51 A Short Break

The bus traveled in silence for a long time. The teacher stood up and woke everyone up saying that they'll be stopping for a quick snack before continuing their journey on a twisty and bumpy road, where the greenery would start and the hills would turn into majestic mountains.

All of them started to yawn and stretch how ever they could. The bus stopped and everyone started to make their way out of the bus while admiring the slightly chilly weather. Cyril lightly shook Emily, "Hey, sleepy head, wake up!" "Mmmmm..." Emily whined as she shifted herself into a more comfortable position. Cyril smiled shaking his head.

"Don't you want to grab something to eat before we start the interesting part of the trip?" Cyril asked. "What?! Food? Let's go!" Emily quickly stood up and started to run out, "Race to the coffee shop!" Saying that she disappeared into the crowd gathered outside. Cyril smiled at her action and he turned to look at Aiden, who was staring outside grumpily. Ivy, who had been sitting beside him had long left, that is, as soon as the bus had stopped.

"What's wrong with you?" He smirked. "Better not ruin this lively mood." Cyril said as he turned around to exit the bus. Now only Aiden was left sitting alone. He cleared his thoughts and joined the rest outside. "You are the last to reach, so now you'll be giving us a treat! Hahaha!" Emily laughed as Aiden lightly chuckled along with her, taking out his wallet, saying, "Grab whatever you want!"

Emily's eyes brightened as she rushed to grab whatever she could reach. "Hey! You don't necessarily have to grab the entire tuck shop now." Aiden dashed behind her, trying to put some stuff back in the shelves. Cyril laughed as he grabbed his favorite chocolate bar and joined the two of them on the counter.

"Come on let me keep this one at least! I haven't had it in a long time." Emily pleaded. Aiden sighed, finally nodding his in approval, "You're such a kid." Emily crossed her arms on her chest, "Well, I am." Cyril laughed at them bickering and placed his chocolate bar on the counter, "I hope one more item wouldn't hurt, right?" Aiden waved his hands, "No, no, not at all."

"Guys I'm going to the restroom. I'll join you both in the bus after a while." Emily said and fled in the direction of the restrooms.

Ivy who was behind them heard their conversation. She flashed an evil smile and quietly sneaked in that direction as well. Just as she entered the restroom, she heard a door close. It must be Emily. She located her cubicle and silently slid over the lock.

Hah, these people have locks outside these cubicles as well. Foolish! Now take that you virago. Ivy thought as she quickly escaped, rushing towards the bus and sitting next to Aiden.

Back in the restroom cubicle, Emily unlocked the door and pushed it. It did not open. She pushed even harder, but to no avail. She started to panic a little, but quickly calmed down after remembering her father's words.

"Never, ever panic in a knotty situation. Take a few deep breaths, calmly analyze the situation, look around and find a solution."

Back in the bus, the teacher was asking again and again, "Everyone here? Shall we leave now? Not a single person to be left out." "YES!" Everyone screamed excitedly, among them, Ivy screaming the loudest, smiling blissfully. The bus started its engine, until someone shouted. "Wait! Madam, Emily has still not reached yet." It was Aiden as he stood up in a panic. "What? Where is she?" The teacher asked, her expression was gloomy. "She went to the restrooms and said she'll be here in while, but she hasn't come yet." Aiden replied.

"Don't worry, sit down, no need to get worked up. Let's wait for a minute or two." The teacher said plainly. Aiden shrank back to his seat, hoping everything was alright. Ivy glanced at him, whose color had been drained from his face. "Ah, why are you so worried about her, she's lazy and is taking her time. Calm down." Ivy said sweetly. Aiden nodded, calming down, turned his head towards her with a cold look on his face, he said word by word, "She. Is. Not. Lazy."

Ivy's face turned grim and she looked away.

In the restroom, Emily looked around. She thought for a while before an idea struck her. I should have thought of it sooner. She turned over the lid of the toilet and climbed over it until finally jumping into an open, empty cubicle and rushing towards the bus.

Thankfully the bus had not left yet. She ran as fast as she could and entered the bus, only to be reprimanded by the teacher, "Where had you been? Do you have any manners? If you can't be an active person then you should not have come in the first place. Camping isn't for lazy people like you."

Emily was in utter shock, couldn't she see her panting for breath? Instead of asking what happened, she started to lecture her. How unfair! Now, Emily did not want to explain either and simply went back to her seat. The teacher scoffed at her rude behavior and ignored her.

The engine started once again and they were back on the road.