Chapter 2

When I boarded the train that night, the metal floor between the cars shook beneath my feet.

I leaned against the cold metal wall and listened to the restroom door opening and closing. The smell of disinfectant in the air was mixed with the smell of food.

On the first night of our senior trip, I was the only one of the five without a seat.

Before we left, Theo booked five train tickets but only managed to reserve seats for four of them. The fifth ticket didn't come with a seat reservation.

He handed me the seatless ticket without a second thought right before we boarded the train.

"Riley, I couldn't get enough seats, so you'll have to make do. You go running every morning. I assume that standing for eight hours shouldn't be a problem for you."

I gripped the ticket and said nothing.

Kellan glanced at Theo and frowned. "Why does it have to be Riley again? Can't we try booking again? Or we could take turns sitting."

Hearing him stand up for me, I felt a little warmth in my chest. But then Emily gave a soft cough.

"It's okay. I'll stand! I've already been holding everyone back on this trip."

As she spoke, she picked up her pink suitcase and pretended to head toward the vestibule between the train cars.

Kellan immediately reached out to stop her. "What are you doing? You're not feeling well. Why are you pushing yourself?"

"But how can I sit here while Riley had to stand for eight hours?" Emily turned to me with tears in her eyes. "Riley, let's switch. I don't mind standing for a while."

She started to give up her seat.

Kellan's expression darkened. "Emily, stop it."

He turned to me, his tone now edged with blame. "Riley, you know she's not well. Why put her in such a difficult position?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Just moments ago, he had said we should take turns sitting.

"I'm not putting her in a difficult position." I tightened my grip on the ticket. "I just think that since we have four seats, the five of us can take turns resting."

"I know." Kellan's voice softened a little. "How about this? I'll take your place and stand for a while later. Will that work?"

Before I could answer, Emily suddenly clutched her chest. Her face went pale as she leaned against the seat.

"I'm sorry. I think my blood sugar might be low."

Liam quickly caught her while Theo searched his bag for some candy.

Kellan panicked and helped her back into her seat.

"Don't talk for now. Have some candy and rest."

Emily took the candy but didn't eat it right away. Instead, she said softly, "It's all my fault. If I weren't so weak, you wouldn't be arguing over one ticket."

Kellan froze. He looked at Emily, then back at me. His frown deepened.

"Riley, seeing you here is making Emily feel guilty. Just go stand over there for now."

I was stunned.

"Emily's already feeling this bad, and you still expect her to give up her seat? When did you become so selfish?"

I stared at him, unable to say a word.

In the end, Theo told us to stop blocking the aisle. I quietly took my ticket and walked toward the vestibule between the train cars.

Behind me, Liam put Emily's luggage away, and Kellan draped his jacket over her legs.

I didn't even have a place to lean and rest.

At one point, Kellan came over and took my place for a while.

But as soon as I sat down beside Emily, she started coughing.

"Sorry. I think I'm allergic to your perfume."

I clearly hadn't put on any perfume.

But when Liam and Theo heard her, they grew worried and made me leave the seat.

I had no choice but to stand.

Three hours later, my legs ached so badly that I could barely feel them.

I took out my phone to check how much longer we had until the next stop, but I came across Emily's social media post instead.

In the nine-photo collage, the four first-class seats had all been reclined to the most comfortable positions.

Kellan leaned back in his seat, smiling at the camera.

Liam sat beside Emily with his guitar in his arms.

Theo had his laptop open in front of him, and the table was covered with fruit and snacks.

Emily sat in the middle of them, wrapped in Kellan's jacket and smiling brightly.

The caption read, [First day on our senior trip. I'm so lucky to be spoiled by my three favorite guys!]

I stared at the photos for a long time. So, it wasn't that they couldn't take care of everyone.

Kellan could keep Emily company. Liam could sing for her, and Theo could even find time to rearrange the next day's plans for her.

However, when I was uncomfortable, they just said I was strong enough to handle it.

When I asked for fairness, they called me unreasonable.

I looked at the comments.

Kellan replied with a sticker of someone patting another person's head.

Emily asked if he could take her to the amusement park the next day.

He replied almost at once, [Of course. I'll take you anywhere you want.]

I suddenly remembered that when I had suggested going to an amusement park, he had said it was only for little kids.

So, it wasn't that amusement parks were childish. He just didn't think I was worth going with.

I closed the social media app and opened my email.

I had received acceptance letters from several colleges.

One of them was Harvorton University, my top choice.

But back then, Kellan had said he wanted the four of us to stay in the same city. Liam had said we could start a band and go to concerts together. Theo had even carefully worked out the scholarships and living costs for the local colleges.

I couldn't bear to leave them. So, I never replied to the email from Harvorton University.

Now, as I looked at the acceptance letter that had been sitting in my inbox for so long, I realized I had no reason to keep hesitating.

An announcement came over the speakers, informing passengers that we would soon reach the final stop.