Chapter 10
860 Words
“Mia.”
Silence.
“Miaaa.”
A pillow hit her face.
Mia groaned, dragging it down just enough to glare at the source.
Lilly stood at the edge of the bed, fully dressed, fully awake, and entirely too excited for this early in the morning.
“Why are you like this?” Mia mumbled.
“Because today is field trip day,” Lilly said, like that explained everything. “And you are moving at the speed of a dying snail.”
Mia pulled the blanket over her head. “I hate mornings.”
“You hate everything before noon,” Lilly corrected, yanking the blanket off. “Up. Now.”
Mia sighed, sitting up slowly. “You’re exhausting.”
“And yet,” Lilly said sweetly, “you love me.”
Mia gave her a flat look.
“…I tolerate you.”
“Rude.”
A short while later, they were walking toward school, the early morning air cool and crisp, the packhouse fading behind them.
Lilly was talking.
Of course she was talking.
“I’m just saying,” she continued, gesturing wildly, “if this museum is boring, I’m suing someone.”
“You can’t sue a museum for being boring.”
“Watch me.”
Mia smiled faintly, adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Also,” Lilly added, lowering her voice slightly, “did you see him this morning?”
Mia didn’t need to ask who.
“No,” she said, a little too quickly.
Lilly smirked. “Mmhm.”
“I didn’t.”
“Okay, but I heard he has brothers.”
Mia glanced at her. “You hear everything, don’t you?”
“It’s a gift,” Lilly said proudly. “Three of them, apparently. He’s the oldest.”
Mia looked ahead again, her expression neutral—but her thoughts weren’t.
Victor.
She hadn’t seen him since yesterday.
But she had felt—
No.
She shook it off.
“Anyway,” Lilly continued, “we should sit together on the bus. Strategically avoid boredom.”
“Agreed.”
The classroom buzzed with energy when they walked in.
No one was paying attention to anything except the field trip.
Backpacks half-open, conversations overlapping, chairs turned in every direction.
Lilly dropped into her seat, immediately joining a conversation mid-sentence.
Mia slid into hers, quieter, observing.
From the front of the room—
A pair of eyes met hers.
Dillion.
Of course.
The school’s golden boy.
Confident. Easy smile. Everyone liked him.
He leaned back slightly in his chair and gave her a small wink.
Mia blinked.
Then looked away.
“Did you just get winked at?” Lilly whispered, appearing instantly.
“I’m choosing to ignore it.”
“You’re no fun.”
“He’s your type, not mine.”
“Everyone is my type,” Lilly said. “I’m inclusive.”
Mia snorted softly.
The buses were loud.
Too loud.
Voices bounced off every surface, laughter spilling over everything as students filled the seats, energy building with every passing second.
Lilly slid into a seat beside Mia, already mid-conversation with someone across the aisle before she even fully sat down.
Mia leaned back slightly, watching the chaos unfold around her.
It felt… normal.
For once.
“So,” Lilly said, finally turning back to her, “your birthday.”
Mia groaned softly. “Do we have to?”
“Yes,” Lilly said firmly. “It’s in three weeks. This is happening.”
“I know it’s happening.”
“Do you know where it’s happening?”
Mia hesitated.
“…Not yet.”
Lilly stared at her. “Mia.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“With what? Mysterious staring contests?”
Mia gave her a look.
“I’m serious,” Lilly said. “You need a location. Also—important question—are we getting ready together Friday?”
Mia blinked. “Friday?”
“The night before the Ball,” Lilly said. “Pre-celebration. Obviously.”
“Oh,” Mia said. “…Yeah. Sure.”
“Good,” Lilly said, satisfied. “Because I already decided we are.”
Mia smiled faintly, shaking her head.
“Do you even know how many packs are coming?” Lilly continued. “Because I heard it’s a lot.”
“No,” Mia admitted.
“Same,” Lilly said. “But I plan to find out.”
“Of course you do.”
“Information is power.”
“You just like gossip.”
“That too.”
The bus slowed.
Voices shifted, excitement rising again as students pressed toward the windows.
“We’re here,” someone called.
Lilly leaned across Mia slightly, trying to see. “Okay—first impression?”
Mia looked out.
The museum stood tall ahead of them—modern, sleek, but with something… different about it. The structure didn’t feel entirely new, despite its appearance.
Like something older sat beneath it.
Watching.
Waiting.
“…It’s bigger than I expected,” Mia said quietly.
Lilly grinned. “Perfect. More places for chaos.”
The bus doors hissed open.
And one by one—
They stepped out.
Unaware of what was waiting inside.
- Writer
