Chapter 87
Helen drove into the parking lot. The bus was already parked outside as students clustered around it, laughing, and carrying shifted bags sleeping bags, and so on.
“Don’t forget to call me back when you get there,” she called after me as I step out.
told you there won’t be a network.” I groaned, dragging my box and backpack out of the backseat.
think your teacher was pulling your legs when she said that.”
“I doubt that I swung my backpack on one shoulder, “Bye Mom,” I whispered, leaning into the car window to kiss her checks
“Bye girl, have fun.” She nods halfheartedly. I chuckled as she drove off, muttering something about why it’s stupid for the school to take us to a place with no network.
“I swear I gave it to Mr. Davison yesterday!” a freckled boy I could recognize from my class yelped with panic nearby. pleading to Mr Halden.
I dropped my box beside the bus and weaved through the crowd, my backpack still slung over one shoulder.
“Maya!” I waved as I spotted her in the crowd with Jamal. She scowled at him and walked over, dragging a slightly too–heavy backpack behind her and a small box.
“If you pack your chips at the bottom of your bag, they will become chip dust. It’s not a debate.” Jamal scoffed behind her.
“And is it your bag? Or your chips?,” she shot back, rolling her eyes. “Aria!” She drops her backpack on the floor and sits on it. Listen to this. If you want to preserve your chips, do you store them at the top of the bag or bottom?”
“None, I guess it should be in the middle, cushioned by clothes,” I replied.
“See?” Maya crowed triumphantly. “She gets it.”
“hi, Aria! Jamal smiled. “That’s all of your loads?” He gestured at my backpack.
“I wish but Helen had to pack an extra box of unnecessary stuff.” I scoff, nodding at my box.
“Just like I thought,” Maya laughed.
“Alright girls, I’m coming. I just need to check something real quick.” Jamal said jogging off.
“So you’re with two boxes too.” I sighed once we were alone.
Maya smiled and glanced around. “Yeah! I knew your mum would load you up with enough essentials for both of us, so I went to my aunt’s place yesterday evening and grabbed all her favorite romance books–once that can fit this.” She pointed at the box “while I packed my favorite chips and clothes in my backpack. Got your slip?”
I patted the front pocket of my backpack, feeling the crisp fold of paper. “Right here. Let’s get this over with before the line gets any longer.” I nod at the line in front of Mr Halden’s.
We moved together toward Mr. Halden’s desk. “Two of you?” he asked, peering over his glasses and when it got to our turn.
“Yes, sir,” Maya replied, handing him her slip. “All set?”
I handed him my slip. “Yep. Signed, sealed, and ready for adventure.”
He chuckled. “Adventure indeed. Don’t lose your way, but have fun, both of you.”
18:18 TừỐ, Jan 13 MITG
Chapter 87
We nod and walk to the bus. 1 picked my box and climbed in, settling beside Maya who was putting her boxes in the overhead compartment.
Thank you,” I smiled as she grabbed mine into the compartment too.
“So,” She said, plopping my backpack next to her and putting on her headphones around her neck, “any plans for Aura?”
“Like what?” I turned to her, “you have anything to say?”
“When I went to pick the books from my aunt’s yesterday, we had some discussion about everything and you know, including your boutique and she was like you should employ more designers and so on, partner with instagram influencers and perhaps open a website…”
“I get you girl,” I chuckle, cutting her, “Helen told me to leave all of that to her.”
“Oh,” she sighed, “Aura has a lot of potential, I trust Helen to bring them out.”
“Yeah…” I smiled, leaning my head back against the seat. “Let’s not think of that for now, we’ve got three days of fun at lakefront cabins, hiking and so on.. it should be awesome.”
“Except that there will be no network.” She mumbled.
“Hey, girls,” Jamal said, dropping into the empty seat across from us. “Excited?”
“Of course!” I said, smiling. “Where’s your stuff?”
“Back there,” he said, pointing behind me. I turned around and Liam waved at me, some boxes stacked in the overhead compartment beside him. “Wouldn’t miss sitting with you guys.”
“Good.” I teased. “You have to help keep Maya in check, she could cause trouble anytime and anywhere,”
“Ha. I’ll do my best.” He laughed.
Maya nudged me with her elbow. “I ain’t that troublesome, Aria,”
The bus door opened and Chloe’s minions stepped in, dragging three overstayed boxes. They shoved them toward the back and stepped out.
“Oh no,” Maya whispered, sitting up. “Don’t tell me–”
The door hissed open again and Chloe strutted in, dressed in a pink short gown and sparkly hat, her hand on her lips waist and the other on her lips, rolling her chewing gum. Behind her are her two minions following her in perfect synchronized
steps.
“So they went back outside just to walk behind her? Jamal snickered. “Stupid bimbos”
“I never knew a day would come where I’d witness this much stupidity.” Maya groaned, palming her face. “They will probably sneeze too if she does.”
Chloe stopped, her gaze swept across the bus. She hissed when her eyes met with mine.
“Oh, the local maggots are here.” she spat, loud enough for more than half the bus to hear.”
“Let her be,” I whispered, grabbing Maya’s hand as she shot up in her seat.
“I hope she’s not talking to us.” She muttered, cracking her knuckle.
Chloe ignored her, stepping farther into the aisle.
Chapter 8
ley Jamal the situled, stepping closer to him and ignoring us. Still not going to talk to me? Aner diy manyz
I blinked, staring at Jamal and then her. “I know Maya said she and Jamal were close buddies in third grade but I didnt kise how close exactly.”
“Oh, what’s that smell,” Jamal sniffed, covering his nose. “Can you take live steps back? The smell of your stupidity is too toxic for my health.
Her smile cracked. She spun away sharply and walked toward the back of the bus, her minions scrambling behind her.
The bus door opened again and Mr. Halden climbed aboard, followed by Mrs. Hopkins.
“Settle down, everyone!” Mrs. Hopskin called, clapping her hands.
Mr. Halden scanned the bus. “If you are not in a seat, get in one. If your bag is blocking the way, move it.
They both settled into the seats beside the driver and the engine rumbled to life as we pulled away from the school.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
