Wolf's Moon --- ONC 2022 (LONGLIST)

Chapter 3

You could tell Noah was nowhere near prepared for their last minute vacation plans to the mountains. The first obvious point being the attire she chose for the drive there. The second had been how Noah roamed the local sporting goods store as if she were in a foreign country for the first time. She was long among the sports equipment, shoes and other sports gear sold within the shore. The third, all the whining she was doing when she couldn't find what she was looking for. 

"Where is everything? This isn't me, I don't come to these stores. . . ever!" 

Callista had to hold back from laughing at her friend, never had she seen Noah whine so much since meeting her. Well, not since her ex-boyfriend broke her heart and left her to pick up the shattered pieces for the next month. This was a new level of whining and Callista was finding it absolutely hilarious and amusing. 

After having followed Noah around the store, Callista figured it was time to save her best friend from her in store suffering. 

Walking up beside the whiny brunette, Callista rested a hand upon her shoulder. It was only when her friend stopped did she flash a sincere and calming smile. She could only imagine the inner turmoil going on within Noah. The fight to stay or run out to the car and leave her to fend for herself. 

Not that Callista would have minded much. 

"I got you. I'll make sure you have everything that you'll need for this trip." 

"Cal, can't we just go to the beach? Cool waters, sandy beaches, a couple of margaritas in our hands? Why the mountains? Why rock climbing and hiking?" 

Noah spun around to face her so quickly, Callista was forced to remove her hand from her friend's shoulder. She took a careful step back so they weren't completely in one anothers face. 

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Callista rested a hand upon each of Noah's shoulders once more. Pinning her friend with a gentle yet smug gaze, she set herself to be as serious as possible. Of course, she mixed in a bit of her natural sarcasm in with her seriousness. A side of her that only seemed to appear when hanging out with Noah. 

"You told me I could choose our vacation destination, I chose. We'll go to the beach the next time we go on vacation." 

With a final smile, Callista let go of Noah's shoulders and turned away from the shocked brunette. She could see the absolute disbelief creeping into the depths of Noah's crystal blue eyes. Regardless of knowing it was there, Callista still walked away knowing where all the climbing gear was kept. 

**** **** **** ****

To no surprise, Callista had been left alone within the store. Noah had vanished, heading out to the car or sitting up by the register. She would find out once she managed to gather everything up for their trip and made her own way back up to the front once more. 

With her arms filled with brand new harnesses, shoes and climbing chalk, Callista walked up to the first available front register. Her silver orbs scanned the entire front of the store for Noah, however, she was nowhere to be seen. So, while she placed her items on the counter, Callista let her eyes drift to the parking lot. Her only hope was that Noah hadn't tried to leave and find some way to her wanted vacation destination. 

However, that wasn't like Noah and she could see her friend sitting in the car waiting for her to finish up. 

"Looks like you and your friend have some fun plans ahead of you." 

Taken by complete surprise, Callista slowly turned her attention to the man standing behind the counter. 

He had kind brown eyes and looked old enough to be her father. The man was a little on the heavier side, but he didn't appear to be out of shape in any way. He was balding badly and what hair he did have had long since turned to snow white. He wore a simple red polo shirt with the store's name on the right breath and a simple pair of khaki shorts to finish the look. It was the typical work attire that Callista had come to know from visiting so many sports stores in the past.