THE NIGHT (gxg)

Chapter one - The trip

apologies for bad grammar or misspelled words

For the past few months, our school has been saving up money to go on a trip out of the country. We would sell newspapers, bake cookies, and go on radio shows to try to gain money, after all, we are a pretty big classroom. It's a tradition in our school for the sophomores to travel out of the country, to celebrate our achievements. They've been doing it for ages.

Yesterday, in our small classroom with walls that smell like bricks and a whiteboard where the ink barely comes off, our teacher Ms. Jones announced that we had finally got enough money for the trip. We jumped out of our seats in excitement, we had been saving money since the beginning of August, and it was now June. Ms. Jones said in a loud voice, trying to calm down the classroom's excitement:

"But, we must vote on where to go. For that, I want you all to write on this paper note and put it in the box here" She said as she brought out a box with a small hole on the top

She picked some students to go and hand out the notes for the class, one of them was Ava. Ava and I were the best of friends in kindergarten, we would hang out all the time. She'd come over for sleepovers and we would watch movies together while we ate popcorn and candy. She was much richer than me, she lived in a big white two-story house with three bathrooms and a pool, and we would always go swimming together. But when we started 3rd grade, she changed. She would pick on me daily and would bully me. She'd make fun of me in the locker rooms, she'd stick bubblegum in my hair, and would make her friends "prank" me. Luckily, after her friends changed schools she apologized but we still aren't friends.

Back to the story, as she headed over to my desk with the note we made eye contact. I felt something I'd never felt before, it felt like my heart skipped a beat. Her long black hair and her dark brown eyes shined so beautifully in the school's wonky lights. She put the note down and walked quickly away, she seemed embarrassed. I couldn't even get the word out to say "Thank you". Was that love?

I thought while writing down on my note "Greece". No, it couldn't be love. Love is supposed to be between a girl and a boy, I can't be gay. But I just couldn't stop thinking about her beauty. It felt like I was floating on a cloud. Suddenly, I heard someone say:

"Hello? Can I get your note please?"

I looked up to see Ava, without muttering a word a gave my note to her and looked down at my desk again. I watched as she went around the whole classroom and collected everyone's notes. She walked so gracefully. She gave the box back to Ms. Jones and Ms. Jones did a quick cough to warm up her voice before she announced to the class:

"Tomorrow I will have counted the votes and a country will be announced, but let's go back to teaching, shall we?"

I'd sigh as I thought English class was pretty boring, but it didn't matter since it was our last class for the day. We had to continue on a novel, the novel was supposed to be about two foxes. Honestly, it was kinda childish but I could survive it. After what felt like an eternity the bell finally rang, the bell was so old the sound sounded more like a scream than a school bell. I closed my computer and put my computer in my bag and grabbed my books and walked out of our classroom and to my locker, my red locker with stickers of marine creatures on it. I put my stuff away and grabbed my stuff as I headed outside to the cold.

But, I couldn't stop thinking about what happened. What if I was gay? What would my parents think? I've never felt this feeling before. I would sprint home to go on my computer and google stuff like "Am I gay?". All night long, even though I'm barely religious these days I started praying. Praying that I wasn't gay. I stayed up all night praying and crying. What a cry baby.

The next day, I felt like absolute shit. I was drained from last night and tired, but at least they were gonna announce the location. I walked into school to go grab my stuff from the locker and head to class, but right outside the classroom, Ava stood talking to Ms. Jones. I panicked and headed to the bathroom and hid in the stalls. I waited a few minutes until there was 1 minute left of class. I left the stalls and headed into my classroom.

Ms. Jones stood up in front of the class and did her usual cough to warm up her voice, before stating:

"We have counted the votes and the country is..." She'd stop for a moment to create excitement in the students
"Greece!" She'd shout

The class got on their feet and celebrated, everyone was manic and so excited. The teacher did a small whistle to gain the attention of the classroom

"Ehm, you will be paired with a classmate who you will share a hotel room with and sit next in the plane, car, bus, boat rides, and so on"

I looked over at the person I was closest with, my friend Abigail. We weren't the best of friends, honestly, I just hang around with her to not look like a total loner. I'd think as Ms. Jones pared people together when I suddenly heard my name.

"Hazel and Ava" Ms. Jones would say looking at me and Ava

Fuck. I looked up and smiled at Ava and Ms. Jones but inside, I was panicking so hard.