Siren

Part 1

"ARE WE REALLY GOING TO START THIS UP AGAIN?!"

Nikki turned the volume up on her phone, hoping to drown out the argument taking place outside the car with the offbeat humor of her favorite podcast. What had started as a fun weekend with friends had soured quicker than unrefrigerated milk. She should have expected something like that would happen given the company. Augustin, her best friend since 7th grade, had invited her along  on what he proclaimed would be a fun  and much needed vacation with his boyfriend, Dajan. While Nikki loved them both dearly, as evident from the increasing in volume argument outside, they were not a couple she wanted to spend three days and two nights on a mountain alone with. That was how Frankie, Augustin's favorite coworker and Nikki's not so secret crush, ended up beside her sharing a blanket in the backseat of Augustin's SUV. 

"ARE YOU SAYING THIS IS MY FAULT?!"

"ARE YOU SAYING IT'S NOT?!"

Nikki glanced down at her phone clicking the volume increase button in vain. She was so close to escaping from the vacation from hell, but a flat tire with no spare had other plans. Nikki wondered  what she had done to piss off Satan. Giving up on her phone, she yanked her earbuds from her ears and turned her head in Frankie's direction. At least it wasn't all bad. With the weather giving a stunning imitation of Danàte's 9th circle of Hell, it had  given Nikki the perfect excuse to cuddle up next to Frankie. Perfect Frankie with her perfect umber skin and her perfect braids that fell just above her perfect waist. Just being near her was enough to cause Nikki's heart to race. Frankie was staring deeply at the tablet in her lap, probably reading another sci-fi novel and Nikki wondered how long she could get away with watching her like this.

"GOD, YOU'RE SUCH A CHILD SOMETIMES!"

Augustin's deep bellow was enough to make both girls stop what they were doing and glance out the window. Augustin sat on a large stone massaging his temples. Dajan stood a ways off practicing what seemed to be deep breathing techniques. Though they both stopped shouting, it didn't appear either would be apologizing any time soon. Nikki couldn't help but sigh. Though Augustin was her oldest and best friend, Nikki had grown close with Dajan over the years. She knew a fight like that wasn't going to stay on the mountain and thinking about the next few days of playing conflict mediator for the two only made her groan.

"Well no one can say this wasn't a passionate trip." Frankie's words caught her by surprise. The thought of being a pro bono couples therapist had actually distracted Nikki from her surroundings.

"Yeah. A little too passionate for my taste." Nikki responded, as she twisted out of the blanket and balanced her body over the backseat  to rummage through their possessions behind them.

"Whatcha looking for?"

"Well," Nikki said, finding her purple canvas bag and opening it, "I figure we'll be here for at least an hour before the tow truck comes. Thought I'd try and find some place a little quieter."

"Like outside?"

"Where else?" Nikki replied, removing her camera from her bag and inspecting it. Augustin mocked her for bringing along her Canon, but she couldn't miss the opportunity for some quality shots. Gathering up her water bottle and bag, she pulled it over the seat, "So? Whattadya say?"

"Hmm," Frankie responded, her face full of contemplation, "I'm against going out in freezing temperatures-"

"It's 35. Technically not freezing."

"Shh!" Frankie said putting her index finger near Nikki's lips, "Let me finish. I'm against going out in near  freezing temperatures, BUT I think I'll make an exception just this once."

"Sweet. Grab your stuff." Nikki said quickly jimmying into her coat and hat hoping Frankie didn't notice the flush of red that had spread across her face. It didn't take Frankie long to find her tote bag and without delay, the two opened the car door and braced themselves for the cold.

Augustin didn't even look up as they passed by him, still clearly upset from the argument. They had almost hit the tree line before Dajan spoke up, "Be careful! And don't wander off too far! The tow truck should be here soon!"

Nikki always liked when Dajan did things like that. He was definitely the more reliable one in the couple and she always felt like he truly cared about her not as just Augustin's friend, but as a person. The kind warning actually made Nikki smile before she heard Augustin's remark.

"What are you, their mom?"

"Well, someone has to be the responsible one."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Bye, mom and dad! Try not to fight while we're gone!" she shouted without looking back. Nikki grabbed Frankie's hand and started to speed walk, hoping to reach the forest before they started up again.