The Flight

-Chase Atlantic:

It's two in the afternoon, and I'm staring at my reflection in the mirror.

One last glance to make sure I look presentable, even though I know it doesn't matter.

My light brown hair is messy as usual, but I don't bother fixing it, once it looks nice as it is. Instead, I grab my watch and slip it onto my left wrist before sliding my phone into my pocket. Just as I turn toward the door, the bell rings, echoing through the house.

I walk over and press my thumb to the fingerprint scanner. The door clicks open instantly, and before I can even take a step back, I'm nearly tackled by Noah and Mia.

"Guys, I can't breathe! You're crushing my ribs!" I gasp, flailing a little under their tight grip.

Noah just laughs and pats my back like he's trying to knock the air out of me entirely. "Don't worry, Chase. I can fix your bones, and Jack will handle your lungs!" He pulls back just long enough to let out a high-pitched squeal. "I still can't believe it—we all got picked!"

Neither can I. None of us can.

This morning, when the list of chosen doctors for the Swift Science Laboratory—the SSL—was published, we saw all six of our names on it. It still feels surreal, like any second now, we'll wake up and realize it was all just a cruel joke. But it's real, and the excitement hasn't stopped buzzing in the air since.

I step back, finally escaping their iron grip, and take a deep breath. "I can't believe it either. But as much as I'd love to throw a party to celebrate, we need to get going. Our flight leaves today."

I grab my suitcase from where I'd left it by the door, already packed and ready to go and follow them out to Mia's car. She drives a Kia Carens—a big, six-seater vehicle, perfect for a group like ours.

As we load our suitcases into the trunk, I glance at Mia and Noah. "Where are Jack, Ethan, and Oliver?"

Mia slides into the driver's seat while Noah takes his spot in the passenger seat. I climb into the back, already knowing my usual place.

"We're picking them up," Mia says as she starts the engine.

Five minutes later, we pull up outside Jack's place.

Jack Alex, one of my closest friends and a pulmonologist, is practically vibrating with excitement as he climbs into the backseat with me. "I still can't believe it. We all got chosen. Together!" he says, pulling me into a quick hug before patting Noah on the shoulder.

His cheeks flush when his eyes meet Mia's in the rearview mirror, and she chuckles softly. "We're all happy, Jack," she says, her voice light and teasing.

Jack hums in response, trying to act nonchalant, but everyone in the group knows about his massive crush on Mia. Everyone except Mia herself, of course. Somehow, she never picks up on it, no matter how obvious he is.

Next, we head to pick up Oliver and Ethan, who live together.

The second the car stops, Ethan barrels out of the house, suitcase in hand, practically yelling. "What the hell? Was that list real?" He dives into the car, nearly crushing Jack in the process.

Oliver follows at a much calmer pace. He's the quiet one of the group—the oldest, smartest, and most secretive. A cardiologist, like Ethan, but with a completely different energy. Oliver doesn't say much, but when he does, it's worth listening to.

He shakes his head at Ethan's antics and picks up both their suitcases, carefully loading them into the trunk before climbing into the car. "Yes, it's real, Ethan. Now sit down so Mia can drive."

Ethan, always the class clown, finally settles into his seat, and we start the drive to the airport.

As we drive, the conversations naturally drift toward family. I glance out the window, my voice soft. "Mom and the girls cried so much when I told them about the list."

My mom didn't want me to get chosen. She knows how much I've dreamed of this, but the thought of me leaving and never coming back was too much for her.

She sobbed when I said goodbye this morning, and my little sisters wouldn't let go of me. It was hard—harder than I thought it would be.

"Don't remind me," Ethan says, slumping in his seat. "I already miss Mom."

One by one, we all talk about the bittersweet goodbyes we had with our families. But then Oliver, sitting quietly in the very back, finally speaks up.

"Have any of you ever wondered why this lab is so secretive?" he asks. His voice is calm, but there's a sharpness to his tone that makes us all stop. "What are we going to do there? What are we going to work on?"

The car falls silent.

It's rare for Oliver to say much, let alone ask such a loaded question.

Noah turns in his seat to face the rest of us. "Well, we know it's secretive to the point that only a handful of people even know where it is. But I heard that trusted doctors can leave and return when necessary. The place is under heavy security, though, and it has technology and equipment we've never seen before."

I narrow my eyes at him. "How do you know all that?"

Noah shrugs casually. "Dad's a CIA agent, remember?"

Mia pulls into the airport parking lot, cutting off our conversation. "We'll find out soon enough. For now, let's not miss our flight."

With that, we grab our luggage and head inside, one step closer to the start of something none of us fully understand yet.