The school designed a trip after the midterm exam to change the mood and give some motivation for the students also to rest a little.
Charlotte's heart raced as she climbed onto the bus, the chatter of students washing over her in a confusing tide.
The interior smelled faintly of lingering snacks, a mixture she found oddly comforting.
She scanned the seats, hesitating, unsure where to go.
Lucas, sitting near the middle, caught her gaze. He raised an eyebrow and gave a small, inviting nod. Without hesitation, Charlotte made her way toward him, weaving between the legs and backpacks of other students.
"Hey," Lucas said, voice calm, easy, as if they'd known each other for years. "Sit here." He patted the empty space beside him.
Charlotte smiled nervously and slid into the seat, careful not to knock over his water bottle. She exhaled slowly, feeling the tension leave her shoulders for the first time since stepping on the bus.
"You… you always sit here?" she asked, glancing at the empty seats around him.
Lucas shrugged lightly. "I save the good spots for people I like," he said, tilting his head with a teasing glint in his eyes.
Charlotte's felt butterflies in her stomach. She didn't know whether to be embarrassed or delighted.
She stared out the window as the bus began to move, the school shrinking behind them, leaving a blur of buildings and asphalt.
The hum of the engine, the soft rumble under her feet, and Lucas's presence beside her created an oddly comforting cocoon.
"So… how long is the trip?" she asked, voice tentative.
"Couple hours," Lucas said casually. "Depends if the bus driver decides to take scenic detours."
Charlotte laughed softly. "I don't even know what to expect there. Do you have cabins? Or tents?"
Lucas leaned back, the sunlight hitting his hair just so, and answered with ease. "Cabins. Shared, of course. Bunk beds, standard stuff. You'll probably get someone loud in your cabin. Maybe a snorer. Or someone who tells ghost stories at night."
Charlotte's eyes widened. "Ghost stories? Here? In the middle of the woods?"
He shrugged. "It's camp. It's tradition. You can always hide under the blanket." His grin was just enough to embarrass her.
The conversation flowed naturally. Charlotte found herself asking question after question, some silly, some practical:
"What's the food like?"
"Mess hall. Mystery meat mostly, but dessert is usually safe."
"Do we need flashlights?"
"Absolutely. And a compass. You might get lost otherwise. Or just follow me; I'll lead the way."
"Are there mosquitoes?"
"Plenty. Repellent is your best friend."
Each answer was calm, reassuring, and just slightly playful. Lucas had this way of speaking that made everything seem manageable. Even the things that should be scary like the wild, the strange, the unknown felt like an adventure with him nearby.
Charlotte relaxed into the seat, her notebook balanced on her lap, ready to jot down thoughts but mostly wanting to observe him.
He didn't dominate the conversation; he guided it, letting her curiosity lead, answering as though every question mattered, even when it seemed trivial.
"Do you think we'll have group activities?"
she asked, twirling a pen in her fingers.
"Sure," Lucas replied. "Hiking, canoeing, maybe some team challenges. Probably trust exercises where you fall and hope someone catches you. Standard camp fare."
Charlotte laughed at the mental image. "I'd probably break a leg."
Lucas shook his head, still smiling. "Not with me around. I catch people. It's kind of my thing."
Her spirits lifted further. The fear of awkwardness she had carried all morning was dissipating, replaced by a warmth she hadn't felt in weeks. She realized how easy it was to be herself when he was near, how small questions and silly curiosities became something worth asking.
"Lucas," she said quietly, almost shyly, "how do you always seem so… calm?"
He tilted his head, considering. "I don't know. Maybe because panicking rarely solves anything. Or maybe I just like seeing people relax. Feels better when everyone's not on edge."
Charlotte nodded, her heart skipping again at his steady, effortless confidence. She looked out the window, the trees rushing past, the sunlight flickering across her notebook. She felt her spirit expand, the fear and doubt of high school and her peers fading into insignificance.
She stole a glance at him. He was gazing out the window too, but she could see the corner of his mouth curl in that subtle, half-smile that made everything seem lighter. He noticed her looking and gave her a small wink.
Her pulse raced.
"I can't believe I get to sit here," she admitted softly.
Lucas shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I'm glad you're here. Makes the trip more interesting."
Charlotte's notebook stayed closed and put it in her backpack . She didn't want to break the moment by writing it down. Instead, she simply let herself soak in the atmosphere: the hum of the bus, the chatter of other students, and the quiet presence of Lucas beside her.
As the bus wound through the last stretch of road, the forest thickened around them. Sunlight passed in through the leaves, casting patterns on the seats. Charlotte leaned slightly toward him, curiosity and excitement replacing her usual hesitation.
"Do you… ever get bored?" she asked, almost whispering.
Lucas shook his head. "Not when there's stuff to notice. You just have to look around. That, and asking questions like you do helps a lot."
Charlotte laughed softly, feeling the last of her anxiety dissolve. The ride had been long, but with him, it had passed in an unexpected bubble of calm and wonder. She realized she could ask anything, laugh at herself, and feel unjudged.
At one point, the bus hit a rough patch, and her backpack slipped from her lap, spilling papers and a water bottle across the floor. She groaned, kneeling to gather them, but her fingers tangled in a notebook. Lucas reached over quickly, helping her pick up the scattered items.
"Here," he said, handing her the notebook. "Don't let it escape again. It's plotting against you."
Charlotte laughed, shaking her head. "This is ridiculous. Everything is falling apart."
"You're doing fine," he said, smiling, and she caught the genuine warmth in his expression.
The bus curved again, and Charlotte stumbled slightly, almost colliding with Julia, who shot her a sharp glare. Charlotte's cheeks flushed as the girl's friends giggled, but before any embarrassment could spiral, Lucas caught her elbow.
"Got you," he said firmly, steadying her. She looked up at him, grateful, and he gave a small, teasing grin.
"You're like… my camp guardian," she murmured, eyes bright.
"Guardian? I like that title," he said, relaxing back into the seat. "Though I only work on temporary contracts."
Her laughter bubbled again, light and airy, and a classmate walking past glanced curiously at the interaction. Charlotte felt a little thrill at the attention and it isnot from anyone else, but from the moment she shared with Lucas.
The bus began its final descent into the valley where the camp lay nestled among towering pines. Students pressed against the windows, pointing, whispering excitedly. Charlotte's heart raced with anticipation, and she leaned forward to take it all in.
Lucas glanced at her, eyebrows raised. " excited?"
"Yes!" she said, eyes wide. "Look at it… it's huge. The cabins, the lake, the trails… it's perfect!"
He chuckled softly, watching her amazement. "Just wait. It gets better when you step off. You smell the forest properly, hear the birds, see the water shimmer."
Her gaze softened. "I can't wait."
The bus finally slowed, turning onto a gravel drive lined with camp signs.
Students scrambled to grab their belongings, laughter and chatter swelling as the doors opened. Charlotte grabbed her backpack, Lucas standing beside her, hands on the straps in case she stumbled again.
"Ready?" he asked, offering a small nod.
"Absolutely," she said, her grin bright and uncontainable.
The doors open, and the crisp air of the forest hit them. Trees and sunshine mingled, filling Charlotte's lungs with a fresh air. She stepped down carefully, Lucas right behind her, keeping a steadying hand near her shoulder.
For the first time in a long while, she felt truly alive.