Page 12 of Alice & Meg, Girls Trip

We were all sitting around the campfire, just chatting after Meg’s delicious dinner of pizza pudgy pies. We each had two, but I was pretty sure Lennox would have had a third if Meg had made her one. The warmth from the fire wrapped around us, the crackling of the logs, and the quiet hum of nature around us were so peaceful.

We had all decided tomorrow we were going to venture out from our site and see all of the amenities the campground had to offer.

“You’re just going to have to wait and see,” I teased, leaning back in my own chair and feeling the tension of the day melt away. I had tried to act like driving the camper all this way wasn’t a big deal, but I had actually been really stressed out. At least for the nextsevendays I could relax before having to climb back in Mini Weenie behind the wheel.

Nikki pouted out her bottom lip in an exaggerated expression of disappointment. “That’s no fair. I’m like one of your best friends. I should know what you’ve got up your sleeve. If it wouldn’t have been for me running away and meeting you at the diner all those years ago, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

I chuckled, shaking my head at her attempt to guilt-trip me. This wasn’t the first time she had tried to use our history as away to get what she wanted. “Are you trying to make me feel guilty?”

Nikki nodded, her expression serious, but her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Yes, and it better be working.”

It wasn’t, of course, but I played along, rolling my eyes again. “It’s not, but I will go get my present for everyone. It’s something we can all use all week.”

Nikki pumped her fist in the air, a triumphant look on her face. “More presents!” she called out, her voice carrying across the campsite.

Greta, who was sitting on the other side of the fire, snorted in amusement. “I would ask you how old you are, but it really doesn’t matter. None of us act our age. I want more presents, too.”

“And you never should,” Meg chimed in, pointing a finger at Greta. “Once you start acting your age and how people think you should act, that’s when you start to get old.”

I nodded in agreement as I stood up, brushing off my pants. “Exactly. Now, if you’ll all excuse me for a moment, I’ll go grab your surprise.”

As I walked towards the camper, I could hear the low hum of conversation behind me, the soft laughter of my friends filling the night air. I slipped into the camper, the cool air inside a sharp contrast to the warmth of the fire outside. The box I had hidden earlier was still tucked away in the bathroom, just where I’d left it.

I had been on the lookout for something special that everyone could use on this trip. When I saw these tumblers, I knew they were perfect. They weren’t just any tumblers—they were something that would bring a smile to everyone’s face every time they looked at them.

“What’s in the box, Alice?” Greta called out, her curiosity piqued as I walked back to the fire.

“Tell me what’s in the box!” Cyn echoed, her voice playful as always.

Everyone laughed, the warmth of the fire mirrored by the warmth in our little group. I couldn’t help but smile at how well we all clicked together.

“Since Meg got us all these sweatshirts,” I began, holding up the box for everyone to see, “I thought we all also needed something to drink out of this week.”

I set the box down on the picnic table, opened it, and pulled out a smaller rectangular box. With a bit of dramatic flair, I opened it and pulled out the first tumbler. The gasps and giggles that followed were exactly what I had hoped for.

It wasn’t just any tumbler, though. I had them custom-made with a camping scene. But this wasn’t just any camping scene.

“Are those cows?” Lennox asked, squinting at the cup in my hand.

“A flying cow?” Meg leaned in closer, examining the design.

I held the cup up, proud of the little detail. “Just one. I think he’s trying to jump over the moon. And they aren’t just cows—they’re Highlands,” I beamed. “Just like my babies back home.”

“You have Highlands?” Reva’s eyes widened in surprise. “Like, real ones?”

I laughed at her reaction. “Yes, real ones.”

Reva leaned in close and whispered, “I’m coming home with you. I’ve always wanted to pet a Highland. My heart belongs to the dogs, but I’ve heard mini Highlands are just like dogs. Are yours mini?”

“Uh, full-size, and you can come anytime,” I assured her, grinning, “but probably give me a little bit of notice because as much as Wrecker loves me, unexpected company tends to piss him off a bit.” Especially when I knew someone was coming but didn’t tell him. Not that I’d ever done that before. Much.

“Gimme, gimme,” Wendy called out, wiggling her fingers at me. “You haven’t given me any cow stuff lately. My collection is getting sparse.”

I handed out the cups, watching as the girls’ faces lit up with delight. They oohed and aahed over them, turning the tumblers in their hands to admire every little detail.

Meg’s eyes sparkled as she turned hers over. “I love how colorful they are. These are just perfect, Alice.”

Lennox grinned, pointing at the cow jumping over the moon. “This is my favorite part. It’s adorable!”

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