Shirley Holmes and other students from Sussex Acedemy piled in at Crystal
Lake Resort Lodge with tons of skis and bags weighing them down. It was
the week before winter vacation, and Sussex Academy was fortunate enough
to be able to finance a trip to a ski lodge so everyone could leave for
the holidays in a good mood.
Crystal Lake was a resort for both winter and summer, and was famous
for the beautiful lake just outside of the cabin ways, the slopes were
amazing as was everything else at Crystal Lake.
"Wow this is awesome!" Bo Sawchuck, Shirley's boyfriend/best friend said as he entered the lodge behind her.
The Lodge WAS awesome, it was furnished from head to toe with beautiful wood, and plush chairs were sat in front of numerous fires in every corner, a large doorway lead to the dining room and the front desk was directly in the center of the room playing a divider for left and right.
"It is amazing." Shirley agreed, "Mind you, I wouldn't be with such a happy attitude if Molly was my cabin mate. I couldn't believe when they said I was to room with her."
"You're not now?" Bo asked.
"Nope, Molly went on a last minute trip to Greece with her parents, who evidentley think the holidays are a good time to spend with their daughter. Alicia's cabin mate got the measles, so I've been moved to her cabin." Shirley explained.
"That's right next to Parker and I." Bo pointed out happily, but a frown quickly covered his smile, "I can't believe I got stuck with Parker."
Shirley laughed. A voice behind them was mumbling under their breath.
Shirley and Bo turned around to greet Alicia Gianelli, who was carrying
skis and a bag twice her size, and attempting to walk at the same time.
Shirley glanced a Bo who sighed, and took the bag from a grateful Alice,
despite himself though, Bo buckled under its weight.
"Jeez Alicia. What did you pack in there?" He muttered.
"Clothes." Alicia and Shirley said at the same time and laughed.
Ms. Strattman and Mr. Howie finished signing in with the front desk,
Ms. Strattman cleared her throat and the students quieted down.
"Students, before you leave to your assigned cabins there are a few
things you need to be made aware of." The students groaned, Ms. Strattman
ignored it and continued.
"Curfew is twelve o' clock, Mr. Howie and I will make cabin checks after
that. The opposite sex is not permitted in the others cabin after ten o'clock-
understand? There will be no horseplay on or off the slopes, no fights-
no trouble. Those who choose to wave the rules, WILL be punished.
Breakfast is served from eight to eleven o' clock, lunch is from twelve
to three o' clock and supper is served promptly at seven o' clock, a time
I expect you all to attend at the dining hall. The Lodge is open at all
times.. If there are any further questions, do not hesitate to ask Mr.
Howie or I. It's six o' clock, you have an hour to settle yourself in and
look around, then we will all meet for dinner at seven."
Ms. Strattman smiled and headed off to talk to the clerk a little more
about something, Shirley, Bo and Alicia walked out of the cabin.
"This is going to be so cool! A week of" Before Alicia could finish,
and excited Bart James and Sterling 'Stink' Paterson walked by.
"Seriously though Stink, it's said that these cabins are haunted by a gruesome faced ghost at twelve o'clock- the witching hour. Supposedly it's not safe to go out after then! The ghost makes his presence known after a series of accidents happen, and then it shows its full form the night of the full moon. People that see him are paralyzed with fright. So after midnight, it's not safe." Bart was saying.
"Yeah, Ms. Strattman and Mr. Howie'll be out there." Stink joked. They both nodded hello as the walked past Shirley and her friends.
Shirley shook her head, "Bart and his ghosts."
Bo looked at her and raised his eyebrows.
"You and your mysteries," He countered as they parted at their cabins.
As they walked into their cabin, Alicia gasped.
"It's huge!" She murmered.
And the cabin was, indeed, huge. The beds were on either side of the
room, a curtain was available over head for privacy, a door let to the
bathrooms, their were two closets and dresses and a fireplace in the corner.
"It looked smaller on the outside," Shirley observed.
Suddenly, Carson Evans, a new friend Shirley had met while trying to
solve a kidnapping mystery appeared.
"Hey!" He said smiling. Shirley and Alicia both said hello. Carson
looked around the room.
"Every cabin seems bigger than mine! I got gyped when the were handing them out!" He exclaimed, Alicia smiled at him, Carson smiled back.
"Hey," Carson said checking his watch, "It's almost dinnertime. Hey um, Alicia, do you uh, do you- um. Wanna sit with me?"
Alicia held back her surprise and smiled.
"I'd love to. I'll meet you at the lodge though. I have to change."
Carson nodded alright and then left. Alicia squealed.
"YES!" She exclaimed.
"Well, it seems that Carson has taken a liking to you." Shirley pointed out.
"Oh I know! What am I gonna wear though? Wasn't that cute? He was scared to ask me! It was so sweet! What am I gonna wear?" Alicia began to panic, she opened up her suitcase and began tossing things randomly on the floor until she found a black velvet dress.
"This should be good," She said, holding it up to herself, "I love this dress."
Suddenly Bo appeared in the doorway, he knocked on the wall jokingly.
"Shirley, are ya sitting with me at dinner?" He asked.
Shirley looked at Alicia and laughed, "Shyness was never really a problem
with Bo."
She turned to Bo, "Of course I'll be sitting with you."
"Well let's get a move on I want a good table!"
Shirley began to put on her jacket and boots, when Alicia asked in an
amazed voice, "Aren't you going to change?"
Shirley sputtered, wondering what was wrong with her cargos and angora
sweater but Bo ended up supplying.
"Alicia, I've seen Shirley dressed in army motife on rollarblades, a gang member, a little girl with a dead hamster, there have been too many hairstyles and outfits to count, so I really could care less if Shirley wore the same outfit all day. Most normal girls do. You look great by the way."
Alicia just shook her head unbeleviably as Shirley and Bo left.
On their way out though, she and Bo almost ran into an older man, who
was shoveling the walk way between cabins.
"Excuse me," He said in a faint spanish accent.
Shirley and Bo nodded their heads and walked by.
"Who was that?" Bo asked when they were closer to the lodge.
"I don't know, but it could be the caretaker. That's my guess." Shirey
answered.
"Then you're probably right." Bo smiled, and took Shirley's hand.
-End of Part 1-