LILY POV The next morning at university was normal.
Well…
as normal as things could be for me lately.
I was sitting in class, trying to pay attention, even though my mind was somewhere else .
I had been trying really hard not to think about Kiefer.
It wasn’t working.
Then our professor walked into the classroom with a few papers in his hand.
“Before we start today’s lecture, I have an announcement.” Everyone looked up.
“Our university is organizing a trip for students.” The whole room suddenly became louder.
“A trip?” “Where?” “When?” “How long?” The professor laughed.
“Seven days.” Seven days.
Everyone immediately started talking.
I just stared at my notebook.
Seven days away from university.
Seven days with everyone.
I should have been excited.
But I already knew one thing.
I wasn’t going.
Not if Kiefer was going.
Not if Jay was going.
I didn’t want to spend seven days watching them together.
Seven days of seeing him hold her hand.
Seven days of watching him smile at her.
Seven days of pretending I didn’t care.
No.
I wasn’t doing that.
The professor continued explaining the trip, but I barely listened.
Then I heard Ella behind me.
“Lily!” I turned around.
She was smiling.
“We’re going!” she said I blinked.
“We?” i said “Yes, we,” she said, like it was obvious.
“Me, you and Sophia.” I shook my head.
“I’m not going.” i said Ella’s smile disappeared.
“What?” she said “I’m not going.” i said “Why?” she asked “Because I don’t want to.” i said Sophia looked at me.
“You never want to do anything anymore.” she said I looked away.
“I just don’t feel like going.” i said Ella moved closer.
“Come on, Lily.
It’s seven days.
It’ll be fun.” she said “No.” i said “Please?” she said “No.” i said “Please, Lily.” she said I sighed.
“Stop begging.” i said “I’ll keep begging until you say yes.” she said I looked at her.
She was actually serious.
I almost laughed.
Almost.
But then she grabbed my hand.
“Please come with us.
You haven’t been yourself lately.
Maybe getting away from everything will help.” she said I didn’t answer.
She squeezed my hand.
“Just seven days.” she said I looked at her.
Then at Sophia.
Both of them were waiting for my answer.
I didn’t want to disappoint them.
That was the only reason I finally sighed.
“Fine.” i said Ella’s face immediately lit up.
“YES!” I rolled my eyes.
“But I’m warning you, if I hate it, I’m blaming you.” i said She laughed.
“Deal.” she said I tried to smile.
Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Maybe I could actually have fun.
Maybe I could forget about Kiefer for a few days.
Then the professor started reading out some more information.
“And one more thing.
Students from several departments will be joining the trip.” I stopped listening.
Until I heard a familiar name.
“Kiefer…” My heart dropped.
I looked up.
He was sitting across the room.
He was going.
Of course he was.
I don’t know why that surprised me.
He was a student here too.
Why wouldn’t he go?
I looked toward him.
He was talking to someone.
Then Jay walked over.
The moment he saw her, he smiled.
She said something to him.
He laughed.
My stomach twisted.
I looked away.
Seven days.
Seven whole days.
I had agreed to go because of Ella and Sophia.
But now I wished I hadn’t.
Because Kiefer was going.
And Jay was going.
Which meant I would have to see them.
Every.
Single.
Day.
I tried to convince myself that it didn’t matter.
I could ignore them.
I could stay with Ella and Sophia.
I could enjoy the trip.
I could pretend Kiefer didn’t exist.
But deep down, I already knew that wasn’t going to happen.
Because even when I tried not to look at him…
I always did.
And now I was going to be around him for seven days.
I looked down at my hands.
They were slightly shaking again.
I quickly placed them underneath the desk.
Seven days.
I repeated those words in my head.
Maybe I would be fine.
Maybe I wouldn’t care.
Maybe I could finally let him go.
I looked up one last time.
Kiefer was standing beside Jay.
She was laughing.
He was looking at her with that same look.
That look that made my chest hurt.
I looked away.
Seven days.
I had a feeling this trip was going to be a terrible idea.
KIEFER POV When I heard about the trip, I was actually excited.
Seven days away from university sounded perfect.
Especially because Jay was going.
She came to my class after he classes I looked over at her.
“You’re coming, right?” i said She smiled.
“Of course.” she said I laughed.
“Good.
Because I’m not spending seven days with these idiots without you.” i said She hit my arm.
“Hey!” I laughed again.
She was already talking about everything she wanted to do on the trip.
I listened to her, smiling.
Honestly, I didn’t care where we were going.
As long as Jay was there, I knew I’d enjoy it.
Seven days.
Just us, our friends, and hopefully no university stress.
JAY POV I was actually excited about the trip.
Seven days felt like a long time, but in a good way.
I was already thinking about what I needed to pack when Kiefer came over.
“You’re definitely coming?” he asked I smiled.
“Yes, Kiefer.
You already asked me twice.” i said “Just making sure.” he said I laughed.
He smiled and took my hand.
“I can’t wait.” he said “Neither can I.” i said I looked around the classroom.
Everyone was talking about the trip.
Ella and Sophia were excited too.
Then I noticed Lily sitting quietly.
She didn’t look excited at all.
Actually, she looked uncomfortable.
I watched her for a second.
Maybe she just didn’t want to go.
I didn’t think much of it.
I turned back to Kiefer.
He was already talking about what we were going to do during those seven days.
I smiled.
For the first time in a while, everything felt normal.
I had no idea that somewhere behind all that excitement…
someone was already wishing the trip had never been announced.