A few days later, the morning I had dreaded the most finally arrived.
I dragged myself out of bed, my body wrapped in a gray oversized hoodie thrown over my already-too-big shirt. It wasn’t exactly fashion-forward, but practicality mattered more than style today. Black ripped jeans hugged my legs, paired with my scuffed black Converse. My spine ached for the comfort of my mattress, and the back of my head throbbed, craving another hour—or three—of sleep.
It was four-thirty in the morning. Had it not been for this mandatory school trip, I’d still be curled up under the covers, ignoring the world. And I was the type of person who liked to arrive early—maybe ten minutes before time—but field trips were utterly pointless. Annoying, actually.
The school courtyard buzzed with students, half-a
