Episode 5 . ︎ᡣ𐭩 ݁˖

Alina barely slept that night.

Every single time she closed her eyes, her imagination immediately dragged her back to the trip again.

Three whole days with Leroy.

Three mornings.

Three nights.

Three entire days where she wouldn’t have to compete with students, unfinished paintings, phone calls, or his constant excuses to avoid her.

The thought alone made her heart race uncontrollably.

At one point, she buried her face into her pillow with a frustrated groan.

“Why am I this excited…” Alina mumbled to herself while kicking the blanket away.

But even then, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Every little detail replayed endlessly inside her head.

What if they sat together during the ride?

What if they ended up sharing meals?

What if he finally stopped pretending he didn’t feel anything whenever she got too close?

And worst of all—

What if she accidentally did something embarrassing in front of him again?

That thought alone made her hide beneath the blanket for several seconds.

By the time sunlight finally began slipping through her curtains, Alina gave up on sleep completely.

“There’s no point anymore,” she sighed dramatically while sitting up.

She got ready far earlier than necessary.

Too early.

The house was still half asleep while she quietly moved around her room packing everything she might possibly need.

Clothes.

Sketchbook.

Chargers.

Hair ties.

Extra hoodies.

Snacks.

Medicine.

Then she unpacked everything again just to make sure she hadn’t forgotten something important.

After repacking her bag for the third time, she finally dropped onto the edge of her bed and checked the time.

Still early.

Way too early.

The excitement inside her was impossible to control.

Even her mother noticed it during breakfast.

“You’re smiling at your juice,” her mother pointed out suspiciously.

Alina immediately looked away from the glass.

“I’m just excited about the trip,” Alina replied quickly.

“Hm,” her mother hummed while narrowing her eyes slightly. “You look more excited than necessary.”

Alina nearly choked on her toast.

“Mom!”

Her mother only laughed softly.

By the time Alina finally reached her college campus, the entire place was already crowded with students and luggage.

The atmosphere buzzed with energy.

People laughed loudly while dragging heavy suitcases across the pavement. Some students stood beside siblings or parents who had come along for the trip, while others clung openly to lovers without any hesitation at all.

Near the buses, one girl rested comfortably against her boyfriend’s shoulder while he fixed the strap of her bag for her.

Another student argued playfully with her older brother while their friends laughed nearby.

Alina watched quietly from a distance.

And for a brief moment—

A small part of her envied them.

They could stand together openly.

Without worrying about judgment.

Without complicated age gaps.

Without constantly pretending their feelings didn’t exist.

Meanwhile, she couldn’t even properly stand beside Leroy without both of them panicking afterward.

Still…

A soft smile slowly returned to her face.

Because Leroy was coming.

At least, that’s what she believed.

She checked the campus gate again.

Nothing.

A few more minutes passed.

More students arrived.

More luggage filled the storage area beneath the buses.

Teachers began checking attendance lists loudly.

Still no Leroy.

Alina’s eyes remained fixed on the entrance.

Every single time someone walked through the gate, hope instantly rose inside her chest—

Only to shatter again when it wasn’t him.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Slowly, the excitement inside her began disappearing.

The bright happiness she had carried all morning faded little by little, replaced by something painfully heavy.

Disappointment.

Then sadness.

Her grip tightened around the strap of her bag.

Maybe he really didn’t want to come.

Maybe yesterday had crossed a line too far.

Maybe seeing that painting made him realize this entire situation had become dangerous.

The thought made her chest ache.

The smile on her face vanished completely.

Now the campus noise only felt exhausting.

The laughter around her sounded distant.

She suddenly didn’t want to go anymore.

The supervisors had already started rushing students toward the buses.

“Hurry up, everyone!”

“We’re getting late!”

“Find your assigned seats quickly!”

Alina remained standing silently near the side of the bus until one of her friends suddenly grabbed her arm.

“Alina! Hurry up!” her friend complained. “The bus is literally about to leave!”

Without arguing, Alina allowed herself to be dragged inside.

She walked slowly down the aisle before choosing the last seat beside the window.

Then she sat down quietly and clutched her bag tightly against her chest.

The engine started.

Still no Leroy.

The sound made her heart sink completely.

She lowered her head slowly, staring down at her hands while trying to ignore the burning feeling rising painfully inside her throat.

So he really didn’t come.

Maybe she had finally pushed him too far this time.

Outside, the supervisors continued organizing students while the bus prepared to leave campus.

Then suddenly—

Loud arguing echoed from outside near the entrance.

One of the supervisors sounded furious.

“Do you even know what time it is?!” the supervisor snapped loudly.

Several students turned toward the commotion immediately.

Alina looked up absentmindedly—

And froze.

Her eyes widened instantly.

Leroy.

He stood near the bus door slightly out of breath, his dark hair messier than usual as though he had rushed there in a hurry. One strap of his bag hung loosely over his shoulder while the irritated supervisor continued lecturing him without pause.

“You’re an adult! How are the students more punctual than you?!” the supervisor scolded angrily.

“I know,” Leroy replied with a tired sigh. “I’m sorry.”

The heavy weight crushing Alina’s chest disappeared so suddenly it almost made her dizzy.

Her eyes shimmered faintly with unshed tears.

He came.

He actually came.

If he had arrived even a little later—

She probably would have cancelled the trip entirely.

Leroy finally stepped inside the bus after apologizing again.

The moment he entered, his eyes immediately began searching through the crowded seats.

Looking for her.

Then suddenly—

Their eyes met.

And instantly, all the tension on Leroy’s face softened.

A small warm smile appeared quietly on his lips.

Not forced.

Not distant.

Real.

He lifted one hand helplessly toward the still-annoyed supervisor beside him, silently explaining why he couldn’t come over to her yet.

Alina smiled back immediately and nodded softly.

Relief flooded through her so strongly she almost laughed.

And just like that—

The trip finally began.

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