In the Time of Stars#2

Will Myra agree to the trip or this time too not be able to leave her safe space created!!

Myra sighed, still holding her phone. The call left a heavy feeling in her heart. She lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to push away the tension that weighed on her. Focus, she told herself. She flipped through her notes from the day, reviewing the lectures. She opened it to go over the day’s lessons—her handwritten notes, key points, and important topics. Her eyes skimming the lines but absorbing little. Her mind wandered back to Joie’s question about the trip. Should I go? She wondered. But she quickly shook off the thought, forcing herself to read.

After finishing her daily routine and dinner, she climbed into bed. As soon as she closed her eyes, she drifted into a dream world—a world that once was her reality. Memories of joyful moments with her family played like an old film. Her family appeared—not the tense, shouting version, but the warm, loving moments she cherished. Her mother’s laughter as they baked together. Her father’s rare, but genuine smile when he told her old stories. The three of them together on a quiet evening, the arguments forgotten.

The next morning, Friday, Myra sent a message to Joie: “Yes.” Just that single word.

Within seconds, Joie read it and, in a heartbeat, appeared behind Myra, wrapping her in a warm hug. Joie didn’t need full sentences to understand Myra. One word was always enough. Joie grinned, eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s a camp, Myra. An adventurous one, up in the hills!”

Myra blinked, clearly taken aback. “What? A camp? How many days… and where exactly?”

On hearing the word camp, Myra felt perplexed. She had assumed it was just a one-day trip, but a camp? Camps are never just one day. Joie’s excitement only grew. “Three days! We’ll be staying in tents, hiking, and there’s even a bonfire on the last night. It’s going to be amazing!”
Myra hesitated, her mind racing. Three days away from her room? With new people? She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

Joie noticed her uncertainty and nudged her playfully. “Come on, Myra! I need this. A break from everything. Besides,” she smiled, “I’ll be there. We’ll have fun.”
Myra sighed, a small smile forming. “Alright... What do I need to pack?”
Joie’s face lit up. “Warm clothes, comfy shoes, and definitely snacks. Oh, and don’t forget your adventurous spirit!”
Myra sat cross-legged on her bed, her bag lying open in front of her, empty and unbothered. She stared at it like it was mocking her hesitation.

“Do I really want to do this?” she thought. The idea of venturing out, leaving her comfort zone, felt too big, too unsettling. What if she didn’t fit in? What if she ended up being the awkward one in every group activity? Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She picked it up and saw a notification from her university group chat. Someone had sent a list of things to pack for the trip: sleeping bag, hiking boots, and clothes for cold weather.
She scrolled through the chat, reading messages from people brimming with excitement. “Finally, some adventure!” one wrote. “Can’t wait to explore those trails!” chimed another.

Myra placed the phone down and sighed. The words felt foreign to her, yet a small spark of curiosity tugged at her and triggered her adventurous spirit. Taking a deep breath, Myra pulled the bag closer. “Fine,” she muttered under her breath. “Let’s do this.”

Joie’s texts came through in rapid succession as Myra stood by her half-packed bag.
Joie: “Nice clothes,girl. Don’t pack only hoodies, bring something new.”
Joie: “And snacks! The good ones, not those boring biscuits you usually eat.”
Joie: “Ooh, don’t forget a flashlight. Night hikes are a thing!”

Myra sighed with a faint smile, scrolling through the messages. “Does she ever run out of energy?” she thought, shaking her head.
She picked up her hoodie and folded it neatly into the bag. Her eyes lingered on it for a moment. “Am I really doing this?” she murmured to herself. As she packed, her thoughts drifted. She imagined Joie dragging her into some wild activity, laughing all the way. Joie’s last text buzzed her phone: “Adventure awaits, Myra! Don’t chicken out now 😉.”

With a deep breath, Myra zipped up her bag. She stood there for a moment, staring at it. The thought of leaving her comfort zone still made her chest tighten, but somewhere in the mix of nerves and doubt, there was a flicker of hope.
“Adventure,” she whispered. “Guess I’ll give it a try.”

The next morning, the parking lot was buzzing with excitement. Myra stood at the edge of it, clutching the straps of her bag tightly, feeling like a misplaced puzzle piece. The clusters of students laughing and chatting only made her solitude more pronounced. She shifted her weight, glancing around, searching for Joie but seeing only unfamiliar faces. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Joie. Instead, she noticed the usual mix of personalities—like the tall girl with a high ponytail drawing attention with her loud laugh or the two boys mock-fighting over who would grab the best seat. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment.

He was leaning casually against the side of the bus, arms crossed, his dark hair messy yet annoyingly perfect. He wasn’t part of any conversation but didn’t seem out of place either. He had an air of quiet confidence that Myra found both intriguing and intimidating. He looked up briefly, their eyes almost meeting before she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the strap of her bag.

“Myra! Over here!” Joie called, her voice cutting through the chatter.
Reluctantly, Myra moved toward her. Joie was surrounded by a group of unfamiliar faces, already chatting away as though she’d known them for years.
“This is Myra,” Joie announced proudly, pulling her into the circle. “She’s coming with us!”
Myra gave a small wave, unsure of how to respond to the curious smiles and nods directed her way.
“I’m Cove. First camp?” Somebody extended his hand towards Myra. As she looked above, it was him, the guy she found intriguing.
She nodded, barely managing a soft “Yeah.”
Joie clapped her hands together. “Perfect! Now that we’re all here, let’s get on the bus!”

Once on the bus, Joie darted toward a middle row and slid into a seat, gesturing for Myra to join her. But Myra’s gaze landed on an empty window seat nearby, and she instinctively claimed it. The window seat was her safe haven, offering a small escape from the noise and chaos.

“You always have to pick the window, huh?” Joie teased from her aisle seat.
“It’s peaceful,” Myra replied, resting her head against the cool glass. The truth was, it wasn’t just the peace she loved—it was the perfect excuse to avoid unnecessary conversations. By focusing on the scenery outside, she could lose herself in her thoughts without interruptions.

As the bus filled with chatter and laughter, Myra let her eyes wander to the passing trees. The adventure was about to begin—a new chapter, filled with unfamiliar faces, unexpected interactions, and memories waiting to be made.
An hour had passed, and Myra was still lost in her own little world, watching the trees blur past the window. The bus buzzed with chatter, bursts of laughter, and music that blended into a lively chaos. It was a sharp contrast to the calm Myra had found by the window.

Out of nowhere, Joie slid into the seat beside her, startling her.
“Hey, enough of your staring contest with the trees,” Joie teased, nudging her. “You need to loosen up, Myra. Just be yourself. Stop being afraid and talk to people for once.”
“Uh huh,” Myra replied dryly, her tone making it clear what she thought of that suggestion.
Joie rolled her eyes but grinned. “Mark my words. By the end of this trip, you’ll have at least three new friends.”
“Keep dreaming,” Myra said, shaking her head.
Joie leaned closer, her grin turning mischievous. “I intend to. But for now…”
Before Myra could react, Joie grabbed her hand.
“Joie! What are you doing?” Myra exclaimed, eyes wide, as Joie tugged her toward the back of the bus.
“You are coming with me. That’s what!” Joie called over her shoulder, laughing.
In moments, Myra found herself in the middle of the noisy crowd. Laughter and playful banter surrounded her as Joie’s infectious energy pulled her into the heart of the fun, whether she liked it or not.

Now, all eyes were on Myra and Joie—but mostly on Myra. Being a new face in an already established group always stirred curiosity, and she could feel the weight of their unspoken questions: Who is she? Is she fun? What’s her story?
For Myra, this was like stepping into her worst nightmare. Her chest tightened as she fumbled internally, unsure of what to do, what to say, or how to act. This wasn’t her element. Meeting new people was something she preferred in small doses, spread out over time—not this sudden plunge into a sea of unfamiliar faces.

Joie, sensing her discomfort, stepped forward with her ever-reliable confidence. “As I mentioned before, this is Myra, my best friend. She just came to say hi!” Joie’s voice was light and cheerful, but firm enough to command attention.
The Introduction was short, sweet, and to the point, but it felt like the spotlight had turned brighter on Myra. All eyes were now fully focused on her, waiting for her next move.

“Hi! Nice to see all of you,” Myra managed, her voice barely above a whisper, the words tumbling out awkwardly. Her eyes darted around the group, catching glimpses of expectant faces. Clearly, they wanted more than just a polite greeting. They wanted an introduction, something personal, something engaging.
But Myra’s mind was a tangled mess, and no words came to her rescue. After a moment of silence that felt like an eternity, she forced a faint smile and added, “Hope this will be fun for all.”

The Irony of her statement wasn’t lost on her. Fun? For them, maybe. For her, this was already overwhelming. Without waiting for any response, she quietly retreated to a corner, seeking some semblance of refuge amidst the unfamiliar crowd. Inside, her heart sank—this wasn’t how she had imagined starting the trip.