LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Field Trip Rivalry
The day started in chemistry class, with a palpable buzz of excitement about the upcoming field trip. Students chattered about what to expect, and Jack was no exception.
"Yo, Ethan!" Jack called, sliding into the seat beside him. He slung an arm over Ethan's shoulder with his usual flair. "You pumped for today? It's your first field trip, right?"
Ethan smirked, leaning back. "Not exactly. I've been on a few before."
"Yeah?" Jack tilted his head. "Well, I'm betting this one's gonna be memorable. I've got a plan, bro." His grin widened mischievously.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What plan?"
Jack leaned in, his voice lowering. "I'm gonna sit next to Lily. This is my shot to make a move. You know, talk to her, get her to see me as more than the class clown."
The words hit Ethan harder than expected, but he forced a laugh. "Bold strategy, man. Good luck."
"Don't need luck," Jack replied confidently.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. The students spilled into the hall, heading toward the bus stop. Ethan lingered behind, his mind unsettled.
At the bus, Lily found a window seat and sat down quietly. Jack was quick to seize the moment, sliding into the seat beside her with a grin. Ethan watched from a distance, his heart sinking as Jack's plan unfolded effortlessly. Before he could process it further, Isabella appeared at his side.
"You're sitting with me," Isabella declared, grabbing his arm without waiting for a reply.
Ethan blinked in surprise. "Uh, sure."
She pulled him to a seat near the middle of the bus. From her peripheral view, Lily glanced at the two of them, her expression briefly faltering before she returned her attention to Jack.
Jack, oblivious to anything else, leaned toward Lily. "So, what's your favorite sea animal? Don't tell me it's something boring like dolphins."
Lily smiled faintly. "Actually, I like sharks. They're misunderstood."
Jack nodded, feigning deep thought. "Sharks, huh? Knew you were cool."
Ethan, seated further back, leaned his head against the window, trying to tune them out. His thoughts swirled as the bus ride stretched on. He felt a nudge.
"Don't ignore me," Isabella said, crossing her arms. "You've been zoning out since we left school."
"Sorry," Ethan muttered.
"Don't apologize. Just talk to me," she said with a small huff.
Before he could respond, sleep overtook him. His head lolled to the side.
When Ethan woke, the bus was eerily quiet. He blinked, disoriented, realizing his head was resting on something soft.
"Finally awake?" Isabella's voice murmured.
Ethan blinked groggily, realizing he'd been asleep for quite some time. Ethan sat up abruptly, heat rising to his face as he realized he'd been leaning on her shoulder. "Uh—sorry. How long was I out?" embarrassment flooding his face. "Wait—why didn't you wake me up earlier?!"
Isabella shrugged, a faint smirk on her lips. "Long enough," she said, her tone unreadable. "Everyone else is already inside. I didn't wake you because…" She hesitated, then shrugged. "You looked like you needed it."
Ethan scrambled to his feet, glancing out the window. The rest of the students had already disembarked. "Why didn't you leave with them?"
"Maybe I was waiting for you," Isabella said, her tone teasing but her expression unreadable.
"Thanks, I guess," Ethan said, still flustered. He grabbed his bag and started toward the aisle.
Ethan didn't have time to dwell on her words. "Thanks, but I've gotta catch up!" He bolted down the aisle, leaving Isabella behind. She sighed, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"You're welcome," Isabella called after him, her voice edged with mock annoyance.
Ethan paused, glancing back. Her expression was almost playful, but there was something softer in her eyes that he couldn't quite place.
Outside, Ethan spotted Jack and Lily near the shark exhibit, already chatting animatedly. Jack gestured toward the tank, clearly in his element.
"...and that's why hammerheads are the coolest," Jack said.
Lily laughed softly. "They're definitely interesting. Did you know they have 360-degree vision?"
"Mind-blowing, right?" Jack replied.
Ethan approached them, trying to shake off the unease gnawing at him. "Hey, where's the teacher? I, uh, fell asleep on the bus."
Jack barely glanced at him, too engrossed in his conversation with Lily. "You're fine, man."
"Wow, bruh," a voice said behind him. Ethan turned to find Isabella smirking at him. "You just left me back there like I didn't wake you up or something."
"Sorry," Ethan said, scratching the back of his neck. "Didn't mean to."
"Uh-huh," she replied, clearly unimpressed.
Jack and Lily, noticing the exchange, invited them to join the group. The rest of the trip passed in a series of awe-inspiring exhibits and lighthearted moments. Ethan found himself stealing glances at Lily, even as Jack monopolized her attention.
The aquarium was stunning, but Ethan barely registered the exhibits. His gaze kept drifting to Jack and Lily, who walked ahead, their heads close together as they talked. Ethan tried to ignore the uneasy churn in his stomach as Jack pointed out a shark swimming overhead, making Lily laugh.
By the end of the day, exhaustion claimed most of the students on the bus ride home. Jack dozed off, his head lolling against the window, while Isabella leaned against the seat beside Ethan, her breathing steady as she slept.
Ethan stayed awake, his thoughts tangled. He noticed Lily shifting in her seat, then standing to make her way to the back of the bus. She moved quietly, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
Curiosity piqued, Ethan turned slightly, his gaze following her. Her hushed voice carried faintly through the bus.
"Is he okay? He's not sick, is he? What do you mean he's been crying all day?"
The worry in her tone tightened something in Ethan's chest. He pieced it together—this had to be about her brother.
When the bus arrived back at the school, Lily was the first off, moving with hurried steps. Ethan quickly grabbed his bag and followed.
"Lily!" he called.
She turned, her face pale, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "What?" she asked, her voice clipped.
"I called a taxi," Ethan said.
She blinked, too distracted to question him. The taxi pulled up, and she climbed in. Ethan hesitated only briefly before following her.
"SunnySide Daycare," Lily told the driver, her voice trembling.
As the car sped off, she began to shake. Her breaths grew shallow, her hands clutching the fabric of her jeans.
Ethan acted on instinct. He reached for her hands, covering them with his own. "Lily," he said softly.
She didn't respond, her breathing growing more erratic.
"Lily," he repeated, this time more firmly. He leaned closer, tilting his head to meet her eyes. "Look at me."
Her tear-filled gaze lifted to his, and he saw the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
"Just breathe," Ethan said, his voice steady and low. "In and out. I'm here. He's going to be okay. You've got this."
Lily's chest rose and fell unevenly as she tried to follow his instructions. Ethan didn't let go of her hands, his thumbs brushing soothing circles over her knuckles.
"Focus on me," he murmured. "That's it. Deep breaths."
Slowly, her breathing steadied. Her hands relaxed beneath his, though she didn't pull away.
"Better?" Ethan asked softly.
She nodded, her voice barely audible. "Thank you."
The taxi fell into silence, but the air between them felt charged. Lily's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, her expression unreadable.
Ethan's heart pounded, but he held her gaze, the unspoken connection between them growing stronger with each passing second.
As the taxi neared its destination, Lily finally looked away, her fingers slipping from his. But the warmth of her touch lingered, a silent reminder of the moment they had shared.