Alas

“There's the hotel! Freedom!” Felix’s boarish voice snapped me back to reality - a rather rude move if you asked me.

Outside trees lined the road like soldiers preparing for battle, prim and proper without a single outlier among them. Rows upon rows of thick bushels joined the chorus. Barley a sign of civilization existed out here,

Except for the ginormous wooden lodge we’d call home for the next week. Logs zigzagged back and forth along the exterior as they towered above the trees. Every bit of this screamed rustic, though I guess that was the entire point. A five star deluxe resort would admittedly ruin the atmosphere a bit. Just a bit. Camping life just sounded so much fun!

My death was just a few days away.

As we slowed to a crawl, Ms. Hani stood and started blaring about exit procedures or something of the sort - beats me. I’d do a fifty page science test before voluntarily listening to formalities on exiting a bus.

Instead, I plugged my headphones in and scrolled down to Astella’s channel. No dice. Nothing even remotely recent popped up on her page - not surprising given the trip. But my withdrawal symptoms could only hide for so long. I’d pay for all the equipment here and now if there was even a five percent chance of another stream.

As for where I’d get the money? Well, there was always a charitable friend who’d lend their wallet. I’d even reduce its weight a bit for free!

Thirty seconds later and bodies slowly piled off the bus one by one - sleep ravenged zombies shuffling towards freedom. Honestly, it couldn't be said I would fair any better.

As I rose from my leather prison of a seat, empty rows greeted me as the last pair of footsteps echoed away off the bus. Well except for one. Emma's ponytail stuck up just above the seat - stock still. Apparently, our resident bookworm got a bit too immersed in fantasyland.

Could have been worse - Val would simply refuse to move unless you took the BL from her hands yourself.

"Hey sleepy head, our golden chariot had reached its destination." No response. God, how good was this book of hers?"

"Hello!" I leaned over, watching her intently stare at some unknown device covered in shadows.

"Kaiden!" She flinched back in shock, assumedly at my natural beauty. "Sorry, how much longer till we get there?"

"We've been here for fifteen minutes your majesty."

"Fifteen minutes!" She leaped from her seat, giving me a good look at the device in her hand - a phone, and not her normal one either. "Sorry, parents were texting me about the trip."

"Don't need to apologize to me, Ms. Hani on the other hand..."

"I'm dead." She sighed. "Well, we're in this together."

"Together? That lady expects absolutely nothing from me. If anything, she'll be impressed I'm only this late.

"Screw you." I rolled my eyes. "Well, I refuse to be any later than this, so if you'll excuse me."

"Have fun princess." All I got was the cold shoulder as she left, never change Ella.

Though, her face did feel a bit more flushed than usual.

                                                                             * * *

As everyone gathered in the hotel's lobby, the usual groups scattered around while Ms. Hani checked us in - completely oblivious to my tardiness. Maybe my luck was turning around for once?

"Charlotte!" I shouted, making my way over to her group.

"You actually decided to show up!"

"Why do you sound shocked?" I jokingly asked, sitting down next to the others. "I miss any life-altering news on my sadly interrupted vacation?"

"She's just finalizing room assignments right now. Some rich dude came in last night and booked a few rooms so some of us will be shafted three to a room." Felix sighed. "Some things never change."

"It's just for a week, and the rooms are pretty big. It'll be you boys that get shoved together like sardines anyway." How kind Lilly. Apparently, in her infinite wisdom, she forgot there happened to be more girls than dudes in the class.

“We shall see.” I internally grinned. “What did everyone put as their activity this Thursday?”

“Think we all put archery?” Lilly said.

“Yeah… What did I put again Charlotte?”

“You put?”

I walked right into that one, guilty as charged. “What did you put for me?”
“That sounds better.” She cleared her throat. “We're heading to archery with the rest of them, all according to your genius planning of course.”

“Of course.”

“I’ve never shot before though - not like there's many chances in the city.” Camden sighed. “It always looked so fun watching those archery movies where they're making these pinpoint shots.”

“You absolutely can practice in the city with a bit of creativity.”

“What's your definition of creativity?” Charolates' tone made me consider my life choices then and there.

“Oh uhh, you know! Finding quiet areas and practicing good safety measures!” She eyed me like a wanted man. “Safety is super important after all!”

Everyone burst into laughter. Clearly, my comedy was just that impressive to them.

Felix jumped in. “Well, let's focus on the fun of it all. Kaiden’s brilliant ideas aside, we have a chance to experience things that your normal city dweller couldn't dream of! That's the entire reason JBHS shuttled us out here after all.”

Well, and the class bonding, but Felix really only had one thought in that regard.

“I’m absolutely demolishing everyone in archery anyway, you might as well focus on our other activities,” I said.

“Hey Camden?” Charlotte asked. “Do you think he knows the arrows are supposed to hit the target?

“Don’t think that's quite registered in his head yet.”

“Lot of smack talk for someone whose never even held a bow before.”

I turned before they even had a chance to reply as Ms. Hani started talking. You can't loose if your opponent doesn't have a chance to reply. Just another reason I was undefeated in banter.

She held a fistful of keys in her hand - explaining the room situation while everyone groaned.

“And as I was saying, due to the sudden limited number of rooms, some of the girls will have to be three to a room until we can find a more permanent solution. I hope everyone can understand.” Ms. Hani looked apologetic as she spoke - I never knew she had it in her.

“What!” and there was Lilly right on cue.

“Lilly, take it up with the staff, not me. Now let's get situated in our rooms for the next few hours, and meet down here later for dinner!”

A cheer arose from our class as everyone went to unpack and find their room assignments.

I looked out at the open door - some gentle breeze flowing in undisturbed. A peaceful serenity passed through these halls. Surely there wouldn't be anyone daring enough to disturb this!

Alas, never wasn’t a guarantee.