Chapter 4

Scott's POV

In the end, even the ticket attendant couldn't stand watching it anymore and chimed in to back me up. "It's really no big deal! I'll call my son over right now to take a spin with you—I'll have him ride with you twice!"

He actually pulled out his phone right after saying that and was about to make the call.

I just smiled and waved my hand. "It's alright! I actually enjoy my own company more!"

I stepped off the Ferris wheel, only to find that the three of them had vanished again. I didn't freak out and hunt around for them like I used to. Instead, I just took out my phone, brought up a ride-hailing app, and headed home.

Dad happened to have the day off, so he was slightly surprised when he saw me return home alone. "Why are you back so early? Have you eaten? Where's Queenie?"

I said nothing and sat down beside him. "I want to spend a semester abroad as an exchange student, Dad. Is that alright with you?"

"Of course! It's great to get out there and see the world while you're still young! I also feel reassured knowing that you'll be going with Queenie!"

I shook my head and said, "Queenie won't be coming along with me. We're old enough to make our own choices now, so I can't just force her to go down a path she doesn't want for herself."

Dad lost his initial confidence, saying hesitantly, "You've never been far away on your own before. How can you suddenly go abroad by yourself?"

I quickly reassured him, "I won't be alone since other students from my university are going too. I've already found a travel buddy as well."

Dad finally gave in, though he still looked hesitant.

It was almost evening by the time Queenie returned home. "We just stepped away to buy some drinks, Scott. Why did you come back alone?"

I was filling out my exchange student application and didn't even bother looking back at her. "It's too hot out there, so I didn't want to stand around waiting."

I noticed that the group chat had more than 100 messages by the time I finished submitting everything. They were in the middle of discussing what to pack, which sunscreen to buy, transportation, and the local places and food they wanted to try.

I froze for a good while before sending a message in the group chat. "Where are you guys planning to go?"

Queenie yelled out a curse from the other room before barging into my bedroom. "We booked tickets for a trip this afternoon. You weren't with us, so we completely forgot to include you! I'll see if I can get you on the waitlist for a ticket right now!"

Just then, Wyatt sent over a voice message.

"Did you actually forget? We bought the very last three tickets this afternoon! You two are the ones to blame for this. You two wouldn't stop talking in my ear all afternoon, and I ended up forgetting such an important thing!"

Seeing that the three of them were about to start fighting again, I quickly sent a message in the group chat.

"You guys don't need to get me a ticket. It's so hot out that I'd rather stay home."

Queenie quietly breathed a sigh of relief next to me and closed the ticket site. "It really is ridiculously hot this summer. It's alright, Scott. I'll take lots of photos for you while we're there. If I spot any cool souvenirs, I'll be sure to bring them home for you!"

…

I happened to book my flight out of the country on the day they set off on their trip.

Queenie was still nagging me about one thing after another before leaving for their trip.

"You should go easy on the cold watermelon. Dad isn't around, so don't buy a whole one. Oh, and make sure you lock the door when you're home alone, Scott."

Yvonne came downstairs just then and scoffed. "You can stay here and keep fussing over Scott. I'll go meet up with Wyatt first."

Queenie gritted her teeth and followed right behind her.

It was only after their car drove out of sight that I leisurely wheeled my suitcase out of the bedroom and headed downstairs.

Finally, I didn't have to sit on the sidelines of their group dynamic this time around.