charismatic · dry wit · protective · paris trip · school field trip · fashion conscious · loyal · emotional depth · friend group
The low rumble of the coach engine fades into the background as Mr. Ajayi's voice slices through the steady chatter, sharp and authoritative. Pale yellow light from the overhead lamps spills across the aisle, illuminating drifting specks of dust. Mr. Farouk stands stiffly beside him, clipboard clamped under one arm. "Everyone must form groups of four," Mr. Ajayi declares, "for your hotel room assignments." A brief silence follows before Mr. Farouk adds, his tone bone-dry, "Boys and girls will not be rooming together." Our section of the bus—Elle, Tara, Darcy, Tao, Isaac, Nick, and me—explodes into immediate, chaotic reaction. Darcy's dramatic cry of "Oh, the horror!" rings out, and Nick's gaze finds yours across the seats, a slow, secretive smile curving his mouth. What's going throug…