Young Folks (Ross Lynch AU)

eleven.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," Mr. Danforth instructed. "Once we get to the hotel, you will go up to your rooms, leave your things, and then meet back in the lobby for dinner. Alright?"

A chorus of okays and yeses went up throughout the bus as we all absentmindedly stared out the windows at the beautiful Alaskan landscape.

"Now, room arrangements. There are two double beds in each room, so there will be two students to a room, though one group will have an extra person. Understand?" Professor Danforth asked. Again, mumbles were heard, but no one really seemed to answer.

"Perfect. Glad to see you're all awake and enthusiastic as I am," he stated sarcastically, which made a few kids laugh. "Alright so, in room 201 we have Ben and Trevor. Room 202 is Dani and Rose. 203 is Ross and Harry. 204 is Megan and Aspen. 205 is Fred and Aaron. Room 206 we have Vanessa, Sadie, and Lauren. Room 207 will be Will and John, and I will be in 208. Is that clear? Do I need to repeat anything? Any objections? No, okay perfect."

When Mr. Danforth finished, everyone went back to talking amongst themselves and chatting with one another. I turned to Megan and grinned.

"Thank the Dear Lord Jesus in heaven above that I don't have to room with Lauren," I whispered.

"I know! And she has to share with two other people instead of one person. Serves her right!" Megan laughed. I just chuckled and then decided to let the conversation die down.

I looked out the window, examining the wilderness that surrounded me. Sure, there were people and a few houses here and there, but it wasn't like at home.

Home was the city of Chicago. People everywhere, skyscrapers all around, constant noise. It was as if no one ever slept.

Here, however, there was virtually no one. Besides the sound of the bus and the people inside it, it was near dead silent. The only sounds were that of animals and other wildlife. We would see a house or a person about every ten minutes. It was just plains of grass, trees, and wildlife.

It was beautiful.

"Mr. Danforth?" Ben asked suddenly from the back of the bus.

"Yes, Mr. Arneson, what is it?" He questioned.

"I was just wondering how long it will be until we arrive at the hotel," Ben stated.

"Roughly 10 minutes, give or take a few," the professor responded.

"Thank you," Ben said. It became relatively more quite after that. Chatter died down as more and more people decided to take in their surroundings and enjoy Alaska while they could.

***

"Alright, everyone, take everything to your rooms and meet up back here in fifteen minutes," Mr. Danforth instructed. We all nodded and grabbed our luggage before making our way to the elevators. Will, John, Megan, and I piled into the first elevator that arrived and rode it to the second floor. When the doors opened, we went to our respective rooms. The minute Megan opened the door and I entered the room, I was speechless.

The rooms weren't fancier than anything you would see in your normal hotel. Just two double beds, flatscreen tv, small kitchen, bathroom, etc. what took my breath away was the view.

There were two glass patio doors that led to a balcony where two plastic chairs and a glass table sat. But beyond that was a view of the city of Anchorage, Alaska.

When we first walked in, the sun was setting, so most buildings had their lights turned on, but the pink and orange hues in the sky were still visible. And beyond the city sat the Chugach mountain range.

The gray mountains stood tall, towering over the seemingly small city. Each peak was capped with white snow, waiting for someone to dare to climb and reach it.

"It's gorgeous," Megan commented.

"This is exactly why this is my passion," I said simply. I then dug through my bag and pulled out my camera. I put it over my neck and then quickly made my way out to the balcony, knowing the colors would be changing and fading with every second.

I quickly took multiple pictures, hoping I could maybe capture the astounding beauty the was placed before my eyes. I snapped a few more before a voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Guess I'm not the only one loving this view," Sadie laughed as she held up her camera as well.

"Couldn't miss out on a photo op like this, aye?" I joked.

"Anyone who isn't seeing this is missing out, man," Sadie shook her head.

"You're telling me," I said. I took a few more pictures before retreating back to my room and setting my camera down, which Megan scooped up and looked through the photos I had just taken.

"These are breathtaking, Aspen," Megan said quietly.

"Thanks," I blushed slightly. I was always a bit self conscious of my photographs, only because I was afraid that I was the only one who liked them. But knowing that other people did always made me feel better about them, even if it did embarrass me just a little bit.

"Well, now that that's done," Megan started after setting my camera down and looping her arm through mine, "let's go get some food, yeah?"

And the gorgeous city of Anchorage, Alaska everyone.

Okie so this story might go off the rails a little bit in the next few chapters and become just a bit unrealistic but just go with it for the sake of the plot