[1:00 PM – The Classroom]
Mr. Shin's voice explaining chemistry equations sounded like the droning of a fly trapped in a bottle. Monotonous, dull, and sleep-inducing. Beside me, Jin was practicing his favorite hobby: doodling in the margins of his textbook. He was drawing a caricature of the teacher with a giant nose and oversized ears, trying to stifle his laughter until the desk shook beneath me.
I nudged him with my elbow and whispered, "If he sees you, you'll be cleaning bathrooms for a week." Jin whispered back without lifting his head, "Art requires sacrifice, buddy."
Suddenly, the classroom door swung open. The student supervisor entered and handed the teacher an official paper. Mr. Shin stopped his lecture, read the paper, raised his eyebrows in surprise, then took off his glasses and looked at us with a rare smile. "It seems luck is on your side, you lazy bunch." He waved the paper in the air. "The administration has decided to reward the second-year students... Tomorrow, the school buses will depart for a field camping trip to the Northern Pine Forests. Two days and one night."
Silence reigned for a single second as the news sank in. Then... the classroom exploded. "YEAAAH!!" Jin jumped from his seat, throwing his pen into the air. "Goodbye, chemistry! Hello, freedom! Hello, barbecue!" The girls screamed in excitement. I saw Lina in the opposite row turn toward me, her eyes sparkling with childish delight, giving me a thumbs-up.
The teacher distributed the consent forms. "These must be signed by your parents today. Anyone who doesn't bring it tomorrow morning... stays here to solve chemistry problems with me."
I held the paper. It was warm, the smell of ink fresh. For the first time in days, the headache vanished. The hallucinations disappeared. I felt a strange lightness in my chest. "A trip..." I muttered. "This is exactly what I need."
[3:30 PM – Race Against Time]
As soon as the bell rang, we took off like we were in a marathon. "Ray!" Jin shouted, running beside me down the street. "Here's the plan: go home, get the signature, change clothes, and meet at the Central Market at 5:00! I need to buy a tent and fishing gear!" "Fishing?" I laughed, panting. "We're going to a forest, not the ocean!" "Don't kill the vibe! I'm going to catch a bear!"
We split at the street corner. I ran home, my heart pounding with an excitement I hadn't felt in a long time.
I entered the house breathless. "Mom! Dad!" My mom came out of the kitchen wiping her hands, startled. "What happened? Are you okay?" "A trip!" I waved the paper. "The school is taking us camping tomorrow! I need your signatures!"
My dad came out of the living room and laughed when he saw my enthusiasm. "Camping? In this weather? You'll freeze." "Please, Dad! Everyone is going!"
My parents exchanged glances. That silent look parents share. My mom sighed with a resigned smile. "Alright... but only on the condition that you take the heavy clothes I'll pack for you. I don't want you coming back sick." My dad took the paper and pen. "Have a good trip, son. Enjoy your youth." He signed the paper. I looked at his signature. It was a simple line, but to me, it was a ticket to happiness. "Thanks! I'm going to the market with Jin and Lina to buy supplies!" "Take this," Dad handed me some extra money. "Buy something good, and don't let Jin pick the food or you'll get poisoned."
[5:15 PM – Chaos at the Central Market]
The market was bubbling with people, the scents of spices, clothes, and fried food filling the air. I met Jin and Lina by the fountain, and Sarah joined us (Lina's best friend, and the girl Jin was always trying to impress—and failing).
"Look who's here!" Jin shouted. He was wearing... something that could only be described as a disaster. A huge safari hat, a vest with way too many pockets, and in his hand, a butterfly net. Sarah burst out laughing until tears welled in her eyes. "Jin! Are we going camping or invading the Amazon jungle? What is that net?" Jin's face turned red. "It's... just in case! We might need it to catch... fish!" "Fish with a net? In the forest?" Lina shook her head, laughing. "You're hopeless."
We entered the big department store. We turned into little kids. Jin ran between the aisles, throwing strange things into the cart: bear repellent spray, plastic night-vision goggles, and ten bags of marshmallows. Sarah followed behind him, putting things back on the shelves and scolding him.
Lina and I drifted a bit toward the winter clothing section. The atmosphere between us was quieter. "Are you excited?" she asked, touching some wool gloves. "Very," I answered honestly. "I need to get away from the city for a while." Lina picked up a dark blue scarf and suddenly wrapped it around my neck. She stepped close to adjust it. Time stopped for a moment. The scent of her shampoo, the focused look in her eyes... "It suits you," she said softly, smiling shyly. "It brings out the color of your eyes." I felt heat rising to my face. "I... thanks. I'll take it."
Suddenly, we heard a familiar, loud voice behind us. "Oh! Look at the lovebirds!" We turned quickly. My mom and Lina's mom were standing there, holding bags of vegetables, looking at us with knowing glances and wide grins. "Mom?!" I said in shock. "We came to buy some fruit for you guys," Lina's mom said, winking at her daughter, whose face had turned strawberry red. "But it seems you're busy choosing clothes for each other." "No, Auntie! He was just... cold!" Lina denied quickly, stepping away from me.
The mothers laughed. My mom approached me and adjusted my collar affectionately in front of everyone. "Take care of yourself, Ray. And don't forget to eat well. I packed those meat pies you love in your bag." "Mom... not here..." I whispered in embarrassment, but I was happy.
In that moment, amidst the mothers' laughter, Jin's antics, and Lina's shyness... I felt like I owned the world. This is the life I want. Simple. Warm. And safe.
[9:00 PM – The Return]
We returned loaded with bags. Jin had bought a flashlight the size of a cannon and insisted on testing it in every dark corner of the street as we walked. "Imagine," Jin said, waving the flashlight. "Tomorrow night, we'll be around the fire, telling ghost stories, with the stars above us... It's going to be legendary." "Just don't burn down the forest, Jin," Sarah said, waving goodbye at her door.
I reached my house. I packed my bag carefully. The blue scarf, the flashlight, the heavy clothes, and the bag of marshmallows Jin insisted I take. I sat on the edge of my bed, looking at the ready bag. Silence filled the room. No voices in my head. No visions. "Tomorrow..." I whispered to myself with a wide grin, turning off the light. "Tomorrow, the adventure begins."
I closed my eyes and drifted into a deep, restful sleep, dreaming of the scent of pine and fresh air. I didn't know... that this was the last night I would sleep as a child. And that the "adventure" I was waiting for... would be a one-way trip to hell.