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MULTIFUNCTIONAL LIMES

FALLON

E veryone makes their way into the cabin, and I must say…

it’s pretty perfect. It’s an open concept floor plan, with all the bedrooms off to the side.

There’s fuzzy blankets everywhere, and a wood burning fireplace in the living room.

It feels cozy. However, I can’t shake the feeling something bad has happened here, the vibes are off in a subtle but uncomfortable way.

I try to blame it on the superstitions in this part of the mountains, or the fact it’s a couple days away from a full moon, but it does nothing to settle the feeling.

After dropping my bags in a room of my choosing, I make myself comfortable on the couch. Watching as Summer starts digging through her purse, letting out a frustrated huff. “What’s the matter?” I ask.

“I was looking for my sage, but I must have left it on my altar. Do you think they have any at the store? I’d like to try to lift the heavy feeling I felt as soon as I walked through the door,” Summer replies.

Glad to know I’m not alone in the ominous feeling department. “No, I don’t think the hick-run corner store sells white sage.”

“Damn it,” Summer grumbles, moving to the kitchen to stand next to Amber. They mumble to each other, and since I can’t make out what they’re saying, I let my head rest back against the sofa.

“Fine!” Amber snaps, and my eyes shoot open. Whipping my head back in the direction of the kitchen, I watch Amber shove half the limes over to Summer, who just smiles like she won the lottery.

I yell over to them, “I should have known y’all two would already be prepping to drink.”

Amber takes the large knife from Summer before she cuts off a finger, and hands her a smaller one.

Summer has the audacity to look offended, but we all know she would’ve somehow managed to cut herself.

She looks over at me. “You judgmental twat, I’m cutting up the limes to try a new protection spell I found.

” Summer points the knife at Amber, who’s cutting limes and grinding them in a juicer. “She’s prepping the drinks.”

I don’t even bother replying, because as soon as that sentence comes out of her mouth, Summer is pouring everyone a shot of tequila, and opening a couple of those alcoholic teas as a chaser.

Why can’t I have normal friends?

Dusk is closing in by the time Summer has us all finishing up with her spell, placing the limes with cloves and salt by each window. I’m dragging ass, but all I want to do is light a fire in the pit, and sink into the hot tub.

I yell out to the girls, “Change into your swim suits and meet me outside!” My voice echoes around the cabin, and their cacophony of replies hurt my ears.

Bridget is the first one out, uselessly “helping” me get the fire started.

When it finally sparks to life, we move to the hot tub, sitting in somewhat comfortable silence.

It’s so peaceful with the gentle breeze, and the crickets chirping, I don’t want to disturb anything just by breathing too loud.

Bridget sits criss cross applesauce, turning towards me. “I just want you to know that I appreciate y’all getting me out of the house. I know I’m not everyone’s favourite person, but this is nice.”

I reach over, patting her on the shoulder to let her know she’s welcome. None of us are big on showing any sort of emotion, and it works for us. It’s not fun letting someone in, then having them turn around and fuck with your head. Friends, significant others, and shit…even family.

I look over towards the house as the others walk out, unable to hold in a laugh at the sight before me.

Each one of the girls has a margarita in their hand, with the exception of Savannah, who’s trying her best not to spill three as she walks over with a joint hanging from her mouth.

I knew they brought those limes for more than just protection spells.

Savannah, Amber, and Summer are the closest thing to family I have right now. I’m not sure what I’d do if something ever happened to them.

We’re all laughing and telling our worst hookup stories when a vehicle pulls up. I’ve watched too many scary movies to not be on edge when Lukas steps out.

“Hey ladies! Sorry for barging in. I just wanted to check in and make sure y'all are settling in nicely.”

Savannah lets out a school girl giggle. “We are settling in sooo nicely,” she slurs. “Thank you.”

Bridget pipes up, “Since you drove here from who knows where, you might as well join us. I was just about to ask everyone if they wanted to play a game.”

Lukas’s eyebrows shoot up, clearly surprised we extended the offer for him to stay and hangout. “What kind of game?” he asks.

Bridget sits there pondering, because there’s no damn way she was about to ask us to play a game. If anything, she was about to ask us something off the wall like…what’s the biggest dick we’ve ever seen.

Taking her staring at me as a plea for help, I offer the first thing that comes to mind. “What about Never Have I Ever ?” Everyone nods their heads in agreement.

Lukas grabs a lawn chair, dragging it between us in the hot tub and the fire pit.

Directly across from him, Amber sits. She refused to get in the hot tub, and I wonder if she had some sixth sense that he’d come back.

I watch her coldly assess him across the flames as I get ready to ask the first question.