Chapter 41— Cruise Prep Chaos
Lyra's POV
The moment I wake up, my brain is buzzing with a thousand thoughts. Cruise packing. Clothes. Sun hats. Swimsuits. Sketchbooks. Chargers. Snacks. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. Sunscreen. And somehow, amidst the chaos, I have to make sure I don't forget anything important — because, of course, I have a tendency to do exactly that.
Mom peeks into my room with a gentle smile. "Morning, Lyra. Are you ready for cruise prep?"
I groan, stretching, and nearly topple my suitcase in the process. "I don't think anyone can ever be fully ready for this, Mom. It's a week-long adventure on a ship! How am I supposed to fit everything?"
She laughs, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Just take it one step at a time. Start with clothes. Shoes can go in later."
I begin pulling outfits from my closet, laying them across my bed like some chaotic runway display. Swimsuits — check. Light sundresses — check. Shorts, tank tops, pajamas, skirts, hats, and sandals — check, check, check. I pause, holding up a floppy straw hat with a small ribbon.
"Definitely need this," I murmur. "Sunburn is the enemy."
Mom nods approvingly. "And don't forget sunscreen. At least SPF 50, applied generously and often."
I scribble a mental note, then glance down at my sketchbooks. One, two, three — all packed. If inspiration hits while we're out on the deck or exploring a new town during a port stop, I have to be ready.
Then there's the fun part — accessories. My star necklace, earrings, and a few bracelets that somehow match most of my outfits. Each item gets carefully tucked into my bag, and I finally step back, surveying the organized chaos.
The group arrives mid-morning, vans pulling up with the kind of chaotic energy only seniors on the brink of freedom can muster. Soraya and Saphira burst into my room like a whirlwind, holding matching tote bags full of sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, and even small floaties for the pool.
"Lyra! You didn't pack enough sunscreen!" Saphira exclaims, brandishing a giant bottle. "You will get fried if we don't fix this immediately."
Cassian smirks from the doorway. "I brought extra board games and cards. Don't blame me if we spend half the cruise doing competitions."
Aveline, notebook in hand, is already jotting down an itinerary of the first day — meals, pool time, and sightseeing stops. The room is a whirl of laughter, teasing, and frantic packing energy.
Evan steps in quietly, leaning against the doorframe with that lazy, teasing smile. "Need help?" he asks, voice soft, almost conspiratorial.
I groan. "Yes, but you're not allowed to just stand there looking handsome and distracting me."
He grins and kneels by my suitcase. "Fine. Let's do this the Sol way. Systematic packing." He helps fold outfits carefully, checking off a mental list in his head. At one point, his hand brushes mine while tucking in a shirt, and I feel a familiar warmth spread across my chest.
"You're meticulous," he murmurs. "I like it. But don't stress too much. It's a cruise, not a final exam."
I can't help but laugh. "Easy for you to say. You only have one swimsuit and maybe a couple of shirts. I have… seventeen outfits, three sketchbooks, and ten pairs of shoes."
He raises an eyebrow. "Maybe a little over-prepared?"
"Maybe a lot over-prepared," I admit, and he laughs softly, brushing a thumb across my hand in a way that makes my stomach flutter.
By noon, the room looks like a colorful hurricane of bags, sunscreen bottles, sunglasses, hats, snacks, and toiletries. Notes are scattered across the bed with small reminders: SPF applied every two hours, remember sketchbooks, hats for deck walks, sandals for excursions, emergency snacks, reusable water bottles… the list seems endless.
Soraya and Saphira are bouncing around, holding up outfits like mini fashion shows. "This one! Yes, you must wear this for the pool deck!" Saphira exclaims, draping a bright sundress over my arm.
Cassian snickers. "You're going to be the sun goddess of the cruise, Lyra. No contest."
Evan leans closer, voice low and teasing. "Sun goddess, huh? Should I warn the ocean?"
I roll my eyes but can't stop laughing. The playful energy around me makes the stress vanish — for once, everything feels light, joyful, and full of possibilities.
We finally move to packing the bags themselves. Suitcases zipped, carry-ons filled with sketchbooks, chargers, hats, and snacks. Evan carefully tucks in my favorite lightweight hoodie — "For chilly nights on deck," he whispers, grinning. I feel my chest warm at the thoughtfulness.
Mom comes in one last time, surveying the scene. "Everything ready?"
I take a deep breath, glancing at the mess of perfectly packed chaos and the smiling faces around me. "I think so," I say softly. "Thanks for helping me survive this."
Evan steps closer, brushing my hair from my face. "You didn't need saving. You just needed a little backup." His hand lingers near mine, comforting and familiar. "Now… let's go make some memories."
I glance at the group, everyone grinning, joking, and full of anticipation. I tuck my sketchbook into my bag one last time and nod. "Yeah. Let's do this."
The car ride to the port is filled with laughter, playlists, and teasing banter. Sunscreen is reapplied, sunglasses are adjusted, and hats are carefully perched. I peek at the sparkling sea in the distance, heart pounding with excitement. This is it — the adventure we've all been waiting for, the last senior list item before college, before new beginnings, and before life starts pulling us in different directions.
Evan's hand brushes against mine again, gentle, reassuring, and warm. "Ready for the cruise of a lifetime, Sol?"
I squeeze his hand, smiling wide. "More than ready."
And as the ship comes into view, gleaming in the sunlight like a promise, I know this week will be full of laughter, adventure, and quiet moments — moments I'll remember for the rest of my life.