The Sophomore

Chapter Thirteen - Stranger Than Fanfiction

Emily's POV

The pitch black night parted as a pair of headlights fell upon an old cabin. Jack turned off the ignition, and his friends slowly disembarked from his van. "Looks like we made it! Our weekend getaway!" Emily exclaimed.

"I don't know... A big creepy cabin in the middle of the woods, miles away from civilization? This feels... kinda spooky," Allie said.

Chad crept up behind her, his football slung under his arm, and whispered in her ear. "Maybe it's full of ghosts!" Chad exclaimed.

Allie jumped, letting out a gasp, and Chad laughed. He threw the football at Jack, who fell backwards with the force of impact. "Ugh! Heathen!" Jack exclaimed.

"Chad! Don't be a jerk!" Emily exclaimed.

"Hey man, just trying to keep everyone on their toes," Chad said.

"Well, maybe you should mind your own toes. I don't appreciate it," Allie said.

"C'mon, bros, don't be chicken. We came here to, like, have a rad weekend, you know?"

"Hell yeah! I don't know about the rest of you, but I plan on partying until I pass out!" Caitlin exclaimed.

She and Chad cheered, beating the side of the van until Jim stepped out, frowning. He pulled a stack of books to his chest. "Would you two please attempt to control yourselves? I was hoping to take advantage of the peace and quiet to read," Jim said.

"Seriously, Jimbo? Who brings books to a weekend rager?" Chad asked.

"Well, pardon me if I don't find much gratification in getting blackout drunk. I'll rage with Thoreau instead."

"I don't know about Thoreau, but I brought some video games! Any of you noobs up for the challenge?" Skyler asked.

"Uh, you brought games? Skyler, I don't think this place even has electricity!" Caitlin exclaimed.

"Geez, how did we wind up with all your nerds? Come on, Zag, tell me you're down to get wild this weekend," Chad said.

Zag stood off to the side and gazed into the dark trees, smoking a cigarette. He pushed a lock of hair from his forehead, his mind elsewhere. "Yeah. Sure. Whatever," Zag said.

"What about you, Emily?" Caitlin asked.

"I want to go crazy!" Emily exclaimed. "We've all had so much on our plates this quarter... We deserve to let off some steam!"

"Now that's what I'm talking about! Let's have a night to remember!" Caitlin did a cartwheel then skipped towards the cabin. "Last one to the door has to carry my bags!"

"Er... Perhaps someone could assist me with my books?" Jim asked.

Chad tossed his football again, and it whizzed by Jim's head, almost hitting him. Startled, he dropped his books. "Oh, dude! You just got, like, totally pwned!" Skyler exclaimed.

"I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Today's slang often eludes me."

Zag stalked past them, grabbing the cooler from the van. He pulled out a beer and lit another cigarette. "Hey, are you gonna help us carry this stuff inside, or what?" Jack asked.

Zag leaned carelessly against the side of the van and cracked open the can, his cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. "Maybe," Zag said.