Chapter 22

Chapter 22 – Buses, Backpacks, and Butterflies

The school courtyard buzzed with excitement as students shuffled around with backpacks slung over their shoulders, wheeled suitcases clattering on the concrete. Laughter, chatter, and the occasional teacher's voice trying to restore order filled the early morning air.

Bella stood quietly near the second bus, her duffel bag resting by her feet. She clutched her water bottle like a lifeline, her eyes hidden behind a pair of oversized sunglasses—not for fashion, but for armor. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.

"Bella!" Emily's cheerful voice rang out.

Bella turned as Emily, Sarah, and Alex approached, dragging their bags and bubbling with energy.

"You look like you've already survived a whole week," Alex teased, nudging her playfully.

"More like trying to survive this morning," Bella muttered with a dry smile.

Sarah looped an arm around her shoulder. "You'll be fine. This is going to be amazing. We're roommates, remember?"

"That's the only reason I agreed," Bella said honestly.

Their homeroom teacher, Miss Laura, blew her whistle. "Everyone! Settle down! Once we call your name, get on the bus assigned to you."

As the roll call began, Bella scanned the area out of habit—and there he was.

Ethan.

He stood casually beneath a tree with his hands in his pockets, laughing at something Jake said while Matt popped gum and tossed snacks into his mouth.

He looked… annoyingly relaxed.

Bella looked away before he could see her.

But he already had.

His eyes had found her the moment he stepped into the courtyard.

He noticed the slight slump in her shoulders. The way she was standing slightly behind her friends, quietly observing rather than joining in the buzz. He could tell she was trying not to look at him.

And that only made him want to walk over more.

"Bro, just go say hi already," Matt smirked, elbowing him.

"She's not even looking my way," Ethan muttered, eyes fixed on her nonetheless.

"Exactly. That's why you need to change that," Jake added, grinning.

"Maybe later," Ethan said, running a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the awkward twist in his chest.

He didn't want to push her.

Not anymore.

Just… maybe find a moment. When it felt right.

"Ethan Carter," the teacher called out.

He moved to the bus line.

"Bella Williams."

Bella grabbed her bag and followed.

Fate—or maybe Mrs. Ayeni's love for alphabetical order—had them assigned to the same bus.

Bella settled near the window, her friends across the aisle. As the rest of the students loaded in, Ethan passed by her row, paused for the briefest moment, and then took the seat behind her.

Neither of them said a word.

But the silence? It buzzed with everything they weren't saying.

---

The bus finally rumbled to life.

As it pulled out of the school gates, Bella glanced at her friends, who were already chatting excitedly about campfires, hiking trails, and sneaking snacks after lights-out.

She wanted to feel just as excited.

But part of her heart tugged in a different direction. Toward something—or someone—she wasn't quite ready to admit.

Behind her, Ethan leaned his head back and looked out the window.

This trip might change everything.

Or… nothing at all.

The journey had been long, with laughter and music bouncing off the bus walls. Some students had fallen asleep, others chatted the entire ride, and a few—including Bella—had drifted between daydreaming and staring out the window, the scenery rushing by in a green blur.

The bus finally pulled into a gravel clearing surrounded by trees, the tall peaks of the lodge buildings peeking through the canopy. Students pressed their faces to the windows.

"We're here!" someone shouted.

Bella straightened, adjusting her hoodie and peering out. The lodge looked like something out of a travel magazine—warm wooden cabins, flower boxes under windows, and a lake just visible beyond the trees.

"Welcome to Fernhill Lodge!" one of the camp coordinators called as they stepped off the bus. "Grab your bags and gather in front of the main hall!"

Bella slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. Alex offered to help, but she shook her head. "I've got it."

"Roommates are listed on the board," Miss Laura called, pointing to a large board set up near the hall entrance. "Once you check your name, head inside to settle into your rooms. Afterward, we'll meet back here for a quick tour!"

Bella walked with her friends to the board. Her name was listed in Cabin 4 — with Sarah, Emily, and Alex. Relief washed over her.

"Yesss!" Emily grinned. "We got each other."

"Imagine if you were paired with Rachel," Sarah whispered dramatically.

Bella snorted. "That's the kind of plot twist I'd write in my nightmares."

They headed inside. The cabin had four cozy beds, wooden floors, a little fireplace, and big windows that let in the fresh mountain light. It felt like something out of a movie.

Bella sat on her bed and exhaled slowly. "Okay… maybe this won't be so bad."

Alex flopped beside her. "It's going to be the best."

Just then, a knock came at the door. Emily opened it to find Matt and Jake, grinning.

"Ladies," Matt greeted with a dramatic bow. "Just checking out the royal quarters."

Jake peeked inside. "Nice. Way better than our room."

Behind them, Ethan appeared, hands in his pockets. His eyes found Bella almost immediately, but her gaze flickered away.

"Hey," Sarah greeted the boys, moving to stand beside Bella as if to shield her.

"Where's your cabin?" Alex asked, trying to keep the mood light.

"Right next to yours," Jake answered, pointing. "Cabin 5. We already had a spider war."

"Ethan screamed louder than me," Matt added, and Jake burst out laughing.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "You two are never letting that go, are you?"

"Not in this lifetime."

Bella let out a quiet chuckle without meaning to—and Ethan caught it.

For a second, their eyes met. Brief, fleeting. But it was enough to stir something between them. A memory. A question. A maybe.

"Alright, time to unpack," Sarah announced, sensing the tension and smoothly cutting in. "We've got a tour soon."

The boys gave a mock salute and headed out. As the door closed behind them, Bella took a deep breath.

She hadn't spoken to Ethan.

But she hadn't ignored him completely either.

---

Later, as they gathered outside for the tour, Bella found herself beside Emily, listening to the camp coordinator explain the lodge layout. There would be hiking, water games, evening bonfires, and even a talent night.

But Bella's mind wandered.

She glanced at the boys a few feet ahead. Jake elbowed Ethan and whispered something that made Matt laugh loudly.

Ethan, however, didn't laugh.

He was looking back at her again.