Rich Heart,poor souls

The Upcoming Trip

A week passed since the mural presentation, and the group had settled into a comfortable routine. They spent more time together, hanging out after school and working on their project, but tension still lingered in the air, especially from Amara. She often shot jealous glares at Zyran, lacing her comments with subtle jabs.

“Nice job on that drawing, Zyran. Did you finally find your artistic talent?” Amara smirked one day during class, pretending to be lighthearted but failing to mask the sting behind her words.

“Thanks, Amara. I’ll be sure to show you my next masterpiece,” Zyran replied, a hint of sarcasm in his voice, trying to shrug off her remarks.

As the week went on, Mrs. Tasha, their art teacher, clapped her hands to get the class's attention. “Alright, everyone! I have an exciting announcement!”

The chatter died down, and the students turned their focus to her.

We’re going on a two-week trip to an art retreat in the mountains!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for you all to immerse yourselves in various art forms, work on projects, and gain inspiration from nature. You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with other schools.”

The classroom erupted in excited murmurs, and Zyran’s heart raced at the thought of the trip.

Can you imagine the scenery?” Yuu chimed in, her eyes gleaming. “We’ll be able to paint and draw surrounded by nature!”

“Yeah, and we can showcase our projects at the end!” Leo added, pumping his fist in the air.

Wait, are we really going to be stuck in the mountains for two weeks?” Amara scoffed, crossing her arms. “What if it rains? Or worse, what if we have to share a cabin with people we don’t like?”

“Come on, Amara! It’ll be fun,” Riku encouraged. “Just think of all the new experiences!”

Plus, it’s a chance to get to know each other better,” Jaden chimed in, shooting a glance at Zyran and Kai. “And who knows what kind of trouble we can get into?”

Despite the excitement, Zyran felt a twinge of anxiety. Two weeks in close quarters with everyone, especially Kai, could either strengthen their bond or push them further apart.

As the chatter continued, Zyran caught Kai’s eye. He seemed equally intrigued by the idea of the trip, his expression a mix of excitement and curiosity.

“I bet I’ll win the best project at the retreat,” Kai declared confidently, a smirk playing on his lips. “You all better step up your game.”

“Oh, please! Just because you’re a rich kid doesn’t mean you’re going to outshine us,” Amara snapped, trying to mask her jealousy with a teasing tone.

“Hey, this isn’t about money,” Kai shot back, his tone challenging. “It’s about creativity and skill.”

“Maybe I’ll surprise you,” Zyran interjected, a determined glint in his eyes. “Just because I’m not as flashy doesn’t mean I can’t deliver.”

As the discussion continued, Zyran felt a mixture of excitement and nerves about the upcoming trip. He knew it could be a pivotal moment for everyone, especially him and Kai. But he also sensed the underlying tension that Amara brought to the group dynamic.

With the trip approaching, Zyran decided that no matter what, he would embrace the experience, both as an artist and as someone who was slowly starting to find his place among friends.