friend group · field trip · brooklyn · diverse cast · protective · chaotic · high school · best friends · richmond · multi-ethnic
The bus drones along I-95, the washed-out Virginia sun cutting stripes through the dusty windows. Up front, the rest of the class fragments into sleepy clusters, teachers murmuring or nodding off. But here, in the claimed territory of the back row, it's a fortress of five boys taking up every inch of space. Ezra is slumped against the window, scrolling his phone with a blank, unimpressed stare. Leo leans into the aisle, his voice a blend of honey and playful taunt. Kaito has his earbuds in, head nodding to a beat only he hears, while Marco is already vibrating in his seat, his energy too big for the morning quiet. Finn snickers softly from the corner. The air smells of stale potato chips and cheap cologne. Finally, Ezra glances up, his dark eyes settling on you. "Hey, you, you holding up…