Tulips & The Daily

Part four - You ruined everything (Why am I stuck?)

The following morning, the image from last night still lingered in Nora's mind like a half-remembered dream. She sat at the table, absently stirring her bowl of oatmeal, the spoon scraping softly against the ceramic. Across from her, Sophie and Clara discussed their strategy for badminton later, their laughter bubbling up like the morning sun. Occasionally, Nora offered a half-hearted nod or a distant smile, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand. The golden morning light filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. It illuminated the table, making the oatmeal shimmer faintly, yet Nora found herself lost in the haunting memory of the moonlight from last night. Shadows from the night before danced at the edges of her mind, wrapping around her gently. A soft breeze drifted through the open window, bringing with it the fresh scent of pine and dew-kissed grass, mingling with the warmth of the day.

Nora blinked, her spoon pausing mid-stir, the clinking sound resonating in the quiet space. Nora stole a glance at Matthew, who was surrounded by a pack of boys from their year, each one leaning in, eager for an ounce of recognition. Sunlight danced in his hair, highlighting the warm tones and making it shimmer like spun gold as it fell freely around his ears, stray pieces sticking out haphazardly. Her gaze wandered down to the oversized Adidas sweatshirt he wore, the soft fabric draping casually over his arms and waist. The gentle rise and fall of his chest caught her attention, and she realised for the first time just how broad his shoulders were beneath the fabric. Nora knew she was staring, her gaze lingering on Matthew, but he remained oblivious, engrossed in the laughter of the boys around him. Shaking her head, she tore her thoughts away, forcing herself to redirect her focus back to Sophie and Clara.

When it was time for the usual morning gathering, Nora peeled away from Clara and Sophie, her gaze drifting toward Lila. Unlike most mornings, Lila appeared refreshingly alert. Her hair was neatly gathered into a high ponytail, the sunlight catching the glossy strands and making them shimmer. She scanned the crowd, her eyes lighting up when they finally met Nora's.

A smile broke across her face "Hey! There you are!" Lila exclaimed. They embraced, and Nora inhaled the warm, comforting scent of Lila's vanilla perfume. Lila seemed more excited than anxious today, her usual nervous energy was gone. Both girls had signed up for the hiking trip, mainly because of Lila's wrist injury. The trip led by Mr. Hills and Miss Galway. Mr. Hills had organised this particular trail for years, and Miss Galway had joined him for the last two. Nora and Lila linked arms and made their way to where Miss Galway and Mr. Hills were stationed near a massive rock that jutted out of the ground. Mr. Hills stood confidently in his usual hiking gear, hands resting on his hips. Miss Galway was bent over the clipboard, her pen scratching across the check-in list as students filtered through. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and she glanced up occasionally to greet the students with a warm smile.

"Here we go," Miss Galway said, glancing up with a smile. "You're all checked in"

The group that signed up was quite large, a sea of faces. Nora found herself scanning the crowd without meaning to, her eyes darting from one familiar face to another. And then, her stomach dropped. Of course, Matthew was also signed up.

As if Lila had sensed Nora's wandering eyes, she nudged her playfully. "Oh, don't mind him, Nora. I think we'll barely notice him anyway."

Nora forced a laugh, but it felt thin, as if it could shatter at any moment. "Yeah... Yeah, you're right"

Once all the students had checked in, Mr. Hills straightened up, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, listen up!" His voice was firm but carried a hint of excitement.

He pulled out a crumpled map, waving it like a trophy. "Today's trail is a fantastic one. We'll be walking mostly through the woods, so expect a few twists and turns. There are some great views along the way!"