Chapter 2: Trouble in Paradise

...Twenty Minutes Later...

After what feels like forever, Chris, Sam and I finally reach the lodge. To my surprise, Josh is the only one there, and he seems to be struggling to unlock the door. "Dammit... This freaking thing..." Josh mutters to himself quietly, unaware that we are standing behind him.

"You having some trouble there, Josh?" Sam calls out, startling Josh. "Jesus! Nearly gave me a heart attack." Josh mumbles, playfully clutching his chest, his usual goofy smile plastered across his face. "Glad you guys could make it. It means a lot to have you back here." Josh smiles, but I can see the sadness in his eyes.

Chris sympathetically pats his shoulder, Josh nodding thankfully at him. "So..bad news is, the lock is iced over." Josh says with a nervous chuckle. "What's the good news?" I ask, shivering a little as I rub my hands together. Josh smirks as he drapes his arm around Chris' shoulder.

"Good news, is this guy is gonna help me get inside. Sit tight ladies, you'll be sat by the fire before you know it." Josh says, and before Chris could argue, Josh drags him round the side of the lodge. That's when Sam puts her arm on my shoulder. "So.." Sam began, a mischevious gleam in her eyes.

"What's going on with you and Chris?" Sam asks in a playful tone, and I tense up a little. "N-nothing!" I stammer shyly, my face turning bright red. Sam laughs a little, enjoying my awkwardness. "If you say so~" She teases and I roll my eyes, trying my best to ignore her.

That's when I spot a small balcony with a pair of binoculars overlooking the forest below. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I make my way over. I pick up the binoculars and start looking around the forest. The forest looks beautiful with the untouched snow, almost like a winter wonderland.

Suddenly, flashes of me running after Hannah and Beth flood my head. I grit my teeth and take a deep breath before looking around some more. That's when I spot Emily, and her ex Mike talking on the path.

Emily is giggling as Mike strokes her arm, a smug and flirty look on his face. "Woah hello, somebody's getting a little 'friendly' and not in the 'friend-zone' kind of way." I mumble to myself as Emily suddenly pulls Mike into an almost loving embrace. "They might need to check the expiration date on their big breakup." I mutter before looking away.

Suddenly, a pair of eyes stare back at me through the binoculars, a loud scream echoing around me. I let out a startled yell as I stumble backwards, tripping over myself. I hit the ground with a heavy thud as Matt, Emily's current boyfriend, walks towards me, laughing so hard that tears are rolling down his cheeks.

"Matt! Goddamnit!" I scold as I slowly push myself to my feet, brushing the snow off my legs. "Sorry about that Ella, I didn't mean to scare you-" Matt began but I glare at him, causing him to chuckle again. "Well, I did mean to scare you . Well..'sort of' scare you but not like for real scare you..." Matt rambles as I shove his shoulder.

"You scared the shit outta me!" I grumble, pouting a little from embarrassment. Matt sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. "I'm really sorry Ella." Matt apologises, and I sigh a little. "It's fine, really. Just, don't do it again." I reassure him and he smiles at me. He then turns to the binoculars.

"You see anything juicy with that thing?" Matt asks and I suddenly tense up. "Uh-" I stammer, but before I could stop him, he grabs the binoculars and peers through them. His smile suddenly falters, and his grip tightens on the binoculars. "Aw, son of a bitch. Seriously Emily? What the hell, man?" Matt snarls angrily.

"Hey, listen..it's probably nothi-" I began, placing my hand on his shoulder. But Matt cuts me off. "Nothing? You think? Is it ever just nothing with Em? Ever?" Matt asks angrily, his eyes burning with rage. "I-I don't kn-" I stammer, and Matt cuts me off again by roughly shoving me backwards

I land on the floor with a loud thud, hitting my head a little on the ground as Matt towers over me. He just shakes his head in frustation before storming off. "Ella!" Sam calls out as she runs towards me, worry plastered across her face. "I'm fine..he didn't mean it." I mutter as she helps me up, the snow soaking into my clothes causing me to shudder.

"Oh man you must be freezing. Let's get you inside and into a change of clothes." Sam says as she glares angrily at Matt who is leaning against the side of the lodge, looking gloomy and pissed off. He looks as though he wants to say something, but Sam gives him a glare that causes him to tense up.

Chris and Josh walk out of the cabin, laughing and jostling eachother playfully. But when Chris notices that I'm shivering and coated in snow, his expression changes. "What happened?" He asks, his tone filled with concern. "I-It's nothing..don't worry about it.." I shiver quietly before sneezing a little from the cold.

"Ask meathead over there." Sam snaps, glaring at Matt before helping me inside. Sam guides me towards the living room while Josh grabs a blanket from a nearby couch. "Here.." Josh mumbles, draping the blanket over my shoulders. I smile a little, still shivering as my fingers start to go numb. "T-thank you.." I whisper.

Josh manages a slight smile before attempting to get the fire going. The sound of muffled yelling can be heard from outside for a moment before an irritated Chris storms into the lodge, followed close behind by Matt who now has a black eye. Before I could say anything, Sam hands me a bundle of clothes.

"O-oh, thanks Sam.." I shiver, managing a small smile. I quickly head upstairs to get changed, mentally cursing at myself for already causing problems. This is going to be a long weekend.

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