Just for a Lifetime (on hold)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Zoey

What did he say?
"huh?", I said. Real smooth, i taunted me.

"love you darling", Carter said. Oh.
"love you too Carter", i said. It was a ritual between us. He loved me and i loved him. Maybe i actually did. But how could I?

I knew his worst secrets. He was a player. He'd flatter me like he flattered his other Admirers? Bimbos? Whatever-

We got to the hiking trail base sometime later. Jamie was talking about how he met Carter and topics kept propping up. We couldn't even complete one person's story now, there was so much laughter and talking. Ice broken all thanks to Allison's idea.

We reached the parking and realised it was quite a long walk before we'd get shelter.

"guys, remember the rules. Don't touch anything you dont know....blah..blah...blah... Don't drink too much water. Stay together. Its just us, so its cool.", Luke stopped to catch his breath before continuing, "by evening we have to reach this place called Shell Cottage. That's like hours away so we have to keep speed.. It has a clearing so we can camp there"

"also there's a chance of snowing, so carry your snow and raingear...blaah...blaaah.... And lastly try not to yell. You're attracting attention", he came to a stop.
"yea we know! Its not our first hike Luke", Allison said. She had a lot of experience trekking. And we'd heard this lecture before.

"yea, but not everyone's as smartass as you", Luke said.

"jerk", Allison laughed.

"c'mon, lets unload", Carter said. Allison was the first out and ready to help Carter.
Jamie Luke and i helped him giving Ava a break. I think she wasn't feeling okay. Maybe it was the ride. Makes you sick, the bumpy roads.

We helped him unload and carried our bag packs. It was a long hike. Amazing! We went to the information desk that gave us the maps of various trails.
There were a lot of starting points. Another group of people were unloading. A few had climbed. A few were coming back.

We got ready to start the hike, so did a few others. One girl in particular caught my eye. I'd seen her somewhere. Reddish hair. Smirk on her face.
"who puts make up for a hike?", Allison muttered beside me earning sniggers from Luke and Jamie. They did not even know what or who we were talking about.

She smiled in our direction. Not our, Carter's. Not a hi-there-ssup smile. A cold one of superiority.
"bitch", Allison grit her teeth.
"you said it girl", i said patting her arm.
She and her "girls and guys" made their way towards us. She was definitely their leader and/or favourite.

They stood just a few feet away from us. I don't think Jamie wanted more company. Luke wouldn't mind making friends. Allison? Nope, she wanted to dig her claws in the redhead. Ava looked at her sister warily. Carter's expression was blank. I couldn't figure out his thoughts. Me? I dunno. Maybe if i saw Carter and the girl together, my liking would vanish like pfff.

"Carter lets start", Luke nudged him. Carter stood beside me, almost lost in thought. Then it struck me, the girl...why she'd looked so similar.
"Carter it isn't her", I held his arm tightly.
"yea, lets go Luke", Carter said, not responding.

We started the trail. Through the trees, a little vine here, a wild flower there, the nature was beautiful. Photos and more photos, selfies and silhouette shots, it was amazing. That was gonna be a constant for the next few days.