Sorry it's been a while. Currently dying under the weight of my mental state 🫶🏼
***
Holly's POV
***
My boots crunch on the snow as we walk out of the airport and into the parking lot where our rented car is supposed to be. Harry checks his phone for a reminder of the numberplate we're looking for and starts to look around, looking strange in his plaid pajama bottoms that he insisted on wearing for the flight. I guess I can't judge him too much cause I'm in a black tracksuit that also looks like pajamas, except they're classified as "streetwear" actually. Vik, Tobi, and Josh stand by the entrance with Freya and Talia, all of them talking about something I couldn't care to listen to. Simon and JJ stand by the suitcases in the inside area of the parking lot, shivering in their coats and tapping away on their phones looking for the address of the lodge.
It's Wednesday, and the plan for this trip came up randomly on Sunday, giving everyone four days' notice to get packed, book flights, prepare ski gear, and take time off from their schedules. After JJ's fight and all the hard work put into the Sidemen channels, the boys have decided to take a break for two weeks and spend some time in Switzerland as we've A, never been, and B, in dire need of a holiday. I've been working hard for my A levels, but with the college only operating for two days a week now due to staff training temporarily, JJ thought this would be the best time to take me out of school before things get full on again. Plus, he and Ella said I needed to destress, and I couldn't agree more. I'm still going to revise for my exams on the trip, but at least it'll be in a snowy lodge on a mountain instead of a stuffy classroom.
"Holly, come here. It's freezing out there," JJ frowns, waving me inside to the heated waiting area.
"It's not that bad," I say, looking around.
I'm the only one in the group not wearing a proper coat, and it is kinda cold, but I feel uncomfortable wearing a coat over my tracksuit.
"Put your coat on," JJ says.
I look down at the coat in my hands.
"Do I have to? I-"
"Now"
I put on my coat without another word and JJ grins, knowing his authority makes me rethink everything.
"I found the car!" Harry yells, his voice echoing through the parking lot as he holds the keys above his head.
***
The drive to the lodge is three hours long and I feel my eyelids starting to drop within the first hour. My headphones are on, my music is playing, and I almost have the whole backseat to myself. The boys rented a massive minivan to fit in all the luggage, but it turns out we have some room left to spare. Josh and Harry are in the front, Josh driving of course. Vik, Simon, and Talia are in the first row of seats, JJ, Freya, Ethan, and Faith are in the second row, and Tobi and I are in the back. He's sitting normally with his legs under the chair in front of him, but I've put my legs across the seats in an attempt to have a nice nap. Tobi's given me his extra hoodie to use as a pillow, and he chuckles as he sees me going in and out of sleep.
By the second hour, we stop at a petrol station and we all get out to stretch and go to the bathroom. I buy some water and some sweets for the rest of the ride and then get back into the car while I wait for the others to be done.
I look out the window as it starts to snow and I press my hand against the glass, ignoring the cold spreading across my palm. I've always found snow to be the most beautiful thing in the world.
The rest of the guys and girls get back into the van and then we're off onto the last hour of the trip. This time, I actually do end up passing out completely and enjoy the warmth of the van, listening to the chatter and laughter of everyone getting along as I rest my eyes. I love the family trips we do because it is the one time when everyone's disconnected from work and focusing on each other, building up relationships, and having fun without stressing about shoots or video ideas.
