8
**THE SCHOOL TRIP**
Finally! The long-awaited day had come.
The destination had been kept a secret until today, and when the announcement dropped, the surprise was total:
**We were going to ITALY!**
A wave of excitement and euphoria swept through the group. Some screamed with joy, others were already sending frantic messages to their families. Me? I was just in shock. Italy—seriously? Thank God my Italian isn't completely hopeless.
The school had thought of everything: a well-organized trip, supervised by four or five teachers responsible for watching over us and coordinating every step of the stay.
Our adventure began early, around 8 a.m., with a flight that took us to Italy. Then we took a train—but not just any train: the school had **rented an entire carriage** just for us. The ride was loud and lively, filled with games, chatter, and a few students who were way too excited to sit still.
We arrived at our destination around 1 p.m. As soon as we got off, we were welcomed with a **hearty breakfast**, followed by a short tour of the farm where we would be staying. Between the majestic horses and the affectionate dogs, the atmosphere was almost magical.
Then came the dreaded moment…
**ROOM ASSIGNMENTS**
Our homeroom teacher stood in front of us and announced in a solemn tone:
— As you know, at the start of the year, you filled out a form indicating your roommate preferences.
Cheers immediately erupted from the group. Some exchanged knowing glances, already impatient to see who they'd be sharing a bungalow with.
Me, on the other hand… I **froze** on the spot.
Why? Because six months ago, **I had written down Taylor** on my form.
Yeah. **Taylor.**
Feels like it was **a hundred years ago**, even though it's only been **six months**. Back then, we were still friends. Now? That's a whole different story.
I scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Taylor. She looked a little uneasy—but not nearly as much as I felt.
Fantastic. Just great. **I was going to have to share a bungalow with that witch.**
She didn't even deserve an insult, honestly... but this was too much.
Next to me, **Aidan** noticed my discomfort instantly. He gently placed a hand on my arm, his voice softer than usual:
— *Kaylee, it's going to be okay…*
I sighed in frustration, dragging a hand over my face.
— *Why… why did it have to be her, God?!* I muttered, teetering on the edge of a breakdown.
— *Want me to walk you to your room, kitten?* he offered sweetly.
— *That's nice of you, but I think I can manage on my own, like a big girl,* I snapped, not even trying to hide my irritation.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my cold tone.
— *Okay… if that's what you want,* he replied in a neutral voice, visibly hurt.
I knew I'd been harsh, but I couldn't deal with his bruised ego **and** my own frustration at the same time.
And as if things weren't already bad enough, **Taylor appeared out of nowhere**.
She walked up to us with a smug smirk, and I knew instantly that she'd overheard everything.
— *If she's turning you down, I'd be happy to have you walk me to my room, **my** Aidan,* she purred.
I slowly turned my head toward her, **boiling inside**.
— *Don't call him that!* I hissed, pointing a finger at her. *And could you please **stay away from my boyfriend**, you bitch?!*
My glare was dark and furious.
Aidan, meanwhile, had a little smirk tugging at his lips.
— *Well, if Kaylee doesn't want me to, I'd be happy to walk you instead,* he shrugged.
My eyes widened. **No way… he didn't just…**
I knew exactly what he was doing. **He was trying to make me jealous.**
And damn, **it was working.**
He was obviously still **mad about my cold attitude earlier**, and now he was playing this little game to get under my skin.
Jerk.
— *Don't even think about it, Aidan! You're staying right here!* I snapped.
Taylor burst out laughing.
— *Wow… You're seriously paranoid. That's not jealousy anymore, that's **possession*** she mocked. *Don't worry, I won't steal your man… At least not **yet.***
She winked and added:
— *See you in the room, Kaylee.*
I felt **my blood boil**.
— *Oh, that BITCH…*
I was ready to **pounce on her**, but **Aidan grabbed me by the waist**, holding me back.
— *Hey, calm down, kitten…* he murmured in my ear.
I breathed heavily, fighting the urge **to rip her hair out**.
**This trip is off to a GREAT start.**
Taylor disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone with **Aidan**.
He crossed his arms over his chest, that annoying smirk still on his face.
— *You seem awfully possessive for a fake girlfriend, kitten.*
I rolled my eyes, still fuming.
— *I'm not!* I protested, frowning. *It's just that as long as our deal stands, **you're mine**, and that's that! You belong to me, **period**.*
Aidan raised an eyebrow, his grin widening.
— *I belong to you?* he echoed—but it wasn't really a question.
His deep, steady voice gave me chills. The bastard **knew exactly** what he was doing.
That's when I realized…
**He still had his hands on my waist.**
We were **way too close**, and the warmth of his body against mine was messing with my head more than I cared to admit.
Suddenly, my face felt like it was on fire.
**Shit.**
I pulled away abruptly and stormed off toward my bungalow.
— *Where are you going?* he called after me, that smug grin still plastered on his face.
— *To my room! I have to get there before that witch steals the bigger bed,* I shot back without slowing down.
He laughed and caught up to me in a few strides.
— *Hey, don't I get a kiss before you go?* he teased.
I stopped dead and stared at him, wide-eyed.
— *Are you SERIOUS?!*
He burst out laughing.
— *Come on, admit it. You're already falling for me, aren't you?*
I looked at him, scandalized.
— *You're seriously messed up.*
— *Ohhh, she's fallen already!* he said, laughing even harder.
I groaned, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reply, and stormed into my room.
---
As soon as I stepped inside, **the stench of cigarette smoke** hit me like a punch.
I wrinkled my nose, searching for the source of the smell. My eyes landed on **Taylor**, lounging lazily on **the biggest bed**, a cigarette in hand.
Of course.
I should've expected it.
She **knew damn well** it was forbidden, but as always, she didn't give a damn.
— *Since when do you smoke, Taylor?* I asked, my voice full of reproach.
She blew out a puff of smoke, then looked at me with a sly smile.
— *There's **a lot** you don't know about me, Kaylee.*
I leaned against the door, arms crossed.
— *Then tell me. I'm your best friend, right?*
She let out a bitter laugh.
— *A best friend who **stole** my boyfriend?* she mocked. *Although, if you think about it, I guess this is a good bit of revenge…*
I frowned, not understanding where she was going with this.
— *What are you talking about?*
She crushed her cigarette in some makeshift ashtray and looked back up at me with a **vicious** smile.
— *Oh, you didn't know?* she said with fake innocence. *The girl Malcolm cheated on you with… was me.*
My blood froze.
— *What…?* I breathed, my throat suddenly tight.
She shrugged.
— *Oops. Forgot to mention that? Sorry, sweetie.*
Her voice dripped with hypocrisy.
— *Wait… No, that's not possible,* I stammered, trying to piece things together. *You told me you caught Malcolm with some girl at a party, that you took a picture and sent it to me…*
— *Exactly,* she nodded, amused. *And you believed me—**didn't even ask a single question.***
I shook my head.
— *But… the girl in the picture had **red hair**. You're blonde.*
She laughed.
— *Kaylee… Sweet, naive Kaylee… You're just **too** trusting.*
My heart pounded wildly, my breath becoming erratic.
— *So… You were with him… How long?*
She pretended to think, playing with a strand of her hair.
— *Hmm… A few weeks before you found out. But don't be jealous… I **get** why you liked him so much.*
She leaned in slightly, her smile **poisonous**.
— *He's a **god in bed.***
The ground vanished beneath me.
For a moment, I thought I might **throw up**.
I can't stay in this room. If I don't leave now, I'm going to lose it—and there's no way I'm giving that witch the satisfaction. Taylor's not worth it. My heart's pounding too fast, my breathing's all over the place, and my hands are shaking from the rage and betrayal.
I walk toward the door, but before leaving, I stop—just long enough to spit the truth right in her face.
— **You know what, Taylor? From this moment on, you're dead to me. You never existed. And I'll never forgive you.**
She crosses her arms, putting on a fake look of indifference, but her eyes sparkle with twisted satisfaction.
— **Good. I never wanted you in my life anyway. You think I wanted to be your friend? Think again. It was Gavin who had a crush on you and pushed me to get close. You were just a pastime.**
A pastime.
— **Well, don't worry. It's mutual. You've been dead to me for a long time.**
She looks at me with that venomous smile, soaking up every ounce of pain she just caused. But she won't see me cry. Not this time.
I slam the door so hard the bungalow shakes.
---
The cool night air hits my face as I walk away from the bungalow. My steps take me, almost instinctively, to the beach by the campground. Every breath hurts. Every memory burns in my chest.
Malcolm. Taylor.
All those people I believed in—people who were part of my life—were nothing but illusions. I've spent years trusting the wrong people.
I glance at my watch. It's late. But sleep isn't an option. Not now.
I need to forget.
In the distance, laughter echoes. I spot a group of students sitting in the sand, bottles in hand. They're sneaking drinks, enjoying the temporary freedom of a school trip. Exactly what I need.
Without hesitation, I walk over and take a cup from a guy I don't even recognize. I don't care what's in it. I just want the pain to stop, for my thoughts to shut up.
One drink. Two. Three.
The world around me blurs, my limbs go numb. The sea breeze brushes my skin, but I don't feel anything. My body is here, but my mind is crumbling under the weight of the alcohol and the heartbreak.
I lie down in the sand, eyes lost in the stars, and I cry. Silently at first, then in heavy sobs, until I'm gasping, completely undone.
No one sees me. No one hears me. And maybe that's for the best.
Sleep starts to pull at me, but I can't stay here. I can't go back to my room, and I don't have any friends left.
Well… there's Lisa.
Yeah. Lisa. Maybe she'd let me crash for the night. But in the state I'm in, I'm scared she might turn me away.
I stumble to my feet and start making my way toward her bungalow. My legs barely carry me, my steps are clumsy, but I keep going.
When I reach her door, strange noises catch my ear. I frown.
Moaning.
Out of instinct, I peek through the window.
Lisa. With Austin.
They're… very busy.
At least they found a way to have fun.
Me? I'm just drunk, alone, and looking for somewhere to exist.
There's only one option left.
**Aidan.**
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