Seven Deadly Smirks

Chapter 1

EDEN

Snow littered the ground like an immaculate canvas of white velvet, soft and humid enough to soak lightly through the soles of our boots as we treaded the path that lead from the backyard of my house, out and into the woods that extended north, leaving our print on this painting that nature had created. The evergreen ferns stood tall, glazed with a coat of ghostly frost that glinted in the light of early morning, jade leaves peaking through the white strokes sitting on top.

Phoebe and I had decided to come to my family's lake cabin this weekend, just before going back to school after Christmas break. My family owened various properties aside from our fairly large house. The lake cabin, for example. Since I can remember though, I've always had Phoebe by my side, she's as much of a part in me as I am to her.

"Hey, what new year resolutions have you come up with this year?." My best friend says, a laugh escaping her pink tainted lips as she speaks casually.

I scoff, nonchalantly dismissing the question as I shrug with a sly smile. "I don't know actually." I tell her with a chuckle "Maybe not to roll my eyes every time someone says something stupid. But that's going to be quite the handy task considering how many brainless beings walk around the school halls." I end up saying, sass falling from my mouth with every word I speak.

Phoebe tuts at me, shaking her head in amusement, soft pink strands of wavy hair flying in different directions before falling short on top of her shoulders "Maybe you should try being less sarcastic. Not everyone likes roasty comebacks." She saunters playfully, threading a hand through her disheveled hair, her tone lighthearted.

"Good thing I don't care about what the majority of people like." I reply raising my eyebrow with a smug look on my face as a smirk appears on my lips. Phoebe looks at me with feigned dramatism and laughs, soon enough making me join in to the choir of our sounds. Both of us continue along the path till we find our favourite spot in the woods; The treehouse.

As kids, we used to try and sneak from our parents and their boring talks, so we would come out here, and, one day, while we were playing, both our dads came up with a plan for us to build a tree house together. It is entirely made of wood, and yes, the actual house isn't that far away, but it's as if this place is sacred. The tree house doesn't seem like much, but truth be told it is quite spacious and cozy in the inside. Both Phoebe and I went shopping at IKEA for funiture as a make-over for it.

Inside of it it's just as we left it last time. The fluffy blanket draped over our two bean bags, the rug on the floor, the fairylights along the bridge that connects the 'main' house on one tree, to another. Being here smells like the nostalgia of a perfect idyllic childhood, and it brings to my ears the distant sound of joyful child laughter.

"So what, do you think we'll meet some hotties now that we're starting junior year?." I smirk at her, wiggling my brows as I plunge on the bean bag in front of hers, my weight making the material sink further in, enveloping me in a comfortable hug. She looks at me with an all-knowing look and gestures at herself.

"Obviously, how would you not want to grab a snack like me?." Phoebe remarks grinning goofily, flicking her hair and pursing her lips only to blow me a kiss.

Rolling my eyes I stifle a laugh. "Remember I taught you all you know, young woman." I pretend to say sternly, clicking my tongue on the roof of my mouth, the balls of my web piercing showing through. Phoebe rolls over on her own bean bag and pouts slightly, nonetheless, a small smile ghosts over her mouth.

"True." She admits with a chuckle before sliding her phone from her jean pocket and checking the time: 14:30. "It's already midday and tomorrow we have school," Phoebe winks at me, standing up and offering me her hand. "We should go eat something, if not, I think I'll die from hunger."