Just like that, the weekend arrived. The pre-dawn light filtered weakly through Lisa's curtains, painting lazy stripes across her sleep-tousled hair. A persistent rapping shattered the peaceful silence.
**Knock...knock...knock...**
"Open the door, Lisa, it's me Selene! I've come to pick you up!" the voice boomed from outside.
Lisa mumbled incoherently, pulling the covers tighter around herself. Finally, she stumbled out of bed, her eyes half-closed and hair a bird's nest. Reaching the door, she cracked it open a sliver.
"What is it, Selene?" she slurred, her voice thick with sleep. "I want to sleep..."
Selene, a whirlwind of energy, pushed past the opening before Lisa could fully protest. "Don't even think about it, Lisa! You promised! I'll get your stuff ready, go freshen up!"
"But I don't want to..." Lisa whined, her eyelids drooping.
Undeterred, Selene shepherded her bleary-eyed friend towards the bathroom. Lisa splashed some water on her face, barely managing to chase away the remnants of sleep.
"Come on, Lisa, get a move on! I've already packed your things. I'll take them to the car," Selene announced, her voice laced with barely concealed excitement. "Me and my boyfriend, Noah, are waiting."
Lisa's head snapped up. "Noah? I thought it was just us two going?"
"Noah wanted to come too," Selene explained, "and I didn't want to disappoint him, so I invited him along."
With that, Selene disappeared downstairs, Lisa's bag and towel trailing behind her. Moments later, the rumble of the car engine starting drifted up through the floorboards. Lisa, still struggling with residual drowsiness, shuffled down the stairs.
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"Get in, Lisa, we're going now!" Selene called from the driver's seat.
Lisa climbed into the back, her head resting against the cool leather seat. A low chuckle greeted her. In the passenger seat sat a handsome young man with a warm smile.
"Hi, Lisa," he said, extending a hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you, finally." he added, introducing himself.
Lisa mumbled a sleepy hello, a blush creeping up her cheeks at the unexpected addition to their trip.
Lisa still asleep. "Guys, I'm going to sleep for a bit on the ride. Don't worry about waking me up," she mumbled, already drifting off.
"Sure thing, Lisa," Selene replied, glancing back.
"Noah, you can also sleep if you want. We've got a long drive ahead."
Noah energetically. "I'm wide awake, thanks. I will be enjoying the scenery."
With that, he slipped the car into gear and they were off. Lisa slept soundly, lulled by the rhythmic hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the car. Hours ticked by, measured by the changing landscape outside her window.
The midday sun beat down as the car pulled over to a dusty roadside diner. A gentle nudge from Selene roused Lisa. "Lunch break, sleepyhead!"
Lisa blinked, momentarily disoriented. The aroma of burgers and fries filled the air, a welcome change from the monotony of the drive. After a quick meal, they piled back into the car, re-energized and ready to continue their journey.
The sun began its descent towards the horizon as they finally reached their destination. A sign proudly proclaimed: "Welcome to Green Way Trail!" Lisa stirred awake, her sleepiness forgotten. She peeked out the window, her breath catching in her throat.
"Beautiful..." she whispered, awestruck.
Towering pines lined the path, their branches a verdant canopy overhead. Sun-dappled meadows stretched out before them, dotted with wildflowers in a riot of colors. In the distance, a majestic mountain range pierced the azure sky, its peaks painted in hues of gold and lavender by the dying sunlight.
"Isn't it just?" Selene chimed in, her voice filled with excitement. "See, Lisa? The world is a treasure trove of beauty, just waiting to be explored!"
Lisa could only nod, a wide smile spreading across her face. This remote hike, far from the prying eyes of the city, promised an adventure unlike any other.
As they pulled into the parking lot of their secluded cabin, they unloaded their gear. Lisa hoisted her backpack, its weight a bit daunting. They set off towards the base of the trail, anticipation building with each step.
Reaching the trailhead, Lisa's smile faltered slightly. A map displayed the route, a switchback path snaking its way up a seemingly endless slope. "After seeing the trail," she blurted, "Like, hell, I can't do this!"
"It does look long," Noah conceded, "but it says it's about a 4-hour hike. We can take breaks whenever you need them."
Selene, squeezed Lisa's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, Lisa! We'll both be here to support you the whole way." Noah offered a thumbs-up in agreement.
Suddenly, Selene's playful demeanor shifted. "Oh, and another thing," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "you know someone recently died on this trail, right? So be careful, or you might be next!"
Lisa swatted at her arm, a playful frown on her face. "Don't scare me like that, Selene!"
Selene laughed, her teasing forgotten. "Alright, alright, truce! Let's start this hike and see what adventures await!"
After that all three of them started the hike. Selene and Noah helped Lisa who was exhausted. Like that last 5 km were left for their destination.