It started as a simple idea.
"A weekend away," Steve suggested on Thursday afternoon, his arm casually draped around Michelle's shoulders. "Just us."
Michelle grinned. "Like the cabin?"
"Sort of," he replied. "But this time… let's take Lila and Jordan too. I think they need a break from campus as much as we do."
Michelle's smile widened. "A double getaway?"
Steve leaned in with a playful smirk. "You, me, a lakeside Airbnb, a cozy fire pit, and our two favorite people."
She laughed. "Let's do it."
Road Trip Vibes
Friday afternoon, the car was packed with snacks, cozy blankets, and way too many playlists. Jordan was driving, Lila riding shotgun with oversized sunglasses and a speaker in her lap, already dancing to the beat.
In the backseat, Michelle leaned against Steve, their fingers entwined.
"This is the kind of thing I always wanted," she whispered.
"What — a road trip?"
"No," she said, smiling. "Friends. Laughter. Something that feels like... belonging."
Steve kissed the top of her head. "You've got it now."
Lakeside Escape
The cabin was even more perfect than the photos.
Surrounded by tall pines, with a view of the lake glittering in the afternoon sun, it had a wraparound porch, hammocks, and a small fire pit out back.
"Dibs on the room with the window seat!" Lila shouted as soon as they entered.
"Too late!" Michelle called back, running upstairs with her bag.
Jordan laughed. "They're gonna fight over aesthetics."
Steve raised an eyebrow. "You want to arm wrestle for the last room?"
Jordan grinned. "I'm taller. You'd lose."
"Fair," Steve muttered, grinning.
Dinner, Laughter, and Sparks
That evening, they cooked pasta together. Michelle stirred the sauce while Lila chopped garlic, and Steve and Jordan battled over who was the better grill master.
Spoiler: neither won. The steaks were slightly burnt, but no one cared.
After dinner, they sat around the fire with marshmallows and wine.
Lila leaned her head on Jordan's shoulder. "I'm glad you're not just some pretty boy with good taste in jackets."
Jordan chuckled. "You think my jacket is what brought me here?"
"No," she said softly. "It's your heart."
Michelle smiled, her fingers brushing Steve's. He looked at her like she was the only one in the world.
They didn't need to speak. It was all there in that look.
Stars and Questions
Later, the four of them lay in a row on blankets outside, staring up at the stars.
"Do you think we'll still be friends in ten years?" Lila asked.
Jordan replied first. "Only if we still do road trips."
"Deal," Steve said.
Michelle turned her face toward the sky. "I hope we're all happy then. Not just pretending. Actually happy."
Steve turned on his side to face her. "What does happiness look like for you?"
She thought for a moment.
"Waking up next to someone who knows me. Coffee. Laughter. Honesty. A life where I feel safe enough to be messy and real."
Steve didn't say anything. He just pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
Morning Whispers
The next morning, Michelle woke early. Steve was still asleep, his arm wrapped around her waist.
She slipped out quietly and tiptoed to the porch.
The lake was still. Mist hovered just above the water.
Lila was already there, wrapped in a blanket with a mug in her hands.
Michelle sat beside her.
"Thank you," Lila said.
"For what?"
"For being the kind of person who makes me want to be better. And for reminding me that love doesn't always come loud. Sometimes it's quiet and steady. Like Steve. Like you."
Michelle smiled, leaning her head on Lila's shoulder.
"We're lucky, huh?"
"Yeah," Lila whispered. "We really are."