The overpacked school bus sat rumbling outside Westwood High, the engine groaning like it hated the early morning as much just as much as the students. "Ugh... This is so stupid. Can't believe we had to get here at four in the morning," one student mumbled, dragging a hand over his face.

His friend, a tall lacrosse player, nodded sympathetically. "Yeah... and then the drive is, like, eight hours away. But, hey, the Adirondacks are supposed to be pretty cool. I'm excited to see all the girls in their swimsuits."

Teachers were barking instructions (or at least were trying to) over the noise, herding the teenagers as if they were cattle. "Oi! Quiet down, quiet do— Hey, sit back down!— What do you think you're doing?" The only quiet area of the bus was where the chaperones were sat—most of the parents were exchanging gossip, sipping coffee as if it could distract them from the fact that they'd be trapped in a summer camp with a bunch of rowdy teens for the next week.

But the back of the bus was already a symphony—okay, more like just a random assortment of instruments clattering—of chaos. Michael had wedged himself into the corner of the back seat, hood tugged up to cover his face. He had his earbuds in, one dangling out just enough to keep up with Sasha, who was bouncing in her seat as she ranted about a new game called Blood Vengeance V.

"Cmon, dude, you have to try it!" She whined, gesturing wildly with her hands. "I blew up a whole squad of Russians with just one pressure mine!"

Michael scoffed. "Pressure mines are for cowards."

"Whatever, edgelord." Sasha rolled her eyes, sinking deeper into her seat.

They both paused for a moment, Michael scrolling through his playlist for a good song and Sasha fiddling with the case for her Switch. After a while, Michael glanced around the bus, scanning the aisles carefully. "Wait, where the hell is you? They're running late. Like... really late."

Sasha frowned and poked her head up over the seats, looking around for their friend. No luck—you were nowhere to be seen. "Wait, yeah, where the hell are they? They better hurry up before we leave their sorry ass behind."

The door to the bus swung open once more, the cool mist of the early hour spilling in to reveal you, escorted by a large teacher. "Go sit down, tiny," the man ordered, pointing at an empty seat.

"YO!" Sasha waved her arm back and forth exaggeratedly. "Back here!"

Michael just nodded toward the empty seat nearby.