Ella Sullivan is an 18-year-old high school senior with a sharp wit and a penchant for sarcasm. Her life revolves around her close-knit group of friends and the love for her dog. But her world is thrown into disarray when she encounters Ms. Catherin...
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———༺✵༻——— POV Ella ———༺✵༻———
Walking through the front doors of the school, I can't help but think how Fridays are easily my favorite day of the week. The air is crisp, but there's a hint of warmth that wasn't there a few weeks ago. It's January, but we're nearing the end of the month, and I can feel the change coming. The days are getting a little longer, the sun sticking around just a bit later each evening. It's like the world is slowly waking up from a long sleep, and I'm here for it.
Fridays are always a little lighter, a little easier. My last class of the day is math with Catherine, which makes the day end on a high note. I usually don't have work after school on Fridays, so I can spend the evening however I want—whether that's catching up on homework or pushing it off until the weekend. There's freedom in that choice, and it sets the tone for the whole day.
As I walk down the hallway, my shoes tapping against the linoleum, I spot Jess and Abby by the lockers. Jess is adjusting her scarf while Abby is chatting animatedly about something that I can't quite hear yet. Amori is there too, leaning against the lockers with his arms crossed, but there's something different about his stance. His usual easygoing smile is missing, and his eyes are focused on the floor as if he's lost in thought.
"Hey guys," I say, slipping into the conversation easily as I approach.
"Ella!" Jess greets me with a smile, throwing her arm around my shoulders. "We were just talking about the Italy trip. Can you believe it's almost only a month away?"
"I know, right?" I grin, but my eyes flicker to Amori, who's still quiet. "Have you guys started packing yet?"
"Not even close," Abby laughs, rolling her eyes. "I'm probably going to leave it until the last minute like always."
"You're going to regret that," Jess warns, pointing a finger at her. "We're going to be there for ten days, and you'll need enough outfits for all those Instagram photos."
Amori chuckles at that, but it feels forced. I glance at him again, trying to read his expression. Something is definitely up with him, but now's not the time to ask.
"I've started making a list," I say, turning the conversation back to the trip. "I don't want to overpack, but I also don't want to run out of clothes halfway through. And then there's the whole issue of souvenirs. I'll need space for those too."
"I'm bringing an extra bag just for souvenirs," Jess declares proudly. "No way am I coming back empty-handed."
"I'm more worried about how much spending money I'll need," Abby says with a sigh. "Italy isn't exactly cheap, and I want to be able to enjoy it without constantly worrying about my budget."
"I'm sure we'll figure it out," I say, trying to sound reassuring. "We can always pool our money for certain things, like meals. And we can take turns paying for things like group tours."
