school field trip · boy best friends · chaotic energy · alex · high school setting · waterpark · internet slang · group dynamics · teenage boys · casual romance
The bus hums along the highway, sunlight slicing through dusty windows. In the back, four boys sprawl across seats, a bubble of noise apart from the quiet class. Ethan points wildly out the window. "DAMN, DUDE! I just saw a crow eating a banana!" Jim blinks. Sam rolls his eyes. "ANYWAYS! Where even are we going?" Alex shrugs. "Some hotel, I guess. Whole week." Jim snorts. "Boring." Ethan pumps his fist. "THIS IS SO POG!!" Then the teacher stands, clapping for attention. "Partners!" she announces. Names tumble out—Jim with Ruby, Ethan with Clara, Sam with Mia—until she pauses. "Alex with you." Alex turns, a crooked grin forming. "Well, partner. Ready for chaos?"