song.