Rachel and Sarah were waiting patiently at the end of the Dark Horse tavern, at their group’s usual table behind the pool tables.

Rachel was elegant as ever, her tall frame and porcelain, immaculately clean, skin exuded an air of sophistication from a long forgotten time. Her brunette hair, dyed to closer to a dark blue hung loose over her shoulders, with light curls at the end that accentuated her blue eyes which seemed to pierce into you with their gaze. She wore a professional looking but comfortable white blouse to go with her black pants. She looked around the bar antsy waiting for her the rest to arrive. The dingy bar that they hung out in was definitely not her first choice, but food and drink were cheap and she respected that her less well-off college friends would find that a priority.

Sitting next to Rachel, leaning her head into Rachel’s shoulder was Sarah. Unlike her partner, Sarah’s skin was notably tan in a very splotchy way. Her blonde hair, while well put together, had some split ends that appeared to be permanently in place, and she had dull weary brown eyes. She was more casual than Rachel, going for her usual vespa biker look. A plaid red and black plaid button up shirt and ripped blue jeans. Of course there was also the elegant necklace around her neck. Seemingly on singular circular piece of metal with an o-ring dangling down the front. While it appeared as a solid piece of metal it did have a hidden clasp at the back, only operated with a special key that Rachel kept on her at all times. It was a gift from Rachel to Sarah and marked Sarah, however subtly, as Rachel’s submissive pet. Despite the seriousness of the relationship, the dynamic rarely reared its head among their friends.

“They’re coming, calm down,” Sarah reassured her girlfriend as she played with her phone while her head rested on Rachel’s shoulder. The phone was a gift from Rachel, being the heiress to the company that made them, Wollingtech, she had plenty to spare. Notably Sarah’s came with several parental restrictions which Rachel used to monitor Sarah’s activity. Rachel huffed in response to Sarah’s attitude but chose not to make a big deal about it this time.

“I’m nervous. This has to go well. It’s crucial for our you-know-what.” Rachel whispered toward the end.

“Relax,” Sarah said calmly. “For one being on edge might clue Riley in to something being up, but more importantly no one is going to say no to a most expenses paid trip to a ski lodge.”

“I suppose you have a point,” Rachel huffed. Her annoyed look conveyed her general attitude whenever a difference between her upbringing and her friend’s upbringing reared its head. She didn’t have time to express this frustration as they were greeted by the somewhat high pitched nasally greeting of Tara.

Tara dressed as usual in the bare minimum for what would be considered clothes to wear outside. This time it was on oversized sweatshirt that hung loosely off one of her shoulders revealing her brown skinned shoulder and a pink bra strap and some jean shorts that showed off her dark brown skinned legs. Her curly hair was done up in a ponytail and her thin glasses magnified her brown eyes.

“Hey guys,” Tara said taking a seat at the opposite end of the table from Rachel. Coming in right behind Tara was her roommate Patty.

Patty’s caramel colored skin shown through the holes in her jeans, holes notably not there for fashion and holes that permeated into the white band t-shirt she was wearing. The bangs of her dirty blonde hair fell over her blue eyes, and the rest of her hair fell wherever it wanted to.

“Hey guys,” Patty said taking a seat next to Tara. “Sorry Rachel I lost track of time and just threw some clothes on.”

“It’s quite all right dear,” Rachel said with a smile. “I just don’t want others to judge you immediately, you know you don’t have to dress nice for me if you don’t want to.”

“Probably would have known what time it is if you laid off the weed,” Sarah said not looking up from her phone. Patty let out a single laugh in response.

“Guilty as charged,” she smirked as she leaned back in her chair.

“Sarah comin out swinging today,” Tara swung her arms back in forth to emphasize her point. Rachel silently pressed a button on her phone that locked Sarah out of the game she was playing. Sarah shot Rachel a quick glare. “And there’s the comeback from Mistress Rachel just as quick,” Tara was nothing if not observant and had enough knowledge to recognize Sarah’s collar for what it was when she got it. Rachel and Sarah both blushed as the interaction was called out.

“That’s what you get for knockin your own supplier Sarah,” Patty added in with a chuckle. “Speaking of in walks customer number two,” Patty had gestured to Annabelle who had just made her way in.

Annabelle was wearing some blue jeans and a green hoodie that was left unbuttoned to show the white tank top underneath. Her blonde hair was in a functional bun and her bangs were brushed out of the way of her blue eyes. Her complexion had a light tan to it, though no one knew, even Anabelle herself, knew if this was due to her genes or her spending time in the sun.

“You ain’t gotta broadcast that to everyone Patty,” Annabelle playfully gave Patty a punch in the arm before sitting down next to her.

“Jeez A.J. you been working out?” Patty complained rubbing her forearm.

“Just working hard,” Annabelle replied.

“I hope we’re not late,” Came the booming voice of Riley as she approached the table.

Riley was somewhat stereotypically wearing her uniform from the lacrosse team. A short sleeve jersey shirt that alternated between grey and white vertical stripes that were Armor College’s school colors. Embroidered on the top right was the school’s mascot the armored knight. This was a more serious rendition of the character a very detailed looking of a warrior in a suit of armor that held a lance up by his chest in salute shot from a profile. The black jersey shorts were less detailed. Her black hair was in a bun and was slightly matted with sweat as was the area around her green eyes and on the rest of her slightly darker than caramel skin.

Behind Riley was Fara who lightly bounced as she followed Riley to the table. Fara’s skin was as pale as her hair was red, and it caused her blue eyes to contrast and pop. She dressed what at first glance appears casual. A green hoodie worn loosely over a grey shirt with some red word that was written in a way that no one could make out what it said and some black denim jeans. The pop of her outfit was a pink mini back pack that had two tiny bunny ears at the top. Her long hair was done into short twin tails. The outfit was in reality carefully planned to look like Fara had just thrown it together but the keen eye would note that it was much too fashionable to be the case.

Riley took a seat next to Tara and Fara took one next to Sarah. Riley instinctually put her arm over Fara’s chair so her hand rested between Fara and Sarah. Fara glanced nervously at Sarah as if looking for a comment but Sarah just smiled.

“Back from practice?” Sarah asked innocuously.

“Yup.”

“Do the fightin’ knights have any chance beating the Bears this weekend?” Patty asked with comically fake enthusiasm.

“Well Armor College is an honor’s college, so we usually don’t win any sport,” Riley paused for a moment to gaze quickly at everyone gathered around the table. “But with me carrying the team I think we stand a chance.”

“Wow you’re a real um… um…” Tara snapped her fingers irritably. “Dang it I don’t remember any famous lacrosse players,” Tara delivered her line sarcastically.

“Hey just because it’s not a nerd book doesn’t mean it’s not popular,” Riley said throwing her hands up slightly. Tara giggled knowing she had gotten Riley riled up. “Oh you stupid half pint,” Riley said laughing having realized she took Tara’s bait.

“Ok well now that everyone is here,” Rachel said standing up to get everyone’s attention. “I wanted to propose a little idea Sarah and I were cooking up. I was thinking we could all take a little trip together out to Colorado over winter break.”

“Sounds fun,” Patty leaned in as she spoke.

“I dunno,” Riley responded leaning back. “It’s a bit short notice.”

“Plus I don’t think I’ve got Colorado ski trip money laying around,” Annabelle added.

“Please friends, money is not a concern,” Rachel said moving her hands in a calming manner. “The cabin I have in mind is one we use for company retreats, it won’t cost us a dime to stay there for the break. All you have to worry about is bringing food, and I have enough funds to manage that if I need to.”

“That sounds great!” Fara exclaimed leaning closer to Rachel.

“I can’t just carve out three weeks of my life for a ski trip,” Riley said whipping her head to the side.

“Oh come on,” Tara said exasperated at Riley’s antics. “When are you gonna get a chance like this again.”

“I’ve been once,” Sarah added. “The place is pretty legit.” Riley sighed and rolled her eyes.

“I’ll send you all the information so you can decide for yourselves,” Rachel said digging into her small purse. “I had a brochure in here somewhere.”

“I know you’ve got me interested,” Tara said quickly. “I’ve never been on a ski trip, but they always sound fun in the stories I read.”

“Me too!” Fara added. “It’ll be just like a real episode of Moe Ski Squad.”

“Uh huh,” Tara replied, her enthusiasm slightly reduced at Fara’s comparison.

“I’ll have to take vacation from work,” Annabelle said checking her phone. “Isn’t Colorado like crazy cold?”

“Colder than Arkansas,” Patty answered. “Not that that’s saying much.”

“You can always stay inside if you want to,” Sarah pointed out, she leaned in to the table a little as the excitement in her speech grew. “It’s got this crazy awesome game room in the basement, and all kinds of rooms to just hang out in.”

“Also weed’s legal there,” Patty pointed out with a smirk.

“That too,” Sarah pointed knowingly at Patty. “I assume that means your down.”

“Hell yeah,” Patty exclaimed, though she still was sitting lazily in her chair. “You think I’ll get in trouble if I bring some back.”

“Definitely,” Tara answered with confidence.

“I guess I’ll go if everyone else is going,” Annabelle said crossing her arms. “So Riley?” Annabelle asked as Riley was the only one who hadn’t answered.

“Here’s the brochure,” Rachel handed the once folded brochure to Riley. The brochure was full of small snapshots of the house’s game room, one of the bedrooms, and some of the attractions nearby.

“Come on Riley please,” Fara said leaning into Riley’s shoulder. “It’ll be fun.”

“Oh fine,” Riley said tossing the brochure into the middle of the table. Tara immediately picked it up and began examining it.

“Thank you thank you,” Fara said hugging her friend. “You’ll have fun you’ll see.”

“Oooo I’m so excited,” Rachel squealed and happily raised her hands to her head. “I’ve always wanted to do a girl’s trip like this.”

The conversation of the group drifted toward how everyone’s day had gone, several girls sharing stories from classes that they shared that were at different times, and they all briefly reminisced about their time as a Spanish one study group as they feasted on the tavern’s signature lamb chop pizza. As the pizza slowly disappeared everyone began to go their separate ways. Tara and Patty were the first to go as they had to walk back to their shared dorm room.

“See you guys,” Patty shouted as the door shut behind her.

“I think I’m staying for a drink or two,” Annabelle commented. “Ya’ll go on without me.”

“Suit yourself,” Riley said with a wave as the four remaining girls made their way to the parking lot. Riley trudged on to her car, a very used compact, expecting Fara to follow her, but she was shocked when Fara was walking with Rachel and Sarah. “You’re not coming.”

“Oh I’m sorry,” Fara said turning around and approaching Riley. “Rachel and Sarah invited me over tonight. I thought hanging out with them beats being alone in my apartment.”

“Well you can hang out with me at my parents place with me if you want.”

“I hang out with you and your parents all the time Riley. No offense but I need more friends than just you.”

“No no that’s fine I just,” Riley looked over Fara’s shoulder to see where Rachel and Sarah were. The two were out of earshot talking on the other side of Rachel’s new luxury suv. “Are you sure you want to hang out with Sarah around? You remember how she was in high school.”

“That was high school Riley,” Fara’s thoughts drifted to a particular video on her phone as she continued talking. “I know it’s hard to believe but Sarah’s really changed and I trust her. She’s not going to hurt me like that again.” Riley glanced at Sarah in the distance and back to Fara. “I’ll be fine,” Fara reassured sensing her friends doubt.

“If you say so,” Riley said rubbing the back of her head. “You’re an adult, hang out with who you want to just don’t expect me to spend quality time with your old school bully.”

“Thank you,” Fara said twirling on the ball of her feet. Riley got into her car as Fara skipped over to Rachel and Sarah.

“Everything ok?” Sarah asked.

“Just saying good night to Riley,” Fara said with a smile. Riley’s car was pulling out of the parking lot as she said this.

“She’s still uneasy about me huh?” Sarah correctly read between the lines.

“She’ll come around,” Fara smiled reassuringly.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say she was your mommy,” Rachel said as she unlocked the car. “The way she dotes over you like that.” Sarah shot Rachel a glance and Fara giggled.

“Oh Rachel you’re so funny,” Fara said climbing into the back seat behind Sarah. “I guess that’s not too far off though she is pretty protective of me.” Rachel and Sarah had gotten in and everyone had shut their doors and buckled. “A little like you and Sarah-pet.”

“Without the benefits,” Rachel added putting the car in gear.

“Or the obligations,” Sarah countered.

“Sometimes I wonder about the obligation part of that,” Fara said as Rachel drove the car out of the parking lot.