Chapter 47 School trip
"Are you okay?" Nelson's cool yet worried voice flowed into Irene's ears as he stared down at her.
'Was I okay?' Irene's heart slammed against her chest, her gaze fixed on Nelson's. She stared straight into his eyes... Those eyes that had multiple emotions swirling in them. Worry was the most obvious one, and another she couldn't quite name.
But it was familiar... Her Nelson, the one back at her universe had the same look in his eyes most of the time when he stared at her.
Irene noticed as Nelson's gaze darted subtly to her lips, before returning to her face.
Irene's breathing hitched. Now, this truly was a familiar memory.
FLASHBACK (8 YEARS AGO)
Irene stood by the railings, staring down at the students who were gathered around the multiple school buses, laughing and giggling... Most of them were chatting about how fun the trip was going to be.
An overnight school trip that she wouldn't be going to.
Not entirely by choice... It sounded fun.
But Irene couldn't go.
The first reason was that she had informed her parents about the trip late. The last few weeks had been getting home late, so there wasn't a good time to tell them.
Her father's company was still in its beginning phase... She understood the amount of work and time he had to out in it to make it work. And then there was her mother, who wholeheartedly supported him, not just by words but by her actions as well.
She was his assistant and she followed him everywhere.
When Irene finally got to tell them and they gave her permission to go, it was too late. The names for the trip had already been registered, and it couldn't be changed.... Not unless she was crazy rich, which she wasn't.
Irene had been engrossed in watching the students from the balcony that she didn't notice when Victoria walked towards her, wheeling her luggage behind her. "I can't believe you're not going on the school trip Irene." She complained and Irene blinked, finally noticing her. She turned around to look at her friend, leaning on the railing. "I mean why?" Tori continued, stomping her feet.
Irene's lips pulled up into a small smile. "Don't feel bad for me, Tori. I don't want to go."
It was better to say that she didn't want to go, than to say that she just applied too late for it.
Tori didn't believe her. She raised her brows, pressing her lips into a thin line for a few seconds before speaking. "Who don't you?" She asked. "You're not the kind of girl who is afraid of wildlife... Plus, they promised amazing recreational activities, not just going to the zoo."
It was supposed to be a fun trip. First off was sightseeing... They were headed to a zoo, then a few other places, before finally heading to the woods, where they would be going camping, and a few more recreational events would take place.
Yet, she couldn't go.
"I know, that's why I don't want to go." Irene lied through her teeth. "I've never been to a zoo, and I'm not desperate to see one now. And recreational activities... Look at me, do I need recreation? My body isn't made for exercise."
The last part was through, but there wouldn't be any exercise happening.
Irene just needed an excuse, even though it seemed kind of lame. But something that would justify her 'not wanting to go.'
Victoria still didn't believe her, but she refused to push it any further. Instead, she only groaned before letting out a sigh. Her eyes trailed over Irene's body, and she shook her head. "Aish... You're just so thin."
Irene chuckled, a sigh of relief left her nostrils that Tori wasn't pushing the matter, trying to force the truth from her lips.
"I think the correct word is slim." She retorted, pushing herself off the railing. Then she began walking towards the stairs, heading down.
"No, it's thin you crazy bitch." Tori rolled her eyes, chuckling as she walked along side her friend.
She had been a bit shocked when she found out that Irene wouldn't be going on the trip. She wanted to stay behind to support her friend, but... Miles would be going. And this was a great opportunity to finally talk to him.
Irene's eyes darted towards Victoria's luggage as they walked down the stairs. "Are you all packed?" She asked, before pointing towards the balcony where they had just been a few minutes ago. "I think the bus would he leaving soon."
Tori nodded before giving the medium-sized luggage a pat. A smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, I got everything I need for the next three days."
That... That seemed obvious.
Irene didn't even have to ask.
It was only a one-night trip. The highest a person could change clothes would be three times.
The first time would be when they got to the hotel, the second time the morning after, and the third time for whatever recreational activity they would be doing next.
Three outfits would have been more than enough... But Vitoria brought an entire luggage.
"You do know you'd be gone for only a night right?x she asked to check, her tone sounding amused. "You'd be back home by tomorrow evening."
Tori rolled her eyes. "I know, but you can never be too prepared. And it's technically two days." She basically brought everything she could need for any emergency.
Irene wanted to say something else, but she held her lips before she could. What was the use of making fun of her because of it? She would technically be making fun of herself.
That was just the way of rich people.
They didn't speak again until they got outside to the parking lot where the other students were.
Irene silently escorted her friend towards one of the buses. Before they got there, Tori spoke. "I'm just afraid of living you alone." She voiced.
She had been pouting the entire time. Irene was her wing woman... It would be different if she weren't present. And it wasn't even a year since they got to partake in such a trip as this one.
"Alone?" Irene repeated before shaking her head. "I'm not alone."
Not completely...
"I know but..." Tori stopped walking, which prompted Irene to stop walking too to look at her. "The students who aren't going on the trip are mandated to come to school for the next two days, even though there will be little to no lessons. Although a few students from both senior and junior classes won't be going... It would still be lonely."
That part hurt. After missing the opportunity to go on a trip like that, the school mandated that those who weren't attending still be present in school.
They didn't have to attend classes since there wouldn't be any, but they were required to stay in school.
It was like rubbing salt on an open injury.
But then, Irene didn't mind it too much. She would have been alone at home. Her parents traveled on a business trip and wouldn't be returning until the next few days.
Being alone at school was more comforting.
"I'd be fine." She said, nodding her head. "I heard that there was one other person from our class who isn't going on this trip, so I won't be alone. Plus, it would be nice to roam freely around school for once without constantly looking behind, waiting to be stabbed in the back... Literally." She made up an excuse on the spot.
Again, Victoria couldn't argue with her excuse. Instead, she asked. "Do you know who it is?"
The person from their class who had changed his or her mind about going on the trip this morning.
Irene was surprised when she heard the news.
She even though the spot would be opened and she could substitute for the person, but atlas... Someone else had taken the open spot before she got to the principal's office.
Almost as though the person had been waiting for that opportunity for a long time.
The worst part was that she had no idea who the person could be.