“What is it, Isis?” I asked, my tone already on edge.
“Well, you don’t have to sound soexcited! But I feel like we need to balance all this survival stuff with something soft. You know…vibrationally uplifting.”
I looked at her sideways. “What that even mean?”
She leaned in, all dramatic. “Like… Random Positivity Hour. Every morning, we say one nice thing to each other. Spread love or stay outside with the wildlife. That’s your motto, right?”
I wanted to laugh, but I was too tired… but also a bit intrigued.
“Aight. Go ahead then. Since you suggested this kumbaya mess, say something nice.”
Isis turned toward Chesteria, smiling sweetly-ish.
“I love Chesteria’s…effort.”-
The room went silent.
I shook my head.
I should’ve known Isis’s positivity bullshit was too good to be true.
Chesteria looked at me with that slow blink that meant:Bryce, if I drag this chick by her invisible edges, are you gon’ stop me or not?
I gave her a tiny nod like, handle yo’ business, baby.
She smiled—that scary one.
“I love that you tried,” Chesteria shot back with a smirk.
Adriansnortedso loud I thought he inhaled a snowflake. “Man… y’all sure this ain’tPetty Hour?”
I held up my mug. “Random Positivity Hour has officially begun. If y’all can’t be kind, be quiet… or go rub noses with a moose.”
Chesteria tapped her cup with a spoon like a warning bell. Then gave me a “watch, this” smirk.
“Since we’re adding suggestions—and seeing as hownobodyis really vibing with who they brought along—I think it’s best that everybody sleeps in separate rooms tonight…. or for however long we have to stay here.”
Adrian looked up, confused, like Chesteria had just told him Santa got laid off. “Wait, for real?”
She gave him a look that could peel paint. “As a snowstorm.”
He frowned. “Damn. I thought that was like… a temporary thing.”
Chesteria turned her whole body toward him, giving off the same expression as a court-appointed defense attorney who’s fed up with her client.
“Temporary?” she scoffed. “Adrian, you came here lying ‘bout being a carpenter but probably can’t even fix a jammed doorknob. You talkin’ about you handy, but the only thing youhandywith is excuses. You had one job—one—and that was to bring peace and basic competence on this trip. Instead, you brought drama, confusion, and some raggedy-ass beard oil that smells like expired maple syrup! I don’t care what arrangements we had before coming here, but this is no longer a romantic retreat; it’s a winter lockdown with my ex, a person I barely tolerate, and a man whose career path isveryquestionable!”
I had to turn around before I laughed in that man’s face.
Isis sucked her teeth. “Speak forthyself.Me and Bryce are doing justfine.He’s just mad at me right now. That’s only because we haven’t had—”
I cut her off like a bad connection. “Aye, shut that shit up, Isis.”
Chesteria didn’t say anything, but her smug expression and silence spoke volumes.
And then, because chaos was her love language, Isis blurted, “Well, you won’t give me any dick!” in a hurry before I could stop her.
I held my head down and rubbed my temple out of frustration. If I had a change of heart about giving Isis some dick, that thought died right then.
