The Echo of the Journey

—And then, as we were walking through the streets of Zurich, a group of tourists asked me to take a picture with them because they thought I was a Swiss model! —Olivia exclaimed, gesturing dramatically with her hands. The crowd surrounding her burst into laughter and gasps of amazement, though some exchanged skeptical glances.

The morning after our return to Stanford was a whirlwind of emotions. Olivia had organized a welcome-back party on campus, and as expected, she was at the center of attention, surrounded by people eagerly listening to her exaggerated stories about our trip to Zurich. Meanwhile, Sack and I stayed somewhat on the sidelines, watching as Olivia turned every small detail into an epic saga.

I approached Sack, who was standing nearby, sipping a soda with an amused expression on his face.

—This is too much —I said quietly, leaning toward him so no one else could hear—. Olivia is making it sound like we climbed the Alps naked or something.

Sack let out a silent laugh.

—Well, you know how she is. If it's not epic, it's not worth telling.

—But this is ridiculous —I insisted, subtly pointing to where Olivia was now mimicking a supposed Viennese waltz that we never danced—. A waltz? We didn't even go to Vienna!

Sack looked at me with a sympathetic smile.

—Do you want to leave before someone starts believing we met the Pope in Switzerland?

I nodded quickly.

—Please.

I took Sack by the arm and guided him to a quieter corner of the courtyard where the party was being held. We moved far enough away that the animated voices of the crowd became a distant murmur.

Once in private, I decided to take the opportunity to talk to Sack about something I'd been thinking about since we returned.

—I've been thinking about doing volunteer work at hospitals —I said, looking directly into his eyes—. I think it would be a great way to contribute, and well, it would also help all three of us in our medical careers.

Sack frowned slightly, thoughtful.

—It's a great idea, Lindsay. But… don't you think it might be too much to handle right now? I mean, between classes, projects, and everything else, it could become overwhelming.

—I know —I replied, biting my lip—. I thought about that too. Maybe we could wait until next fall, after we finish our first year. That way, we'd have more time to plan and make sure it doesn't interfere with our academic responsibilities.

Sack nodded slowly.

—That makes sense. Plus, Olivia would probably protest if we tried to start something so soon. You know how she is with her schedule.

—Exactly —I said, laughing softly—. Imagine her reaction if I told her I wanted to spend hours in a hospital instead of going to parties or road trips.

—She'd probably say something like, 'Hospitals? That sounds depressing. I'd rather you join my fan club' —Sack joked, imitating Olivia's dramatic tone.

We both laughed, but then Sack continued seriously.

—Though, if you think about it, waiting until next fall would also give us time to research what kind of volunteering we want to do. We could even look for something that helps all three of us in our careers.

—I like that idea —I responded, feeling a wave of excitement—. We could do something together. It would be an incredible experience.

Sack smiled, and for a moment, all the noise from the party seemed to fade away.

At that exact moment, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri began to play. It was one of my favorite songs, and apparently, it was one of Sack's favorites too, because without saying a word, he extended his hand toward me.

—Shall we dance? —he asked with a warm smile.

I nodded, feeling a flutter in my stomach as I placed my hand in his. We began to move slowly, letting the music carry us. The world around us seemed to vanish, but this time, I didn't feel uncomfortable. It was as if our closeness was something unspoken, something we both enjoyed without needing words.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. There was a connection between us that didn't need explanation. It wasn't just the song or the moment; it was something deeper, something we had been building all along.

—You know —Sack murmured, breaking the silence softly—, sometimes I think moments like this are what really matter. Not the big adventures or the trips, but these small moments where everything feels perfect.

I smiled, feeling how his hand held mine firmly yet tenderly.

—I think you're right —I replied softly—. Sometimes, the simplest things can be the most special.

We moved to the rhythm of the music, our steps synchronized effortlessly. There was no rush, no need to talk. It was just the two of us, enjoying each other's company.

For a few seconds, it was just us, moving to the melody, lost in the moment.

But, as always, Olivia had other plans.

—Lindsay! Sack! There you are! —she shouted, suddenly appearing in front of us with a radiant smile—. I was looking for you. You know what? I think I've become even more popular thanks to this trip!

We slowly pulled apart, though we tried to stay calm.

—That's great, Olivia —I said, forcing a smile—. But maybe you should stop telling exaggerated stories before someone starts writing a book about your adventures.

Olivia ignored my comment and kept talking excitedly.

—Also, I was thinking… maybe I should run for the university student association. It would be a great way to increase my influence on campus.

Sack raised an eyebrow.

—Run for office? Are you sure you want that?

—Of course —Olivia replied confidently—. Imagine: Olivia Hart, president of the student association. Sounds impressive, right?

—It's a big responsibility —I interjected, trying to be practical—. You'd have to organize events, manage budgets, represent students in meetings with the administration… Are you ready for that?

Olivia frowned, thoughtful.

—Hmm… now that you mention it, maybe it's too much work. Plus, who would want to be president if they can't wear heels during meetings?

Sack burst out laughing.

—That's a very valid concern, Olivia.

—Exactly —she said, crossing her arms—. Well, I think I'll just stick to being the most interesting person on campus. It's less work and more glamorous.

After that, we decided it was time to head back. As we walked back to the dorm, Olivia kept talking animatedly about her newfound popularity and how she planned to use it to organize more parties.

—I think we should have a 1920s-themed party —she suggested—. Everyone in fancy hats and long dresses. It would be epic.

—Or we could just study for the upcoming exams —Sack proposed with an ironic smile.

—Study? —Olivia pretended to be horrified—. Who are you, and what have you done with Sack?

We all laughed, and for a moment, I felt like everything was exactly as it should be. Despite Olivia's antics, Sack's reflections, and my own thoughts about the future, I knew this group was special.

As we entered the building, Olivia announced triumphantly:

—Tomorrow, I'll decide the theme for the next party. And this time, nothing will stop me.

Sack and I exchanged a knowing glance. We both knew that, most likely, she'd forget all about it by tomorrow.