Chapter 8: The retreat: Prestigious academy and the public school

Chapter Eight

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow across the vast expanse of the sea. The retreat island, isolated and untouched by the hands of modern civilization, looked like a secret paradise hidden from the world. Its pristine beaches, surrounded by dense, wild forests, seemed worlds away from the glimmering luxuries of the city, and yet, that's where both the prestigious and public school students had found themselves.

The event had been organized as a rare partnership between the elite academy of Lotus, Zed, and Khalil, and the local public school of Lena, Jay, and Cris. The announcement had been a surprise to most of the students, especially those from the public school, who couldn't quite fathom how they were to share space with the privileged few. But the island retreat was meant to foster connection, break down walls, and maybe—just maybe—offer a chance for both groups to understand each other. At least, that was the hope of the school administrations.

As the students boarded the ferry that would take them across the clear blue waters, an awkward tension hung in the air. The elite students, draped in their expensive clothes, looked calm and collected, their eyes scanning the horizon with the arrogance of those accustomed to being above it all. The public school students, on the other hand, shifted nervously, glancing around at the unfamiliar faces and trying their best to keep composed, even as their thoughts raced with disbelief and confusion.

Lena, Cris, and Jay stood at the railing, staring out at the distant shore, the wind whipping their hair back. Lena clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach. She had never imagined that she would be on a trip with people like Zed, Khalil, and Lotus. They were the kind of people who lived in houses that could fill whole streets, who wore shoes that cost more than she made in a month.

"They look like they own the damn island" Cris muttered, his voice edged with bitterness. He couldn't help but feel out of place. There they were, the three of them—the ones who had always been invisible, overlooked... and now, they were being thrust into the world of the untouchables.

"I know" Lena replied softly, her eyes narrowing at the three boys lounging on the deck, looking as if the island retreat was just another luxury vacation. "I don't know why our school accept this kind of retreat. It's like a slap on our faces just like what Zed and his friends did when we visited the Ashgrey estate"

Jay sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Maybe it's a way to show us we're not so different? Or at least, that's what they want us to believe"

But Lena wasn't so sure. The school's intention to bring them together was noble but the divide was too clear. They were in two different worlds, and that was never going to change.

As the ferry neared the island, the elite students had already begun to make their way to the beachfront, setting up camp. The large, pristine tents and tables that had been prepared for the retreat contrasted sharply with the simple gear the public school students had brought along. The students from the public school felt their lack of resources acutely but they didn't complain just kept their heads down, trying to fit in where they didn't belong.

Lotus, Zed, and Khalil walked ahead, the trio's laughter and casual gestures amplifying the distance between them and the others. Lotus, with his usual dark, quiet energy, seemed indifferent to the surroundings. Zed, ever the showman, surveyed the other students with a slight smirk, as though observing a rare species. Khalil, with his playful nature, looked at the public school students with a mix of curiosity and amusement, though he never made any real effort to engage.

The camp was set up with an assortment of extravagant tents, each equipped with the finest amenities, while the public school students found their own, simpler accommodations waiting for them a little farther off. The contrast was immediate and undeniable.

"Are we really expected to stay here?" Cris muttered under his breath, his voice laced with disbelief as he surveyed the camp. He couldn't help but feel the weight of his situation—the elite students were already settled in, their retreat nothing more than an extension of their privileged lives. For the public school students, it was something entirely different—a forced interaction with a world they had never imagined.

As the sun set and the cool breeze of the island brushed through the trees, everyone gathered around the central bonfire. The flames crackled in the night air, casting long shadows across the sand. The students from both schools found themselves sitting in their respective circles, with the elite students lounging on the plush cushions and the public students sitting awkwardly on the sand, their faces a mix of curiosity and discomfort.

Dinner was served buffet style, with the elites indulging in rich, gourmet food, while the public school students received their own, much simpler meals. It was clear that the divide wasn't just in the accommodations—it was everywhere.

The public school student was a bit surprised when food, expensive foods, was brought to them too. As the food was brought out, Zed's voice rang out in mock cheer.

"Don't be shy" he said, gesturing toward the extravagant spread. "Everything here is top-notch. Feel free to eat like you've never eaten before!"

Khalil, with his usual mischievous grin, added, "You might even like it. You never know what you're missing"

Lena, trying to mask her discomfort, quietly served herself a portion of food, glancing up to see Zed, Lotus, and Khalil looking at her with faint amusement. Their eyes followed her every movement, as if she were a curiosity they could study from afar.

"Do you think... really want us to be here?" Lena whispered to Cris, who sat beside her, fidgeting uncomfortably with his food.

"I don't think they care either way" Cris muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. "This is just another game for them. Another chance to prove they're better"

Lena clenched her jaw, a mix of frustration and sadness building inside her. The event was supposed to bring people together, to break down barriers. But it felt like the walls had only grown taller. The divide was clear—there were those who belonged and those who didn't. No amount of forced interaction could change that.

As the night wore on, tensions simmered just beneath the surface. Zed, Khalil, and Lotus chatted among themselves, their laughter echoing through the air while the public school students kept to themselves, exchanging quiet words and glances, aware of the ever present divide.

But despite the discomfort and the tension, there was something stirring beneath the surface. Something that could only be understood by those who had been forced into a world they didn't belong to. It was clear that the night was just the beginning and the true challenge would come when they were forced to confront not just the distance between their worlds—but the very nature of who they were.

In the midst of this awkwardness, a realization began to form. They were all here, on the same island, under the same sky. The difference between them wasn't just about wealth—it was about perception, about power, and about how each of them saw the world. It was only a matter of time before the true nature of their interactions would begin to show, and the tensions between the privileged and the poor would reach a boiling point.

The retreat had only just begun.