At home, Rowan walked up behind Claire, sliding a loaf pan of dough into the oven.

As Claire turned around, she jumped in fright and slapped her hands onto her chest. 

“Rowan! You scared me!” She laughed. “What do you need?” 

Rowan stood there for a moment, not sure how he should show her the slip. 

Claire swiped hair away from Rowan’s eyes, “What is it?”

He brought out the paper from behind his back and handed it to Claire.

“School trip?” she read through the rest silently, “It’s a trip to Taloma Falls. That’s an hour away, are you sure you’re okay being that far away for that long?” 

Rowan eagerly nodded.

“If you’re comfortable with it, just ask Elliot before I sign the slip, okay?” Claire smiled, “Oh! Are your friends going too?”

Rowan typed into his phone: Most likely. Maya is coming. We’re waiting on the others.

“That’s good, as long as you have a friend or two there. If Elliot says you can go, stay safe!”

Later that night, Rowan was settling into bed, looking at his phone. Maya had just texted the group chat:

MAYA: Updates? Anyone got their permission slip filled out yet?

ROWAN: 👍

MAYA: Yay!

KAI: I got mine filled out and ready.

SOPHIE: I’m all set! I’ve already packed everything for the trip.

…

SOPHIE: Asher? How about you?

KAI: Ashy-boy, where are you?

ASH: Sorry, I’m here now! I don’t know if I can go😢

MAYA: Aw, why? Do your parents not want you to go?

ASH: Yeah, it’s an hour away from here, and they are worried about my safety. I told them it’s safe because there will be a ton of other people there, but they aren’t convinced.

ROWAN: Do they know about us?

ROWAN: About all of us coming too?

ASH: I wasn’t sure if you guys were coming or not, but idk if that would make a difference.

MAYA: We can always visit your house to explain to your parents how the trip would go. Maybe we can convince them?

SOPHIE: That’s a good idea.

ASH: Okay! My parents have a day off tomorrow. How about we meet at my house tomorrow morning before school? We could walk together to school afterwards!

SOPHIE: Sounds good to me.

MAYA: Perfect 👌

KAI: Cool! See you tmrw!

ROWAN: 👋