“W-why is it..c-c-c-coooold?” Lulu shivered, her teeth chattering.

“Probably the snow, the fact that we’re in the mountains…” Anka shrugged.

“It’s not cold at all,” Nagi sighed, nestling against the sleeping Nami.

“Body heat must be nice,” Anka said dryly.

“You can join us if you’d like,” Nagi patted the small place left open on his and Nami’s bus seat.

“And interrupt the romance?” Anka rolled her eyes.

Nagi blushed, “No, it’s…not romantic…” he swallowed hard.

“Oh p-pleeease…” Lulu shivered. “There are t-t-too many nov-vels with the romance sp-sparking using body heat in the w-w-wint-ter weather,” Lulu shivered as she slid closer to Anka.

“It’s mind over matter,” Nagi finally said, glancing away from Nami.

“You mean like those students who were in bathing suits in arctic waters and they stayed there for a long time meditating and came out with their body temperatures just below normal?” Anka asked.

“Yeah, meditation gives you control of your body and your mind,” Nagi replied.

“Th-th-tha-at wor-works?” Lulu blinked.

“Here,” Nagi tossed Lulu a heavy winter jacket that was on the floor in front of him.

“You weren’t wearing your jacket?” Anka asked. “Don’t ever do something so stupid! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Here,” Nagi pulled Anka hand to his forehead.

Anka stared at Nagi in disbelief, “You’re warm…hot, really…”

Lulu managed to fit Nagi’s jacket over hers, “That’s better. I can be wry and taken seriously again.”

“Wanna yell at Nami too?” Nagi asked.

Anka leaned down and pressed the back of her hand to Nami’s forehead. “She’s…warm too?”

“But how?” Lulu asked.

“I’m meditating,” Nagi explained. “I told you that.”

“You’re still meditating even when talking?” Lulu inquired.

“Yeah,” Nagi replied, blushing as Nami nestled closer to him. “You okay?” he asked softly.

“Mhm…” Nami answered softly. “Thanks for being weird,” she said before kissing his cheek.

“Not romance, eh?” Anka asked, grinning.

“Anytime,” Nagi sighed, running his fingers through Nami’s hair. “And no, you know that she and I are friends…”

“On the surface…” Anka teased.

“I’m not even gonna…” Nagi blushed as Nami adjusted herself to having her head in his lap. “Dignify that with a response…” he moaned.

“That’s all we need to see,” Lulu chuckled as the bus came to a halt.

“Everybody knows their assigned rooms,” Mrs. Waters announced, “So after you get your bags, head up to your rooms and enjoy the rest of the day.”

“Ignoring orders and sleeping with us?” Anka asked as she stretched.

“Naturally,” Nagi responded.

“Wake up the princess,” Lulu said as she started toward the front of the bus.
Nagi rolled his eyes, “Yeah…” he glanced down at Nami, caressing her cheek gently with his fingertips. “Nami?”

“Hmm?”

“We’re here,” Nagi cleared his throat.

“Can I still sleep?” she asked.

“Well, we can go to your room and sleep, or you can sleep on me and I’ll just keep you warm and…” he stopped as she sat up.

“Sounds good,” she smiled as she slipped her coat back on.

“We got it all,” Lulu called as Nami and Nagi hoped off of the bus.

“Alright,” Nagi said softly. He took the bags from Lulu and Anka. “To which room?”

“We’re on the top floor,” Anka said as she dangled three room keys.

“So long as I get to sleep..” Nami grumbled.

“Honey, did Nagi keep you up last night?” Lulu asked.

“No, he was trying to get me to go to bed,” Nami said before yawning.

Lulu grinned slyly, “Oh, yeah?”

“Not like that!” Nagi and Nami said simultaneously.

“Awe…” Lulu cooed.

“Look,” Nami blushed. “I pulled an all-nighter to study for my biology test,” she explained. “And took it before we left the school…”

“I tried to talk her out of it,” Nagi shrugged. “But, let’s get to the room.”


“Look at this place…” Anka awed as Nagi set their bags in the middle of the room. “Mine!” she shouted as she dove onto a bed.

“Closest to the fire place,” Lulu called as she plopped down on another bed.

“Are you gonna finish sleeping?” Nagi asked Nami.

“I’m thinking it’s smarter to just sleep tonight,” Nami said shyly.

“Here’s your coat, prince,” Lulu said, tossing Nagi his coat.

“I’m gonna slip into my slippers and PJ’s and relax with some hot cocoa,” Anka announced as she sat up, procuring her bag.

“Good idea,” Lulu smiled as she snatched her bag as well, immediately going through it.

“Well,” Nami grabbed her bag, dragging it to her bed, “Are you joining us?” she glanced up at Nagi.

“Uh…” he scratched his cheek.

Anka nodded toward Nagi as she stared at Nami. Nami blushed, “If you’re sleeping with me just drag your things over here,” she watched him intently
as he walked over, settling on the edge of her bed.

“Is anybody getting a shower?” Nagi asked.

“One might wake me up,” Nami yawned.

Nagi yawned back, “Well, go get one. We’ll be here.”

“Oh, okay,” she blushed as she pulled her pajamas from her bag, as well as her shampoos, soaps and loofa. “I’ll be back in a few…”

“Okay,” Nagi watched her close the door before collapsing on her bed.

“Ask her to shower with her next time,” Lulu suggested.

“Shut up…” Nagi growled.

“Truth or dare?” Lulu asked.

“We’re not ten,” Nagi said as he tucked his arms under his head.

“Humor me?” Lulu asked.

“Truth because I’d never live through one of your dares,” Nagi sighed, closing his eyes.

“That’s sweet,” Lulu smiled. “Do you love Nami?”

Nagi opened his eyes and blushed as he stared at the ceiling in silence. Anka glanced over at Nagi. “Nagi?” she asked gingerly.

“I don’t know,” he finally replied as he closed his eyes again.

“Did you even consider that before now?” Lulu asked.

“Why do you feel the need to butt into everything?” Nagi asked.

“I’d say dare and not truth,” Lulu said wryly.

“Nagi?” Anka whispered.

“Hmm?” Nagi asked as he met her gaze.

“You do, don’t you?” Anka asked as she sat up, scooting to the edge of her bed.

“I don’t know…” Nagi shrugged.

“Well, you started off liking her,” Anka offered, “And you two have always been close…” she smiled as she watched Nagi’s cheeks redden. “Is that a maybe?”

He smiled, “Maybe.”

Anka hopped to her feet, “I’ll be back,” she said as she started toward the bathroom.

“Uh?” Nagi watched Anka open the bathroom door, turning away quickly. “Do you girls never lock doors?” he blushed.

“Well, what if one of us has to pee?” Lulu asked. “It makes more sense to leave the door unlocked. “You’re the only boy we ever have over anyhow.”

A few minutes later Anka stepped out again, “Nami’s gonna need her hairdryer,” she announced as she closed the door. Nagi sat up, opening Nami’s bag and tossing Anka her hairdryer. “Thanks, hun,” she said before reentering the bathroom.

“Awe…” Lulu cooed.

Nagi blushed, rolling his eyes, “Are you ever gonna leave me alone about things like that?”

“Stop being so damn conceited,” Lulu gave Nagi a questioning look. “Look at the window.”

Nagi turned around, “A squirrel…” he commented.

“The world doesn’t revolve around you…” Lulu said, rolling her eyes.

Nagi laughed, “Yeah, you’re definitely one to talk.”

“I know,” Lulu said with a smile. “I’m working on my advice giving.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“If you do love her, don’t wait to tell her,” Lulu said calmly. Nagi blushed and looked away from her. “Because you might care about her more and if she doesn’t know it, it will only matter to you.”

“I can’t…” Nagi said as he sat up.

“Did that maybe change?” Lulu asked.

“I like her a lot, but…” Nagi shrugged, “No point in ruining our friendship if it’s just my little crush.”

Lulu stared at Nagi with disbelief. “You have to be the most oblivious man in all of existence.”

“Uh?” Nagi blinked a few times. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t tell that Nami likes you?”

“Well, no,” Nagi said anxiously.

“Do Anka or I let you sleep that close to us?”

“With me and Nami always sleeping how we do you wouldn’t really get a chance,” Nagi muttered.

“And now, you’ll stew,” Lulu said confidently.

“What do you m-” Nagi froze when Anka opened the bathroom door, letting the steam seep out.

“Anybody else gonna shower?” Nami asked as she plugged in her hairdryer.

“I…might…” Nagi started.

“Dare,” Lulu said firmly.

“Huh?” Nagi asked.

“Well, we were playing,” Lulu said innocently.

“Hey, you started without us?” Anka asked as she started running a brush
through her wet hair.

“We weren’t playing,” Nagi argued.

“You answered my truth and now I pick dare,” Lulu said with a nod.

“Go steal some booze from the bar downstairs,” Nagi shrugged.

“I’ll be back,” Lulu said as she hopped up.

Anka gave him a questioning glance, “Why steal alcohol?”

“She’s gonna start annoying me and the only other thought was streaking and I don’t want to see that,” Nagi said calmly.

“Wanna get in here?” Nami blushed as she started to brush her hair.

“There’s no way I’m showering with two girls in the bathroom with me,” Nagi said as he leaned in the doorway.

“But twenty or so guys is okay?” Nami asked.

Nagi blinked, “I don’t shower at school after gym.”

“But would you if it were required?” Nami asked.

“I’d have no choice if it were required,” Nagi muttered.

“Does truth or dare still have a ‘take this to our graves’ label?” Nami asked.

“Yeah,” Anka said as she set her hair brush down. “Why?” she turned toward Nami and Nagi, “Oh, taking everything I see and hear to my grave,” Anka grinned as she made a crossing motion over her heart.

“What? Why?” Nagi asked as he shifted his gaze from Anka to the mischievous-looking Nami.

“Truth or dare?” Nami asked slyly as she met Nagi’s gaze.

Nagi blushed, “D-dare…”

“What to torture you with…” Nami said thoughtfully as she glanced away from Nagi.

Nagi straightened his poise, “Whatever you want.” What the hell am I saying? he thought as he kept his eyes on Nami’s.

“What do you think Anka?” Nami asked coolly as she huddled near Anka.

“I hink I’ bwushing my teef,” Anka said before spitting into the sink.

“What about now?” Nami asked as she turned around to face Nagi.

“I think you two should keep this challenge between the two of you,” Anka whispered to Nami.

“I don’t know where to start,” Nami muttered, glancing over at Nagi.

“So use him for a strip tease, some foreplay, or whatever else you’re dreaming of,” Anka whispered back.

“Good ideas,” Nami said, trying to hide her blush. “Nagi?”

“Yeah…?”

“For the remainder of the trip you can’t be in anything more than your underwear in the room,” Nami said firmly.

“Alright,” Nagi agreed, slipping his shirt off. “I’ll think of something better for you,” he promised as he kicked off his jeans, tossing both articles of clothing onto Nami’s bed.

“That’s if I pick dare,” Nami said teasingly.

“You can’t pick truth forever,” Nagi reminded her. “It’s against the rules.”

“I can for a while,” Nami said as she approached him, standing right in front of him. “So what have you got?”

“This is gonna be interesting…” Anka said as she stood in her pajamas, watching them.

“Truth or dare?”

“How mean are you going to be?” she asked.

“Not too bad, it being the first day and all,” he said softly.

“Dare, then,” Nami blushed as she met Nagi’s gaze.

“I haven’t got anything good,” Nagi sighed.

“You were bluffing?”

“Yeah, truth or dare talk is bluffing,” Nagi admitted.

“But you’ve done everything you were ever dared,” Nami blinked.

“Well, I don’t bluff about our shared title,” he replied.

“Which I’m determined to keep the crown to just myself,” Nami reminded him.

“And that isn’t happening,” Nagi argued.

“Prince and princess of truth or dare…” Anka stroked her chin. “Interesting thing to explain to your kids.”

“I’ll take a rain check. When she gets back with booze, let’s play some cards,” Nagi said, winking at Nami.

“They’re in my purse. But I’m blow drying my hair,” Anka said as she turned on the hair dryer.

“I’ll get the cards,” Nami said as she brushed past Nagi.

"Woohoo!" Lulu cried as she kicked in the door, appearing with her arms filled with many different bottles of alcohol. "I'm ba-ack!"

"You know, we were given keys so we didn't have to kick in doors," Nami said dryly as she started shuffling the deck of cards.

"Yeah, that works with no hands," Lulu said as she set the alcohol on the floor.

"I don't suppose you stole a table and some chairs," Nagi remarked as he joined Nami on the bed.

"Actually," Lulu waved over her shoulder.

"Huh?" Nagi and Nami chorused. They watched curiously as several of their classmates entered with several card tables and many folding chairs, a few more with alcohol. "What're you all doing?" they asked together.

"That was kind of cool," Connor blinked as he he set the chairs he was carrying against the wall. "How'd you two say that at the same time?"

"They do it a lot," Lulu said calmly as she set the bottles on an unfolded table. "It's the cutest thing."

Nagi and Nami glanced away from each other, "Shut it, Lulu..."

"See?" Lulu asked innocently.

"Oh, come on..." Nami and Nagi blushed as they glanced back at the other before glaring down at the floor.

"Hey, Nagi..." several of the girls giggled as they walked past him and Nami.

"Gonna answer them?" Nami asked indignantly.

"Not planning on it," Nagi said honestly.

Nami blinked, "Really?"

"Really," Nagi cringed with disgust.

"So set the other tables over there, and the chairs by the tables," Lulu instructed the other male students.

"What'd I miss?" Anka asked as she appeared in the doorway, freezing when she saw the abundance of other students. "Uh?"

Nagi and Nami shrugged at her, "Don't ask..."

"There they go again!" Parle grinned happily as he set a few cases of nonalcoholic beverages on the ground.

"What are you doing here?" Nami questioned.

"You girls are super nerdy and labeled good students," Drake said in passing.

Parle nodded, "Thus, the chaperons won't think to look here for a party."

"So you're using our room because we're good?" Nagi asked, scratching his cheek.

"Actually, Nagi," Connor settled in a chair, "You're supposed to be rooming with Parle and myself...if you forgot about the fact that you are not a woman..."

Nagi rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, "I'm their bell boy..."

"And roommate," Lulu ruffled Nagi hair in passing.

"By choice," Nami added.

"Regardless," Tristan grinned, "We can have our fun until it gets a little dirty and that's what the other rooms can be for."

"You act like you are getting lucky," Chloe commented as she pushed past him.

"Ex's, now?" Drake asked.

"I'm sick of him being a selfish prick..." Chloe growled.

"Well, I think I can make room in my bed," Drake winked at Chloe who rolled her eyes.

"Oh, please. Sharing your bed isn't the kind of sharing she's talking about," Lulu rolled her eyes as well.

"Lu?" Anka asked, blinking a few times.

"She means sharing the orgasms," Lulu held up her hand and Chloe slapped it.

"Damn right," Chloe grinned before lighting up a cigarette.

"It figures..." Anka grumbled as she flopped down behind Nagi and Nami.

"Hall, now," Nami snapped her fingers, pointing at the door.

"Fine..." Chloe sighed, standing outside of the room to smoke.

"She's cutting up on you pretty hard..." Nagi said to Tristan.

"That because he doesn't want to try and give her an orgasm," Parle grinned, getting hit on his head by Tristan.

"I tried and she said to stop because it was too much for her," Tristan said loudly.

"My sex therapy will now begin," Lulu said as she grabbed Tristan throwing him on a bed.

"Oh, no, get him off of my bed, and screw him on your own!" Anka growled, grabbing both of them by their shirts.

"She started it!" Tristan said innocently.

"Let's go to our bed..." Nagi insisted as he led Nami away from Lulu's bed.

"Yeah, this can get ugly..." Nami said sheepishly as she and Nagi fell onto the bed in a cuddling position.

Mr. Litten stopped in awe as he watched Chloe close a door, stepping out of the room smoking a cigarette. "Miss Frost!" he chided.

Chloe took a drag of her cigarette. "Yeah?"

"Are you smoking?" he questioned.

"Yeah," she said as she exhaled a breath of smoke. "Gonna do something about it?"

"No, just wondering if you have a light," he said sheepishly as he pulled out his pipe.

"Here's some matches?" she held out the box.

"You're such a helpful young student," he said as he walked past her, patting the top of her head affectionately.

After a few minutes Chloe put out her cigarette and stepped back into the chaotic room. "So, what's first?"

"Lulu's gonna rape your ex on her own bed because Anka might kill her," Parle said calmly.

"Sounds like something fun," Chloe shrugged as she settled in one of the folding chairs.

"Fun?" Drake asked as he cracked open a beer. "No, this is going to be epic..."

---

A few hours later, with everybody pretty much naked, or in their under garments, and after countless shots, drinking games and dares, the most of the class stumbled back to their rightful rooms.

"Staying the night?" Nami asked. She was sitting in her pajamas, staring at Chloe who had an unlit cigarette in the corner of her mouth.

Chloe nodded, "Too drunk to move," she slouched further in the chair she was occupying.

"Okay, then," Nami laughed, shaking her head as she curled against Nagi who had somehow managed to fall asleep during the chaos.

"Do we have any extra blankets?" Anka asked.

"In the linen cupboard. Why?" Lulu rolled over to face Anka. She drunkenly sat up and crawled to the edge of her bed where Anka was staring at Lucas. "Throw him outside."

"We can't," Anka replied. "The chaperons will know we were up to something if Lucas is found naked in the hall..."

"Okay, fine," Lulu stood, almost falling afterward. She made her way over to the linen cupboard. On her way back through she gave Chloe a pillow and blanket and dropped a blanket on Lucas before crashing on her bed.

"Well, I'm gonna get some sleep," Anka muttered. She stood, making her way to her own bed and curling into a ball beneath the blankets.

"Somebody get the light," Lulu complained.

Anka clapped her hands, "It's the clapper."

"That didn't affect the light," Chloe pointed out.

Anka shrugged, "I tried..."

---

"Wake up, I have coffee and aspirin for everybody," Nagi whispered.

Anka sat up first (except for Chloe who was still sleeping, sitting up). She sniffed the air, "Coffee?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes. Nagi held a Styrofoam cup out for her, dropping two small white pills in her free hand.

"There's a breakfast bar downstairs. It's free since we're paying to stay here," Nagi whispered. "I told Mr. Litten that I'd wake everybody up."

"Coffee?" Chloe made a face.

"Latte for you," Nagi whispered as he dropped two pills into her free hand, handing her the Styrofoam cup.

"Mocha?" Lulu asked. She made her way over to the four remaining Styrofoam cups, sniffing each of them before correctly grabbing her mocha and two aspirin. "I love you, Nagi," Lulu said before downing the pills and taking a swig of her hot drink.

"You're welcome. You wanna wake up Lucas?" he asked as he grabbed a specific Styrofoam cup. "I have a half caff for him," Nagi explained as he turned to see Lulu kicking Lucas.

Chloe shrugged, taking the pills and enjoying her latte. "He'll get up eventually," she pulled the blanket around her, trying to ignore a shiver.

"Lucas?" Nagi asked.

"Hmm?" Lucas grumbled, pulling the blanket over his head.

"Half caff and pain meds?" Nagi asked as he stooped down to Lucas' level. Lucas accepted both and sat up reluctantly. He took the pills and continued sipping on his coffee.

"Nami?" Anka asked, looking around.

"Shower," Nagi explained. He sat on Nami's bed and took a swig of his hot cocoa.

"She's hurrying her ass up..." Lulu growled.

"Yeah, really," Anka stood, grabbing her clothes bag and taking it into the bathroom. "Nami, hurry..." Anka pleaded as she set her things down.

"I'm almost done," Nami replied drowsily.

"Good," Anka quickly undressed and stepped into the shower behind Nami. "You're not taking all of the hot water..."

Nami stepped out of the shower, "Told you I was almost done," she said as she wrapped her hair in one towel and her body in another.

"We have to look only tired, not drunk..." Anka grumbled.

"That's why I took a shower," Nami said simply as she leaned over the sink to apply her makeup.

"Those two aren't getting all of the hot water," Lulu declared as she and Chloe both stepped into the bathroom, undressing and hopping into the shower.

"Why do girls leave the bathroom door unlocked?" Lucas asked.

"In case one of them has to pee," Nagi shrugged.

"It's not weird that you know that or anything," Lucas said dryly.

"Shut up, get dressed and let's go wake the others and get some breakfast," Nagi rolled his eyes as he stood, leaving the room.

---

After ten minutes of hassle and fighting over the mirror and hot water, Nami, Anka, Lulu and Chloe all managed to look their usual, tired, not drunk prettiness. The four made their way downstairs where massive amounts of food were set out on tables.

"Yummy..." Anka made her way for the pancakes instantly, stacking several of them on top of one another and grabbing a few slices of bacon. She found a cozy spot beside the fire and began enjoying the food.

Nami grabbed as much French toast as she could, drenching it in syrup and stealing the remaining sausage before joining Anka.

Lulu took the blueberry waffles and vanilla yogurt tray, still sticking to her diet, and enjoying breakfast, still.

Chloe claimed the buttermilk biscuits and gravy, as well as a cup of milk.

The rest of their class had also assembled downstairs and were eating a variety of breakfast foods. None of them were talking, and their teachers were confused to say the least.

Nagi approached the girls with several fried eggs and lots of bacon and bread towering on his plate. "Is it safe to talk in a normal tone?" he whispered as he set his plate beside Nami, slipping into the chair casually.

"Yes," Nami replied before taking another bite.

"Well, so far, everybody else just looks tired," Anka noted after looking around the room.

"Good," Lucas sighed as he slipped next to Lulu, his plate being filled with omlettes and covered with syrup. "I feel so drained..."

"Maybe drinking a full caffeinated beverage will do you some good," Chloe offered.

"Too much caffeine upsets my stomach," Lucas said before cutting away some of the egg with a fork.

"Uh, where are Connor, Drake and Tristan?" Lulu asked.

"They said they were coming," Nagi replied.

"Good thing you noticed before the teachers," Chloe muttered. "We have to make sure they're up..."

"I got it," Anka said as she pushed a button on her cellphone.

Drake sprung awake. "Damn it! I forgot to put in on vibrate!"

"Turn it off or I'll kill you!" Tristan roared.

"I can't!" Drake complained as he fumbled his phone.

"Good morning," Connor said coolly as he sipped at the coffee Nagi left for him.

"You're not hung over?" Drake asked, remembering the Connor had drank way more than him the previous night.

"I am, but I'm not a pussy," Connor replied simply. "Now, one of you get in the shower. I can only assume that the teachers are looking for us. This way, we can say I've been up, and one of you is waiting for the other to get out of the shower."

"Fine..." Drake sighed, answering his phone, "Getting a shower, now..." he muttered before closing the phone.

"When you're done, Nagi brought everybody coffee and aspirin," Connor announced.

"Good," Tristan growled as he flung the covers off of himself, standing and grabbing the aspirin and his coffee. "I'll at least get dressed," he decided as he returned to his bed.

A knock on the door startled Tristan. "We're up," Connor replied.

Mrs. Waters spoke, "And the other two?"

Tristan rolled his eyes, "Drake's in the shower and I'm up."

"Alright, hurry down before breakfast gets cold," she replied.

---

After ten minutes, the three were downstairs with the others. "Where have you been?" Anka asked.

"Relaxing," Connor replied.

"Food!" Drake cried happily.

"More food over here!" Tristan squeaked as he grabbed a plate, pouring all of sorts of food onto it.

"Well, anyhow, skiing lessons are at 10:00, lunch is at 12:00 and we're free to ski until 6:00 when it's dinner time, and 10:00 PM lights out," Nagi announced.

"And it's 9:00 now. We have an hour," Nami sighed with satisfaction.

"Good," Anka smiled, rubbing her belly.

"Well, I'm gonna get changed and used to the cold," Chloe muttered as she stood.

"Good idea," Lulu agreed.

---

At 10:00 sharp all of the students and their accompanying teachers were bundled up and on a bunny slope, waiting for their instructor. "This won't be so bad, right?" Nami asked.

"Of course not," Nagi replied.

"That's easy for you to say, you're good at everything," Nami uttered.

A young man, no older than 26 approached the group with a pair of goggles on. "You're my skiing class?" he guessed.

"Yes, that's us," Mrs. Waters replied.

"Okay, good, everybody is dressed warm, and you're all in your skis already," he nodded in approval. "My name is Arti, and I'll be your skiing instructor for today," he said before taking off gracefully down the hill.

---

After a few hours of instruction, most of the class had caught onto the basics. "This is fun..." Parle said as he swooshed past Nami.

"I'll take your word for it," Nami muttered as she walked back to the lodge, despite still having her skis on.

"You'll get it eventually," Lucas said as he slowed down beside Nami, choosing to walk beside her. "You're just nervous because people are around."

"You're probably right," Nami replied, smiling weakly.

"Hey, just eat some lunch, and go back out with like Anka or Lulu and try," Lucas shrugged.

"I might do better that way," Nami admitted.

---

The group of students scurried back into the lodge, getting their hot cocoa and sandwiches. Drake stared intensely at the television, paying close attention to the news broadcast.

"Hand over the remote or die," Chloe said as she held out her hand.

"The weather's coming on," Drake replied.

"We're in the mountains! It'll be cold, and there'll be snow on the ground," she said dryly as she stole the remote, flipping the channel to a soap opera.

"Great..." Nagi sighed before taking another bite of his sandwich.

"It's better than, snow, snow, and more snow," Lulu replied with a shrug.

"So, you'll come with me?" Nami pleaded.

"Sure," Anka replied. "I'll get Lulu and Nagi, too," she said as she started to stand.

"No, I'd prefer it just being you and Lulu..." Nami cut in.

"Embarrassed?" Anka guessed.

"Incredibly..." Nami admitted, hanging her head.

"Your crush won't tease you," Anka assured her. "But, it can be a girl's day."

"Kay," Nami smiled before finishing her hot cocoa.

---

Nami smiled happily as she managed to ski a small hill without falling. "This is fun once you get the hang of it," she said as she turned around quickly.

"Told you so," Lulu said as she stopped beside Nami.

"Want to go to a bigger hill?" Anka asked. "We should be able to get one last run in before it's dinner time," she said thoughtfully.

"Alright and we can start fresh tomorrow," Nami said as she started up toward the ski lift.

"Everybody, we need to do a headcount," Mrs. Waters announced.

"What? Why?" Connor asked.

"It's a half hour before dinner," Lucas pointed out.

"There's a blizzard about to hit us," Mr. Litten announced. "So, do any of you know of anybody still skiing?"

"Nami, Anka and Lulu are doing runs..." Nagi muttered. He turned out the window, watching the sky turn dark. "I've gotta find them..." he said as he started toward the door.

"Go, I haven't seen you," Chloe said quickly.

"Thanks," Nagi whispered, being thankful for his classmates circling their teachers as he left the lodge.

"Guys..." Lulu held out her gloved hand to catch a few snowflakes. "The snow..."

Anka looked up, studying the precipitation. "It's falling pretty fast..."

Nami hopped off of the ski lift, "What's wrong?"

"Nami, look at how fast it's snowing," Anka muttered.

Nami looked around, watching the whistling wind kick up the snow as it cut across the mountain side. "We're in trouble..." Nami swallowed hard.

"Stay calm, we should get to the lower part of the mountain and fast," Anka said as she made her way for the edge of the hill. "The ski lift poses us the threat of falling off, so we should ski."

"Right," Nami nodded.

---

After reaching the bottom of the hill, the snowfall became more frequent, and the fallen snow continued to be kicked up by the howling winds. "Which way is the way back?" Lulu asked as she shielded her face from the icy winds.

"I don't know..." Anka answered.

"Let's hope it's this way," Nami muttered. She started gliding toward where she thought the lodge might be, the other two following closely behind her.

---

"Nagi?" Mrs. Waters looked around frantically. "I just saw him."

"Did he go to the restroom?" Mr. Litten asked.

"No," Chloe responded. "He went to get the girls."

"What?" Mr. Litten met her gaze, "How could you let him go?"

"Better question: how could I stop him?" Chloe countered.

"They have predicted an avalanche on top of the blizzard," Mrs. Waters announced.

"You could be sending him to his death," Mr. Litten said frantically.

"No, he chose to leave, knowing the risks," Chloe replied. "I didn't exactly see you two hopping up to find the now four missing students," she said quietly.

---

Nagi stopped, closing his eyes. "Why do I feel so weird?" he asked himself. He studied the falling snow for a moment, before moving on. "Okay, they went this way," he decided as he turned to head down the hill instead of further climbing it.

---

"We're lost," Anka muttered. She collapsed beside a pine tree, staring up at the heavier snowflakes.

"There's no visibility," Lulu cried as she joined Anka.

"Relax, these kinds of snows usually last a little under an hour. It's just bigger because of the thinner air," Nami said nonchalantly. "When we can see again we'll find out where we are, get back to the lodge and eat a nice, hot meal."

"Nami, I'd normally agree to keep us all upbeat, but we're freezing, starving, tired and in the middle of a snowstorm," Anka muttered.

"Not to mention the policy is for them to wait for the storm to settle before looking for anybody," Lulu reminded them.

"Well, Chloe and Nagi should notice we're gone," Nami said with a smile.

"We might not be the only missing skiers," Lulu thought aloud. "A couple of others were doing runs on other slopes too."

"She's right," Anka sighed, having remembered seeing them in passing.

"We can't just lay down and die," Nami said as she slouched against a tree.

"If we get more lost we can freeze to death..." Anka reasoned. "We should stay here until the eye of the storm."

"And make our best effort to get back after that?" Nami pleaded.

"Yeah, and we'll get some food," Lulu smiled.

---

Nagi ignored the lashing winds as he slowly ambled toward a grouping of pine trees. He glided forward, stopping when he saw Anka and Lulu huddled around Nami. "Nami!" he said excitedly as he slid into the clearing.

"Now I'm hallucinating," Nami muttered as she eased her eyes open. "A really good hallucination."

"You're not hallucinating," Anka said, nudging Nami. "Nagi's real."

"Good, virgin," Lulu said as she hugged Nagi's leg.

"Come on, the storm is calming down," Nagi said as he offered Nami and Anka his hands. The two stood, helping Lulu up immediately afterward.

"What time is it?" Lulu asked.

"Six-thirty," Nagi replied.

"How long have you been out here?" Anka asked.

"Since a little past five," Nagi replied. "Now we need to get you three warm," he urged them onward as they skied forward. After an hour of skiing back to the lodge, the warm log building came into view.

"We're here!" Lulu said excitedly running into the building with her skis still on.

"She has the right idea," Anka said as she followed after Lulu.

Nagi and Nami skied in right afterward, taking their skis off inside. "You weren't skiing when the storm hit," Nami muttered as she ambled across the carpeting.

"No," Nagi agreed.

"They're back," Chloe announced.

"You're safe, thank the heavens," Mrs. Waters sighed in relief when she saw the three girls and Nagi crowding around the campfire.

"Food?" Lulu asked.

"Yes, dinner is still available," Mrs. Waters assured them. "It's available until 10:30."

"Good," Nami and Anka chorused, the four of them making their way for the mess hall.

---

Nami settled on her bed, turning to face Nagi. "I can't believe you risked your life for us."

Nagi shrugged, "I kind of knew where you were."

"How? That much snow should have covered our tracks," Nami reasoned.

"Well, I knew you'd catch on to skiing and when you were comfortable, you'd head to the next hill. I started toward there, but stopped when the winds started getting bad. I figured that you'd gone down the hill, and kept going down to escape the winds. And after being hindered by the wind and zero visibility for a bit I found you."

"And here, we were cold and hungry and tired of being lost...that's why we stopped," Nami muttered.

"Well, in another hour or so you would have gotten back here safely," Nagi reminded her.

"We weren't going to move until somebody came to find us," she explained. "We were too tired to move..."

"You moved for me," Nagi argued.

"You were warm," Nami blushed. "And...well..." she crawled toward the head of the bed. She stopped to gently kiss Nagi. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said calmly as he watched Nami settle onto her back. His cheeks reddened as he realized what had just transpired. She kissed me...

"You're so brave," she said dreamily.

"Hey, there, hero," Anka said enthusiastically as she settled next to Nagi. "Guess what."

"What?" Nagi and Nami chorused.

"An avalanche followed the blizzard," Anka said with a smile. "So we are comped until somebody can get us out of here, and that comes with all of the coffee, cocoa and food we can eat!"

"What do you mean?" Nami asked.

"We are snowed in," Anka explained. "And there are free snacks downstairs."

"I'm getting in on that," Nami said as she hopped up, grabbing her robe and dashing out the door.

"Aren't you coming?" Anka asked.

"She kissed me...again."

Anka smiled, "And you have yet to kiss her back?"

Nagi nodded. "That's why I said that she kissed me."

"Steal a kiss, they're the best kind," Anka winked at Nagi before signaling him to follow her.

---

Later, with bellies full and steaming mugs of cocoa the four of them headed back up to the girls' room and made themselves comfortable on the various pieces of furniture, "I'm bored..." Lulu sighed, "Why couldn't the bad weather wait until we were through having fun?"

"Bad weather," Anka chided, "Not knowing how to behave for Lu."

"Damn straight," Lulu growled, "What're we supposed to do while we're stuck here?"

"I don't know about the rest of you but I've been dying to jump the balcony," Anka replied.

"Jump... the balcony?" Lulu blinked blankly.

"Oh! Fun!" Nami said excitedly, "Leaping into the snow, its deep enough for that!"

"Are you two insane?" Lulu asked.

"You've never thought of doing it before?" Nagi asked in surprise.

"Well sure... I've thought and have done it before," Lulu replied, "What does sex have to do with this conversation?"

"Where the hell is she getting sex from?" Nagi asked.

"I'm not too sure either," Nami admitted before taking a large gulp of cocoa.

"Well, snow sounds fun," Nagi said turning to find Nami bundled up and ready for the snowy weather. "When did you do that?"

"Just now," she replied as she rejoined the others.

"How did she do that?" Nagi leaned toward where Anka was sitting to find an empty chair. He turned around and there was Anka, completely bundled up beside Nami. "Er?"

"When they're excited about something... they can accomplish anything." Lulu said, tying her boots and sitting back in her seat, fully dressed.

"Wha-?" Nagi blinked.

"Hurry up and get dressed, Nagi!" Nami and Anka chorused.

"Right..." Nagi muttered, setting his cocoa down and heading to his room for his things.

Nagi stepped out of his room with the girls already there and waiting for him. "Eager much?"

"Of course we are," Nami said happily, grabbing his hand and leading him forward.

"Awe..." Anka cooed.

"Why are you cooing?" Lulu asked.

"Because they're cute," she replied.

"Will cooing make them admit that they like each other?" Lulu asked.

"It might," Anka said happily.

"Well then..." Lulu cleared her throat, "Aweee..." she folded her hands, tilting her head to the side adoringly.

"Thats just creepy, Lu," Nagi said, peering briefly over his shoulder at her before they headed once more into the girls' room and out onto the balcony.

"How is it creepy when I do it but not when Anka does?" Lulu pouted.

"She has no ulterior motive when she does," Nami replied simply.

"All together?" Anka suggested, testing the strength of the balcony rail before easing up onto it.

"Sure," The others agreed, following her lead and slipping up over the balcony.

Together they leapt outwards and plunged into snow deeper than they'd expected, burying themselves almost immediately.

"It's like swimming..." Nami murmured to herself as she pushed the snow out of her way. She managed to surface, shivering, with snow packed in her clothing and shoes now.

"Wow..." Lulu brushed the powdery snow out of her face. "I am never doing this again."

"That was fun!" Anka shouted enthusiastically.

"Wanna do it again?" Nagi asked.

"Of course!" Anka smiled.

Anka lunged at the side of the building, scrabbling for a purchase to reach the balcony, instead she wound up disappearing beneath the snow once more for a few seconds, "Um... problem." She said sheepishly.

"Anybody else stuck?" Nami asked.

"Yeah..." Lulu answered.

"Anybody got a plan?" Nami inquired. "The only thing I can think of is digging..."

"Tunneling might be our only option, really," Nagi agreed.

"L-l-lets get to it then," Lulu chattered, "I'm freezing."

"Cold already?" Anka asked in surprise, "You've got layers of winter clothes on..."

"Not really..." Lulu muttered.

"Are you crazy?" Nami asked in surprise, "Why not?"

"Because it makes me a blob," Lulu replied evenly, "Wearing thick clothes makes you look fat and I wanted to be gorgeous no matter what I wore."

"Well... that just makes you vain," Anka sighed, "Lets get moving then, its starting to snow again..."

Fifteen minutes later, the four of them managed to tunnel their way to the front door. "Wipe your feet," Chloe said in passing.

"H-hon-ney, wwww-iping our fffeet is the least of our issssues," Lulu's teeth chattered as she tried to speak.

"Why?" Chloe turned around to be awestruck by four of her friends who all looked one step away from being snowmen. "Don't tell me, I somehow know I won't get it."

"Want to wait until it stops snowing to do it again?" Anka asked.

"Yes," Nami said enthusiastically. "I can't wait!" she cheered before stamping her boots on the mat to remove the snow from her shoes.

"Hot cocoa..." Nagi said yearningly.

---