The Cabin In The Woods

A Not So Warm Welcome

I took a seat on the soft plush couch next to Hannah. Sam gave me a cup of hot chocolate and took a seat next to Nathan. All eyes seemed to be on me, making me feel as if I was in an interrogation room.
    "Hi," I say weakly, staring into my hot chocolate. Eliza gets up from her seat next to Mike and leaves the room. Nothing has changed since then, she still despises me. Mike briefly nods at me before following Eliza out the room.
    I take a look at everyone else around me. Not much has changed with their features. Nathan is still tall, but he seems to have gotten stronger, David grew a little taller as well, my guess is 5'7, stubble grew on his face but his smile was still warm, Hannah's blonde hair grew longer, about half a foot from her waist and is bone straight, Harry kept his curly brown hair, his eyes twinkled brightly, Sam cut her hair and the curls fall loosely down her back, her brown eyes stared intently into mine, Alaina kept her blondish brown hair long and curly; before, she had braces, now their off and her teeth are perfectly straight, and DeFrain and Brock didn't change all that much, Brock was still skinny with brown freckles covering his face and DeFrain was still into primarily black clothing, they held hands as they sat on the tan loveseat couch.
    "Sorry about Eliza," said Hannah, "I guess she hasn't forgotten about highschool."
    "I'm not surprised," I reply, "I didn't expect Mike to leave with her though. I guess we're still the same too."
    "You didn't hear?" Sam asked.
    "Hear what?" Asked Nathan.
    "They're engaged," Hannah answered.
    "Oh." I replied, shocked.
    I remember how close Eliza and Mike became in highschool and I didn't hear much about them after that. I shouldn't have been surprised though, they were in love.
    "Well congratulations to the happy couple," I say weakly.
    "Cheers to that!" Sam exclaims. We all lift our cups into the air to cheer for the missing couple.
    Mike must've heard the commotion, soon afterwards, they both return from their hiding places.
    "What's all this about?" He asks.
    "We're toasting to your engagement! Nathan and Lenice didn't know," answered Sam.
    Mike then turned to me with a hint of sadness or regret in his eyes, but it only lasted a second. His mask came back on and he smiled at everyone, thanking them.
    The mask, you may be wondering what exactly that is. It's what people with a secret have, people who are hurting have, people like me, Hannah, or Mike. The mask is the smile we wear even when we're hurting. Only a select few people have seen us without it, a very select few. Or if you're like me, none at all. The mask is basically a hiding place where we push our true emotions aside and give the people who they truly want to see.
    I stare into my cup as if it held the answers to every question I had. I don't know how long I looked into that cup, but it must've been awhile. Hannah nudge me in the side and I look up into her questioning eyes.
    "Huh?" I ask.
    "I asked you if you wanted to be my bunk mate?"
    "Oh yeah, sure," I reply.
    "Great!"
    "Okay, so Mike, I assume you're with Eliza?" Sam asked?
    "Yes," he answered.
    "DeFrain you're with me, Brock you're with Harry, Nathan you're with David, Hannah you're with Lenice, and Alaina, you can be with me and DeFrain. Did I miss anybody?" She looks around the room, "no, good. Well it's getting late and I have a lot planned for us tomorrow. So let's get some sleep! Goodnight everyone!"
    We all arise from our seats, pick up our luggage and begin to ascend the wooden stairs to our assigned rooms. I pick a room on the right side of the hallway. The room had the design of a classy old cottage. One king size bed lay to the side with soft large blankets and plush feather pillows, a large bookshelf sits opposite of the bed, tiger skin lies on the floor, and a door on the left led to a two person bathroom with a big shower. Black and white tiles covered the floor, a large mirror hung opposite of the door, and two black mats with white flower design lie on the floor.
    We set our luggage down adjacent the bed. Hannah jumps and lands face first onto the bed.
    "This bed is so soft!" She shouts. I start laughing at her.
    "You're a twenty-seven year old acting like a five year old."
    "If I have to act five in order to be this happy, then so be it!" She proclaims. I throw a pillow onto her face and she throws it back at me with great force, almost knocking me off the bed.
    I lay on the bed beside her and we continue to laugh historically. After awhile, Hannah turns serious and I realize, we won't be laughing again anytime soon.
    "What's wrong?" She looked at me with concern etched onto her face.
    "Nothing, I'm fine." I utter.
    "No, don't go there, don't shut me out again," she pleads.
    "Seriously, I'm fine," I declare.
    "Does it have something to do with M-"
    "I said I'm fine!" I cut her off. "Let's just go to sleep, it's been a long day." I pick a few clothes out from my suitcase and scurry to the bathroom to change. Once I clothes and lock the door, I let myself breathe for the first time during this whole day. I look into the mirror and see the girl I used to be. Tall, dark, skinny, dark almost black fearing eyes and soft natural hair tied up into a pony tail. Not much has changed through the years with us, the only difference was she is strong; the me I am now, not so much. I gained a few more inches in height, my hair grew longer and fuller with some red dye, and my face was more defined. I splash some water onto my face and strip myself of my clothes before putting on a pair of long black leggings and a large purple t-shirt. I wrap my hair in a green silk scarf, pick up my other clothes and walk out the bathroom. Hannah is already changed and has chosen her side of the bed. I toss my clothes into my suitcase and get into the bed.
    "Goodnight," I heard Hannah mumble.
    "Goodnight," I reply then turn off the lamp next to me.
    I close my eyes and pray that sleep comes my way.