Alice pointedly ignores me as we settle into the largest and brightest room in the cabin. Without a word, she claims the bed by the wall, leaving me the couch near the window. I don’t care where I sleep, as long as I don’t have to deal with her insufferable attitude. I lie down on my spot and watch as the glamorous girl unpacks her expensive clothes into the room’s only small wardrobe. I wonder if all her luggage will even fit in there, and I quickly conclude that it probably won’t.
While we’re getting settled, darkness begins to stake its claim outside. Alice finally finishes with her outfits and sits exhausted on the edge of her bed. She glances at me, then at the overflowing wardrobe.
“I usually pack lighter,” she says with a faint smile, as if trying to justify herself. “It’s just winter. It’s cold.”
“Sure,” I reply curtly.
She eyes my small bag, then lifts her chin with a smug air.
“A girl always has to look good. No matter the situation,” she says, her jab at me obvious, but I don’t even get annoyed. I couldn’t care less about her opinion.
“Of course, if there’s nothing else to draw attention, you’ve got to rely on looks,” I shoot back.
Alice purses her full lips and stares at me for a moment. A knock at the door interrupts whatever retort she might’ve had. Dmitry steps into the room, notices me, then shifts his gaze to Alice and breaks into a goofy grin. Only a blind person wouldn’t see how he fawns over her, but she seems completely oblivious to it.
“So, ladies, all settled in?” he asks, beaming with excitement. “Come downstairs. We’re heading out for dinner.”
“Where are we going?” I ask, sitting up with a start.
“Don’t worry, Nadia. David’s treating everyone,” he replies with understanding. Dmitry knows about my tight budget; he even lent me a small amount for this trip. “We’re hitting up a pizza place nearby.”
“Perfect, I’m starving,” Alice chirps, throwing me a haughty look.
She thinks she’s better than me because she has money and I don’t. It makes me uncomfortable. I don’t want to eat on David’s dime, but I can’t exactly refuse either. Everyone’s going.
The pizza place is about five hundred yards down the road. Nighttime lanterns illuminate a small courtyard and a pathway leading to the entrance. Inside, it’s warm, and the air smells pleasantly of fresh baking. A friendly waiter, sporting a bow tie and a black vest, greets us right at the door. He leads us to a table and hands out menus. Nearby, I spot a stone oven where a young chef in a white cap is busy at work.
The waiter catches me looking and his eyes light up with enthusiasm.
“Might the lady be interested in our signature dish?” he pitches eagerly. “Crispy wood-fired pizza, prepared right before your eyes. I can also recommend our fragrant, freshly baked bread straight from the oven.”
I’m not sure how to respond and glance at the group. Maxim is engrossed in his phone. Alice is scrutinizing the menu with a critical eye, while Dmitry whispers something intently in her ear. My eyes meet David’s, and I quickly look away. I’d love to try the wood-fired pizza, but I’m too shy to order for myself—especially since someone else is footing the bill.
“No, thanks. I’ll stick with something simpler,” I say politely, offering the waiter a small smile as I open the menu and scan the options.
“Now that sounds interesting,” David’s excited voice suddenly cuts in. “I’ve never had wood-fired pizza before. Bring us your signature dish. Anyone object?”
“I don’t care,” Maxim mumbles, not looking up from his screen.
“I’m not having pizza. I’m on a diet,” Alice practically bounces in her seat. “I’ll take something light, maybe this salad,” she says, pointing at the menu and handing it to the waiter, who scribbles down her order.
“You’re always on a diet,” Maxim chuckles, still not lifting his eyes.
“That’s none of your business,” she snaps, glaring at him with irritation. “You’ve got to take care of your body so you don’t let yourself go.”
She shoots a quick glance my way. Another dig at me. In my opinion, my weight is perfectly fine, while her bony frame looks overworked from constant dieting.
“Bring four pizzas and something to drink,” David orders, speaking to the waiter with a casual familiarity, as if they’re old buddies. The waiter jots down the order, patiently waits while David picks out drinks, and then leaves us with a smile.
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Dmitry asks cheerfully, addressing everyone but clearly directing the question at David.
“We’re hitting the ski slopes,” David replies confidently, asserting his role as the group’s leader. “There’s a great ski resort a few miles from here with awesome trails.”
I don’t know how to ski, a fact only Dmitry is aware of—if he even remembers. I’m not upset, though. They can go skiing, and I’ll find something else to do.
“What about the market?” Alice pleads, looking at her brother with teary eyes. “You promised we’d go to the market. I want to buy some souvenirs.”
“Our house is already full of your souvenirs,” David grumbles, clearly annoyed.
Alice huffs in frustration and unexpectedly turns her gaze to me.
“See, Nadia wants to go too. She’s never been to one,” she says with a fake friendly smile. I narrow my eyes at her.
David looks at me suspiciously, and I shrug.
“Nope, never been,” I play along, not because I’m siding with Alice, but because I genuinely want to check it out. Maybe I’ll find something interesting.
Our order arrives, and plans for tomorrow remain up in the air for now.
The pizza turns out to be incredibly delicious. Cooked in the wood-fired oven, it seems to have absorbed the energy of the live flame and the spirit of the forest from the burning logs. It reminds me of my grandma’s pies. When I was little, I’d visit her in the village, and she’d treat me to her unmatched baking.
“The oven has to get nice and hot, soak up as much heat from the fire as possible. Otherwise, the pies won’t bake right and they’ll be ruined,” she’d tell me. She’d grab a poker, stoke the burning logs with all her might, spreading them to the corners, while I sat nearby, watching, the unbearable heat searing my face.
After enjoying our meal, we leave the pizza place. The biting cold nips at my face and hands. Alice complains about the chill and quickens her pace, eager to get back to the warm cabin. I, on the other hand, savor the winter evening, slowing my steps and falling a bit behind the group. I tilt my head back and gaze at the bright moon and starry sky. In that moment, I regret not bringing my camera along.
“Nadia, don’t lag behind! You’ll get lost, and no one’s gonna come looking for you,” David’s voice shatters the peaceful moment.