[6:30 AM]
My phone rang for the third time. I didn't need to look at the screen to know who was calling. I answered while stuffing the last piece of clothing into my bag. "Good morning, Jin."
"Good morning?! The sun is practically up and you're not here yet!" Jin's voice came through, a mix of panic and excitement. "The buses are moving at seven! Do you want us to run after them?" "Calm down, man. I'm tying my shoelaces. I'll be at the gate in ten minutes."
I said goodbye to my parents at the door. Mom handed me an extra bag of pastries, and Dad waved at me with his newspaper. I stepped out into the cool morning breeze, jogging toward the school, my heavy backpack hitting my shoulders in a comforting rhythm.
[School Courtyard – The Gathering]
The courtyard was teeming with students; colorful bags were piled everywhere, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. The big yellow buses were lined up perfectly, their engines idling and puffing white exhaust smoke into the cold air.
I spotted Jin from a distance. He was jumping and waving with both hands, wearing that strange hat he bought yesterday. Beside him stood Lina and Sarah. Lina was wearing a soft white coat, looking like a snowflake, while Sarah was checking the attendance list in her capacity as the vice class president.
"Finally!" Jin grabbed me by the arm and whispered a devilish plan. "Listen, Ray... Bus number 2 is our target. Sarah is going to sit there. My plan is to get in right after her and sit next to her, claiming the seats are full. You... manage yourself with Lina."
I winked at him. "Solid plan. Good luck, Romeo."
Boarding began. Students scrambled toward the doors. Sarah got on, and Jin followed, adjusting his hat to look handsome. Lina and I were a distance behind them.
Jin reached the row where Sarah sat. The seat next to her was empty. Jin's smile widened. "Oh, what a coincidence! Is this seat ta—"
Before he could finish his sentence, and before he could even put his bag down... a short student wearing thick glasses and carrying way too many books dashed in. It was Hana, the school's most talkative and annoying student, the one who always chased Jin to borrow pens she never returned. "Oh! Jin!" Hana screamed and threw herself into the seat next to Sarah with lightning speed. "Excellent! I wanted to talk to you, Sarah, about the biology project!"
Jin froze in the aisle. Sarah looked at him and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Jin... the seat's gone." Jin looked around in a desperate search for a nearby seat... but the students had filled the spots. There was only one empty seat left... at the very back of the bus... right next to the Strict Monitor who hated noise.
Jin dragged his feet in defeat toward the back, passing by me while whispering in a tearful voice: "I hate my life."
I chuckled lightly and boarded. There was an empty seat in the middle, next to the window. I sat down. A moment later, Lina stood in the aisle. "Is this seat taken?" she asked shyly. "Reserved only for you," I moved my bag, and she sat beside me.
The bus began to move. The road was long, but it was enchanting. We left the noise of the city behind, and the buildings began to space out, replaced by green fields, then tree-covered hills. Lina and I shared earphones, listening to quiet songs and taking pictures of the scenery through the glass. She laughed every time she snapped a photo of Jin sleeping in the back with his mouth open, while the monitor looked at him with disgust.
We arrived at noon. The Pine Mountains welcomed us with their grandeur, and the scent of pure trees filled our chests. "This..." I took a deep breath. "...is exactly what I needed."