Shattered Trust

Ch.10: The Weekend Getaway

The buzz of excitement was palpable as students filed into the school on Monday morning. Posters had been put up all around the hallways, announcing the much-anticipated weekend getaway that the school had planned. Every year, the school organized a special trip for the junior class, giving students a chance to unwind, bond, and make memories outside of the usual academic grind.

This year's destination was a lakeside resort nestled in the mountains, just a few hours' drive from town. The resort promised outdoor activities, campfires, and all the makings of a perfect weekend escape.

As Sarah walked into school that morning, she could feel the energy in the air. Students were already talking excitedly about the trip, making plans for what they would do and who they would share a cabin with. For a brief moment, Sarah felt a flicker of excitement herself-until she remembered the tangled web of emotions she'd been caught in over the past few weeks.

She spotted Claire by their lockers, already chatting with a group of girls about the trip. Claire looked up and waved when she saw Sarah approaching.

"Sarah! Can you believe we're finally going on the weekend trip?" Claire asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "It's going to be amazing!"

Sarah forced a smile, trying to match Claire's excitement. "Yeah, it sounds like it'll be fun."

"Have you thought about who you're rooming with?" one of the other girls, Madison, asked, turning to Sarah.

Sarah hadn't thought about it yet, but before she could answer, Claire jumped in. "Sarah and I are definitely sharing a cabin! Right, Sarah?"

"Of course," Sarah said, her smile becoming more genuine. Despite everything that had happened, she and Claire were still best friends, and Sarah didn't want to let the tension between them ruin their trip.

"Great! I'm sharing with Emily and Jenna," Madison said. "We'll have to plan some cabin-hopping fun at night!"

The group laughed, and for a moment, Sarah felt the tension in her chest loosen. Maybe this trip would be a good thing after all-a chance to relax, have fun, and maybe even clear the air between her, Claire, and Liam.

As they walked to their first class, Claire leaned in closer to Sarah. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly. "You seemed a little off earlier."

"I'm fine," Sarah said, trying to sound convincing. "Just... a lot on my mind."

Claire nodded, her expression softening. "I get it. But maybe this trip is just what we need to get away from everything for a bit. No drama, just fun."

"Yeah," Sarah agreed, though she wasn't sure how realistic that hope was. Still, she wanted to believe that this weekend could be a fresh start.

As the day went on, the excitement around the trip only grew. By lunchtime, the entire school was buzzing with plans and speculation about what the weekend would hold. Sarah found herself caught up in it, despite her lingering worries. After all, the idea of spending a few days by a beautiful lake, surrounded by friends, sounded like the perfect escape.

But as the school day drew to a close, and Sarah walked home with Claire, the reality of their situation started to creep back in. The trip would mean spending a lot of time together, and with Liam likely there too, it could bring up all the feelings they were trying to sort through.

"So, are you looking forward to the trip?" Claire asked as they reached Sarah's house.

"I am," Sarah said, and she meant it. "But I'm also a little nervous, you know? With everything that's happened."

Claire nodded, her expression serious. "I get that. But let's try to make the most of it, okay? We'll stick together and have a great time. No more stress, just fun."