Chapter 7
930 Words
The bus was already packed by the time Selene stepped on, the familiar scent of warm fabric and cheap air freshener filling the space. She adjusted her bag, scanning for an open seat.
That’s when she saw her.
Tara Reed.
Seated near the back, scrolling through her phone with practiced boredom. Even in the dim morning light, Tara still looked flawless—perfect hair, effortless posture, and that air of superiority she carried like a designer bag.
And, of course, the only available seat was next to her.
Selene debated standing the whole ride, but Tara must’ve sensed her hesitation because she glanced up, smirked, and said, “Don’t just stand there, Veyne. I don’t bite.”
Selene muttered, “Yet.” But she sat anyway.
The bus jerked forward, causing her to bump into Tara’s shoulder.
Tara clicked her tongue. “Wow. Graceful.”
“Shut up,” Selene muttered, adjusting herself.
For the first few minutes, they just ignored each other. Tara was too busy scrolling, Selene too busy staring at the window, wishing she’d taken another bus.
Then, out of nowhere, Tara spoke.
“You packed for the trip yet?”
Selene blinked. “What?”
Tara didn’t look up. “The school trip. The resort.”
Oh. Right. The trip
"Didn't think you'd spend money on something like that." Selene said as she thought about how to explain to Emily that she hadn't planned a single outfit.
"Didn't want to suffer with the rest of you mediocre bunch."Tara scoffed.
"Why you on a bus then?"
"Shut up."
Our school had this rule where students weren't allowed to drive cars to school. Which she thought to be a ridiculous rule by the way.
Guess Tara couldn't override that rule huh.
The rest of the ride was quiet, thankfully.
----
Selene had barely grabbed her books from her locker before Emily pounced.
“Oh my God, Selene.”
Selene sighed. “Hi, Emily.”
Emily ignored her, staring at Selene’s ear. “Where did you get that?”
Selene frowned, touching the stud. “This?”
Emily nodded furiously. “Yes! That wasn’t there yesterday.”
Selene hesitated. She hadn’t planned on telling anyone about the earring.
But this was Emily. And Emily was relentless.
Selene sighed. “My dad gave it to me last night. Said it was a good luck charm.”
Emily blinked. “Good luck charm? For what exactly?”
“No idea.”
Emily leaned in, squinting at it. “It looks… simple. But expensive.”
Selene smirked. “Everything my dad owns is expensive.”
Emily tapped her chin. “It gives me vibes.”
Selene raised an eyebrow. “Vibes?”
Emily nodded. “Like, mysterious, hidden-meaning, ‘I have the power of the universe’ kind of vibes.”
Selene snorted. “Emily, it’s an earring. Not a magic artifact.”
Emily grinned. “You don’t know that.”
Selene rolled her eyes. “Anyway, you packed for the trip yet?”
Emily lit up instantly. “Yes! I’ve already planned three outfits per day.”
Selene sighed. “Of course you have.”
Emily gasped. “You haven’t packed, have you?”
Selene shrugged. “I’ll throw some stuff in a bag last minute.”
Emily looked offended. “Selene. This is a luxury resort. There will be photos. You cannot just ‘throw stuff in a bag.’”
Selene smirked. “Watch me.”
Emily groaned. “I hate you.”
Selene laughed. “You love me.”
Emily sighed dramatically. “Unfortunately.”
They walked toward class, Emily still ranting about outfit choices.
----
Selene sat by the window, watching the city disappear as they headed toward the private lakeside resort. The roads turned narrower, the buildings gave way to sprawling green fields and dense forests. The sky was clear, but something about the trip felt… off.
Not wrong. Just off.
Emily was beside her, bouncing with excitement. “This is going to be amazing. A whole weekend of luxury, no responsibilities, and—”
“A very real chance of dying in the wilderness,” Liam cut in from the seat behind them, smirking.
Emily rolled her eyes. “It’s a resort, not a horror movie.”
“Yet.”
Selene sighed, adjusting her earring—the one her father had given her. She still wasn’t used to it, but it had become a habit to touch it when she felt unsettled.
Leo, seated across from them, had his sketchbook open, absently running his pencil across the page. “I wouldn’t mind a little wilderness,” he mused. “Better than being stuck inside.”
Emily sighed dreamily. Selene nudged her foot under the seat, bringing her back to reality.
“You guys are missing the real issue,” Liam continued. “Who thought it was a good idea to put me and Veyne in the same cabin?”
Selene groaned. “Wait. We’re sharing?”
“Yup.” He grinned. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
Emily stifled a laugh. “This weekend just got interesting.”
Selene pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m sleeping outside.”
Liam winked. “Try not to miss me too much.”
Leo smirked slightly but said nothing, his gaze flickering between them.
The bus hit a bump, jostling them all slightly.
Selene exhaled. This trip was already exhausting—and they hadn’t even arrived yet.
And for some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to happen.
Well she hoped not, anyway.
- Writer
