(A/N: I added some parts to this chapter! If I didn’t, the ninth chapter would be REALLY short)

They got to the log cabin with the use of their rented car, a Toyota Vios, and opened it with the key they took from the main cabin (or front desk, whatever you call it). They opened the door to a typical log cabin: the beige couches were at the center, with a carpet in the middle, all facing each other, which were right in front of the green, glass-cased fireplace. The floor was made of wood, and so were the walls (obviously). The rooms were darkly lit, though, so they had to turn the lights on when they brought in their suitcases.

“It’s so good to be finally here,” Mia said, sitting on one of the couches.

“That’s funny…it’s not that cold here.” Bianca said, turning on the electric fireplace.

“That’s because it’s windy in Illinois, so the cold gets circulated.” Rhea explained, expertly. “So…you two up for skiing?” Rhea energetically asked, bringing out her skiing things. Mia could not imagine how Rhea could ski after the exhausting one-hour plane trip (it really was exhausting to wait there until the plane landed!).

“I’m ready! Mia, coming with?” Bianca asked, carrying her set of ski things too, and equally as energetic. ‘Those two are hyper today…’ Mia thought, wondering why.

“Umm, I think I—“

“Oh come on, please? Don’t be a killjoy, Mia!” Rhea interrupted, making a perfect impersonation of Bianca.

“Fine, Let me just get my ski stuff.” Mia surrendered.

The three headed towards the ski lift, after driving to the ski resort and riding the cable car, which had a breath-taking view of the mountain.

“What a long line,” Bianca complained, pouting her lips and playing with the cable car ticket. It had been given to them by the person behind the desk—they cost five dollars each.

Mia sighed and rolled her head, thinking, ‘sometimes, I think I’m the older sister’. She turned around and squinted her eyes, not believing what—rather, who—she saw behind her. The familiar face smirked at her, knowing that she was stunned to see him there. “Alex?” Mia shrieked, unbelievingly.

“Surprised?” he asked, slyly.

“Well anyway, I’m here with my friends. Meet Tom, Dave, Anne and…well, you’ve already met Emma.”

A lanky freckled red head appeared from behind Alex. “hi, I’m Dave.” He said, holding out his hand. Mia shook it.

“And I’m Anne.” A brunette with blue eyes walked up to Mia, smiling and also held out her hand.

“Tom.” Mia shook the hand of a black-haired, green-eyed guy.

Emma and Anne seemed to be with Tom and Dave, respectively. They were all tall, and most probably the most popular students in their school, based only on their looks.

“Next!” Tom and Emma got on the ski lift. Anne and Dave followed, and so did Rhea and Bianca, who were oblivious to the fact that Mia was alone, and gone—again. ‘They are so unfeeling, aren’t they?’ Mia thought, annoyed at the forgetfulness of the two.

“Well, I guess we’re sitting together.” Alex said, helping Mia up the ski lift, and getting on after her. Mia ignored his sneer, practically used to it.

“So how long are you staying?” Alex asked, determined to have a conversation.

“Five days…why so curious?” Mia made an attempt to copy his adorable smirk, unable to, so batted her eyelashes instead.

“My friends and I will be here that long too.” Alex said, Apparently avoiding the question.

“What a horrendous ski trip.” Mia said, quite audibly.

“Tell me about it.” He replied, quite flatly.

“Excuse me?” Mia asked, annoyed.

“Nothing.” Alex always tried to hide his feelings for her, because he knew he had non…right?

“I haven’t skied for seven years…” Mia confessed, suddenly remembering, as they approached the turn-around (A/N: I…don’t know what it’s called? Hehe)

“What? You should’ve tried it out first!” Alex said, suddenly concerned.

“What’s wrong with that?” Mia defended herself.

“You could seriously injure yourself when you jump from the lift! You’re risking your life, here!” Alex panicked.

“Chill…” Mia said, but inside, she started to panic, herself.

“Okay, this is what you’ll do…”

“Hey, I can do this by myself, I don’t need you teaching me.” Mia was about to jump off.

“Wait!” Alex screamed, knowing the consequences of jumping too quickly without grace—she could really hurt herself. “Just remember to land on your skis, or you really might end up hurting yourself. Do you understand Mia? Mia, are you listening to me?” Man, he really sounded worried.

“Okay, I get you.” Mia said, hiding her worry for herself. After all, what good would it do to worry, right? Mia jumped off the ski lift, making sure to land on her skis. Alex followed suit, but he accidentally bumped her, and they both fell over, Alex landing on top of her. Mia’s face was buried in the snow, and Alex rolled her over. He brushed the snow on her face.

“Mia, are you alright?” He asked, shaking her on the snow bed, still on top of her. Alex then observed how beautiful she really was. She wouldn’t notice—her eyes were closed. He noticed her smooth skin and her perfect eyebrows; her eyes outlined a perfect almond shape, and her nose was pointed. But her lips—oh her lips! They were just so red and kissable. He couldn’t help it—he kissed her, taking advantage of her unconsciousness. He could almost feel her lips moving with his, when she pushed him over.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She demanded.

“I thought you needed the kiss of awakening, sleeping beauty.”

“you could’ve taken advantage of me!”

“Actually, I was saving your life.” He covered up his act of lust.

“Whatever.”

“You know, I could teach you how to ski, since you haven’t skied in a long while…”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Maybe I could teach you…” he raised his eyebrows, and she raised one of hers.

“And what do you get in return”

Alex licked his lips seductively, smiling. “Well…”

“Well what?” Mia asked, expectantly, mad that he would think such a thing.

“You’ll see.”

Mia pondered upon this, annoyed that he didn’t answer the question directly.

“Okay, since we have to ski down the slope, I guess I’ll have to teach you how to ski—now.” Alex said, as he started their first ‘lesson’.

“How?” Mia asked, nervous.

“I thought you skied when you were a kid?”

“They didn’t allow me on the high slope or on the ski lift when I was a kid!”

“I guess I’ll have to start with the real basics of skiing then, don’t I?” Alex said, sighing and looking annoyed, but inside, he was glad he gets to spend more time with Mia.

“I guess you do.” Mia said, triumphantly.

“So with these,” Alex pointed to the ski poles. “You use them to push you forward, so that you can ski. Understand?”

“Okay I knew that part, Alex.” Mia glared, knowing he was mocking her, and she was right: he smirked again.

“Fine. Just do what you did when you were a kid down this slope. It’ll be pretty easy. It’s just steeper this time. You have no other choice, because you rode the ski lift, and this is your consequence.”

“I wanted to know where it went!”

Alex stared at her, bewildered—that was odd. It was as if she was a little kid!

“So anyway, I’ll be with you all the way—beside you. Don’t go to fast, though. Use the poles to either make you go faster or slower.”

“Okay. Here I go!” Mia pushed herself and skied down the slope. She felt really good.

From beside Mia, Alex saw she was having fun. Her bonnet was on her head, so only the ends of her hair were resisting the wind. He could see her eyes through her clear goggles, which were squinting as she smiled. He liked the way she looked, really. Everything about her was perfect. She was witty, pretty and sexy.

The slope ended, and she was blissful.

“Thanks.” Mia said.

“No need. I barely did anything.” He waved it off.

“Well thanks for accompanying me. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime.” He muttered, and they entered the ski resort cabin.

After skiing, they were back in their cabins, both Alex and Mia. Little did they know that just like in Illinois, they were neighbors.

(A/N: yes, I noticed that Tom and Emma are like Tom Felton and Emma Watson. But really, I didn’t plan on it…it just happened, for some bizarre reason. I hope you don’t sue! :D; reviews please!! I won’t add the next one until I have…hmm…ten :D)