Chapter 10: X

Chapter 10: Weekend Getaway

The weekend arrived with a welcome change of pace. After a week filled with lectures, project meetings, and the ongoing adjustments to her new life in college, Riley was ready for a break. Sam had messaged her earlier in the week with an idea to escape for a little while—a weekend trip to a nearby lakeside cabin. It wasn’t far, just a couple of hours’ drive, but it promised a much-needed change of scenery and a chance to unwind.

Sam had been insisting on this for days, sending her enthusiastic messages about getting away from the campus chaos and enjoying the fresh air. Jordan had backed him up, promising the trip would be just what everyone needed.

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Riley had asked, laughing at Sam’s relentless messages.

"I've planned this for weeks," Sam had responded, sending her a voice note of him dramatically exclaiming how they all deserved a break. "We’re going, no excuses."

And so, Riley found herself on Saturday morning packing a bag for the weekend trip. She wasn’t sure what to expect but was looking forward to spending some time with Sam and Jordan, even if it was a little awkward with Elena lingering in her thoughts.

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The drive to the cabin was filled with easygoing chatter and music. Sam, as always, took the front seat with Jordan next to him, while Riley sat in the back, watching the world blur by through the window. There was a sense of anticipation hanging in the air, an excitement that Riley wasn’t sure she fully understood. She didn’t know what it was about this trip, but something told her it would be significant.

“So, you excited for the weekend?” Jordan asked, glancing over his shoulder at Riley.

“Yeah,” she replied, giving a slight smile. “I think it'll be nice to get out of the city for a bit.”

“I’ve got some games lined up for the weekend,” Sam said with a smirk. “A little competition never hurt anyone, right?”

“Of course not,” Riley teased, raising an eyebrow. “What’s the point of going if we can’t turn everything into a competition?”

Jordan laughed, shaking his head. “I’m just here to relax and not get too competitive. You know, enjoy nature.”

“That’s true,” Sam agreed with mock seriousness. “But we all know what happens when you throw a ball in front of Jordan.”

Riley chuckled. It was easy to feel at ease with Sam and Jordan. They had a way of making things feel light, even when the air was thick with unspoken tensions. As they got closer to the cabin, Riley’s thoughts drifted to the weekend’s guest list.

Elena had agreed to come, which surprised Riley, but at the same time, she had to admit it was kind of nice. She hadn’t had much time to talk to Elena outside of their project work, and the idea of spending a weekend with her, even in the presence of friends, made Riley’s heart flutter nervously.

It didn’t help that Elena would be bringing Maya along. The two of them had been inseparable in high school, and while Riley wasn’t exactly worried about Maya, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Maya would somehow bring a different energy to the group. She hoped it wouldn’t be awkward.

As the car turned onto a dirt road leading into the woods, Riley glanced at Sam, who was in his usual energetic state.

“Are we almost there?” Riley asked.

“Yep! Just a few more minutes,” Sam replied, grinning widely.

“Good, because I think I’m going to be sick from all these twists and turns,” Jordan added, laughing.

Eventually, the car came to a stop in front of a charming log cabin nestled against the lake, surrounded by towering trees. The place looked like it belonged in a magazine, with large windows looking out over the water and a wooden deck that promised hours of lounging under the sun.

“This is incredible,” Riley said, stepping out of the car and stretching her legs.

“We’re just getting started,” Sam said as he grabbed his bag. “Wait until you see the inside. You’ll love it.”

By the time they finished unloading their bags, Elena and Maya had arrived in their own car, and Riley found herself walking toward them as Elena stepped out of the passenger side.

Elena smiled at Riley, her expression warm but a little guarded, as though unsure of how to approach after their last interaction at the library. Riley felt a pang in her chest, unsure of how things would be between them now, but she tried to push the thought aside.

“Hey,” Riley greeted, trying to keep her voice light.

“Hey, Riley,” Elena replied, her tone soft but sincere.

Maya, who had been quietly unpacking the trunk, gave Riley a friendly wave. “It’s so nice to see you again. I’m glad you could make it!”

“Yeah, same here,” Riley said, smiling at Maya. She and Maya hadn’t interacted much in high school, but she remembered her as one of Elena’s closest friends—always the one who seemed to balance Elena’s calm energy with fierceness.

A moment later, a car door slammed, and Riley turned to see Danny, Jordan’s best friend and a member of the football team, walking toward the group with a relaxed grin on his face.

“Finally!” he said, shaking his head. “I thought you guys would never get here.” He looked at Elena, giving her a warm smile. “Glad to see you made it, Elena.”

Elena smiled back, a little awkwardly, before she shifted her gaze back to Riley. Danny was friendly enough, but Riley couldn’t help but notice the way he looked at Elena—like he was definitely into her, though he was good at masking it.

“Hey, Riley,” Danny said, offering her a casual greeting before walking over to join Jordan, who was already getting the grill ready for some weekend fun.

Riley felt a small wave of unease wash over her as she realized that this weekend wouldn’t just be about relaxation. There was a subtle tension between everyone, and the presence of Danny—who was clearly interested in Elena—only added to it.

Elena, on the other hand, seemed to be handling the situation well. She was already in conversation with Maya, her laughter ringing through the air as she chatted with her best friend. Riley watched them for a moment, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Despite the friendly atmosphere, Riley couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything that had happened recently. She hadn’t even had a chance to figure out what Elena’s slip of the tongue meant. Was she overthinking it, or was there something more to it?

As they all made their way into the cabin, Riley couldn’t shake the feeling that this weekend—this trip—would be pivotal. Whether it was for her relationship with Elena or for the dynamics of the group as a whole, something was bound to shift.

And no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, Riley couldn’t deny the growing sense that everything between her and Elena was about to change.