One Unforgettable Week

What side of the bed am I on?

Quickly I avert my eyes from his unnerving gaze and slowly rise from the comfy chair. Somehow, I get one of my brown curls caught on the chair. Great, just what I need. Whilst trying to untangle – more like rip – my hair from the chair, I hear everyone make their way over to the fire.

"Ellie-smelly, get over here" my dad shouts, causing my face to heat up. Gosh, I can only imagine just how attractive I must look with half my hair stuck to the chair and a bright red face. Addy notices my struggle and laughs to herself as she makes her way over to me.

"You haven't changed have you. Somehow this happens to you every year", she mumbles whilst forcing my hair from the chair.

"The chair and I share a special connection," I joke, as she just grumbles something like idiot under her breath.

"Addy maybe I should ju– shit!" I screech, as I lift my head up and see the hair that Addy just ripped from my hair. Well at least I'm no longer stuck to the chair.

"Your welcome", Addy sings, "No move your ass", she shouts over shoulder whilst walking back over to the others. Rushing to catch up to Addy I stumble up to the others, barely standing up right because of the many roots and sticks that threaten to make me face plant on the ground.

"El sweetie, this is my nephew Noah Park," Rebecca says.

"Um, hi I'm El. Well actually Eloise Brooks, I mean of course my name isn't just El that would be weird," I rush out, twisting the hairband that rests on my right wrist.

"Nice to meet you Eloise Brooks" Noah's deep voice rumbles into the night.

...

Just like every year the Karlsen's and my parents stay in the bigger cabin, which used to leave just Addy and I in the smaller and further away cabin. However, this year Addy and I get another roommate. Yeah, a literal roommate as the cabin only has two rooms. One of which is a small bathroom with a toilet and shower. The other room opens from the front door and has a small kitchen and table on one end, a large bookshelf that divides the room and a queen bed on the far wall. The bookshelf is my favourite feature in the cabin, as it goes from floor to ceiling and leaves a gap on either side of the walls, to get from the kitchen to the bed.

By the time I finish dinner and help put the twins to bed, Addy has already headed over to our cabin, as she was almost asleep before we even ate. Usually I stay and hang out with the parents for a little bit longer, but I just felt drained of energy and desperately wanting to put on warmer clothes.

"I'm going to go to bed now as well. I'll see you guys in the morning," I say yarning into my hand and walking towards the door.

"Ok. We will wake you both up for an early morning walk," Connor yells, opening yet another beer for them all.

"Totally. Cause you will be able to wake up early or without a headache" I taunt back, watching him and my dad just shake their heads at me.

"I'll come with," Noah says, rushing to get his shoes on as I've already opened the door. After a final round of goodbyes, Noah closes the door behind him, leaving us in the dark.

"You know the way right, because I haven't actually been here before," Noah says from beside me. It almost sounds as if he's a little worried of walking to the cabin in the dark, but I immediately get rid of that thought. I mean he's Noah Park. Attractive, charming, mysterious.

"Yeah just follow me" I breathe out, barely containing the chatter of my teeth as the cold air wraps itself around us. As I begin walking I feel his presence right beside me, his arm brushing against mine. The crunch of leaves and sticks echo throughout the silent night. The moon shines down on us, illuminating the path to the cabin.