Clay ~ BL · Y/n story by @lucynne

The airport in California was nothing like the one back in Nebraska. It was all glass and steel and echoing announcements, flooded with a light that felt too bright, too permanent. The air smelled like recycled air and expensive coffee.

Colten Youtzey

shoving his way through the crowd with a rolling suitcase We’re here! Land of the free, home of the… way too many palm trees! Who’s hyped?

Loreli Miller

tripping over her own suitcase wheel I’m hyped! But also, my feet already hurt. How far is the shuttle?

Lukaz Sweargin

calmly checking his phone Ten minutes if we find the right door. Which, given our track record, means twenty.

Rosalyn Gray

adjusting the strap of her designer bag I told my dad we needed a car service. But no, ‘it builds character’. As if my character needs building.

The group huddled around a pillar, a familiar island in the sea of travelers. Colten was already trying to make friends with a confused family nearby. Lukaz was texting. Loreli was digging for a lost lip balm.

Mr. Hendricks

Listen up! Room assignments! You’ll be sharing. Two to a room. Grab your key card when I call your names.

He started reading off the list. Colten with Lukaz. Loreli with Rosalyn. A predictable, comfortable pairing.

Mr. Hendricks

And… Y/n. You’re with Clay Viola.

He said it like it was nothing. Just another name on a list.

Colten Youtzey

whistles low Ooh. The quiet room. Good luck, man.

Loreli Miller

Be nice! Clay’s great. You’ll have fun!

Rosalyn Gray

At least you’ll get some peace and quiet. Unlike some of us. she side-eyes Loreli, who sticks her tongue out

Clay was standing a few feet apart, already holding his single, neat black duffel bag. He didn’t look over. He just stared at the key card in his hand, his expression unreadable.