⌁ 𝕚 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 ⌁

⌁⁘ 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥 '𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕖𝕖 ⁘⌁

~ 𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓷'𝓽 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝔂𝓮𝓽

» walker pov «

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The final bell rang, echoing through the halls of every building on Northlake High's campus. The cheers of jubilant students filled the air as they burst from their classrooms, ready to embrace the summer ahead. Our junior year was officially behind us, and the sweet taste of freedom lingered on our tongues. For the gang and I, summer meant one thing: our long-planned vacation.

We had been dreaming about this trip for months, huddling in the library during free periods to research destinations, comparing hotel prices and activities. We eventually settled on a cruise. Now, as we spilled out into the bright afternoon sun, it felt surreal that the moment had finally arrived.

After we all made it back to our campushouses and got cleaned up and ready for one last all-nighter of planning, we gathered in Campushouse 13's living room and settled into the different couches and chairs and pillow piles scattered around.

"Oh my gosh," (y/n) groaned as she walked through the front door with Nico, Dior and Olivea. "I am so excited for this cruise." She was wearing a baggy t-shirt and those heartstoppingly adorable Bluey pajama pants. The loose pants hanging off of her legs easily hid the bulky brace that was strapped on around her knee.

I felt a pang at the thought of that brace. Poor (y/n). Her knee gave her lots of pain, lots of problems, but she would never let any of us help her out or take her to the doctor or anything for it. She said her PT had given her clearance to walk on it with the brace, and she had crutches for when it got really bad. If the PT said she was okay, then she was probably okay.

But still. I couldn't help but worry. I wanted to just sweep her off her feet, into my arms, and carry her everywhere. That would keep the weight off her knee, keep her out of pain. But I knew she'd probably stab me if I even tried. She was stubborn like that.

Olivea nodded fervently as her and (y/n) continued to talk, her ginger curls bouncing around her face with the movement. "Yes, I'm so excited. I'm soooo excited. I can't wait to see the islands, the reefs, the ocean, the fish, the culture..."

As Dior and Olivea chatted animatedly about the cruise, (y/n) zoned out of the conversation and Nico wandered off to greet Mason with a quick kiss. The two soon settled onto their usual spot on the loveseat. (Y/n) glanced around for a bit, just observing, and eventually her eyes flicked to mine before flitting away shyly. I dropped my gaze to my feet.

It's so embarrassing to be caught staring all the time.

I really need to work on that.

Connor was sitting in the armchair, talking to Brady and Charlie, who were stood leaning against the wall near the doorway to the kitchen. Gwyn waltzed in a few minutes later, singsonging "Connyyyy!" before straddling his lap and pressing a kiss to his lips. Brady and Charlie mocked gags to each other.

I watched (y/n) make her way over to Leah and Momo, who were already perched on barstools at the counter, as they talked to Aryan and Weston.

Weston.

I didn't really know how to feel about him. On one hand, we'd been friends since third grade. We moved to Northlake from the same town. I loved the kid - I didn't know anyone friendlier, anyone funnier, anyone more caring.

But on the other hand, he broke (y/n)'s heart by cheating on her with the same girl that janked up (y/n)'s knee.

It seemed like they were making up, though. Especially after the soup. The surprise Panera delivery was about a month and a half ago, and things had only gone up for the two of them from there.