Chapter Four- Here We Go!
 It was nearing the end of December. For most of the world, it meant spending time with family, sledding, hot cocoa by the fires. Christmas. But for students, it meant a two week long vacation and a much needed break from the monotonous routine of school. They would go see family, stay and work to help pay off tuition, or in some cases, travel to warmer climates and get a break from the below zero temperatures.

 Melinda and Karla were two of Sara's closest and best friends. The three of them would apparently be joining Brent and two of his friends, Eric and Barry, on a small vacation away from there. Zach, another one of Brent's friends, would be joining, but he had promised his girlfriend and family he would stay in town and visit with them over break.

 They were supposed to be meeting Barry at the front gates of the school, but it looked like Sara was running behind, as usual. "Stay here, I'll go get here out of bed," Brent said to the two girls who sipped on mugs of coffee in the main lobby of the dorms.

 Skipping up the two flights of stairs, he went to her door and knocked on it rather loudly. Then waited. He raised his hand again to knock, but the door creaked open and Sara stood there yawning. She looked cute when she woke up. Brent was used to seeing her dressed up with makeup and her hair somewhat done. But now her hair was all over the place, her eyes were a little droopy from sleep. She wore no makeup except the slightly smudged eyeliner, and she was in a pair of short and a tank top.

 "What the hell do you want so early?" she groaned, a little irritated after seeing her clock only read three thirty in the morning. She forgot they were leaving today and accidentally stayed up late reading the last book of a series she was enjoying. When she looked up and saw Brent, she got wide eyed. "Shit! I'm so sorry!"

 Quickly, she turned and went to get ready, yelling for Brent to make some coffee. He laughed and watched as she scrambled to get dressed. He walked into the small kitchen area and prepared some coffee. Looking around, he shook his head. Two months ago he sat here, and listened as she spoke of some insane family history that he still refused to believe. Two months ago, she had told him they couldn't be together, so instead, he promised to be her friend and be here whenever she needed someone.

 It pained him, yes, but it was better than nothing and it meant he would be in her life. He sat down, scanning over a few folders she had laying about full of pictures she had taken recently. He pulled one out and laughed to himself before putting it back down. It was of one when they all took a trip together to go see a concert. Good times, he thought to himself, smiling.

 Several minutes later Sara emerged dressed in jeans, boots, and a grey hooded sweater with a beanie over her head. "Okay, lets get going. Barry should be here any minute and we still have to walk to the gates."

 Sara nodded, grabbing some coffee and her bags before following Brent back down to the lobby where they met Melinda and Karla. Barry would drive them to the airport where Eric said he would meet them. So, the four of them heaved their bags over their shoulders and walked outside.

 The air was crisp and nipped at Sara's face, the chilly breeze whipped around them, blowing snow in small flurries. Everything was white, and the snow sparkled under the lamps that lined the walkways. No one else seemed to be awake at this early hour, so the four of them were as quiet as possible making their way up the hill to the gate where they could hear an engine idling.

 Sara ended up next to Eric on the plane. Karla and Melinda lucked out and got seats together, as well as Barry and Brent. Sara didn't mind, though. Eric was a sweet guy. Shy and quiet at first, but a real talker once he was comfortable with you. He wasn't much taller than herself with short brown hair and hazel eyes. He was very skinny, but well built beneath the desceptive clothing he wore. He also played guitar and piano in the band the guys were putting together, so he was quite musically talented.

 "So, what's up with you and Brent? Why aren't you two dating?" he asked as he settled down in the seat buckling himself up. "You know he really does like you a lot, and you'd be a great couple..." He paused, then smiled shyly. See? Give him the chance, and he'd probably talk your ear off.

 Sara smiled in return as she buckled herself in. "Well, with him wanting to travel and do his music, and me travelling with whatever magazine or whoever hires me. We probably wouldn't see each other much, so it wouldn't make for a very stable or healthy relationship I think," she answered, glancing out the window then to her hands in her lap.

 "Oh," Eric said softly, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess that makes sense, I can understand that. What about Karla? Do you know if she is involved with anyone? I'm just curious because I think she's pretty awesome and pretty and.." On and on he went, even through the pilot's announcement.

 Karla had been Sara's friend for as long as she could remember. And, sort of like her, was awkward and shy around guys and never had much luck. She was very pretty though with a kind and gentle demeanor. She had light brown hair with blonde highlights and dark brown eyes. She was around Sara's height and had an athletic build with a nice glowing tan. On any other day she would be wearing contacts, but at the crack of dawn she was in her bright blue glasses.

 Meanwhile, Barry and Brent were in a very heated conversation. "What do you think of this?" Brent asked, showing a piece of paper with some scribbles on it. He was trying to make a logo for their band based on the several names they decided upon.

 Barry looked down at the paper, tapping his chin. "Well, I like these designs, I'm just not sure on the names," he began, sighing.

 Barry was the tallest, and oldest of the guys, though some days his behavior said otherwise. His dark blonde hair fell just below his shoulders in large chunky dreads. He always had a slight tan and playful green eyes. He had the surfer boy gone rocker look to him with his baggy shorts, tank tops and flp flops. He was usually quiet and reserved, and stood in the background just watching. Slip him a few drinks though, and he was the life of the party.

 After discussing some ideas and within minutes of being in the air, the two of them gave up on the conversation for the moment until Barry cleared his throat. "I forgot to tell you, me and Mel started dating a week ago. Cool, eh?"

 Melinda, or Mel as a lot of people called her, was another of Sara's friend since high school started. She was pretty tall for a girl, just barely under six feet. Her hair was usually a rainbow of colors, and right now she had it dyed in a dark blue ombre ending in black tips. She was wild and crazy and probably the most adventurous of them all. If Sara could remember, her eyes were naturally brown, but she wore colored contacts to make them look purple or silver, it was hard to remember exactly.

 "Yeah, she's a pretty sweet girl. A little crazy, but sweet," Brent said with a smile. Barry never had much luck when it came to women, so he was glad to see he found someone. He wondered if Eric would ever get the courage and ask Karla out, he talked about her enough. Oh well.

 "What abot you and Sara?' Barry questioned, nodding his head in her general direction. "She's a sweet girl, too, and I see how you look at her. Why don't you date her?"

 Brent rolled his eyes, leaning back in the seat. They always asked him this, and it was always the same answer. "Because, we're just friends, okay. We both will be travelling a lot if everything works out and she doesn't want that to ruin what we have as friends."

 Barry nodded like he understood, but Brent saw the look he was giving him. The look that said "You're being an idiot!" Maybe he was. Ever since that day, she was always on his mind. And while it pleased him to be in her life as a friend, it pained him even more so they weren't more. Especially on days she was so tired and all she wanted to do was cry from frustration. He could only hold her and tell her it was okay. He couldn't kiss her and wipe away her tears, brush her soft hair from her face and tell her how he felt every time he saw her.

 "Well, better get some sleep before we land. It's going to be a long flight." And with that, he pulled the headphones on and turned on his music, shutting his eyes.