"Will I have fun?" I wondered, staring out the window of the school bus as it rumbled down the road. The heat was unbearable, and I was already questioning why I'd agreed to come. The only reason I joined this trip was because I'm in 10th grade—our final year together. It felt like the last chance for all of us to have fun as a class before we went our separate ways.
Not that I'm too sad about it. Honestly, some people in this class are downright annoying, and I'm looking forward to getting rid of them next year.
But seriously, a trip in June? When it's scorching hot? And to a temple, of all places? It feels like the school is hoping to pray for better exam results this year.
Whatever. I'll try to make the most of it.
We arrived at the temple, and the teachers fussed over us like we were toddlers. The temple itself was enormous, its walls adorned with intricate sculptures and mesmerizing drawings that were truly worth admiring.
But before I could take it all in, a sudden crowd surged toward us, jostling and pushing. I could barely breathe amidst the chaos.
When the commotion finally eased, I glanced around, hoping to see my classmates.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath. I was completely separated from the group. What a fun trip this was turning out to be.
I decided to walk on my own until I could find my group again. I pushed my way through the huge crowd, looking for a quiet spot—and I found one. Behind the temple, there were no people, just tall trees and the silence I needed. I sat there peacefully.
Then, I felt something land on my head. It was a leaf.
And suddenly, a storm broke loose in my mind. Thoughts came rushing in—familiar yet foreign, like echoes from a life I never lived. My heart pounded, my breath caught. I didn't know what was happening. I wanted to scream, to run—but I was frozen.
And then I saw him. Just a glimpse. A face buried deep in the shadows of my memory.
And in that split second, everything came crashing back. I remembered everything.