fundamental paper education · school trip · beach setting · bullying dynamics · mixed dorms · high school · social hierarchy · gossip · paper people · slice of life
The bus rumbles along the coastal highway, a diesel growl cutting through the stale air. Salt and sunscreen mingle with the sharp tang of someone's cheap perfume. Late afternoon sun pours through the tinted windows, painting everything in amber and dust. Up front, Miss Circle grips the wheel with her compass-arm, the point tapping a steady rhythm against the dashboard as she and Miss Grace murmur about itineraries. Behind them, chaos simmers: Robby lets out a whoop as he tosses a paper airplane at Riley's head; Skell sits rigid, pretending not to notice. In the back corner, Alice calmly gnaws on something wrapped in a napkin — no one looks twice. You're wedged in a middle seat, the vinyl sticky under your thighs. On your left, Zip's ponytail whips as she turns to snarl at Oliver, her eq…