Page 38 of HER SISTER

"I can't wait to win this year's contest," Ryder said as we loaded up the two different SUVs.

Our entire friend group was here—Ryder, Frankie, Willow, Marco, Damon, Cam, and Arielle.

The only person that I anticipated to show up was Mili.

"Oh come on—your gingerbread house falls apart every year Ry," Frankie pointed out.

Ryder only shrugged, "This year I have a secret weapon," he said.

Damon gave him a skeptical look, "And what's that?"

"Super glue."

And just like that, we all burst out into laughter—even I couldn't help but fall into the laughter as well.

"Mental note to not eat Ryder's gingerbread house this year," Willow said, laughing more to herself.

Ryder only shrugged, "You guys are laughing until I win," he retorted as Marco closed the trunk of one of the SUVs.

Cam patted Ryder's chest, "Trust me, you can have the win," she said as they all began sliding into one of the chauffeured SUVs.

Mya motioned me over to their SUV, "You're stuck with us," she joked as we all began sliding into the other spacious SUV.

I ended up riding with Mya, Damon, Arielle, and Frankie while Ryder, Marco, Willow, and Cam rode in the other car.

And as I remained seated in the soft seat, I could only wonder where Mili was.

Maybe running behind?

I peered out of the tinted window as the driver navigated the car away from the curb, "So how long is the drive up?" I questioned.

Mya looked up from her bright phone, "It's close to two hours—but Mili said it was an hour and a half for her without traffic, so hopefully we don't run into any," she said, and even hearing her name was enough to send my thoughts into a frenzy.

Mili already left?

Was that purposeful?

Did she not want to ride with us?

Or more like me?

I shook my head to myself, we're not together and I don't blame her for driving up solo—it saves us both the awkwardness.

"Apparently it's already snowing," Damon said as he looked at his weather app.

Arielle leaned into him, "It already sounds so amazing," she determined.

Frankie nodded, "Hopefully Mili makes her hot chocolate again this year," she said, and yet again, my stomach was twisting in knots.

So Mili makes hot chocolate too?

At this point, I'm beginning to think she's just naturally good in the kitchen.

Damon hummed, "That sounds so fucking good right now," he agreed with Frankie.

Mya only shook her head, "No what we need is her blueberry pancakes," she said.

I laughed slightly, recalling what Mili had told me about Mya and how she always requests her pancakes.

I suddenly cleared my throat when everyone looked over at me, clearly confused by what I was laughing at, "You guys sound so hungry right now," I forced out, hoping that was a decent explanation.

And when Mya suddenly laughed along with everyone else, I felt my tense body relax slightly.

"That's so true—who's up for In and Out?" Mya said, and just like that everyone was nodding and murmuring words of agreement.

I hummed in excitement, "I've never had In and Out before," I said, easily earning dramatic gasps from everyone.

"Girl we're about to change your life," Arielle said.

Frankie nodded, "In and Out is like heaven in Cali," she said.

Mya nudged me slightly, "I'm so excited that you could come with us," she said.

I leaned into her, "Me too," I admitted, knowing I was growing excited for this last-minute trip.

Even if I dreaded seeing Mili.

—

The long driveway was extremely curvy and completely uphill.

The driveway was lined with glistening snow and tall lights which were already turned on due to the sun setting beautifully on the horizon.

As we grew closer and closer to the top, the view of the snow-dusted mountains grew clearer and clearer, and I swore I had never seen something so beautiful.

The large cabin was huge—the front of it that overlooked the snowy mountains was made up of windows while a large deck was situated beyond the windows with outdoor sectionals and a fire pit.

When the car curved around the front, I was able to take in the back—or technically the front of the house which had three garages extended from it and a tall wooden front door.

"Ah I've missed this place," Frankie said as the SUV came to a halt.

Soon we were unbuckling our seatbelts and getting out of the SUV to grab our bags.

And as soon as we entered the large cabin, my jaw was on the floor.

Mostly because of the view from the wall of windows.

The sunset was so unexplainably beautiful.

The living area was completely open—from the modern yet cozy kitchen to the long dining room table and sectional couch that sat on a furry rug in front of a large TV and stone fireplace.

Mya suddenly grabbed my arm, guiding us up the wooden stairs that sat to the left of the entrance.

I carefully rolled my suitcase up the wide staircase that curved midway before we reached one of the levels.

Some of our friends stayed while others climbed the next set of stairs—clearly going to their usual rooms.

"This is your level—Arielle and Damon are next to you, Frankie is on the other side of them, and Ryder is across from them," Mya explained as she opened my room door.

And I couldn't help but smile as I took in the cozy room which had more than enough space.

I could already see the beautiful view from the set of windows.

"Everyone else is above you, like me, Cam, Willow, and Marco—Mili is also on the very top floor," Mya said, and I couldn't help but zone into the fact that Mili's room was a couple of floors above mine, "And my parent's room is on the other side of the house—hopefully they'll be back from the store soon, so you can meet them. "

I nodded, feeling slightly nervous to even meet their parents, "Sounds good."

I've always been super nervous to meet anyone new, but after getting to know them—I warm up to them fairly quickly.

"Great, get situated and we'll all meet back downstairs for gingerbread houses," Mya said, and I didn't hesitate to nod as she backed out of the room.

Soon she was out of my room entirely, closing the tall wooden door behind her as I rolled my suitcase further into the room.

Everything about this room was perfect—from the bed that faced the windows displaying the beautiful mountains to the fireplace nestled by the corner.

I swear I could stay here forever.

Maybe missing out on my own family's Christmas really was a blessing in disguise.

I smiled slightly as I took in the picture-perfect view in front of me before looking down at my suitcase that needed to be unpacked.

Especially since I would be here for two more weeks while the rest of our friend group left in a couple of days on Sunday.

Soon I was finished unpacking, allowing me some time to freshen up.

I kept on my black sweatpants and cropped UCLA t-shirt which left my toned stomach exposed—although, I left my puffer jacket off and slid on my black Ugg slippers.

I hummed to myself as I pulled my dark hair into a high ponytail before looking down at my buzzing phone which was undoubtedly from our friend group chat.

I laughed slightly as I locked my phone and slid it into my sweatpants pocket before heading out of my room.

And as expected everyone was standing around the large kitchen island that had gingerbread house kits on it.

Our teams felt a little obvious—me and Mya, Arielle and Damon, Willow and Marco, Ryder and Cam, and Frankie offered to work alone since it would be better for her.

"Hand over the super glue," Willow said to Ryder.

Cam gave her a narrowed look, "Oh come on—it won't hurt anything," she pointed out.

"Oh, but didn't you say it was cheating," Damon retorted, easily causing Cam and Ryder to subtly exchange looks.

And the action alone earned a few laughs from all of us.

Mya suddenly looked past us, "Mili—come join us for gingerbread houses."

And just like that, I was looking up a little too quickly, finally laying eyes on her after two months of being apart from her.