The classroom felt lighter the moment the exams ended, as though the walls themselves could finally breathe. The tension that had been pressing down on everyone all week seemed to lift at once. Papers were gathered into neat piles, pencils clattered onto desks, and one by one, their classmates stretched in relief, shoulders loosening after hours of silent stress.
"Finally!" one of their friends groaned dramatically, slumping against his chair with his arms dangling. "I swear those math problems were out to kill me."
"Same. My brain actually hurts," another muttered before grinning. "We deserve a break. Let's do something. Two whole days, just us."
Eli glanced up as he slid his pen back into his bag. Around him, their little circle of friends was already buzzing with energy—like a group that had been caged too long and suddenly found the door open. They had survived nights filled with review notes, crumpled papers, and bleary-eyed study sessions. Now that it was over, they were ready to breathe again.
"Beach trip?" someone threw out eagerly.
"Hiking sounds way better," another argued, shaking his head.
"Camping!" a girl cut in, her eyes bright with excitement. "Who knows, maybe we'll catch some shooting stars. Imagine staying up late, sitting by a bonfire, just us under the night sky. Perfect, right?"
Her words painted a picture so vivid that the group immediately burst into overlapping chatter. Some laughed, some protested, and others tried to add their own twist to the idea. Voices bounced off the classroom walls, full of life, a sharp contrast to the suffocating silence of the exam earlier.
Eli didn't join the noisy back-and-forth. He lowered his head, pretending to double-check the contents of his bag. Listening was easier than trying to speak over everyone. He liked being the quiet observer, catching the little details others missed—the way their eyes lit up when they were excited, the way laughter rolled out freely once stress was gone.
Then, above the clamor, Kai's voice slipped in—calm, steady, and impossible to ignore.
"Camping sounds good," he said, leaning casually against his desk. "I'll bring firewood."
Just like that, the chaos stilled for a heartbeat. Everyone turned toward him, and then, almost naturally, they nodded in agreement—as if his word had been the final piece needed to seal the plan. Discussions shifted instantly. Who would bring the tents? Who was in charge of snacks? Who could borrow sleeping bags? The chatter resumed, brighter and more certain now.
Eli's hands paused on the straps of his bag. He tried to focus on tying them shut, but his eyes betrayed him, flicking briefly toward Kai. There had been something too deliberate in the way he spoke, as though he'd been waiting for that exact moment to step in. And when Eli caught Kai glancing his way—just for the briefest second—his chest tightened.
The air in his lungs seemed thinner. He quickly looked away, forcing a small smile when their friends cheered about the trip. It was just camping, he told himself. Just a normal plan between friends.
And yet, the thought of spending two days under the same stars as Kai—of hearing his voice in the quiet of the night, of maybe sharing that bonfire—made it suddenly impossible for Eli to sit still.