Riley

It had been a long year; which had mainly consisted of vigorous studying. It had certainly been tough but I finally decided on going on a break - well, I didn't. My friend Rachel did - her family had plans to go to Australia for their holiday based on the fact that it was going to be sunny the whole time but Rachel being Rachel - she doesn't like the sun and the heat. Which made her come to the decision of taking me on one of her many escapades!

This time she decided on going to Alaska purely because she wants to experience a nice wintery Christmas. Rachel being the introvert she is had then henceforth decided on dragging me along so that her socialising would be on the minimum. That is unless she drinks which kind of makes her go a bit crazy - and by a bit I mean A LOT! Little Rachel turns into a crazy party animal just by liquid courage alone!

And this is how I find myself here, at the airport, in Alaska...

A 2nd year university student from Cambridge travelling all the way across the pond to the winter wonderland of Alaska with their friend by their side.

“RILEY! Can you please hurry; it’s bloody FREEZING!?” Rachel exclaimed from besides the Uber which was patiently waiting outside of the airport.

I briskly grabbed my luggage from besides me and jogged over to my friend.

“Jesus Riley, anymore daydreaming and I could’ve turned into a popsicle!” Rachel chattered our as she scrambled into the Uber.

I shook my head at my friends slight stupidity. If she didn’t just wear a denim jacket and ripped jeans in the snow then I’m sure she wouldn’t currently be freezing.

The guy that picked us up ended up taking my luggage and placing it into the back of the car. I gave a slight nod to the driver who also acknowledged me before I hopped into the car behind Rachel. I closed the door behind me and looked to Rachel who was hunched over like the hunchback of Notre Dame.

“I told ya!” I spoke up with a smirk plastered on my face.

Rachel stares me dead in the eye, “stop being so smug! I already know by now you witch!” She couldn’t even finish the sentence without giving me a large smile to which I giggled along to.

“Why did I choose Alaska of all places!” I heard Rachel mumbled. To which I rolled my eyes to.

The driver shortly hopped into the vehicle and started the car up to which filled it with heat. As the car started to move, I watched the continuous falling snow splatter onto the window screen in a rhythmic flow. The snow wasn’t as strong as a blizzard yet it also wasn’t the most clearest to drive in from the layers of white cotton candy looking snow and also the repetitive amount of snowflakes falling onto the window screen.

I looked out of the window from besides me and watched as twinkling lights shimmered from the city which we were currently driving on the outskirts of. The place we were heading to was slightly outside of the city - so, it’s just a bit further out. There’s a wooden cabin just besides a small forest, it’s actually one of Rachel’s families holiday homes which is why we literally paid nothing except plane tickets. That’s how 2 broke uni students ended up affording to travel all the way here.

I felt a slight tap on my shoulder which made me look over to Rachel who looked giddy with excitement, “are you looking forward to the best Christmas of your life!?”

I gave a small chuckle before nodding my head, “I’m looking forward to some relaxation.”

And just like that I was back to staring out of the window. Fading off into my own thoughts of what this holiday may include.

After about another 10-20 minutes the car stopped outside of the wooden cabin. I proceeded to get out of the car to be met with the brisk breeze. I shuddered a bit from the sudden chill but adjusted to it fairly quickly. I turned towards the car and watched as Rachel sat in the same position as before in the car.

“Come on out Rach! Don’t be a wimp and get out of the car!” I said aloud as I walked to the boot of the car and got mine and Rachel’s luggage out of the car.

“It’s bloody freezing Riley what makes you think- RILEYYYYYY!?”

I quickly rushed around the side of the car to see that Rachel fell into a puddle just outside of the car door. I dropped to the snowy ground in tears.

“I-it’s n-not f-f-funny Riley!” Rachel shivered out.

I looked up to see Rachel now standing, drenched in water which just fuelled the fire even more. And I ended up in a fit of giggles again.

“I-I’m g-going in-indoors” Rachel said as she started to walk away.

I sat upright on the ground, “wait for me!” I exclaimed as I grabbed mine and Rachel’s bags and into the wooden cabin.

I walked up the wooden stairs which were covered with a sheet of snow before entering the wooden cabin and into the warmth which was coming from the open fire place.

“Wow! You said that the house was sick but I didn’t think it would be this amazing!” I stood in the doorway in shock.

I watched as Rachel collapsed onto the sofa opposite the fireplace, “well, I did say that this trip would be sick for a reason Riles!”

I let out a small ‘huh’ before closing the door behind me and dropping mine and Rachel’s luggage by the door. I looked around the cabin where the living room, kitchen and dining room was and sighed.

“I thought you said we’d be spending Christmas here?” I questioned Rachel.

Rachel looked at me puzzled, “Riley man. We are - that’s legit all I’ve been talking about since September!”

I ran into the middle of the room throwing my hands into the air, “then where is the Christmas decorations!”

I could hear Rachel’s chuckle being lifted into the air, “we’ll get the decorations out of the storage room! It won’t be a problem!”

I happily skipped over to the sofa and then plopped myself down onto the floor where there was a furry carpet places directly in front of the fireplace.

“Oh my god!” I heard Rachel gasp which made me turn to look at her, “I read before we came here that there is the annual dog sled race which is meant to be one of the must see’s”

I rolled my eyes, “your forget Rach, I’m not a sports fan.”

Rachel pointed an accusing finger at me, “I don’t care Riley man! Don't be a Bah Humbug!"

I laid flat out on the floor, and sighed, "I just don't know if sports are for me Rach. I got away from England so that I could relax and not be absorbed into another sport like my parents wish me to be into!"

"Okay Debby downer."

I let out a chuckle, "fine. We'll go."

"That was never a question darling!" Rachel exclaimed dramatically. Which made me laugh even more.

I laid on the ground a few more minutes before sitting up right, "well-“ and then proceeded to stand up, “it’s December 4th I think it’s about time that we set up the Christmas decorations!”

I watched as Rachel groaned as she laid flat out on the sofa, “just one more day. Can we just sleep?”

I brought into my resolve, “okay.” And just like that I went to get my luggage from the front door, “last one to the top of the stairs is the last to choose their bedroom!” I then proceeded to sprint up the stairs whilst my luggage clunked around me.

“Don’t worry I locked my bedroom so you get your choice of room! " Rachel shouted out.

I looked back when I made it to the top of the staircase and saw that Rachel was still slumped on the sofa. She looked like she was at this point completely asleep.

With one sigh I quickly turned and walked down the wooden hallway with the floorboards creaking slightly. I looked at the 4 doors ahead of me and chose the one furthest from the staircase I then proceeded to go towards the door and open it. Inside was a beautiful double bed with draping around it with wooden bedside tables on either side, with a large wooden set of chest of draws.

I walked around the room and saw a small flat screen mounted on the wall opposite the bed and next to the television was a door which opened to a en-suite which included the basics of a bath, toilet and sink. And in the furthest corner of the room - away from the front doors there was glass double doors which led out onto a balcony.

I stood at the closed balcony doors and looked out onto the snowy landscape with the glittering lights in the distance. Light snowflakes were still laying on the ground and on the banister of balcony, the night sky lighting up with some twinkling stars as the day descends into night.

I walked over to the bedroom door and closed it shut and then went over to my luggage and quickly pulled out some pjs to wear to bed because I was exhausted. Once dressed I leaped into the bed without a care in the world and once my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.