Between Bruises and Butterflies

CUT TO: TOUR BUS — AFTERNOON

The bus hums along the highway, the windows fogged up with sleepy breaths and the occasional streak of marker from someone's impromptu doodle war. The students are either knocked out or scrolling through their phones, drained from days of nonstop chaos.

But in the back of the bus?
The friend group is wide awake.

Jayjay, Cass, and Zephyr are crammed into the last row, exchanging snacks like currency and occasionally pelting gummy bears at the people who dared to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Damien and Sienna are still tangled up in their seat, her head resting on his shoulder, his arm lazily slung around her waist like it's the most natural thing in the world.

JAYJAY: (whispering, but not really whispering) THEY'RE SO GROSS.

CASS: (whisper-shrieking) I know. But, like, in a cute way.

ZEPHYR: (monotone) I'm genuinely impressed they didn't combust from the sheer amount of unresolved tension.

JAYJAY: (snickering) Remember when Damien was in denial for, like, five months?

DAMIEN: (not opening his eyes) I can still hear you.

JAYJAY: (gasping) HE'S AWAKE.

SIENNA: (mumbling into Damien's hoodie) Ignore him. He doesn't have rights.

JAYJAY: (clutching his chest) My heart. Betrayed by my own wife.

CASS: (teasing) Honestly, you should've seen this coming.

JAYJAY: (dramatic) Love changes people. I've lost my Sienna to the enemy.

ZEPHYR: (smirking) They've literally been dating for less than 24 hours.

JAYJAY: AND YET I FEEL YEARS OF PAIN.

Sienna flicks a crumpled candy wrapper at him without even lifting her head.

CUT TO: REST STOP — 30 MINUTES LATER

The bus pulls into a dusty gas station, and everyone stumbles out like zombies in desperate need of snacks and energy drinks.

Sienna stretches her arms, Damien trailing behind her with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

CASS: (giggling) You guys are glued together.

DAMIEN: (deadpan) Sienna tried to jump out of the bus earlier. I'm her leash.

SIENNA: (glaring) I TRIPPED.

JAYJAY: (smirking) That's exactly what someone who jumped on purpose would say.

SIENNA: I'M GONNA KILL YOU.

DAMIEN: (calmly grabbing her hand) No murder. We're in public.

She flushes but doesn't pull away, and the group collectively loses their minds.

CUT TO: INSIDE THE GAS STATION

Jayjay grabs a ridiculous amount of junk food, stacking chips, candy, and bottled soda in his arms like he's preparing for an apocalypse.

Meanwhile, Damien watches Sienna stare at the rows of snacks, her brows furrowed in intense concentration.

DAMIEN: (amused) You're overthinking this.

SIENNA: (serious) This is a critical decision.

She finally grabs a pack of sour gummies and turns to him like she just solved world hunger.

SIENNA: (triumphant) Okay. I'm ready.

Damien bites back a smile and grabs her drink without her even asking.

CASS: (whispering to Jayjay) He's so whipped.

JAYJAY: (whispering back) It's beautiful.

CUT TO: TOUR BUS — EVENING

The bus rolls on as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The students slowly quiet down, the day's exhaustion finally catching up.

Sienna sits sideways in her seat, her legs tucked up, facing Damien. The world blurs past the window, but she only watches him.

SIENNA: (softly) Hey.

DAMIEN: (glancing at her) Hm?

SIENNA: (whispering) Do you think we'll be okay after this trip?

His gaze softens, and he tilts her chin up so she can't look away.

DAMIEN: (serious) We're not just a trip thing, Siea.

Her throat tightens.

DAMIEN: (pressing his forehead to hers) I'm not going anywhere.

She blinks back tears, and he kisses her forehead — slow, deliberate, like he's sealing a promise.

From the back of the bus, Jayjay lets out a soul-piercing scream.

JAYJAY: WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME CRY?!

CASS: (sniffling) It's so romantic.

ZEPHYR: (quietly filming the whole thing) I'm turning this into a documentary.

CUT TO: ARRIVING AT SCHOOL — NIGHT

The bus finally pulls up to the school, and everyone gathers their stuff, yawning and dragging their feet.

Damien carries both his bag and Sienna's, despite her protests, while Jayjay tries to fit all his gas station snacks into his backpack.

JAYJAY: (panicking) I THINK I BROKE THE ZIPPER.

CASS: (giggling) That's because you bought, like, six family-sized chip bags.

Jayjay pouts, and Zephyr just grabs one of the bags to help him.

ZEPHYR: (deadpan) You're a lost cause.

They step out into the night, and Sienna stands by the bus steps, looking up at the sky.

Damien watches her, heart aching with how much he loves her.

DAMIEN: (softly) Let me walk you home.

SIENNA: (smiling) Only if you promise not to let me trip again.

He laughs, grabbing her hand and lacing their fingers together.

DAMIEN: (teasing) No promises.

They start walking, their friends trailing behind like a chaotic parade, arguing about which fast food place to hit up before heading home.

The streetlights flicker, their shadows stretching long across the pavement, but Sienna doesn't feel scared.

Because for the first time in forever, she feels like she finally has a place where she belongs.

TO BE CONTINUED...