C 𝛐 l d F r i e n d s || a tale of five friends staying in a cabin

.1.

Mia woke up early the next morning, the winter sun casting a pale light through her curtains. She rubbed her eyes and stretched before heading to the kitchen, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted her. Her mom, a single parent who always seemed to be up before dawn, was sitting at the table with a cup in hand, reading the newspaper."Morning, Mom," Mia said, trying to sound casual as she grabbed a mug from the cupboard."Good morning, sweetie," her mom replied, glancing up with a warm smile. "Sleep well?""Yeah, pretty good," Mia said, pouring herself a cup of coffee and joining her mom at the table. She took a deep breath, deciding to get straight to the point. "Mom, I was thinking... it's been a while since I've hung out with my friends. Can I have a party here this weekend?"Her mom sighed, putting down the newspaper and giving Mia a sympathetic look. "Mia, you know how I feel about parties here. It's just too much to handle. The noise, the mess... I'm sorry, but the answer is no."Mia tried to hide her disappointment. "But, Mom, it's just a small gathering. We won't be too loud, I promise. We'll clean up everything."Her mom shook her head. "I appreciate you trying to make it sound easy, but you know it's never that simple. I can't risk it, especially with how busy work has been. I'm sorry, Mia. Maybe another time."Mia nodded, trying to hide her frustration. "Alright, Mom. I understand."She got up from the table, her mind already spinning with plans for the cabin in the snowy forest. "Guess I'll just have to go with Plan B," she muttered to herself as she left the kitchen.

Determined not to let her mom's refusal dampen her spirits, Mia grabbed her laptop and flopped onto her bed. She opened Airbnb and started scrolling through listings of cabins. Most were too small, too rustic, or just plain boring. She sighed in frustration as she clicked through page after page, none of the options fitting her vision for the perfect getaway.Just as she was about to give up, a listing caught her eye. It was a large, beautiful cabin nestled deep in the snowy forest, just five miles from where she lived. The photos showed a place that was both creepy and captivating, with a grand fireplace, towering windows, and a spacious living room perfect for a small gathering. The snow-covered landscape around it added an enchanting, almost eerie charm."This is it," Mia whispered to herself, a smile creeping across her face. She clicked on the listing and read through the details. It had everything she needed: enough space for her friends, a fully equipped kitchen, and even a hot tub on the deck. The price was surprisingly affordable, and there were several open dates for the upcoming weekend.Without hesitation, Mia booked the cabin, feeling a thrill of excitement as she received the confirmation email. "This is going to be amazing," she said, already picturing the fun they'd have. She grabbed her phone and reopened the group chat with Daphne, Donny, Ezro, and Isha.**Mia:** Guys, it's all set! I booked the perfect cabin. It's big, beautiful, and a little creepy. We're going to have the best weekend ever! Meet at my place tomorrow morning and we'll head out together. 🥳❄️🏔️Her phone buzzed with enthusiastic replies from her friends, and Mia felt a wave of anticipation. This was going to be a weekend to remember.

Mia woke up early the next day, buzzing with excitement. She grabbed her keys and set out to pick up her friends, eager to get the adventure started. First stop was Daphne's house.Daphne was waiting on the porch with her bags. "Morning, Mia! Ready for our epic weekend?" she said, hopping into the passenger seat."Absolutely! This is going to be amazing," Mia replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Next, they drove to Donny's place. He was standing outside with a large duffel bag, looking half-asleep. "Hey, guys," he yawned, climbing into the back seat. "I brought snacks. Lots of snacks.""Good thinking," Mia said, laughing. "We're going to need them."Ezro and Isha were the last to join, each with their own bags and excited grins. "I can't believe we're doing this," Ezro said as he settled in. "This cabin looks insane.""It's going to be perfect," Mia said confidently. "Let's hit the road!"As they drove, the miles began to stretch out, and the snowy landscape became more and more remote. They chatted and laughed, sharing stories and plans for the weekend."So, what's the first thing we're doing when we get there?" Daphne asked, turning in her seat to look at everyone."I vote for a snowball fight," Donny said, munching on a granola bar."I'm all about checking out that hot tub," Isha added. "It looked amazing in the photos.""Exploring the cabin, definitely," Ezro said. "I want to see every creepy corner."They drove for a couple of hours before the gas light came on. "Looks like we need to refuel," Mia said, pulling into a gas station. They took a break, stretched their legs, and grabbed more snacks from the convenience store.Back on the road, the conversation turned to the creepy aspect of the cabin. "So, does anyone know any ghost stories?" Isha asked, looking a bit apprehensive but excited."I've got a few," Ezro said with a grin. "But maybe I'll save them for tonight.""Yeah, save them for when we're all huddled around the fireplace," Daphne suggested. "That'll be the perfect setting."After another hour of driving, they had to stop for gas again. "Wow, this place is really out there," Donny remarked as they pulled into another small gas station."It's part of the adventure," Mia said. "Besides, the more isolated, the better the party, right?""True," Ezro agreed. "No one around to tell us to keep it down."As they got closer to their destination, the conversation died down, replaced by the quiet excitement of finally reaching the cabin. The road narrowed, and the trees grew denser, their branches heavy with snow."We're almost there," Mia announced, breaking the silence. She turned onto a small, winding road that led deeper into the forest. The GPS showed they were only a few miles away now."Finally," Daphne said. "I can't wait to see this place in person."Mia smiled, her excitement mirrored by her friends. "Me neither. It's going to be unforgettable."