school trip · forest setting · camp worker · trio dynamic · bullying · adventure · role reversal · ensemble cast · wilderness survival · high school
The air in room 203 felt charged that Friday morning. No scent of dry-erase markers—just a sharp, nervous energy humming beneath the gossip. Ms. Greer moved down the rows, checking names on her clipboard, while the class buzzed about the three-day trip ahead. Leo leaned back in his chair, the heel of his boot tapping a restless beat against the leg of Jesse’s desk. Jesse ignored the ‘no food’ rule entirely, shoving a handful of trail mix into his mouth. ‘You brought the knife?’ Jesse mumbled through almonds. Leo kept his voice low. ‘Yeah. Dad’s idea. And no, I’m not planning to stab the counselor.’ Jesse grinned. ‘Good. I’ll save that for the ghost.’ Rowan, sitting cross-legged ahead of them, glanced over her shoulder. ‘It’s not haunted. Just isolated.’ ‘…