Luxury Lake House
Twin Branches Series Side Quest
Previous Twin Branches Quest: Just Dance-A-Thon
Next Twin Branches Quest: Kimi's Sweet Sixteen
Previous Twin Branches Quest: Just Dance-A-Thon
Next Twin Branches Quest: Kimi's Sweet Sixteen
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements
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Requirements
At the end of a long dirt road, Julian parks his car at a trailhead. He, you, Payton, and Autumn all hop out.
Autumn: Wow... look at these towering redwoods... and smell this fresh air. A little nature is good for the soul!
Danny: I’m just glad to have a relaxing weekend with a few of my closest friends!
Julian: And I can’t wait to catch some fish, build some fires, and roast some s’mores!
Payton: Uh... that all sounds great. But where’s the lake house?
A voice from behind you interrupts.
Owen: It’s just a couple of miles up that trail.
Autumn: Owen Harris! Kimi Chen! It’s so good to see you!
Kimi: You too! We’re glad to be here!
Payton: Kimi Chen? Wait, you’re THAT Kimi? No way! Your video was my YouTube JAM for like a month straight!
Kimi: Yes... that video... I try not to talk about it.
Owen: Anyway, it’s going to be a great weekend. Let’s grab our bags and start hiking! The house is going to be incredible! I got all the information about it in the prize packet from the dance contest...
Julian: The contest WE would have won if Jack hadn’t cheated us out of it...
Owen: Uh-huh. I’m not convinced Kimi and I would’ve lost... but I guess we’ll never know...
Kimi: Well, the point is, we ALL get to share the prize! Now let’s start hiking!
Payton: Wait. Guys? Uh... it’s going to be a little hard to hike up to the cabin in heels...
Julian: Ha! Typical Payton! What, did you think there’s be a shoe store here at the base of the trail?
Owen; Don’t worry about it, Payton. I’LL carry your bags.
Payton: Finally, a REAL gentleman.
Julian: Hey! I can be just as helpful. I’ll get you up that hill, Payton.
Julian sweeps Payton off her feet with a gallant swoop, and she giggles.
Payton: That’s more like it... thanks to both of you!
After a long hike, you arrive at a huge, newly-built cabin. Inside, you find high-end furnishings, comfy couches, and floor-to-ceiling windows! Payton flops down on a couch and smiles.
Payton: This is MY kind of camping!
Autumn: The house is nice... but I came out here to be in nature, not inside.
Owen: There are supposed to be some kayaks down by the lake...
Julian: Great! Anyone want to race?
Owen: Well, I’ve never been in a boat... but I’m game!
Danny: Sounds like fun!
Requirements
Down at the lake, you, Owen, and Julian find three kayaks.
Owen: I hope you’re a good loser, Julian.
Julian: Funny... I was just about to say the same thing to you!
Danny: Hey! I’m in this race too! Couldn’t you guys talk a little trash to me?
Owen: You’re going down, Julian!
Julian: We’ll see, Owen!
Danny: Oh, that’s it! You two keep talking... I’m going to win this race!
Time - 6 hours
Autumn: Okay... looks like you’re ready to start! You all know how to kayak, right?
Owen: I’m a fast learner!
Julian: Oh yeah? Well, you’re about to be a fast LOSER!
Autumn: Just remember to paddle left if you start drifting left... and right if you start drifting right.
Danny: And we’re racing to the far shore?
Autumn: Exactly! Okay... go!
You, Owen, and Julian start paddling furiously! As you get halfway across the lake, you’re all neck and neck.
Owen: Here’s where I pull away, Julian!
Julian: Not so fast, Owen!
Danny: Time to pass both of you!
As you’re about to zip past the guys, you start to veer right! You paddle right, gliding past the guys!
Danny: Woo woo! That’s what you get for not paying attention to the REAL master kayaker around here!
Soon, you’ve build an insurmountable lead. You easily paddle to victory. And, back at shore...
Julian: Ha! I got second place. Looks like I beat you, OWEN!
Danny: Are you kidding me? I beat BOTH of you!
Owen: This isn’t over... JULIAN!
Payton: Okay... maybe we can all just relax a little now.
Autumn: How about a nature walk? We could hike up to that peak over there!
Payton: Sounds great! Kimi even let me borrow some super hot tennis shoes!
Kimi: You never know when you might need some backup Asics! Besides, this trail looks TOUGH.
Julian: Does it? I could probably get to the top in twenty minutes.
Owen: I bet I could get there in fifteen.
Julian: Sounds like there’s only one way to settle this. I hope you can run faster than you can kayak.
Owen: Oh, it’s on!
They take off running.
Danny: Yeah... they’re really going to regret sprinting uphill later... I’m just going to hang back with you girls this time.
Requirements
You start hiking up the mountain.
Payton: It’s so pretty here! It’s like a Prius commercial!
Autumn: The air smells of pine and blackberries... my senses feel so alive!
Kimi: I wonder what we’ll see from the top of the mountain...
Danny: Let’s get up there and find out!
Time - 7 hours
As you and the girls hike, the conversation wanders...
Kimi: ...so then I was like, what’s more important, Emily: the Olympics or the guy of your dreams?
Autumn: That’s right? Are she and Ben still together?
Kimi: After all that? What do you think?
Autumn: Hee hee, I have a guess! Oh, Kimi, it’s so much fun to catch up with you! I wish we could do this more often!
Kimi: Well, you could always come back to Twin Branches...
Autumn: You’re right, I could.
Danny: Oh... sounds like you had a really great time at your old school, Autumn...
Kimi: It sounds like she’s had a good time at your school too. I’m so happy for you! After everything that happened with, well, the art showcase, I was worried about you...
Autumn: Well, it took a while to get over that, but I’m fine now. At my new school, I get to be myself and work on art, and it’s wonderful!
Payton: Sorry to interrupt, but look around... we’ve reached the peak!
Danny: Wow... what a view.
Autumn: You can see the whole lake from here!
Payton: It’s kind of shaped like a high heel!
Nearby, you see Julian and Owen sprawled on the ground, heaving.
Danny: Uh... are you guys okay?
Julian: We... huff... sprinted the whole way...
Owen: And... huff... we tied!
Danny: Oh well... I’m sure there’ll be more stuff to compete over tomorrow.
After a few more minutes of enjoying the view, you hike back down to the lake house... ...where you fall asleep as soon as your head touches the pillow. But EARLY the next morning...
Julian: Time to get up, Danny! We’re going fishing!
Requirements
As Kimi and Payton sleep, the rest of you head out to the lake!
Julian: I figured fresh fish would be good for lunch since we didn’t bring much food.
Autumn: Sounds delicious to me.
Danny: Are you going to catch everything, Julian?
Julian: Oh yeah. Last time I went fishing, I caught a fish, and it was THIS BIG.
He holds his arms out wide.
Owen: Oh yeah? Last time I caught a fish... well, it was technically in a pet store, and I got to take it home. But it got to be pretty big! How much different can fishing in a lake be?
You all pile into a rowboat and paddle to the center of the lake, where you cast your lines.
Autumn: Now all we have to do is wait and enjoy the sunrise!
Time - 8 hours
After a few hours, you reel your line in.
Danny: Well, it was pretty fun watching the sunrise, but nothing tugged on my line the entire time. How’d everyone else fare?
Owen: We’d be doing a lot better if Julian stopped rocking the boat...
Julian: Hey, you’re the one taking up all the room on the side with the fish!
Danny: So... no luck then, huh?
Autumn: I’m pretty sure they scared all the fish away from their side with their moving and shouting... It’s a good thing I have a lot of fish to share!
Julian: Whoa, Autumn, that’s some catch you got there! I’m impressed.
Danny: How’d you catch so many?
Autumn: Homemade lures. See?
Autumn shows you bright feathers stitched to shiny mother-of-pearl buttons.
Autumn: I guess they really paid off!
Danny: This is one of the many times when I’m glad to have an amazing artist as a friend!
Back on shore, you meet up with Kimi and Payton at the dock.
Payton: Please tell me you caught something for us to eat...
Kimi: We’re starving.
Autumn holds up her cooler triumphantly.
Payton: Looks like it’s time for a picnic!
Requirements
You and your friends bustle around the kitchen, preparing for a picnic. Payton stands over a deep skillet, wielding a spatula.
Danny: I didn’t know you could cook, Payton! It smells great! How’s it coming along?
Payton skillfully flips a golden fish fillet out of the pan and into a plastic food container.
Payton: It’s done! And I’ve already packed the rest of the basket!
Autumn: I found a bunch of blankets in the closet. They’ll be perfect for the picnic!
Kimi: And I found some water bottles and drinks.
Julian: Sounds like we’re ready to go on a picnic!
Owen: I’m down!
Kimi: Hey, where have you guys been? We could’ve used your help cleaning the fish and packing everything.
Julian: Hey, we needed to see who could tie knots the tightest. Important stuff.
Payton: Uh-huh. Next time, why don’t we see who’s the best at cleaning up? Come on, let’s go.
Grabbing the guys, your group heads out into the woods to search for a campsite...
Time - 9 hours
You find a nice, shaded area in the woods and spread your blankets out.
Danny: This place seems great!
Autumn: The light quality in this part of the woods is wonderful!
You start settling in... when Payton lets out a small squeak and jumps away from your picnic blanket!
Danny: What? What’s going on?
Payton: ...uh, Danny? I don’t want to freak you out... but there are ANTS trying to eat our food!
You turn and see ants swarming around the basket. You grab the basket, brush the ants off, and sprint away!
Danny: I got the food! Let’s move!
The group follows you!
Kimi: Whew! That was close! Let’s find a less ant-infested place, please?
After some wandering, you set camp up in a clearing with soft grass and flowers in dappled sunlight. The lake shimmers invitingly nearby. You unpack the basket.
Payton: Much better.
Kimi: Anything’s better than having ants...
Danny: Let’s dig in!
Autumn: Payton, the fish is amazing! And it goes really well with the coleslaw we made.
Payton: Well, nothing beats fresh fish. Good call on the bread and cheese, too!
Danny: It’s not a real picnic without a baguette!
Owen: Agreed. And whoever brought a cooler full of lemonade was a genius!
For the next few hours, everyone eats and tells stories. Afterwards, you, Kimi, and Payton feed bread crumbs to ducks on the lake, while Julian and Owen try to skip rocks the farthest.
Autumn: The lighting is perfect. Danny, sit up! And Kimi, give me a smile!
Kimi: Ooh! That’s a really gorgeous camera!
Autumn: Well, it’s not as good as my old one...
Kimi: I know how much that camera meant to you.
Autumn: ...yeah. But at least this one has a lot of cool new features! Now smile for the camera!
A short time later, Autumn and Payton start to pack up the picnic supplies.
Danny: So what are we going to do after this?
Owen: I was actually thinking that we should spend the night outside.
Danny: I like it! We can drag out sleeping bags out here...
Payton: Away from our nice beds with our fluffy down comforters?
Danny: We’ll have a great view though... we’d be sleeping under the stars!
Payton: I don’t know... what if there are bears?
Julian: Not in this area. Besides, I have an idea that will keep us warm and keep animals away. A fire! I can build one. I’ve had some training...
Owen: I saw a nature documentary once where you can use a magnifying lens to start a fire...
Julian: I don’t think that’ll work.
Owen: Sounds like something we should test. Want to see who builds the best fire?
Julian: You’re on.
Requirements
Julian: If we’re going to build fires, we’d better get some kindling.
Payton: Wait, we just finished eating. Aren’t you guys going to help clean--
Julian: Later, Payton! Hurry up, Danny!
Owen: Yeah, let’s see who can pick up the most sticks!
Danny: Hey, wait!
Time - 10 hours
Julian: Thanks for getting us the supplies, Danny.
Danny: Just make sure you make a big, warm fire!
You arrive back at camp where Autumn, Payton, and Kimi have set up the sleeping bags.
Payton: I don’t think it’ll be as fun as sleeping indoors, but... what do you think of our camp?
Danny: I like the sleeping bag arrangements a lot!
Autumn: It’ll be pretty cozy! We’ll all be in one big circle around the campfire.
Kimi: I can see us now, talking and laughing and gossiping all night long! Squee!
Meanwhile, Julian and Owen argue about how to best make a fire.
Owen: It’s all about having the right lens... with the right angle, dry kindling, and some sunlight, it’s easy to start a fire.
Julian: Yeah, but you need tools to do that. If you’re stuck in the woods without a magnifying glass, what are you going to do?
Owen: Not get stuck in the woods without a magnifying glass? I have one on my Swiss Army knife. And your flint and steel idea is going to take forever.
Julian: Well, we’ll see very soon, won’t we?
Owen and Julian hunker down to start making their fires. As the sun sinks below the horizon, you start to get worried.
Payton: Hey, guys, it’s getting dark, and the temperature’s way below heater-level, and there’s NO fire! What’s up?
Owen: We’re almost there!
Kimi: Honestly, we don’t need two fires at the same time. Can’t you just drop the competition? Otherwise, we’re going to have to forget stargazing and go inside. It’s freezing.
Julian: But I’m close to a fire. I’m sure of it.
Payton: Come on, Julian. All you two have done this trip is run around competing against each other, and we’ve had to do all the work of cooking, cleaning, and setting up camp. Set up the fire together.
Owen: Well, I guess the light’s not good enough to get a fire from my lens anyway.
Julian: And I’m having a hard time getting the sparks to catch.
Owen: I heard pine needles are good for kindling. I can get some.
Julian: Huh, that might actually work. Thanks, Owen!
Owen: Yeah!
In no time at all, a small fire starts to burn.
Kimi: Yay! Fire! I finally get why people thought this was a big deal!
Autumn: Who wants hot dogs?
You and your friends eat a delicious meal and tell jokes.
Owen: ...so this Prep gets out of his fancy car, when another car speeds by, tearing the door right off! When the campus police arrive, the Prep complains about how expensive his car is. The policeman says, ‘You Preps are so materialistic. You’re so obsessed with what you own that you didn’t even notice that the speeding car took off your arm!’ Then the Prep looks at the stump where his arm used to be and shouts, ‘Where’s my Rolex?!’
The group chuckles.
Danny: Pretty good...
Payton: Ooh! Ooh! I have one... okay, so what does a ghost wear when it’s raining outside?
Kimi: What?
Payton: BooooOOOOoooots!
Autumn: Ha ha, cute!
Danny: Whoa, you guys... have you looked up at the stars? They’re so bright!
Autumn: Let’s get into our sleeping bags and gaze up at them!
Requirements
You zip yourself up into your sleeping bag and look up at the sky.
Kimi: The stars are so pretty!
Payton: Okay, I get why we stayed out here now. You can see so many of them!
Danny: Yeah, they’re so hard to see in town. It’s nice to get a real good look at them here. Do you guys know any constellations?
Payton: When my sister and I were little, we used to make up stories about them... of course, the constellations were all about shopping. Like, the Little Dipper, was really the Little Coin Purse!
Kimi: I can kind of see it... I’d call it Pursa Minor!
Payton: Hee hee!
Autumn: My mom taught me a couple of constellations... There’s Orion the Hunter. You can tell which one’s his by the three stars lined up in a row to represent his belt. And then there’s Cassiopeia. Hers is the ‘W’ shaped constellation in the sky. I remember hers because of the myth. She was a beautiful, but very vain queen...
Payton: ...who was really into shoes? Because that’s what my sister and I thought! One gigantic high heel that crossed the universe...
Time - 11 hours
You listen to Autumn and Payton tell stories about the constellations until the fire burns low. Then the conversation turns elsewhere...
Kimi: Hey, Autumn... you know, I’ve been wondering... whatever happened between you and Wes? You were pretty close to him back at Twin Branches... Do you talk to him anymore? I know you two had a thing.
Julian: A thing? What kind of thing?
Autumn: Er... we were close friends, it’s true, but now... Well, now it’s kind of complicated... we still talk from time to time, but it’s not as easy as it used to be.
Kimi: Oh, well, that’s... something.
A short time later, most everyone has gone to sleep. You lie awake, thinking to yourself.
Danny: Hey, Autumn, you still awake?
Autumn: Yeah... what’s up?
Danny: Nothing, really. Just thinking. Kimi and Owen are really great, and you were having so much fun together. It’s made me wonder if you regret leaving Twin Branches...
Autumn: Sometimes when I see old friends, it makes me wish that I could go back to that point in my life...
Danny: ...but do you think you’d ever go back for real?
Autumn: Are you worried about it?
Danny: Maybe a little.
Autumn: Well, I do miss my friends at Twin Branches... but I love my life at our school, Danny. I have people here who respect me and my work, and friends who really love me. I couldn’t go back to Twin Branches. Our school is home now.
Danny: Good.
Autumn: Now good night, Danny.
Danny: Good night!
You wake up to the sounds of birds chirping in the soft light of dawn breaking through the sky.
Danny: Yawn...
You look around and see Payton, Autumn, and Kimi sleeping close by... but Owen and Julian are nowhere to be seen!
Danny: Owen? Julian?
You look back towards the lake house and see smoke coming out of the chimney. You get out of your sleeping bag to investigate...
Requirements
You find Owen and Julian in the kitchen of the lakeside cabin. They’re standing over the stoves, cooking a meal!
Owen: Good morning, Danny!
Danny: What’s all this?
Julian: It’s a surprise for Payton and everyone else.
Owen: We want to thank them for cooking and cleaning up after us this entire trip. Want to help?
Danny: Just tell me what to do...
Time - 12 hours
A short while later, Payton, Autumn, and Kimi walk into the kitchen, bleary-eyed but curious.
Danny: Good morning, guys!
Payton: What’s going--
She stops when she sees the table, which is full of colorful plates heaped tall with stacks of fluffy, blueberry pancakes, sizzling bacon, and huge omelettes! Glasses of orange huice and steaming mugs of hot chocolate are set out at every place.
Payton: This looks amazing!
Autumn: Oh my goodness!
Kimi: I can’t wait to eat!
Danny: Bon appetit!
Everyone digs into their breakfasts, chatting happily. You stand up and clink a spoon against a mug of hot chocolate.
Danny: Hey, everyone, I’d like your attention! Since this is out last morning together before we head back... I’d like to take a minute to thank Owen and Kimi for sharing the prize and being such great company, and above all, for sharing stories about Autumn... cheers to you!
Kimi: It was our pleasure!
Owen: We wouldn’t have even been able to come here if Autumn hadn’t jumped in! So cheers to you too!
Payton: Cheers to everyone!
Julian: Hear hear!
Autumn: Cheers!
Owen: Cheers!
You clink your hot chocolate mugs together! Hope you enjoyed Luxury Lake House! Want to learn more about Autumn and her time before Hearst? Why did she leave Twin Branches? And what exactly happened between her and Wes? Check out her story along with more Kimi, Owen, and Wes in Surviving High School, available to download in the store now! And to find out more about Kimi Chen and learn what Payton loved about her viral YouTube video, check out the novel ‘Surviving High School: How to Be a Star’, now available in digital form and wherever books are sold!
- Have a Cuddle Up Cable Sweater Outfit
- Have a Casually Classic Outfit
- Spend 5000 coins
At the end of a long dirt road, Julian parks his car at a trailhead. He, you, Payton, and Autumn all hop out.
Autumn: Wow... look at these towering redwoods... and smell this fresh air. A little nature is good for the soul!
Danny: I’m just glad to have a relaxing weekend with a few of my closest friends!
Julian: And I can’t wait to catch some fish, build some fires, and roast some s’mores!
Payton: Uh... that all sounds great. But where’s the lake house?
A voice from behind you interrupts.
Owen: It’s just a couple of miles up that trail.
Autumn: Owen Harris! Kimi Chen! It’s so good to see you!
Kimi: You too! We’re glad to be here!
Payton: Kimi Chen? Wait, you’re THAT Kimi? No way! Your video was my YouTube JAM for like a month straight!
Kimi: Yes... that video... I try not to talk about it.
Owen: Anyway, it’s going to be a great weekend. Let’s grab our bags and start hiking! The house is going to be incredible! I got all the information about it in the prize packet from the dance contest...
Julian: The contest WE would have won if Jack hadn’t cheated us out of it...
Owen: Uh-huh. I’m not convinced Kimi and I would’ve lost... but I guess we’ll never know...
Kimi: Well, the point is, we ALL get to share the prize! Now let’s start hiking!
Payton: Wait. Guys? Uh... it’s going to be a little hard to hike up to the cabin in heels...
Julian: Ha! Typical Payton! What, did you think there’s be a shoe store here at the base of the trail?
Owen; Don’t worry about it, Payton. I’LL carry your bags.
Payton: Finally, a REAL gentleman.
Julian: Hey! I can be just as helpful. I’ll get you up that hill, Payton.
Julian sweeps Payton off her feet with a gallant swoop, and she giggles.
Payton: That’s more like it... thanks to both of you!
After a long hike, you arrive at a huge, newly-built cabin. Inside, you find high-end furnishings, comfy couches, and floor-to-ceiling windows! Payton flops down on a couch and smiles.
Payton: This is MY kind of camping!
Autumn: The house is nice... but I came out here to be in nature, not inside.
Owen: There are supposed to be some kayaks down by the lake...
Julian: Great! Anyone want to race?
Owen: Well, I’ve never been in a boat... but I’m game!
Danny: Sounds like fun!
Requirements
- Danny
- Julian
Down at the lake, you, Owen, and Julian find three kayaks.
Owen: I hope you’re a good loser, Julian.
Julian: Funny... I was just about to say the same thing to you!
Danny: Hey! I’m in this race too! Couldn’t you guys talk a little trash to me?
Owen: You’re going down, Julian!
Julian: We’ll see, Owen!
Danny: Oh, that’s it! You two keep talking... I’m going to win this race!
Time - 6 hours
Autumn: Okay... looks like you’re ready to start! You all know how to kayak, right?
Owen: I’m a fast learner!
Julian: Oh yeah? Well, you’re about to be a fast LOSER!
Autumn: Just remember to paddle left if you start drifting left... and right if you start drifting right.
Danny: And we’re racing to the far shore?
Autumn: Exactly! Okay... go!
You, Owen, and Julian start paddling furiously! As you get halfway across the lake, you’re all neck and neck.
Owen: Here’s where I pull away, Julian!
Julian: Not so fast, Owen!
Danny: Time to pass both of you!
As you’re about to zip past the guys, you start to veer right! You paddle right, gliding past the guys!
Danny: Woo woo! That’s what you get for not paying attention to the REAL master kayaker around here!
Soon, you’ve build an insurmountable lead. You easily paddle to victory. And, back at shore...
Julian: Ha! I got second place. Looks like I beat you, OWEN!
Danny: Are you kidding me? I beat BOTH of you!
Owen: This isn’t over... JULIAN!
Payton: Okay... maybe we can all just relax a little now.
Autumn: How about a nature walk? We could hike up to that peak over there!
Payton: Sounds great! Kimi even let me borrow some super hot tennis shoes!
Kimi: You never know when you might need some backup Asics! Besides, this trail looks TOUGH.
Julian: Does it? I could probably get to the top in twenty minutes.
Owen: I bet I could get there in fifteen.
Julian: Sounds like there’s only one way to settle this. I hope you can run faster than you can kayak.
Owen: Oh, it’s on!
They take off running.
Danny: Yeah... they’re really going to regret sprinting uphill later... I’m just going to hang back with you girls this time.
Requirements
- Autumn
- Payton
You start hiking up the mountain.
Payton: It’s so pretty here! It’s like a Prius commercial!
Autumn: The air smells of pine and blackberries... my senses feel so alive!
Kimi: I wonder what we’ll see from the top of the mountain...
Danny: Let’s get up there and find out!
Time - 7 hours
As you and the girls hike, the conversation wanders...
Kimi: ...so then I was like, what’s more important, Emily: the Olympics or the guy of your dreams?
Autumn: That’s right? Are she and Ben still together?
Kimi: After all that? What do you think?
Autumn: Hee hee, I have a guess! Oh, Kimi, it’s so much fun to catch up with you! I wish we could do this more often!
Kimi: Well, you could always come back to Twin Branches...
Autumn: You’re right, I could.
Danny: Oh... sounds like you had a really great time at your old school, Autumn...
Kimi: It sounds like she’s had a good time at your school too. I’m so happy for you! After everything that happened with, well, the art showcase, I was worried about you...
Autumn: Well, it took a while to get over that, but I’m fine now. At my new school, I get to be myself and work on art, and it’s wonderful!
Payton: Sorry to interrupt, but look around... we’ve reached the peak!
Danny: Wow... what a view.
Autumn: You can see the whole lake from here!
Payton: It’s kind of shaped like a high heel!
Nearby, you see Julian and Owen sprawled on the ground, heaving.
Danny: Uh... are you guys okay?
Julian: We... huff... sprinted the whole way...
Owen: And... huff... we tied!
Danny: Oh well... I’m sure there’ll be more stuff to compete over tomorrow.
After a few more minutes of enjoying the view, you hike back down to the lake house... ...where you fall asleep as soon as your head touches the pillow. But EARLY the next morning...
Julian: Time to get up, Danny! We’re going fishing!
Requirements
- Danny
- Julian
As Kimi and Payton sleep, the rest of you head out to the lake!
Julian: I figured fresh fish would be good for lunch since we didn’t bring much food.
Autumn: Sounds delicious to me.
Danny: Are you going to catch everything, Julian?
Julian: Oh yeah. Last time I went fishing, I caught a fish, and it was THIS BIG.
He holds his arms out wide.
Owen: Oh yeah? Last time I caught a fish... well, it was technically in a pet store, and I got to take it home. But it got to be pretty big! How much different can fishing in a lake be?
You all pile into a rowboat and paddle to the center of the lake, where you cast your lines.
Autumn: Now all we have to do is wait and enjoy the sunrise!
Time - 8 hours
After a few hours, you reel your line in.
Danny: Well, it was pretty fun watching the sunrise, but nothing tugged on my line the entire time. How’d everyone else fare?
Owen: We’d be doing a lot better if Julian stopped rocking the boat...
Julian: Hey, you’re the one taking up all the room on the side with the fish!
Danny: So... no luck then, huh?
Autumn: I’m pretty sure they scared all the fish away from their side with their moving and shouting... It’s a good thing I have a lot of fish to share!
Julian: Whoa, Autumn, that’s some catch you got there! I’m impressed.
Danny: How’d you catch so many?
Autumn: Homemade lures. See?
Autumn shows you bright feathers stitched to shiny mother-of-pearl buttons.
Autumn: I guess they really paid off!
Danny: This is one of the many times when I’m glad to have an amazing artist as a friend!
Back on shore, you meet up with Kimi and Payton at the dock.
Payton: Please tell me you caught something for us to eat...
Kimi: We’re starving.
Autumn holds up her cooler triumphantly.
Payton: Looks like it’s time for a picnic!
Requirements
- Autumn
- Payton
- Julian
You and your friends bustle around the kitchen, preparing for a picnic. Payton stands over a deep skillet, wielding a spatula.
Danny: I didn’t know you could cook, Payton! It smells great! How’s it coming along?
Payton skillfully flips a golden fish fillet out of the pan and into a plastic food container.
Payton: It’s done! And I’ve already packed the rest of the basket!
Autumn: I found a bunch of blankets in the closet. They’ll be perfect for the picnic!
Kimi: And I found some water bottles and drinks.
Julian: Sounds like we’re ready to go on a picnic!
Owen: I’m down!
Kimi: Hey, where have you guys been? We could’ve used your help cleaning the fish and packing everything.
Julian: Hey, we needed to see who could tie knots the tightest. Important stuff.
Payton: Uh-huh. Next time, why don’t we see who’s the best at cleaning up? Come on, let’s go.
Grabbing the guys, your group heads out into the woods to search for a campsite...
Time - 9 hours
You find a nice, shaded area in the woods and spread your blankets out.
Danny: This place seems great!
Autumn: The light quality in this part of the woods is wonderful!
You start settling in... when Payton lets out a small squeak and jumps away from your picnic blanket!
Danny: What? What’s going on?
Payton: ...uh, Danny? I don’t want to freak you out... but there are ANTS trying to eat our food!
You turn and see ants swarming around the basket. You grab the basket, brush the ants off, and sprint away!
Danny: I got the food! Let’s move!
The group follows you!
Kimi: Whew! That was close! Let’s find a less ant-infested place, please?
After some wandering, you set camp up in a clearing with soft grass and flowers in dappled sunlight. The lake shimmers invitingly nearby. You unpack the basket.
Payton: Much better.
Kimi: Anything’s better than having ants...
Danny: Let’s dig in!
Autumn: Payton, the fish is amazing! And it goes really well with the coleslaw we made.
Payton: Well, nothing beats fresh fish. Good call on the bread and cheese, too!
Danny: It’s not a real picnic without a baguette!
Owen: Agreed. And whoever brought a cooler full of lemonade was a genius!
For the next few hours, everyone eats and tells stories. Afterwards, you, Kimi, and Payton feed bread crumbs to ducks on the lake, while Julian and Owen try to skip rocks the farthest.
Autumn: The lighting is perfect. Danny, sit up! And Kimi, give me a smile!
Kimi: Ooh! That’s a really gorgeous camera!
Autumn: Well, it’s not as good as my old one...
Kimi: I know how much that camera meant to you.
Autumn: ...yeah. But at least this one has a lot of cool new features! Now smile for the camera!
A short time later, Autumn and Payton start to pack up the picnic supplies.
Danny: So what are we going to do after this?
Owen: I was actually thinking that we should spend the night outside.
Danny: I like it! We can drag out sleeping bags out here...
Payton: Away from our nice beds with our fluffy down comforters?
Danny: We’ll have a great view though... we’d be sleeping under the stars!
Payton: I don’t know... what if there are bears?
Julian: Not in this area. Besides, I have an idea that will keep us warm and keep animals away. A fire! I can build one. I’ve had some training...
Owen: I saw a nature documentary once where you can use a magnifying lens to start a fire...
Julian: I don’t think that’ll work.
Owen: Sounds like something we should test. Want to see who builds the best fire?
Julian: You’re on.
Requirements
- Danny
- Julian
Julian: If we’re going to build fires, we’d better get some kindling.
Payton: Wait, we just finished eating. Aren’t you guys going to help clean--
Julian: Later, Payton! Hurry up, Danny!
Owen: Yeah, let’s see who can pick up the most sticks!
Danny: Hey, wait!
Time - 10 hours
Julian: Thanks for getting us the supplies, Danny.
Danny: Just make sure you make a big, warm fire!
You arrive back at camp where Autumn, Payton, and Kimi have set up the sleeping bags.
Payton: I don’t think it’ll be as fun as sleeping indoors, but... what do you think of our camp?
Danny: I like the sleeping bag arrangements a lot!
Autumn: It’ll be pretty cozy! We’ll all be in one big circle around the campfire.
Kimi: I can see us now, talking and laughing and gossiping all night long! Squee!
Meanwhile, Julian and Owen argue about how to best make a fire.
Owen: It’s all about having the right lens... with the right angle, dry kindling, and some sunlight, it’s easy to start a fire.
Julian: Yeah, but you need tools to do that. If you’re stuck in the woods without a magnifying glass, what are you going to do?
Owen: Not get stuck in the woods without a magnifying glass? I have one on my Swiss Army knife. And your flint and steel idea is going to take forever.
Julian: Well, we’ll see very soon, won’t we?
Owen and Julian hunker down to start making their fires. As the sun sinks below the horizon, you start to get worried.
Payton: Hey, guys, it’s getting dark, and the temperature’s way below heater-level, and there’s NO fire! What’s up?
Owen: We’re almost there!
Kimi: Honestly, we don’t need two fires at the same time. Can’t you just drop the competition? Otherwise, we’re going to have to forget stargazing and go inside. It’s freezing.
Julian: But I’m close to a fire. I’m sure of it.
Payton: Come on, Julian. All you two have done this trip is run around competing against each other, and we’ve had to do all the work of cooking, cleaning, and setting up camp. Set up the fire together.
Owen: Well, I guess the light’s not good enough to get a fire from my lens anyway.
Julian: And I’m having a hard time getting the sparks to catch.
Owen: I heard pine needles are good for kindling. I can get some.
Julian: Huh, that might actually work. Thanks, Owen!
Owen: Yeah!
In no time at all, a small fire starts to burn.
Kimi: Yay! Fire! I finally get why people thought this was a big deal!
Autumn: Who wants hot dogs?
You and your friends eat a delicious meal and tell jokes.
Owen: ...so this Prep gets out of his fancy car, when another car speeds by, tearing the door right off! When the campus police arrive, the Prep complains about how expensive his car is. The policeman says, ‘You Preps are so materialistic. You’re so obsessed with what you own that you didn’t even notice that the speeding car took off your arm!’ Then the Prep looks at the stump where his arm used to be and shouts, ‘Where’s my Rolex?!’
The group chuckles.
Danny: Pretty good...
Payton: Ooh! Ooh! I have one... okay, so what does a ghost wear when it’s raining outside?
Kimi: What?
Payton: BooooOOOOoooots!
Autumn: Ha ha, cute!
Danny: Whoa, you guys... have you looked up at the stars? They’re so bright!
Autumn: Let’s get into our sleeping bags and gaze up at them!
Requirements
- Autumn
- Payton
You zip yourself up into your sleeping bag and look up at the sky.
Kimi: The stars are so pretty!
Payton: Okay, I get why we stayed out here now. You can see so many of them!
Danny: Yeah, they’re so hard to see in town. It’s nice to get a real good look at them here. Do you guys know any constellations?
Payton: When my sister and I were little, we used to make up stories about them... of course, the constellations were all about shopping. Like, the Little Dipper, was really the Little Coin Purse!
Kimi: I can kind of see it... I’d call it Pursa Minor!
Payton: Hee hee!
Autumn: My mom taught me a couple of constellations... There’s Orion the Hunter. You can tell which one’s his by the three stars lined up in a row to represent his belt. And then there’s Cassiopeia. Hers is the ‘W’ shaped constellation in the sky. I remember hers because of the myth. She was a beautiful, but very vain queen...
Payton: ...who was really into shoes? Because that’s what my sister and I thought! One gigantic high heel that crossed the universe...
Time - 11 hours
You listen to Autumn and Payton tell stories about the constellations until the fire burns low. Then the conversation turns elsewhere...
Kimi: Hey, Autumn... you know, I’ve been wondering... whatever happened between you and Wes? You were pretty close to him back at Twin Branches... Do you talk to him anymore? I know you two had a thing.
Julian: A thing? What kind of thing?
Autumn: Er... we were close friends, it’s true, but now... Well, now it’s kind of complicated... we still talk from time to time, but it’s not as easy as it used to be.
Kimi: Oh, well, that’s... something.
A short time later, most everyone has gone to sleep. You lie awake, thinking to yourself.
Danny: Hey, Autumn, you still awake?
Autumn: Yeah... what’s up?
Danny: Nothing, really. Just thinking. Kimi and Owen are really great, and you were having so much fun together. It’s made me wonder if you regret leaving Twin Branches...
Autumn: Sometimes when I see old friends, it makes me wish that I could go back to that point in my life...
Danny: ...but do you think you’d ever go back for real?
Autumn: Are you worried about it?
Danny: Maybe a little.
Autumn: Well, I do miss my friends at Twin Branches... but I love my life at our school, Danny. I have people here who respect me and my work, and friends who really love me. I couldn’t go back to Twin Branches. Our school is home now.
Danny: Good.
Autumn: Now good night, Danny.
Danny: Good night!
You wake up to the sounds of birds chirping in the soft light of dawn breaking through the sky.
Danny: Yawn...
You look around and see Payton, Autumn, and Kimi sleeping close by... but Owen and Julian are nowhere to be seen!
Danny: Owen? Julian?
You look back towards the lake house and see smoke coming out of the chimney. You get out of your sleeping bag to investigate...
Requirements
- Danny
- Julian
You find Owen and Julian in the kitchen of the lakeside cabin. They’re standing over the stoves, cooking a meal!
Owen: Good morning, Danny!
Danny: What’s all this?
Julian: It’s a surprise for Payton and everyone else.
Owen: We want to thank them for cooking and cleaning up after us this entire trip. Want to help?
Danny: Just tell me what to do...
Time - 12 hours
A short while later, Payton, Autumn, and Kimi walk into the kitchen, bleary-eyed but curious.
Danny: Good morning, guys!
Payton: What’s going--
She stops when she sees the table, which is full of colorful plates heaped tall with stacks of fluffy, blueberry pancakes, sizzling bacon, and huge omelettes! Glasses of orange huice and steaming mugs of hot chocolate are set out at every place.
Payton: This looks amazing!
Autumn: Oh my goodness!
Kimi: I can’t wait to eat!
Danny: Bon appetit!
Everyone digs into their breakfasts, chatting happily. You stand up and clink a spoon against a mug of hot chocolate.
Danny: Hey, everyone, I’d like your attention! Since this is out last morning together before we head back... I’d like to take a minute to thank Owen and Kimi for sharing the prize and being such great company, and above all, for sharing stories about Autumn... cheers to you!
Kimi: It was our pleasure!
Owen: We wouldn’t have even been able to come here if Autumn hadn’t jumped in! So cheers to you too!
Payton: Cheers to everyone!
Julian: Hear hear!
Autumn: Cheers!
Owen: Cheers!
You clink your hot chocolate mugs together! Hope you enjoyed Luxury Lake House! Want to learn more about Autumn and her time before Hearst? Why did she leave Twin Branches? And what exactly happened between her and Wes? Check out her story along with more Kimi, Owen, and Wes in Surviving High School, available to download in the store now! And to find out more about Kimi Chen and learn what Payton loved about her viral YouTube video, check out the novel ‘Surviving High School: How to Be a Star’, now available in digital form and wherever books are sold!