Echoes of Encounter

Chapter-17: Vacation

After the award ceremony, the entire school buzzed with pride and excitement over the achievements of Sea and the rest of the gang. Their hard work and dedication had not only brought glory to themselves but also elevated the school's reputation in the eyes of others. Teachers and students alike congratulated them, and whispers of their triumph echoed through the corridors for days.

Nanon's transfer request brought an unexpected turn of events. The prospect of a scholarship and the opportunity to continue his studies for free filled him with both excitement and gratitude. The gang celebrated the news, thrilled that Nanon's talent and efforts were being recognized. Sea was overjoyed at the thought of having Nanon stay with him, knowing that he would no longer be alone now that Jimmy rarely came around.

As Jimmy immersed himself in spending time with Piploy, he found solace in the distraction it provided. However, beneath the surface, a gnawing sense of guilt continued to plague him. Despite Sea's apparent lack of memory regarding the events of that fateful night, Jimmy couldn't shake the feeling of remorse that weighed heavily on his conscience. He resolved to keep his actions a secret, burying his guilt deep within his heart. But Piploy knew Jimmy was acting weird and decided not to confront Jimmy with her questions.

Meanwhile, the gang shifted their focus to their academics as the final exams loomed on the horizon. With determination and perseverance, they delved into their studies, determined to excel in their respective subjects. Even amidst the pressure of exams, their bond remained unbreakable, each member supporting and encouraging the others through late-night study sessions and last-minute revisions.

As the days passed, Sea found himself caught up in a whirlwind of assignments and exams, the memory of that night fading into the background amidst the demands of academic life.

As Jimmy immersed himself in studying, his mind was distracted, and the guilt gradually lessened. He knew he had to see Sea every day, so he consoled himself with the thought that Sea seemed to have no recollection of that night. As he started spending more time with Sea, it became clear that Sea didn't remember anything from that evening. Grateful for this, Jimmy began to enjoy their time together more freely, spending most of his days with Sea and the gang and barely spending time with his girlfriend, Piploy.

** Setting: At Jimmy's house **

With the exams finally over, the gang breathed a collective sigh of relief, their faces alight with smiles as they realized that the stress of studying was finally behind them. Sea, Love, and Nanon were particularly praised for their tutoring efforts, with the rest of the gang expressing their gratitude for the help they had received.

"Thanks to you guys, I think I might have actually passed that math exam," AJ joked, earning a round of laughter from the group.

Nanon waved off the praise modestly. "Oh, it was nothing. Just glad I could help out."

As they sat together, discussing their plans now that the exams were finished, Milk's arrival added an unexpected twist to their conversation.

"It's been ages since we visited our grandparents' home in Chiang Mai," Milk explained, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "And there's so much to see and do there. Plus, we can all stay in their house, so we won't have to worry about finding accommodation."

Milk's suggestion of going to Chiang Mai for a vacation sparked immediate interest among the group, and they eagerly listened as Jimmy's mom chimed in with her approval.

The gang's excitement only grew at the prospect of a trip to Chiang Mai. With Jimmy's mom taking charge of organizing the details and seeking permission from their parents, everything quickly fell into place. Train tickets were booked for three days later, and the anticipation among the group reached fever pitch as they counted down the days until their departure.