The Ancient Brooch

2

" Let's go! " Samantha exclaimed. My driver stepped on the gas and we were on our way to the woods.

" Nice van Jose, " Richard said. He looked at me.

" Thanks " I replied. I could feel my cheeks redden. Richard's cheeks also went to a stage where the colors blood red.

Richard then went back to his seat and I did too.

My parents did have a pretty good van. It's a white-colored van with lots of windows. There are more than 10 seats inside the van. Complete with air conditioning, a music player and a disco ball to be vibin on the road. On the back, there's a huge place to store the stuff.

We all had separate seats. Each one is able to be transformed into a bed. In between the seat, there's a bit of a hallway for us to walk around.

Every one of us was busy doing our own likings. Richard was studying, as usual, Jack was watching a football game, Hazel was reading, Samantha was scrolling through social media, and I was preparing food.

Did I mention that my van also has 2 separate rooms? One functions as a kitchen and another room functions as a bathroom.

I was at the kitchen busy cooking. The van kitchen is actually as complete as it can be. It has a stove, a microwave, a mini-fridge complete with the freezer, a sink, cupboards, and also the utensils.

I decided to make some tea for all of us. I made casual English breakfast tea. I also boiled some sugar to make the sugar syrup. And last but not least, I took a pack of chocolate chip cookies and laid it out on a plate.

I brought it outside and put it on the table.

" I brought tea and cookies, " I said. I took my cup of tea, cookie, and head back to my seat to listen to some music.

" Thanks, Josephine! " Jack, Richard, Hazel, and Samantha said. They took their meal and went back to doing their own business.

" Ms. Josephine, it's lunchtime already, should we stop and go to a restaurant? " My driver asked.

" No need, I'll just cook something " I replied.

I headed back to the kitchen and looked inside the pantry for something to cook. Hm, let's just make simple bolognese spaghetti. I took out the spaghetti, bolognese sauce, ground beef, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. I laid it out and started cooking the spaghetti.

I boiled the spaghetti and added salt to the water so the spaghetti doesn't stick, and add some flavor. I mixed the bolognese sauce and added the ground beef. I grated the cheese and combined everything into a beautiful dish with cheese on top. Voila! A beautiful masterpiece.

I took our lunch out and distributed it.

" Lunch is served! " I said. Everyone started getting up to take their plate. I did too. I have to admit, the spaghetti I made is delicious!

" I thought I smelled spaghetti, " Samantha said. She took a bite and looked satisfied. I guess my spaghetti is good after all.

Everyone took their spaghetti and enjoyed it.

After lunch was over, I went to wash the dishes and head back to my seat to relax.

Time to relax and listen to a podcast.

I lied down on my seat and plugged my earphones, I was off to relaxation land.

" Josephine, get up, we're here " Jack called out while shaking my body. I got up from my sleep and tidied my hair and clothes.abit.

" Thanks for waking me up Jack, " I said. Jack just nodded, but I could see a faint red color pop in his cheeks. Is he blushing?

I headed to the luggage compartment and took our stuff with the help of my friends. I ran to the van's pantry and took a whole sack of food. I took anything I can bring. Pasta, butter, snacks, chocolate, candies, bread, I nearly emptied the pantry but I decided to leave one thing, anchovies. None of us likes anchovies anyways.

" I got food! We're ready " I exclaimed. My friends and all our things are already on the pathway to the forest. " Let's head to the cabin "

We walked through the pathway to the cabin, from the road we can already see the cabin. A simple cabin, wait till you see the inside.

" Okay, here goes! " I said. I inserted the key and unlocked the cabin. I push the door open and let my friends in. " Welcome, to my family's cabin! "

To be called a cabin is a huge understatement. When you first come in, you come across a big open space. On your left, you can see the kitchen. Well, you can't really call it a kitchen, it's basically a lot of counters shaped tidily to put stuff on. On your right, you can see 3 couches. 2 single sofas and 1 long sofa. All the couches are arranged to be facing the television, in front of the couches there's a square wood coffee table. At the back right of the cabin, there's a little room which is the bathroom. At the back left of the cabin, there's a door leading outside, where you will find a rocky pathway that leads to a clean blue lake not far from here. At the back, there are also stairs leading to our sleeping area. It's a loft where we will be sleeping. When you get up you have to duck but it's worth it because at the back of the loft part there's a window where you can see the view of the beautiful forest.

" This is toats amazing! " Samantha squealed.

" Yeah, no kidding, this is great! " Jack said. He looked around the cabin.

" Nice!! " Richard said.

Hazel just kept quiet, but I could see she liked the cabin too. Her eyes were open wide looking around the cabin. I'm just glad everyone liked the cabin.

" Okay, we better get tidying up, " I said.

I took the sleeping bags one by one from our pile and arranged it tidily in the loft. The girls on the right side, and the boys on the left side. In the middle, I piled all our luggage and backpacks.

Hazel and Samantha worked in the kitchen. They took all the cooking utensils, and eating utensils, they then organized it in the kitchen counters. They put the stove in the place where the gas could be plugged, they store the utensils in the counters, the pots and pans were hung in the hangers, and the food supplies are stored tidily in the shelf and fridge.

Jack and Richard worked with everything else. They set up the table and chairs outside. When they were done they gathered lots and lots of twigs and put it in a pile behind the cabin. They also helped me to hang the fairy lights around the cabin walls.

Finally, at precisely 5.00 we were done. We all sat down on the couch and chatted a bit. I took my fan and put it on the table so everyone can feel the breeze. Everything was ready in its own places. Now, all we have to do is just relax.

" Okay, so what are we gonna have for dinner? " I asked. I was ready to get cooking again.

" Do we have sausages? " Jack asked. He's always wanting meat.

" Yea, " I said while remembering whether we have sausages or not.

" Let's have fried sausages and french fries for dinner, " Jack said.

" Okay, everyone agrees? " I asked.

Everyone nodded. So it's settled, fried sausages and french fries for dinner.

I headed to the kitchen and started cooking. I cutted the potatoes, season the sausages and potatoes, then I fried them. I also prepared a bowl of fresh fruits as a healthy dessert. Coldwater for everyone as drinks.

" Here's your dinner, " I said. I put down the plate of sausages and fries on the table, I also put the water and bowl of fruits.

" Yum! Bon Appetit! " Jack exclaimed. Everyone started gobbling the food, then the fruits.

" We will always have great meals when Josephine's cooking! " Richard exclaimed. I blushed. Is my cooking really that good? I mean it's just sausages and fries, no biggy.

After dinner, I cleaned up the plates and washed them. We all then went up to the loft to sleep since we are all pretty tired.

I was still up at 11.00 p.m. A. I couldn't sleep. B. My brain wouldn't cooperate since if I did sleep, my brain would be half awake. C. I was listening to podcasts and songs, so I didn't get sleepy.

Suddenly I heard a sound. The sound was hardly heard but my ears caught the sound. It sounded very close. I didn't dare to move an inch. Where was that sound coming from? Through the light from the window, I saw one of the boys get up and went creeping down. Maybe thirsty? I have no idea. I decided to not think of it and just go to bed.