Soft music played in Rowan’s earbuds as he sat in the blue bus that came to pick them up from school. He was watching out the window, waiting for his friends to arrive. He took a deep breath as his eyes shifted up to the fluffy clouds sprinkled throughout the sky. The morning sun cast a muted shine through the windows. The song changed; his favorite track ‘If I’ began to play. He swayed back and forth, listening to the lyrics

    He rested his chin on his backpack and shut his eyes. Going on this trip felt surreal to Rowan; he was excited to try something new, but his hands still shook and his stomach still fluttered. 

    He saw his friends walk into the bus and felt a calmness come over him. He watched his friends pile into the bus.

All the friends crowded around Rowan and greeted him with hugs and shoulder slaps. Once they got situated in their seats, they all looked at Asher. Maya sat next to Sophie, and Kai sat next to Rowan, while Asher sat alone in a seat across from them. 

    “I’m all alone,” Asher let out a fake wail as he wiped an invisible tear off his cheek.

    “You might not be soon!” Kai pointed to the teacher coming in through the bus doors. 

    The group laughed. That teacher was super strict, and the students all thought she was scary.

    “Ah, hello Asher. Mind if I take this seat?” The teacher asked, even though she had already sat down.

    “Not at all.” Asher blinked and pursed his lips. 

    Maya and Sophie held in their giggles, covering their mouths. Rowan smiled softly as he looked between Sophie and Maya.

    “How was your weekend, Asher?” The teacher asked.

    “Um, good! Good.” Asher grinned awkwardly. 

    “Did you finish the homework I assigned you?” She looked over, raising an eyebrow.

    Asher shrank in his seat, “Um, not yet, ma’am.”