Monday – 19 Days Before the Trip
The energy in Class 1-A?
Somewhere between "field trip buzz" and "mild hormonal earthquake."
The moment Mr. Brooks mentioned group planning for the hot spring village trip, the class lost its mind.
Roommate Drama Begins
Emma clapped her hands like a courtroom judge.
"Before we get derailed—again—we'll start with roommate arrangements. Girls and boys will be separated. But we'll be voting on groupings. Fairly."
Sofia: "Fairly? You mean I can't bunk with Jay?"
Brooks: "Correct."
Sofia: "Then it's unfairly."
Amaya said nothing. But she did glance at Emma, then down at her notebook.
Tyler raised his hand. "Can we request to be in rooms with bros who don't snore like lawn mowers?"
Miles raised his hand without looking up. "Can we request not to be with Tyler?"
Noah: "Can I bunk with Jay? For aesthetic balance."
Emma: "No."
Me? I just sat back, watching the madness unravel.
Group Chat Explosion – Later That Day
Tyler: bro I'm pumped
Noah: I am going to steam like dumpling
Emma: please remember it's still a cultural trip
Sofia: cultural trip into jay's abs
Amaya: …
Luna: posts a watercolor sketch of a traditional inn with a chibi Jay in a towel
I was about to reply when a new name pinged into the group.
Iris (Drama Queen #1) has joined the chat
Tyler: I see
Sofia: ohoho
Emma: wait—why is Iris in our class group??
Iris: surprise guest! special cultural collaboration delegate~
Iris: I was invited by Emma. sort of. accidentally.
Emma: WHAT?!
Tyler: LET HER STAY
Noah: she brings colour
Jay: she brings chaos
Emma: she brings a migraine
Later – Iris Gets Official
Turns out, it was real.
The Drama Club had helped behind the scenes at the festival. They were offered one invite.
Iris claimed it.
And now, she was officially joining our 3-day trip.
Emma tried to protest. But Sofia whispered,
"Come on, Em. Let the girl be dramatic."
Emma reluctantly added Iris to the spreadsheet.
Tyler hadn't stopped smiling since.
Saturday – Shopping Squad Assemble
"Swimsuits," Sofia announced, dragging me and the girls to the biggest department store downtown. "We need to look irresistible."
Emma: "We need functional attire."
Sofia: "Functional can be sexy."
Amaya: "I already packed a long shirt…"
Iris: "Do they sell capes here? I want a towel cape."
Luna: "I want one of those straw hats with cat ears."
We arrived at the swimwear section—
The Changing Room Zone
Emma emerged first.
Her swimsuit was a sleek navy one-piece. Professional. Tasteful. Hugging her hips in ways that made me blink twice.
"What?" she said, catching me staring.
"Nothing. Just… blue suits you."
She turned pink and vanished behind the curtain.
Next came Sofia.
Red bikini. Thin straps. No shame.
"Well?" she asked, twirling slowly. "Should I go scandalous… or scandalous-er?"
"I—I think you're breaking laws in two countries."
"Good. Let the villagers tremble."
Then Amaya.
She peeked out, red-faced, in a soft lavender two-piece with a loose floral shirt over it.
"I… I can change if it's too—"
"It's perfect," I said quickly.
She smiled and pulled the curtain back faster.
My brain needed a reboot.
Then Iris burst out, hands on hips, in a white swimsuit and a dramatic towel around her shoulders like a hero cape.
"BEHOLD, DRAMA SPA MODE."
Sofia clapped.
Emma facepalmed.
Tyler—who'd arrived late—nearly dropped his drink.
Luna stepped out last.
Simple black.
Elegant lines.
But it was the look in her eyes—curious, quiet, direct—that froze me.
She walked over, lifted her sketchbook, and showed me a sketch of me—eyes wide, mouth open, very clearly stunned.
"You have that face right now," she said calmly.
And then walked back inside.
Boys' Section – 15 Minutes Later
I tried on two trunks.
Tyler walked out in bright pineapple-printed shorts and said,
"Thoughts?"
Sofia: "Festive."
Emma: "Hideous."
Iris: "Tragic. Wear it."
Tyler grinned. "Perfect."
After Shopping – Ice Cream Stand Stop
We walked together under early evening skies, ice creams in hand.
Sofia leaned on my shoulder.
Emma walked a little ahead.
Amaya lingered close.
Iris skipped beside Tyler, talking fast and laughing louder.
For a moment?
It felt like a perfect day.
Even if the tension was building again.
Even if I could feel something shifting between us all.
Even if I knew the trip was going to flip our world upside down.