Date: Tuesday | Time: 10:45 AM | Location: Class 11-A, Terna International School
It was supposed to be just another boring post-election Tuesday. The class was still recovering from the intense campaign week. Nick had finally stopped rehearsing victory speeches in the washroom mirror, and Zaid was back to his usual "I was robbed" rants—even though he never ran for anything.
But then, something magical happened.
Preeti Ma'am walked in with a stack of papers and a face so serious, it made even the class monitor sit up straight.
"Students," she began, placing the stack on her table. "We will be going on a field trip."
There was a pause.
Then chaos.
"WHATTTT?!" Nick shouted, nearly falling out of his chair.
"Did she just say field trip?" Zaid asked, turning to K like he needed confirmation from a news anchor.
K calmly nodded. "Yeah, and you just screamed like you won the lottery."
Nick jumped up. "This is history in the making. We haven't had a field trip in YEARS."
"It's been like one and a half years," K said.
"That's practically a lifetime in school time," Nick replied. "My uniform aged waiting for this moment."
Preeti Ma'am clapped twice. "Silence, please."
The class fell quiet, though vibrating slightly from the excitement.
"The field trip will be for two days and one night," she continued.
Nick blinked. "We're sleeping outside school walls?"
Zaid gasped. "Overnight? That means boys' dorms. Snacks. Uno games. Late-night ghost stories. DJ. DJ?!"
Preeti Ma'am raised her voice. "Yes. There will be a DJ night. But only if everyone behaves. The trip will be to Gandhi Darshan Museum. The cost is ₹1500."
Some students mumbled and did the math in their heads. Others were already texting their parents, asking for money and permission in the most dramatic ways possible.
Nick turned to Zaid. "Bro. Gandhi Darshan Museum. DJ. Veg food. One night out. This is peak content."
"Wait—did she say veg food?" Zaid asked, suddenly concerned.
"She also said Jain food for Jain students," K pointed out, looking at the ceiling like he was already tasting bland tofu.
Nick shrugged. "I'm fine as long as there's food. I'm bringing emergency chips anyway."
Preeti Ma'am continued, "The forms will be distributed now. Submit them with the fee by Friday. No late entries."
As she started passing out the forms, Nick clutched his heart.
"This is it, boys. This is our redemption arc."
"What are you even redeeming?" K asked. "You lost an election and voted for your crush."
"Exactly. This trip is my comeback episode."
Zaid leaned over. "Imagine the DJ night. All the houses vibing. You think Pearl will dance?"
Nick blinked. "Why would you say that out loud? Now I'm having visions."
"You planning to dance?" K asked.
Nick stood up and did a shoulder move so stiff it looked like his shirt was glitching.
Zaid clapped once. "Please sit down. That was disrespectful to music."
Preeti Ma'am walked to their row and handed them the forms. "No mischief. You three better behave. I have eyes everywhere."
Nick saluted dramatically. "Yes, Ma'am. No mischief. Only Gandhiji vibes."
She ignored him and moved on.
Nick looked at the form like it was a golden ticket to paradise. "Dude. Packing lists. Travel snacks. Backpacks. I haven't been this excited since the canteen launched that new samosa roll."
Zaid was already writing his name. "You think we'll get those tourist caps with the school logo on them?"
K: "Highly unlikely."
Nick: "Manifest it anyway."
As the forms got passed around, the entire class erupted into planning mode.
"What will you wear for DJ night?" a girl asked her friend.
"I'm bringing my neon sneakers," someone else said.
"Are we allowed to bring cards? Uno? Bluff?"
"Bro, I'm bringing a Bluetooth speaker even though there's a DJ. We need backup beats."
Nick leaned back in his chair. "This trip is going to be legendary. Imagine: room assignments, bunk beds, scary stories, and that weird one kid who sleep-talks."
Zaid: "That's you."
Nick: "Oh yeah."
K: "Watch, we'll get paired with some super serious kid who wants lights off at 9:01 PM."
Zaid grinned. "I'm bringing a flashlight and a horror playlist. We're NOT sleeping early."
Nick clapped his hands. "And I'm writing a motivational DJ night speech."
"Please don't."
"Too late."
As the last form was handed out, Preeti Ma'am returned to the front.
"Please remember," she said, looking over her glasses. "This is an educational trip. You are representatives of Terna International School. Do not embarrass us—or yourselves."
Nick nodded like he was at a military briefing. "Yes, Ma'am. I shall learn history, respect Gandhi ji, and also drop some sick moves under the stars."
She blinked. "You lost me at sick moves."
The bell rang.
As students poured out of class, everyone was already gossiping about who would bunk with who, who'd sit with who on the bus, and more importantly—what snacks to bring.
Nick, K, and Zaid stood in the corridor like generals before battle.
"This is it, brothers," Nick said, placing a hand on their shoulders. "The field trip. The great escape. The chance to bond… and possibly embarrass ourselves."
Zaid nodded. "We shall pack juice boxes and memes."
K added, "And not forget the toothpaste this time, Nick."
Nick: "It was one time, bro."
They all grinned.
Whatever awaited them at the Gandhi Darshan Museum—whether it was educational exhibits, DJ dance-offs, or midnight noodle cravings—one thing was clear:
This was going to be a trip they'd never forget.
And for Nick?
Maybe… just maybe… this was his chance to get closer to Pearl.
Or at the very least, not fall off the bus trying.
Date: The Night Before the Trip | Time: 12:30 AM
Location: Nick's Room
Nick tossed. Then turned. Then flopped dramatically.
Then groaned.
Then pulled his blanket over his face and screamed into it like a haunted burrito.
He glanced at the clock.
12:30 AM.
He had gone to bed at 10 PM like a responsible human. He had brushed his teeth, packed his bag, laid out his clothes, and even told his mom "Goodnight" like he was heading to war the next day.
But sleep? Sleep had decided to ghost him.
Nick sat up in bed, hair now sticking out like a broccoli bush.
"I. Can't. Sleep."
He stared at the ceiling, hands on his face.
"This is karma," he muttered. "All those times I slept in math class… and now, when I actually want to sleep, it's like my brain's throwing a party."
He picked up his phone to check the time again. Big mistake.
The screen blinded him like the wrath of Zeus.
He squinted dramatically. "Why is my brightness at the surface-of-the-sun level?"
Then, as expected, he opened Instagram. Watched five random reels. Laughed. Liked. Regretted.
"Stop it, Nick. Stop scrolling. You need to sleep. You have to be at school at 6 AM like some airport check-in."
He threw the phone to the other side of the bed. It bounced off and hit the wall.
"…that was dramatic," he whispered.
He stared into darkness again.
What if he forgot his toothbrush? What if the bus broke down? What if they played Punjabi DJ songs and his only dance move was the awkward head bob?
"What if I snore too loud and everyone hears?" he gasped, hand to chest. "What if Pearl hears?!"
He got out of bed. Rechecked his bag. For the sixth time.
• Toothbrush? Yes.
• Deodorant? Double yes.
• Snacks? Chips, biscuits, chocolates, gum, weird mango candy. Check.
• Backup T-shirt? Yes.
• Flashlight? Just in case someone suggested horror stories.
He even packed extra socks. Because nothing ruins a field trip like soggy socks.
Satisfied, Nick sat on his bed, staring at the wall.
"I'm going to sleep now. I have to."
…
He finally dozed off at 2:17 AM.
⸻
The Next Morning
Date: 5:00 AM | Location: Nick's House
Nick's alarm blared like a nuclear warning. He shot up like he had been tasered.
"IT'S TODAY!"
He leapt out of bed with the energy of a toddler on sugar. No snooze. No regrets.
He brushed so fast, the toothpaste foam flew onto the mirror. His hair was already messy, so he just fluffed it with his hands like it was a fire he was trying to put out.
Downstairs, his mom was packing him extra theplas and a small box of parathas. His younger brother was laughing because Nick looked like he'd just seen his favorite celebrity.
"You packed everything?" his mom asked.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Nick said, zipping up his bag. "This is the best day of my entire academic life. DJ, bus ride, snacks, no math!"
"Behave," she warned, handing him the tiffin.
"I will behave like Gandhi himself."
She gave him the look.
"Okay, like… Gandhi but with slight vibes."
By 5:30 AM, Nick was out the door with his backpack on, snack bag in hand, and the kind of energy that only comes when school is suddenly fun.
He was ready.
Let the field trip begin.