World Men à la Mode

Chapter Thirty-six - Family

Nothing made you happier than being able to sleep in until eight o'clock for a change. Your phone's alarm ringing at its set time wasn't as unpleasant as it typically was. You weren't the first awake between you and Charlotte, but that was to be expected given she wanted to draw the sunrise everyday from the view out of your room's windows. You quietly slipped out of bed while she used her colored pencils to work some pigment onto the paper. You then ventured into the bathroom to shower and complete your morning routine. Once out of the bathroom, you laid on your bed horizontally so that your legs dangled off of the side. You kicked them gently as you idly messed with your phone until nine o'clock rolled around. At one point the back of your ankle struck the edge of the bed frame, causing you to hiss in pain and mutter curses to yourself as you rubbed your ankle to soothe it.

When the time came, you and Charlotte made your way downstairs to the dining room with your day bags slung over your shoulders. You took your seats at the table where Samantha and Darcy sat, already eating their morning meal. After finding a will to get back up, you went to procure a plate full of your own food and a drink. You happily chowed down as the rest of your friends filed in, followed by Emil and Alfred. The later of the two gave the rundown of the day before eating.

"Who's ready to go to a hot spring today?!"

He was met by various cheers of excitement.

"Well, you've got to wait until later today, dudes! Our first stop is the Culture House Museum. Free time for lunch follows that up, and then we go to Christ the King Cathedral for some photo opportunities with the building and the surrounding area. We then go to Alþingishúsið, the Parliament building of Iceland before dashing off to dinner. We'll be coming back here to the hotel to change and gather what you need to go to Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach for the rest of the evening. We'll be there until nine, and you should really thank the groundskeepers there before we leave because they are allowing us to stay two hours after close thanks to Emil's fantastic negotiating skills and his friendship with the people who run the place's daughter. So also thank Emil."

"Thank you Emil!"

"It's not even a big deal. I just wanted to make sure you all had a good experience."

"He's being Tsundere again!"

"Amilia, you're abusing that word now. He was just being nice."

"(Y/n), please. You know it's true."

"I will neither confirm nor deny that, but leave the poor guy alone."

"Oh, fine..."

"Thank you."

Breakfast wrapped up about fifteen to twenty minutes later, and you were on the bus in your seat, driving towards the Culture House Museum to learn more about the gorgeous country of Iceland and its people. The rest of the day was honestly a blur to you as the thought of soaking in the hot springs clouded your mind. It sounded lovely and wondered if it would be like the sauna in Turkey. You had your doubts, as this was just soaking rather than being steamed, but maybe the heat from the water would create enough steam to give off the same feeling. Only time would tell if your assumptions were correct or not.

You had quickly gathered your beach attire and swimsuit, changing into them after Charlotte did the same once back at the hotel after dinner. You packed away your beach towel and a spare set of clothes in case the layer you wore over your swimsuit got ruined somehow. Now back on the bus, you drove to Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach while it was still light out.

The scenery was to die for. The hot springs were settled close enough to the beach that you could hear the sound of the waves break as they came tumbling down on the beach's shore but also close enough to the forest that the sounds of nature weren't completely drowned out by the noises of the beach. Alfred mentioned that the group didn't have to stay in the hot springs the entire time. You were more than welcome to go on the beach or hike around the forest.