Justine arrived home, still buzzing with the excitement of the graduation ceremony. She kicked off her shoes and sank into the couch, pulling out her phone. She quickly typed out a message to her group chat with Amara, Melanie, May, Alexander, Jacob, Ben, and Marcus.Justine: "Hey guys..how about we celebrate at this lake house? My grandma let me use it! 🏡✨"She hit send and waited, her heart racing with anticipation. It didn't take long for the replies to start rolling in.Amara: "Omg yes! That sounds amazing! 😍"Melanie: "A lake house? Count me in! When are we going?"May: "I'm so down for that. We deserve a fun getaway! 🎉"Alexander: "This sounds perfect. What do we need to bring?"Jacob: "I'm in! Just let me know the details."Ben: "Definitely up for it. When do we leave? 🚗💨"Marcus: "Sounds like a plan! Can't wait. 😊"Justine grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. She quickly typed out the details, her fingers flying over the screen.Justine: "Great! How about we head out tomorrow morning? We can stay the whole weekend. Bring swimsuits, snacks, and anything else you want for the trip. I'll take care of the essentials. See you guys at my place at 9 AM?"The responses were immediate and enthusiastic, each of her friends confirming the plan and expressing their excitement. Justine leaned back, already picturing the fun they were going to have. It was going to be the perfect way to celebrate their graduation and make some unforgettable memories together.
The next morning, Justine woke up early, her heart fluttering with excitement for the day ahead. She quickly got ready, throwing on a comfortable outfit and grabbing her keys. As she headed out the door, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face.First stop: Amara's house. Justine pulled up outside her friend's home and honked the horn, eager to get the day started. Amara emerged from the front door, a duffel bag slung over her shoulder and a wide grin on her face. She hopped into the passenger seat, bubbling with energy."Hey, Justine! Ready for this weekend?" Amara exclaimed, her excitement contagious."Just getting started!" Justine replied, flashing a grin as she pulled away from the curb.Next up was Melanie's house. Justine pulled into the driveway, and Melanie emerged from the front door, waving enthusiastically. She jumped into the backseat, her eyes sparkling with anticipation."Hey, girls! I can't believe we're actually doing this!" Melanie exclaimed, settling into her seat."Just wait, it's going to be amazing!" Justine replied, feeling the excitement building with each passing moment.They continued on their journey, picking up May, Alexander, Jacob, Ben, and Marcus one by one. Each friend added to the growing sense of anticipation, chatting and laughing as they made their way to the lake house.As they drove, Justine couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendships she had forged over the years. These were the people who had been there for her through thick and thin, and she couldn't wait to celebrate with them.Finally, they arrived at the lake house, the anticipation reaching its peak. Justine parked the car, and they all piled out, their excitement palpable in the air. With a collective cheer, they grabbed their bags and headed inside, ready to kick off the weekend of celebration and relaxation.
As they gathered their belongings and prepared to head inside the lake house, Marcus maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor. He effortlessly shouldered the weight of everyone's bags, his expression calm and collected.Amara was the first to acknowledge his gesture, offering him a grateful smile as she handed over her bag. "Thanks for carrying mine," she said appreciatively, recognizing his help.Marcus simply nodded in response, his expression unchanged. He didn't seem to seek recognition or praise for his actions, content to lend a hand without making a fuss about it.The others followed suit, handing over their bags to Marcus as they expressed their thanks in various ways. Some offered verbal gratitude, while others gave appreciative nods or pats on the back. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, Marcus's willingness to help didn't go unnoticed by his friends.Justine couldn't help but admire his quiet strength and reliability as he carried their belongings inside. It was just another reminder of the strong bond they shared and the support they could always count on from one another.
With a collective sense of excitement, the group embarked on transforming the lake house into their ultimate weekend retreat. Justine and Amara took charge of adorning the interior, hanging up colorful streamers and arranging twinkling fairy lights to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Meanwhile, Melanie and May busied themselves with setting up a cozy seating area, complete with plush cushions and soft blankets, perfect for lounging and sharing stories by the fireplace.
Outside, Alexander, Jacob, Ben, and Marcus collaborated on arranging an array of outdoor games. They set up a volleyball net on the sandy shore of the lake, while Jacob and Ben unfolded a table tennis table on the patio. Marcus, always the practical one, organized a selection of classic board games and card games to ensure there was something for everyone to enjoy.
As they worked together, laughter and friendly banter filled the air, echoing across the tranquil surroundings of the lake. Each member of the group brought their own unique energy to the task at hand, contributing to the collective effort with enthusiasm and camaraderie. With every decoration hung and game set up, anticipation grew for the adventures and memories that awaited them in the coming days.
By the time they finished, the lake house was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity and relaxation, ready to host their unforgettable weekend getaway. With decorations adorning the walls and games awaiting their eager participants, the stage was set for a celebration they would cherish for years to come
As the evening settled in and the group's excitement grew, they decided to kick off their celebration with a spirited game of truth or dare. Gathered in the cozy living room of the lake house, they formed a circle on the plush carpet, ready for some lighthearted fun.Justine, with a mischievous glint in her eye, turned to Amara and asked, "Amara, truth or dare?"Amara grinned, her adventurous spirit shining through. "Dare, obviously!"Justine chuckled, already plotting her friend's challenge. "I dare you to sneak outside and howl like a wolf at the moon for a full minute."Amara's eyes widened in mock horror before she burst into laughter. "Challenge accepted!"With a dramatic flourish, Amara slipped out the door and into the crisp night air. Moments later, the group heard her enthusiastic howls echoing across the lake, punctuated by fits of giggles.When Amara returned, cheeks flushed with laughter, it was her turn to dish out the fun. "Alright, Marcus, truth or dare?"Marcus grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Dare, let's make it interesting!"Amara's eyes gleamed with mischief as she crafted her challenge. "I dare you to serenade the nearest tree with a love song of your choice."The group erupted into laughter at the absurdity of the dare, egging Marcus on as he gamely accepted the challenge. With a flourish, Marcus grabbed an imaginary microphone and launched into a heartfelt rendition of a cheesy '80s love ballad, much to the delight of his friends.As the game progressed, the group shared laughs, secrets, and hilarious challenges, reveling in the joy of their shared company and the carefree atmosphere of the evening. With each turn, their bonds grew stronger, setting the stage for a weekend filled with laughter, adventure, and unforgettable memories.
YOU ARE READING
𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 𝚩 𝐲 𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 || 8 people 8 deaths
Mystery / Thrilleran unsettling novel about eight friends celebrating graduation at a lake house without realizing it is haunted.