Edited/Re-uploaded: Feb. 10, 2019

14 Days Before The Accident

It was official, Korinne Ward had no idea what she was doing.

Affectionately called Kori since childhood, this 5'3 ball of spunk was more confused than Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2. She had started out her day so confident that she would ace her final exam before winter break. Aware that calculus, mathematics in general, weren't her strong suit, Kori had spent the past two days studying rigorously. She had poured over all her notes, flashcards, and practice quizzes only to be shooting mental blanks when it really counted.

Dyscalculia was the proper term for her current plight. The inability to comprehend and make use of arithmetical calculations. Basically, Kori had math dyslexia and knew from experience that no amount of studying could have saved her from the mind-numbing frustration she felt in that very moment. Knowing she was doomed anyway, Kori halted her attempts at avoiding the inevitable the night before. Instead she chose to focus her attentions on her more than attentive boyfriend, Josh.

As the time audibly ticked by her frustrations rose. Manicured nails dug restlessly into her eraser. Chipping away rubbery pink flakes that mimicked the pieces of her patience slowly vanishing.

With a low groan, Kori sank back into her chair. Her head tipped back so that her long copper hair was almost touching the floor. An amused snort sounded from the girl seated behind her. Pushing out her lower lip and puffing her cheeks- Kori made an attempt to look as pitiful as possible hoping it would draw her friend's sympathy. However, her friend, Sam, simply wasn't buying it.

Sam was a true SoCal girl. A pretty heart-shaped face, mid-length golden blonde hair that usually smelt like the ocean, excitable light blue eyes, and a perfect sun-kissed tan. With her looks and matching aesthetic Sam had the potential to be a famous Insta model.

Sam rested her head on her hands and cocked a brow at Kori. She had asked Kori multiple times to study with her throughout the week- all of which Kori had turned down. Sam loved Kori like a sister, but found her friend's inability to ask for help infuriating. It also didn't help Kori's case that Sam was well aware of what Kori was doing the night before.

In a final attempt to get Kori to join her study group before the exam, Sam had called Kori last night. Instead of reaching Kori, the call had been answered by a clearly amused sounding Josh. Sam could vaguely hear Kori's giggles and pleas to have her phone returned to her in the background. According to Josh, Kori had opted for an 'alternate form of tutoring' that night.

Despite all that, Sam knew her own tender heart well-enough and knew that if it was possible to give Kori the answers she would. Sadly for Kori the two friends had different colored exam booklets, meaning their test questions were different variations with different numbers.

Sam gave Kori a shake of the head before leaning forward ad grabbing the fabric of Kori's sleeveless mock neck top. She pulled the jewel toned fabric higher against Kori's neck, successfully hiding the purple-tinted mark that rested there. Evidence of Kori's late night 'studying'.

Sam had to stiffen her laughter as Kori quickly sat up in her seat. Kori's blush causing her skin to match her hair.

The smell of Chanel filled Kori's nose. She glanced up to see a winking Emily Choi passing by her. A victorious smirk was stretched across Emily's face as she made her way toward the TA at the front of the room.

It was no surprise that Emily had finished first. Emily strived to be top of the class and would accept no less than the best from herself. One of the reasons, Emily was already guaranteed a spot at UCLA and Stanford if she wanted it. This fact made Emily seem like a bit of a narcissist to some.

People that didn't know Emily saw only her grades, money, and resting bitch face. They knew nothing about the sleepless nights Emily put herself through to maintain her position as Westview's most promising student. Kori respected that about Emily. She was smart, driven, and knew she didn't owe anyone an explanation. She could be a bit mean spirited at times, but it only made Kori think of her as a walking Sour Patch Kid. First she's sour, then she's sweet.

Emily's jet black bob bounced around her shoulders as she turned to blow Kori a glossy kiss before exiting. Just seeing the image of Kori sticking her tongue out in response before the door shut.

Seeing Emily leave signed to others that it was time to turn in their exams as well. One by one, Kori's classmates filed toward the front of the room, handing their exams to either the TA or the professor.

Soon Sam joined the crowd. Sam placed a comforting hand on Kori's shoulder as she passed and whispered, "Just do your best".

Kori sighed, her teeth tore violently at her lower lip as she tried once again to focus on her exam. With only twenty minutes left, Kori's delima had gotten no better. She considered turning in her half-finished and bolting for the parking lot. Afterall, Kori had already been accepted into UCLA along with her friends. Her mental plan was foiled when she remembered Calc was a requirement and being accepted into college meant nothing if she didn't graduate high school.

Just as Kori was about to give up hope, a torn piece of paper landed on her desk as another student passed. Kori discreetly reached for the paper and glanced at it. Written in purple ink was a list of letters alongside individual answers for each question. Kori's eyes darted up ad caught the sight of Beth Washington giving her a mischievous smile as she walked out the door.

The phenomenal best-friend and, hopefully, future sister-in-law had saved Kori Ward once again.

With a restored vigor, and utilizing the fact their teacher had used the last few minutes to go to the bathroom, Kori quickly copied Beth's answer key to her own scantron. With a relieved smile, Kori reviewed her answers to make sure they lined up with Beth's. Anxiety slowly dying down, Kori stood up from her desk and made her way toward the TA collecting the last few exams.

Said TA sorted Kori's scantron and test booklet into separate piles and gave Kori a doubtful look.

"You're looking mighty confident for someone who couldn't bother showing up for the study session," he jabbed while raising a blonde brow behind his thick rimmed glasses.

"I was a bit tied up last night." Kori grinned.

"Kinky," he laughed earning some wide stares from two other students as they left.

"Chris!" Kori scolded, her features reddening once again, "I just meant I was busy, dude."

"Busy getting busywith Josh," his eyebrows wiggled as he spoke.

Chris' sly smile was contagious and Kori could stifle the laugh that slipped past her lips. Kori was convinced that Chris could make anyone laugh. He had a natural born sense of humor and comedic timing that couldn't be taught.

"What can I say, Chrissy? We can't all live a life of celibacy," Kori responded quickly, not bothering to lower her voice.

With an exaggerated gasp, "I'll have you know intimacy before marriage is a sin. I shall have to call upon the church," Chris replied.

"Christopher, you would do such a thing? To me? I thought we were friends. This is entirely unexpected," Kori continued to play along, much to the amusement of her fellow students nearby.

"Nobody expects the Christopher Inquisition. Our chief weapon is surprise," Chris retorted. His expression not matching the laughter in his eyes. Chris' baby blue eyes gazed at her, waiting patiently for a smile to crack under the weight of his Monty Python impersonation.

"I see your pop-culture reference, Chrissy, and I raise you the time-honored phrase 'snitches get stitches'."

Chris hummed in thought, "Ah, who am I to argue with prison logic?"

"Who's going to prison?" A soft voice asked from behind Kori.

Kori turned to see her friend and fellow proud ginger, Ashley Moore, standing behind her with. Ashley smiled at the two bickering friends as she placed her testing materials down on the table. Kori noted how Ashley's eyes stayed trained on Chris.

"Thank you, M'lady," Chris said as he sorted Ashley's materials into piles, "and to answer your question- probably Kori. You did hear how she just threatened me, right? It's only a matter of time before this ginger snaps back."

"Careful now, Chris. Kori isn't the only ginger in the room. If you insult one of us you insult all of us," Ashley's dark green eyes narrowed playfully.

"Plus, 'Ginger Snaps Back' was a terrible movie," Kori noted, "the main characters were brunettes."

"If Kori was to kill you, I'm pretty sure between her obsession with murder mystery shows and the fact her dad's a cop, she could make it look like an accident," Ashley added.

"Good point," Kori smiled, "Do you really think my dad is going to let me go to prison?"

Chris gave a low whistle, "Wow, I am outnumbered here. How is this fair?"

Ashley smiled and shrugged, "Life isn't fair, Chris. But I do have to go clear out my locker. I'll see you guys in the parking lot."

As Ashley turned to leave she immediately collided with a returning Dylan Vargas- their, now, previous calculus teacher. Chris and Kori snickered at Ashley's experience as she struggled to apologize to Mr. Vargas.

"Mr. Vargas! I am so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going and-"

The young, twenty three year-old professor laughed and shook his head, "Ashley, calm down, kid. No hard, no foul. I understand you're in a rush to get as far away from this classroom and campus as possible right now."

While many of her classmates, including Ashley, found their calc teacher to be fairly attractive, Kori found him rather unsettling. He wasn't that much older then his students thus he understood their humor and was known as the 'cool' teacher. Kori, however, couldn't look past his persistent flirting with his female students. Something about the way he carried himself just reminded Kori way to much of Mr. Jefferson from the videogame 'Life is Strange'. Kori, for one, was not looking to be drugged and tied up by her suspiciously attractive and possibly lonely and demented teacher.

Ashley didn't seem to share Kori sentiments as she blushed heavily as Mr. Vargas smiled at her. He reached up and removed his glasses to clean them in his shirt. An act maybe he thought was alluring, but only made Kori roll her eyes.

Out of her peripheral vision, Kori could see Chris looking far less than pleased at the exchange in front of them.

Kori decided to intervene, "You hit the nail on the head, Mr. V. While I appreciate everything you do, don't take this the wrong way when I say, I really don't want to see you ever again," Kori said with an airy laugh. Her tone was painfully hollow as she forced a fake smile. An act of fake friendliness Kori rarely put on but witnessed Emily and Jessica use multiple times.

Ashley gave Kori a grateful nod before using that moment to escape out the door.

"Come on, Korinne," Kori stiffened at the use of her full name, "You can't tell me my lectures on limits and intervals weren't riveting."

"I can't tell you now because my grade hasn't been finalized. I still need you to like me. Trust, if I ever see you at Target, you are gonna get an earful," Kori informed him.

Her, almost, former teacher laughed, "I believe it. You seem rather confident that you did well so maybe my teaching methods weren't too horrible."

Chris chose this moment to interrupt, "Nahh, Mr. V. You're one of the best. Kori here just has the attention span of Dory from Finding Nemo. If it doesn't involve music or her boyfriend if goes straight in one ear and out the other. You know how high school girls are."

"From what I remember, Chrissy, This ditzy fish is your ride home. If you're not careful you're going to 'just keep walking' all the way home," Kori teased, even childishly singing the little beat to 'just keep swimming'.

"Actually, Josh is my ride home, but I do believe he would leave me in the parking lot if you asked him to- so that's fair." Chris shrugged, "And I really can't handle another ride home with Jessica. That girl is on a serious One Direction kick lately."

"I think she's still mourning the breakup," Kori nodded to herself, "It's getting sad. We should say something."

"I am not toppling that Jinga tower."

A dry cough brought the two friends' attention back toward Mr. Vargas, "Well, as interesting as this all is. I desperately need to collect those scantrons and get them graded. I hope you two enjoy your winter break, stay safe, don't do anything I wouldn't, and all the rest of that 'responsible adult' stuff."

Kori responded with a quick, "You too," before grabbing Chris by the arm and pulling him into the hallway. Chris' sneakers skidded against the tile floor as he allowed himself to be pulled out into the hallway by his petite friend.

"Does he really creep you out that much?" Chris questioned.

Kori finally halted a few doors down from the classroom they had left. Conveniently stopping in front of the neighboring lockers she and Chris shared. Both friends quickly entered their combinations and began removing their belongings.

"He looks and acts like the bad guy from every high-school based Lifetime suspense movie ever. I've seen a lot of them. I know these things. You can never trust the hot, overly friendly teacher." Kori further explained when Chris scrunched his eyebrows at her.

"Ashley's right. You have an obsession with murder based tv shows," Chris stated.

"The curse of being a cop's kid. We're always drawn to things because we grow up hearing about it. And that's a really judgemental tone for someone whose cinema repertoire consists of fifty percent rom-coms."

"I'll take Catherine Heigl over Lifetime any day," Chris defended himself.

Kori scoffed and decided to change the subject, "hours of unrealistic love-stories to riff-off of and you still haven't made a move on Ash."

Chris slammed his locker shut and leaned up against it. One hand slung his bag over his shoulder and the other began swiping his already spiky blonde hair upward out of habit. He looked away from Kori and focused his attentions down the hall. A series of micro-expressions crossed his face as he wondered how to continue.

"As I keep telling you and Josh- and Sam- it's not that simple," Chris breathed, "I don't want to ruin things."

Kori nodded in thought. Now, that was a worry she could understand. When Josh had first started showing interest in her all Kori could do was worry about how it would affect her relationship with Beth. The last thing Kori wanted was to ruin nearly eight years of friendship with her closest friend because she couldn't control her feelings for said friend's older brother.

"I get that, Chris. I really do. But remember, you miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take," Kori held his gaze as she said this. Hoping the sincerity in her eyes would push her friend to finally pursue Ashley.

"You stole that from Wayne Gretzky," Chris accused.

"Wrong. I stole it from that poster behind your head," Kori laughed and pointed to the large motivational poster taped to the wall behind Chris.

Turning back to the task at hand, Kori pulled her red leather backpack from the locker. An iconic double 'G' emblem graced the front of the bag. A gift from Emily last Christmas, the bag was easily priced around two grand and certainly not something Kori would have bought for herself. Emily, ever materialistic, could never understand Kori's disinterest in designer fashion. Emily took it upon herself to drag Kori to Rodeo Drive wherever possible in hopes she could 'upgrade' Kori's style as she put it.

Kori reached into her locker and picked up her cell phone, charger, and wallet and shoved them into her bag. Lip gloss and a random pair of discarded earrings she thought she had lost weeks ago joined as well. She picked up a air of Ray-Ban aviators she was sure belonged to Sam and placed them on her head. Once Kori believed she had collected all her belongings she went to shut the locker door.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Chris asked. Kori hummed in question and Chris reached his hand into the top shelf of her locker to retrieve Kori's trusty inhaler that lied there. "Your shortness almost got you killed, Kor."

"It's not polite to mock short women, but thank you," Kori plucked her inhaler from his grasp and placed it in her bag.

Chris closed her locker door for her and the two started down the hall, "You're my best friend's girl. I don't consider you a woman- just short."

"Same, Chrissy, Same. To me you're just blonde and geeky," Kori nudged him with her shoulder.

"I prefer the term, 'intellectually sexy'," Chris said as he made a show of adjusting his glasses.

"If only you could use your sexy intelligence to get Ashley to the 'bone-zone' as my boyfriend so eloquently puts it."

"I think it needs to be explained to Josh that taking someone to the bone-zone is terrible relationship advice."

The two pushed their way through the double doors at the end of the hallway. The heat of the California sun beat down on them the moment they left the building. Kori reached on top of her head and pulled the pair of aviators that rested there to cover her eyes. Poor Chris had to use his hand to shield his face.

It certainly didn't feel like winter in South California. Thanks to daylight savings time the sun had slowly begun to set over the hills. The colors in the sky bled from blue to purple and red. The heat from the day still hung in the air. There was also a slight breeze that caused Kori to shiver for a moment.

Their school was about an hour outside of Los Angeles. Happily away from the cramped and busy LA streets. Still convenient to the city and the many high-dollar neighborhoods that housed it's students. The grounds were dressed with palm trees and colorful desert flowers.

Fellow students chatted with their friends as they made their way to the parking lot or busses. Some stopped to sit on the grass- probably waiting for the crowd to thin out before leaving. As the school's buildings sat atop the hill, Kori and Chris began their way down a ramp toward the parking lot.

"His bone-zone advice can't be to bad," Kori argued, "It worked on me."

"I know. He reminds me often," Chris laughed poking her in the ribs with his elbow.

"Eww!" Kori's nose scrunched in disgust as she giggled, "I don't even want to know."

"That's funny, neither did I, but he tells me anyway. At least when Matt talks about that type of stuff I don't know the girl. It's less weird that way."

"I get that. Beth told me if I ever tried to talk to her again about my alone time with Josh she'd put Nair in my shampoo," Kori reached up and subconsciously pushed her auburn locks back. Her nose caught the strong, but pleasant scent of honey and vanilla as she did so.

"Dude, that's her bro. Her IRL brother. That's just wrong," Chris shuddered as Kori laughed.

"I can't believe you just said 'IRL' in a conversation. You disgusting millennial."

The two continued down into the parking lot and began weaving their way toward the back of the lot. The final row of the lot was the most scarce. Many prefered to find parking as close to the entrance as possible. Others simply accepted that the space had been claimed by a group of friends that included some of Westview's most popular students.

A wide smile fell on Kori's face as she approached the group of friends she long considered family. With the sun setting in the hills behind them, the smiling group was bathed in a golden-hour glow. They looked as if they had been plucked from a summer-time teen film. That moment in the movies were you are giving the first shot of the protagonists. Happy and active in their own little bubbles. All attractive in their own ways with matching smiles on their faces.

The lovely, grade-saving, Beth Washington was standing in front of Sam's white Jeep in the company of Westview's all-star quarterback, Matt Kennedy. Matt laughed as Beth struggled to wrap her tiny hands around a football. Beth took up the classic football pass pose and Matt took her picture. Kori could already see the photo gracing Beth's instagram with the right editing and filter. A caption that would probably boast of Westview's dominating football season along with a message to her followers to stay safe during break.

Hannah, Beth's beloved twin, sat perched on the roof of her and Beth's shared Mercedes. She was seated between Sam and Ashley. Sam seemed fully engaged in some story Ashley was animatedly telling, while Hannah stared blankly in another direction. Here dark eyes were focused on Michael and Emily further down the line.

Michael Monroe and Emily were Westview's power couple. Class president and class secretary, respectively. The two couldn't be any more of a cliche. The politician's son and the CFO's daughter. Anyone who didn't know them believed they were only together for the sake of their mutual popularity.

As their friend, Kori understood their was more to their relationship then looks and social media followers. They challenged one another with their wit and ambitions. Yet, their ability to keep each other's' interests did not translate into a healthy relationship. Emily often talked about her future with Mike in passing. Emily was someone who liked having a plan and her plans clearly involved Mike at her side.

Kori wasn't sure Mike felt the same. He kept an arm wrapped around Emily, but his attention was solely focus on Jessica Lovell who stood beside him. Jessica was Emily's best friend and it was shocking how different the two were.

The trio in question had their backs turned to Kori and Chris. Kori thought they might be taking a picture. As Kori got closer she saw that the three were talking excitedly to a video camera being held by, Josh.

A warm feeling pooled in Kori's chest as she watched her boyfriend. After three years together, the two were very much still in their 'puppy' phase and just catching a glimpse of his handsome face still made Kori's heart race. Before Josh, Kori would found lovey-couples absolutely cringe worthy. She would see the standard Insta and Youtube couples and scoff, not understanding how two people could be so into each other. Kori always thought those couples were putting up an act.

Kori now knew from first hand experience that it was completely possible to simply be head-over-heels for someone.

"Alright, Ms. Choi. Please tell your future audience about your plans for college," Josh directed the question towards Emily. His jade eyes brightening as he looked at the trio through the camera lens.

"Of course. I will undoubtedly be attending UCLA with this handsome hunk right here by my side," Emily smiled up at Mike, "I plan on graduating summa cum laude and then being accepted into a medical school of my choice. While I dominate the medical field, Michael is going to follow is father's footsteps and become a politician. Complete professional world Brangelina vibes. Maybe we will stay in Cali or move to New-"

"Alright, Em," Mike cut her off, "the man didn't ask for your ten-year plan. Which she has completely mapped out by the way," Mike said to the camera giving his perfectly forced 'popular-guy' smile as he did.

It was obvious that Emily's assumptions on Mike's future plans had made him uncomfortable. Moments like these only cemented the fact that Emily was a lot more invested in Mike than he was her. Kori wasn't sure who she felt worse for. Emily- the overly idealistic and pushy girlfriend or Michael- the likeable, but interested and emotionally trapped boyfriend.

Josh picked up on the awkwardness and took quick action to change the subject, "Thanks, Bro. Don't worry, Em. I'll come back in a few years to get your full statement on that. Jessica, what about you?" He asked stepping closer to the bubbly blonde.

"Whoa, not that close, Washington. You're not going to get my good side from that close up."

Josh gave her a good natured eye-roll before taking five dramatically taunting steps back, "This better?"

"Very. I am already sending out headshots to casting directors all over California. I'm sure I'll hear back with a job offer or two sometime before my first semester at UCLA."

"Looks are fleeting, Jess. You need to have a more solid plan than just 'I'm pretty, so someone will hire me'," Emily interjected.

Chris gave a low whistle that apparently was only heard by Kori, "here comes the cat fight."

Kori gave a long-sigh and nodded. For claiming to be such great friends, Emily and Jessica could be awful to each other sometimes. Though Kori loved her two friends dearly, she couldn't deny that they embodied every stereotype of the 'catty-school-girl' there was. It was one of the reasons Ashley and Hannah didn't particularly hang out with either of them.

Kori clearly remembered Hannah once saying to her, 'If they say those types of things about each other, just imagine the things they say about the rest of us'.

Jessica gave Emily a wide, unbothered grin, "I don't think I have much to worry about. Thanks for the concern though, Em."

Seeing the clear discomfort Mike's face- Kori thought it best to interject. She knew Mike wouldn't get involved in fear of causing problems with Emily. Chris and Josh were clearly entertained by what was going on and seemed uninterested in putting a stop to it.

"Ladies, you are both gorgeous," Kori stated as she passed them, "but I want to know when the director is going to have the time to interview me."

A bright smile spread across Josh's face as Kori approached. There was a distinct twinkle in Josh's eyes that Kori was proud to say could only be caused by two things- Filmmaking and herself.

"The director always has time for his beautiful star," Josh proclaimed as he opened his arms wide.

Kori wrapped herself around Josh's middle. One of Josh's hands cupped Kori's head with a firm, gentleness and angeled Kori's mouth toward kiss was quick and light and was followed by a series of similar rushed kisses before Josh deepened their exchange.

The couple was lost in their own world as their friends sounded off a range of emotions around them. The loud sounds of disgust no doubt came from Josh's sisters, while Chris and Jessica cheered. Mike gave a loud wolf whistle that signaled Kori it was time to pull away. Josh seemed to think the opposite as he kept a gentle grip on Kori's head and continued to pull her toward him.

Kori fell into a fit of giggles that was muffled by her boyfriend's lips, "Josh- knock it- off."

She managed to unwrap her arms from around him and lightly pushed on his chest. After a few quick pecks, Josh finally released her. His green eyes met her honeyed orbs and the two shared a mischievous smile. Josh leaned down and placed a final kiss over the fabric of Kori's shirt that covered her neck- the place Josh knew Kori carried a hickey from their alone time the night before.

"Cleaver, Kor, you've got to keep the audience wanting more. I respect that," Josh wrapped his free arm around Kori's shoulders, "Just means there will have to be a part two. Uncut and uncensored."

Kori then noticed that Josh had repositioned the camera to face them. Kori knew by the smirk on his face that he had recorded their entire transaction.

"Honestly, Josh!" Kori hit him lightly across the chest, "Please, tell me you are going to cut that out."

"Sure, Babe, I'll cut it out… and add it to my personal library. Along with the others."

Kori wanted to appear unhappy at Josh's admission, but she couldn't help her ow laughter. She was quite familiar with Josh's personal library and honestly expected nothing less from him at that point.

"You two are sooo gross," Beth groaned as she approached the couple.

Kori quickly flung herself around her boyfriend's younger sister, "Thank you so much for saving me back there. I couldn't have done it without you. Have I ever told you how much I love you, Beth Washington?"

Beth attempted to wrestle away from Kori's grip, "You're messing up my hair, Kori!"

Grinning at Beth's suffering, Kori tightened her grip on Beth and began petting Beth's had tauntingly, "Shhhh, Child, let me show you my gratitude."

"By smothering me?" Beth huffed.

"With love. Plus, you smell nice. Oddly like my backup shampoo that went missing from Josh's bathroom," Kori said accusingly as she began rubbing her face against Beth's hair like an affection deprived cat.

"Bro, I think you should prepare yourself for the day your girl leaves you for your sister," Chris laughed.

"I'm not worried, Cochise," Josh shrugged as he began to change some settings on his video camera, "After three years I'm pretty confident I know how to keep that one happy."

"I don't know, big brother. You may want to watch out," Beth smirked freeing her arms from Kori's grip only to lovingly wrap them around Kori's waist, "I've acquired a taste for redheads."

"Then you can have Ashley. She's single. This redhead is mine," Josh finished his adjustments to his camera and pulled Kori back to his side.

"Better hurry, Beth. Us redheads are a hot commodity. You never know when some dashing young lad will swoop in and steal her away," Kori sent a not so discreet look in Chris' direction.

"If you could please point me in the direction of such a 'dashing young lad' that would be great," Ashley stated. Her long fingers, the nails bitten down to stubs, were busy fixing her favorite purple striped beanie. A late birthday present from Beth earlier that year.

"I'll give you a map for fifty bucks," Kori jested.

"Or Cochise here could design you an app for it," Josh added.

"One 'Dashing Lad Finger' coming right up! No longer shall fair maidens waste their youths on scouring the vile streets of Tindr for Dashing Lad Finder shall locate the perfect man for you," Chris proclaimed.

"I'll keep an eye out for it in the app store," Ashley laughed, her green eyes dancing as she watched Chris' hyperactive display.

Kori's attention was drawn to Josh as he gave her hip a light squeeze. Kori lifted her gaze to see her boyfriend nodding in the direction of Chris and Ashley who were continuing their conversating happily ignoring those around them. Neither Ash nor Chris noticed that Josh had subtly turned his camera toward them.

"While we are at the lodge. I bet you it's going to happen while we are there," Josh whispered to Kori. Obviously hinting at their friends' inevitable hookup.

Blackwood Lodge. The mere mention of the Washington family's winter cabin in Alberta brought a smile to Kori's face. The wooden mansion held so many happy memories for Kori. While Kori hated the winter, she found herself looking forward to spending her break on that loney, frozen mountain top. If only it meant she got to curl up with Josh in front of the fireplace.

"Really?" Kori questioned, "They've had two years and you're putting your money on this winter break?"

"Look at them, Red. The sexual tension is slowly killing them. What a better place to release that tension then Blackwood? Freezing mountain top, privacy, no distractions, a need for someone else's body heat-"

Kori scoffed playfully as Josh's thumb found its way under her top and began rubbing slow circles into her abdomen. The darkened look in his eyes told Kori he was reminiscing about their own times together at Blackwood. Snowed in with no signal meant couples had to get creative to entertain themselves once the rest had gone to bed. Josh did have a point. Their winter getaway was the perfect opportunity for the blossoming couple to finally come together.

"What do you want to bet that I'm right?" Josh asked mischievously as he pushed a piece of auburn hair away from Kori's face.

Pursing her lips, Kori pretended to think for a moment, "I'm sure we can come up with some reasonable terms."

"I like the sound of that."

A painful groan came from Beth's direction, "You two are sickening. You could at least wait until you are alone to be so weird."

"You're right, Sis," Josh laughed, "but before we all go, Kori, hold this for me, babe."

Josh flipped the viewfinder on his camera back on. Having served as Josh's camera-woman many times, Kori took the device from him with ease and adjusted the focus to what she knew would be Josh's liking. After hitting the record button, Kori gave Josh the thumps-up to begin. Josh jumped up into the bed of Matt's truck and yelled for everyone's attention.

"Alright, ladies and gents, gather around! Please give your attention to the handsome man in front of you," As their friends made a semi-circle around Josh, Kori panned the camera around to get a glimpse of everyone before focusing once again on Josh, "As you all know, it is time for the second annual Blackwood retreat! My sisters and I are more than excited to invite all of you back to our humble abode in Alberta. I implore you, my friends, to prepare for a weekend of bonding in our mutual love of debauchery and alcohol. Let's party like fucking pornstars!"

The crowd of friends cheered and clapped. Kori turned the camera around once again to record everyone's enthusiasm. A fuzzy feeling filled Kori's heart as she saw the excitement and happiness on her friend's faces through the viewfinder.

Sam, Beth, and Ashley smiled and waved at Kori when they noticed her attention on them. Jessica gave a loud 'woot' to the camera before jumping on Matt's back. Matt stumbled for a moment while laughing before balancing the fervent blonde on his back. Jessica used a free hand to reach around Chris who was standing close to her ad pulled him toward herself and Matt for a group shot.

Finally, there was Mike standing between Emily and Hannah. Mike had his arms draped over both girl's shoulders. Emily stared straight into the camera and gave Kori a flip of her jet black bob. Mike winked at the camera lens and Hannah- Hannah was staring straight up at Mike.

Kori's smile slipped as she watched the youngest Washington twin. Behind her dark rimmed glasses, the sunlight made Hannah's dark eyes sparkle like smokey quartz. Then again, maybe it wasn't the sun. Maybe that look in Hannah's eyes was purely brought on by her infatuation with Mike.

Unfortunately for Hannah, Emily noticed the staring as well. Emily's perfect jaw set in a harsh line as she looked between Hannah and Mike. Roughly, Emily wrapped her arms around Mike and pulled him towards her. The quickness in which Emily snatched Mike tore his arm away from Hannah, knocking her away in the process.

Hannah lost her balance for a moment and when she had finally steadied herself she looked back towards Mike. With Mike's back turned towards Hannah, Emily met Hannah's gaze for a moment and sent Hannah a smirk before pulling Mike into a spiteful kiss.

Realizing that she was still recording the ordeal, Kori ended the recording and closed the viewfinder. Kori sighed and before to chew at her lower lip. An ache filled her that could only be described as pity.

"Hannah," Kori said lowly as Hannah passed her. Kori reached out to take hold of Hannah's arm only to be gently pushed away.

"I'm fine," The corners of Hannah's mouth twitched as she failed to form a smile, "You're coming to dinner, right? I'd rather just talk later if that's okay."

Kori hummed, "Sure, Hannah. Later then?"

"Later," Hannah nodded before walking towards were Sam waited.

Hannah reached up and pulled her lanyard with her car keys attached from her neck. She said something to Beth before tossing the lanyard toward her. Without saying anything else, Hannah climbed into Sam's white Jeep and waited for Sam to join her.

Sam and Beth both sent confused looks to one another before looking at Kori. Kori answered their looks by pointing her finger in the direction of Mike and Emily. Sam's shoulders visibly fell as she took a deep breath before joining Hannah in her vehicle. Beth made a loud gagging noise as she glared in the direction Kori was pointing in.

Arms reached around Kori and took the video camera from her hands, "Thanks, Babe. Are you ready to go?"

"Yep. Ready when you guys are," Kori stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss to Josh's jaw before allowing him to lead her toward his car.

Kori forced her mind to push its worries away. She was determined to enjoy her winter break and she would do everything she could to assure Hannah did as well.