A group of 4

"Don't mess with me Jared," Lilith warned 

"Why not? I haven't seen you in 3 years," Jared said

"Jared, why are you exaggerating?" Philip said, sitting beside Jared 

"Philip, it feels like a long time since Lilith has hung out with us," Jared stated

"Jared, she's a manager of a big company so of course she wouldn't be able to hang out with us," Beatrice stated, walking into the living room

"And I'm a college professor, but I still make time," Jared said

"Jared, just stop. At least I pay back people when I ask for money," Lilith said, a grin on her face 

"Hey look, I paid you back already with this cottage," Jared blushed embarrassed 

"Right…, but I'll accept this as your payment," Lilith nodded 

"Well, now that we're all here. Do ya have any ideas on what to do during these two day?" Beatrice asked

"There's a trail, that we can hike, but we can only go if everyone agrees," Philip said, referring to Lilith 

"I'll do it," Lilith said, sitting up straighter, "I need to move my body and get healthy,"

"Wow, Lilith finally agreed to a plan," Jared mocked

Lilith grabbed a pillow and threw it at Jared, "Watch your back, Jared. You might not make it out alive,"

"You wouldn't dare," Jared smirked, holding the pillow in front of him

"Okay, that's enough" Beatrice clapped her hands, "I came up with a few plans we can do," Beatrice took out a piece of paper, "There not anything big or expensive, just affordable and fun,"

"What is it?" Lilith asked

"Well, we can make our own pizzas. Or go to the flower field. Or to the waterfall," Beatrice read off the list

"Wait! There's a waterfall," Jared said in amazement 

"Yeah, I was surprised also, but we can go there but the bad part is we have to walk," 

"Well, I'm up for anything," Lilith said, clapping her hands, "But I'll need to catch up on my sleep and I think the wilderness will help soothe my stress and emotions,"

"Me too. I've been so stress grading all my students papers," Jared mocked Lilith, dramatically resting his arm over his eyes 

"Lilith, don't take him serious. He's just happy that your finally here," Philip said, smiling

"I know. He's just mad at me for not being his plus one to a arcade party," 

"Wait, seriously?" Beatrice said, shocked

"Yeah. There was going to be a huge prize at the end for the winner who won multiple games. I was suppose to go, but that day, work was hectic and everyone had to stay overtime," Lilith explained, "I'm sorry, Jared. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that, but you gotta understand, I have my own life to care for,"

"Jared, just forgive her. She didn't do anything wrong," Philip said

"I forgive you, Lilith, but understand that prize was a limited edi-,"

"JARED!" Beatrice and Philip yelled at him

"Dang, sorry," Jared slouched into his seat

"Now, that's over. Who's hungry?" Beatrice asked

"Me! I could eat 2 boxes of pizza right now," Lilith said, raising her hand and standing up

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"So, how long is the trail?" Beatrice asked, tying her shoes

"4 miles," Philip said, checking his backpack

"Oh god, there isn't hills right?" Lilith asked, stretching 

"There is, but it'll be easy and people have said the scenery is beautiful," Philip reassured her

"I'm trusting you, Philip," Lilith said, pointing at him

"Yeah, Philip. We're trusting you," Jared said, putting on his headband, "If I trip and cut myself, your carrying me the rest of the way,"

"Jared, your not supposed to be the dramatic queen. It's supposed to be me or Lilith," Beatrice stated

"Lilith is the dramatic queen while I'm, moi, the dramatic King," Jared explained 

"Oh god," Beatrice groan

"Okay, that's enough talking. Let's get to hiking," Philip said, standing up and tightening the strap on his backpack

"Just to forewarn everyone, I'm going to be in the back since I'm the slowest and less athletic," Lilith forewarned them

"I'll be right beside you," Jared said, standing beside her

"Oh no, I already know you Jared, so keep your distance from me," Lilith shook her head, pushing him away

"Lilith, you really think I'll put you in harms way?" Jared said, hurt, "I'm more scared of hiking since there's uneven ground, bugs, and so many other things,"

"Okay then, I'll let you walk beside me, but no scaring me," Lilith stated, narrowing her eyes at him

"Aye, aye, captain!" Jared saluted

"Okay, my ducklings follow me," Philip clapped

Beatrice, Jared, and Lilith followed Philip, being careful of where they walked. The scenery was beautiful and calming, but once they got up to the top of the hill, they were amazed. There was a stream that went beside the hill with flowers and grass engraving the ground. 

"Wow!" They awed, staring at the scenery 

They continued on the trail and arrived back at the cottage. They sat outside to cool themselves down, but Jared went inside and came back out with a jug of water.

"Don't judge me. I'm dehydrated," Jared took a gulp of the water

They stayed outside until one after one went inside to take a shower. Lilith stayed outside to admire the nature around her. It has been a hard few months for her as her job needed more of her time and patience. She had to give up her freetime to overwork and study. 

"Lilith, the bathrooms open," Jared said, walking out, drying his hair with a towel

"I'll be right there. I just want to stay outside for a little more," Lilith said 

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jared asked, sitting down beside her

"You know how it is. Working nonstop to only be depressed and exhausted afterwards," Lilith sighed, closing her eyes and lifting her head up to the sky

"Why were you overworking yourself, Lilith? I know your a dedicated worker, but why were you working nonstop?" Jared asked

"There was a position open and I've been wanting that position for a long time, so I work and work, trying to impress my supervisors, but it didn't work out. The person who got the position was younger than me and barely even worked there for 2 years. If you can tell, I was dismotivated and depressed until you called me saying were going on a vacation. I was ready, so thank you, Jared," Lilith explained 

"Hey, I've known you since middle school so I know when there's something going on with you," Jared said, playfully shoving her shoulder 

"That you do, but I think I gotta take a shower before Beatrice comes out and drags me inside," Lilith stood up and stretched 

"Yeah, you stink," Jared covered his nose

"Shut up," Lilith playfully kicked his thigh and walked inside 

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"No offense, but who puts spam on their pizza?" Philip asked, disgusted

"Me. Now stop judging me," Jared said, glaring at Philip 

"Jared once ate 4 cans of Spam by himself," Lilith stated, laughing 

"What, really?" Beatrice said, amused

"Yes, he couldn't find anything good to eat and he has always liked Spam, so he decided to eat all the Spam he found which lead to him getting into trouble and having a stomachache," Lilith laughed 

"Oh my god," Philip laughed

"Hey! Spam is good, don't judge," Jared frowned

"I think your the only person who likes Spam that much to eat 4 cans," Lilith said

They continued to talk and fix their pizzas before putting it in the oven then going into the living room to watch a movie. Once their pizza was done, they ate and watched a movie, enjoying their time together as its been a long time since the 4 of them hung out together.

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"The waterfall is close, guys," Beatrice said as they walked up the steps 

They continued up the stairs then walked the path to the bridge that stood by the waterfall. 

"Wow!" All of them said, once they saw the waterfall

There were other people, but they stayed where they were, just admiring the fall. The mist hitting them, but it was refreshing.

They took pictures together, individually or as a couple. They went back to the cottage, Jared and Philip went to Jared's room to play video games while Beatrice and Lilith went to the living room to talk and watch a drama. 

The stay at the cottage made their friendship stronger and made them realized that it's okay to take time off and leave the world behind to enjoy themselves. It was only them in that cottage.