Arista's POV
The school parking lot looked unreal at six in the morning.
Too many students.
Too much noise.
Too much excitement for an hour when my brain was still half asleep.
Buses stood in a long line, engines humming like they were impatient to leave us behind. Someone was already playing music out loud. Someone else was arguing about snacks. Someone screamed my name from across the lot.
"ARISTA!"
I turned just in time for Meera to crash into me with a backpack twice her size.
"Why do you look like you're moving houses?" I laughed.
"Essentials," she said seriously. "Food. Charger. Food. Extra food."
Advi joined us, adjusting her cap. "I swear if you lose anything, I'm not sharing."
Sana appeared next, holding a coffee like her life depended on it. "If I fall asleep on this bus, don't let anyone draw on my face."
"I absolutely will," Meera said.
I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in days.
Then the seating announcement came.
"Bus One — Group A and B."
That was us.
---
The Bus.
Chaos.
That's the only word.
People rushed in, claiming window seats like it was survival of the fastest. Bags flew. Someone almost tripped. Someone definitely yelled.
"I'm sitting by the window," Meera declared.
"No, you're not," Sana said. "You get motion sickness."
"That was ONE time."
I climbed in behind them, scanning for an empty seat—
And froze.
Kaelor was already on the bus.
Sitting in the middle.
One seat beside him empty.
Of course it was.
He looked up when he heard my footsteps, eyebrows lifting slightly. Not surprised. Just… aware.
"You're late," he said.
"It's six a.m.," I replied. "Nothing is on time."
He smiled and stood up. "Window or aisle?"
I hesitated for half a second too long.
"Aisle."
"Wise choice," he said, sliding into the window seat.
I sat down, heart doing that annoying thing again.
The bus lurched forward moments later, the city slowly disappearing behind us.
---
On the Road, Music played softly from someone's phone. Conversations overlapped. Laughter echoed.
Meera leaned over from the seat ahead. "Arista, if we die, I want you to know—"
"Stop," I cut her off. "We're going on a trip, not a cliff."
Kaelor snorted.
I glanced at him. "You find that funny?"
"Very," he said. "She's dramatic."
"She's emotional," I corrected.
He nodded seriously. "Ah. Important distinction."
I tried not to smile.
Outside the window, trees blurred into green streaks. The bus smelled like snacks and early mornings. It felt… unreal.
At one point, the bus hit a bump.
I jerked forward slightly—
And Kaelor's arm instinctively moved.
Not grabbing.
Not holding.
Just there.
Grounding.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah," I said. "Just wasn't ready."
"Same," he replied, lowering his arm but not pulling it away completely.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The bus kept moving.
---
We stopped near a roadside café.
Everyone spilled out like they'd been trapped for hours instead of forty minutes.
I stepped down from the bus, stretching my legs.
Kaelor stood beside me, hands shoved into his jacket pockets.
"You don't like long rides," he said.
I blinked. "How do you know?"
"You stare out the window more when you're nervous."
I frowned. "Do I?"
"Yeah," he said casually. "You've always done that."
Always.
That word sat heavy in my chest.
Before I could respond, Sana yelled, "PICTURE TIME!"
Groans everywhere.
Kaelor leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Smile. Or she'll never forgive you."
I did.
Somehow, standing there—with noise all around and his presence steady beside me—I felt calm.
Not excited.
Not scared.
Just… safe.
---
The second half of the ride was quieter. People dozed off. Music softened.
I rested my head against the seat, eyes half-closed.
Kaelor spoke, barely above a whisper. "Arista?"
"Hmm?"
"If you get tired… you can sleep."
I smiled faintly. "Thanks."
I didn't lean on him.
He didn't move closer.
But the space between us felt smaller than before.
And for the first time, I didn't feel like I was standing at the edge of something alone.