The Sleeping Bag
20-year old Alex, stood over his adorable but annoying twin sister, a hiking stick raised like a medieval jouster's lance in his right hand. Mia, with her light blonde hair and impossibly long eyelashes, stirred.
"Alex, seriously? It's six in the morning!"
Her voice was a high-pitched whine. Guys thought she was hot, but Alex found her annoying.
"Come on, sleepyhead!" he shouted, poking her roughly, "Mom and Dad told me to wake you."
Mia groaned, rolling over to face the wall as her brother departed.
"I can't believe he woke me up like that. It's so disrespectful!"
A few minutes later, she was dressed, revealing an outfit that would have been more at home on a beach than a forest. A tiny denim skirt and a crop top that barely covered her breasts were odd choices for a camping trip, but Mia cared more about looking good than being practical.
Alex rolled his eyes when she came downstairs.
"Are you serious? We're going camping, not to a fashion show."
Mia scoffed. "I have to look good, even in the wilderness."
Their parents, oblivious to the brewing storm, bustled around the kitchen, packing the car.
"Come on, you two," their mother called. "We need to get going!"
"I can't believe we're actually doing this," Mia complained as she reluctantly stuffed toiletries into a backpack along with a recommended change of warm clothes.
"Me neither," Alex grumbled. "I'd rather stay home."
For once, the twins were in agreement. They both hated camping. Alex preferred the comfort of the couch and his video game collection, and Mia couldn't bear the thought of being without her carefully curated wardrobe. The twins kept on complaining even once they were on the road.
Their parents exchanged weary glances.
*
Several hours later, the family station wagon finally turned off the asphalt and onto a dirt track and the world around them turned green. The trees stood tall and proud, branches reaching for the sky as beams of sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. In the distance, a crystalline lake, its surface as smooth as glass, reflected the heavens like a mirror, and the air was filled with birdsong and the sweet scent of pine.
"Wow," Mia breathed, her voice filled with unexpected awe.
Even she couldn't deny the beauty of the place.
Alex was unimpressed.
"Great. A lake. I guess we can go fishing," he mumbled.
Mom and Dad, oblivious to their children's contrasting reactions, were the first to jump out the car, their faces lit up with annoying levels of excitement as they began unloading camping gear.
Alex and Mia, who'd spent the whole drive whining and dozing, took their time leaving the car.
"This is such a drag!"
"I know right?"
The siblings were in a dark mood as they explored the campsite until Mia realised she could use this opportunity to work on her tan. She spread a beach towel in a sunny spot near the lake and began lathering her shapely body in gooey sunscreen. Alex, meanwhile, wandered about, phone held high in one hand, desperately searching for signal.
"No service!" he exclaimed in frustration. "This is torture!"
Their parents, having finished setting up the tent, looked at their adult children with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Come on, you two," their father said. "We're here to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other and nature."
"But Dad," Alex protested, "what am I supposed to do without my phone?"
Their mother smiled patiently.
"You could go for a hike, explore the woods, read a book..."
The twins just rolled their eyes.
*
The afternoon sun beat down on the lake, transforming the water into a shimmering expanse of blue. Unable to withstand the temptation any longer, Mia and Alex shed their clothes and dove into the cool water. The initial shock was quickly replaced by exhilaration as they splashed and played, their laughter echoing through the woods.
For the first time in what felt like forever, they were simply brother and sister, enjoying hanging out together without the usual bickering. As they swam, they began to talk, sharing stories and jokes. It was as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Maybe their parents were on to something. Camping was helping them bond.
"You know, Mia," Alex began, his cheeks slightly pink, "that bikini really suits you."
Alex had been checking out his sister ever since she stripped out of her skimpy clothing to tan by the lake. He told himself that it was okay because there weren't any other girls around. Mia, who had been busy running her hands through her wet hair, looked up, surprised.
"Thanks, Alex," she replied, a genuine smile playing on her lips. "You look pretty good yourself."
"I've been working out," Alex explained, flexing his muscles playfully.
Mia bit her lip and winked seductively at her brother.
"I can tell..."
Mia didn't know what was coming over her. Was she flirting with her brother? He had definitely been checking out her body while they were swimming and she was making sure he could see everything he wanted to. She swam in little circles around him with her wet ass in his face and she even ducked him underwater while smothering him with her boobs.
Their parents, watching from the shore, smiled at the heartwarming sight.
*
As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the campsite, the family lit a fire and started preparing their evening meal. Mom and Dad took care of pretty much everything so there was not much for Alex and Mia to do and they all enjoyed a delicious wood fired meal.
However, as night fell, a problem arose. With the campfire dying down, the twins discovered a crucial problem - Mia, having been too preoccupied with her appearance, had forgotten to pack her sleeping bag.
"You forgot your sleeping bag, genius," Alex snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Well, it's not my fault..." Mia retorted.
