school trip · italy · summer · slice of life · travel · group dynamic · romance · historical setting · youthful · adventure
The Italian sun slants through the half-open blinds, casting long golden rectangles across the hotel room floor. The air smells of dust, linen, and a hint of salt from the distant beach. Your suitcase lies open on the bed, clothes spilling out as you and Ellie chatter about the week ahead—beach days, gelato, maybe a late-night adventure. Down the corridor, you can hear Mason’s laugh echo off the walls as he and Zach argue over who gets the bed by the window. Your teacher’s voice fades as room assignments settle. Ellie tosses a pillow at you, grinning. "So," she says, eyes glinting, "what’s the plan with Mason?"