2: Finding Glitter and Light

I could see mountains peaking in the distance. We weren't far now. The leaves formed a veil over the area. Anything could happen beneath those woods and the entire world would remain clueless. 

"Grab the bags! Time to get this summer started", Alex cheers as she bolts out of the car.

"For you! I'm stuck carrying all the bags inside. I'm starting to think I'm just here for the labour!" I shout after my sister but she's long gone now, discovering our hospitable home for the month. 

"Jesus- How much did she pack?" muttering to myself, I hoist the pounds of clothes and makeup my sister-- so graciously-- thought to bring. 

A tall presence walks past me and I feel my butterflies wake up after a long slumber. I turn to see him. Jaden was walking towards his cottage which was right across from ours. Why didn't he say anything?, I pondered. Had we really gotten that distant?

"Sabina, I left the firewood in the trunk! Can you bring it over?" I hear Alex's voice blare from across the yard, interrupting my thoughts. I swear, all the birds within a mile radius of my sister must've migrated to the South of Mexico. 

"Must you be so damn loud? I'm right here!"

"Just grab it!" 

After a tedious afternoon of obeying Alex's every command, we all gather in the yard and get the firepit started. I grab my blanket and take a seat by the firepit to watch the stars. 

"Yo Luca, pass me a beer!" Grace calls from the grill. Grace was cooking a feast for the first night at the cottage. You could say that she was the heart of our group. Only a few years older than me, she was always the kindest to everyone. Her and my sister were the same age so they grew up as best friends. 

"Coming right up, Chef Ramsey", Luca replies from the coolers.

Music plays gently in the background as we all settle down. 

"So Sabina, how've you been? It's been years since we've caught up!", Grace shouts from across the yard. 

"I've been good! Just studying and working!" I try to shout back from the firepit. Luca walks over and joins me with two beers in hand. 

"For the lovely lady", he bows gently before handing me the beer.

"Hey, Luc, thanks", I chuckle. "How's everyone been? I haven't seen you guys in ages", I ask before taking a sip of the beer. 

"Things have been good. I've been working- oh, and Grace applied for that PhD in psychology she was always raving about. Certified psycho, that one", he chuckles and shakes his head before sipping his beer. 

"I mean, she was the person you went to whenever you had girl problems", I chuckle.

"Yea, yea. Whatever.", he rolls his eyes. Luca was Jaden's older brother. He was always the "jock" type, and therefore avoided vulnerability at all costs. But with Grace, he somehow managed to let his guard down. I found it kind of adorable. 

"And... Jaden?", I ask hesitantly, washing down the beer. Alcohol was always a wonderful cure for the butterflies. 

"He's... uhm, well he's not the best. He was hospitalised a couple years ago for depression, and hasn't really been the same since. Just letting you know, in case he seems... off or anything" Luca looks down. 

"Really? Is he getting better?" My face falls with concern. 

"I'm not sure. He doesn't really talk about it with anyone. We all just hope for the best, honestly. Bringing him on trips like this and stuff seems to help", he shrugs and chugs the last of his beer. "If you ever need him though, you'll find him locked in his room, refusing to ever come out", he remarks sarcastically. 

"Wow, definitely not the same guy I knew" I let out a deep breath and slouch into my chair.

"Yea, well things change but it's alright. I'm gonna grab another, want one?" I nod in response and watch Luca walk over to grab more drinks. 

As the heat of the fire warms my face, I stare up at the stars in awe. It seemed like the night sky was saturated with them.  You never see stars like these in the city. Each one shined just as bright as the next, filling the darkness with glitter and light. 

I wrapped myself in my favourite blanket and suddenly felt a presence next to me.