Choo Choo

"I think that's all I need for the trip," said Leo as he rummaged through his luggage to recheck his checklist again. Another 30 minutes to the scheduled meet up at the train station, it should be enough time not to rush. The train station is just a few minutes away, one of the points the developers of the apartments took into consideration for the site.

"Ding!" The oven rang to announce the completion of its contents.

"Oh, it's done," he continued his soliloquy. He opened the oven and it's hot aromatic steam escaped, enveloping the room with it. With grey mitten gloves, he took out the contents and left it out to cool.

"Well, then. It should be it. I wonder if Luna had left," he pondered as he put his things back into the bag.

"AIEEEE," a loud scream was heard from the adjacent unit which made Leo quickly drop everything he was doing and rushed to Luna's apartment.

With furious concerned knocks on the door and sounds of pandemonium behind the door, Luna finally opened the door.

"Who is it? I'm in a rush currently," Luna asked with a sense of urgency in her tone. Leo popped his head over the opening to her surprise. "Eh? Eh? Uh can you wait outside?"

Leo obliged and the door went back shut. 'She totally missed her alarm or something, huh?' He reminisced on her unkempt look with white pyjamas and a disheveled hair still wet from the bath. He let out a small chuckle as he had never seen this side of Luna.

He went back to pack the foodstuffs cooling on his countertop and the rest of his luggage before waiting back at her doorstep. As time goes on, the number of times he checked his watch multiplied. Just as he was going to knock on her door, she burst out of her apartment.

"Alright, safe!" she exclaimed as she hopped out, donning a simple pale yellow long-sleeved t-shirt with maroon skirt and baseball cap. "Ehh?! Why are you still here?"

"I can't leave you here alone lest you miss the time after missing it once already," Leo smiled.

Luna's face turned beet red with embarrassment. "It's only that one time and I won't do it again!" Luna pouted. "It's just that I forgot Sylvia had to leave early as part of the disciplinary committee. I thought she would be there to wake me up."

"We better get going then," Leo smiled and took her luggage alongside his.

"You don't have to carry it for me."

"It's fine. It's faster this way."

They began running to the train station. Despite having another 15 minutes left and the walking distance there was 10 minutes, they were not taking any chances. Once they missed the train, they would need to find their own alternative transport or rendezvous at a later time.

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"Huff, huff, huff," both of them panted upon reaching their destination.

"We made it in time," said Leo as he regained his breath. Everyone else was already there ready to board the train.

Daniel appeared before them, looking displeased. "Sigh, both of the group leaders arriving late. Be more responsible, will ya? After all the effort to make both of you the leaders." He shook his head in disappointment.

"It wasn't Leo's fault. I was the one late. I'm really sorry about it," Luna bowed to him remorse.

"Anyways, it would not change anything if I scold you anyways as long as you reflect on it," Daniel gave another sigh. "I have already done the roll call for you. Everyone was accounted for."

'Wait, so the arrangement of us becoming group leaders was deliberate?' Leo realised after rewinding Daniel's words. 'This is one of his ploys again.'

He looked at Daniel and his eyes matched his, followed by a sly grin.

"Oh right, both leaders would need to sit with each other to ease the communication," Daniel remembered.

'Oh yes, he's up to something,' Leo narrowed his eyes, only for Daniel to give a thumbs up.

"Let's get into the train now, shall we? The last of the students had boarded," Daniel asked as the baggage handlers took away their luggage.

The interior of the train was a little old but well maintained. Being a sleeper train, each train carriages were divided into different compartments which can be locked for privacy.

Leo looked at the room number he was assigned, navigating the narrow corridors before reaching room number 6. Upon entering, the room was divided into four beds stacked into two bunks with a small ladder linking them. The beds were lined with white clean linen similar to those in hotel rooms, just more cramped.

"The room is just for both of you, by the way. Somewhat a privilege for group leaders. We have some extra space anyways," Daniel popped back. "And remember, nothing too extreme ok? The walls are quite thin here. You're group leaders so I have my trust on you," he whispered.

"Wha-, of course not. We're not doing anything," Luna's face was flustered but Leo remained indifferent. He's used to Daniel's tease.

"Well then, enjoy your trip. We will be reaching in another two days. Make yourself cosy," Daniel bid adieu and went back to his room.

Now with only both of them alone in the room, the awkwardness loomed over them after listening to Daniel's words. Both of them took the lower bunks as it was easier to move around without needing to use the ladders.

"Don't mind too much on what Mr Daniel says," said Leo.

"You sound like you knew him for a long time. How did both of you meet?" Luna asked.

"Uhh…" Leo struggled to answer that question while trying not to disclose his work. Then he realised, he had not thought of it as work all the while. "He used to be my colleague when I was working on a part-time job."

"You worked in a part-time job?" Luna's eyes brightened up. "You see, I never had a part-time job so tell me more about it."

'Crap, how do I put it in a way isn't straightforward. I really don't want to lie. Lies are going to be exposed some day,' Leo ruminated. "It's a service job about caring for some people."

"So like a nurse?"

"I guess you can call it that." He did not know how to truly describe it. Then he remembered about the snacks he made earlier. He took out a few paper bags. He did not cover it to prevent it from becoming soggy. "Here's one for you. Elma really wanted something after the sports festival."

Both of them giggled after remembering Elma's tantrum after the rescue team went to find her. Luna looked into the paper bag.

"What fries are these?" Luna took one of the fries. It was still crispy to Leo's relief.

"I made vegetable fries. There are zucchinis, turnips, carrots, beets and eggplants baked in an oven then sprinkled with garlic powder and herbs," Leo elaborated. "Enjoy it while I pass the rest to others."

He left the room and closed the door behind him. The gentle rattling of the carriage indicated that they were already on their way. Despite running at nearly 350 km/h, minimal jolts were experienced.

He looked at the list of students and their respective seats given to him as group leader. He traced the names row by row before finding Damian's name.

'He's living with Dexter, huh. I wonder if they could get along,' Leo thought while making his way to the other carriage.

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As he opened the door to the other carriage, boisterous noises radiated from the rooms. The entire carriage was reserved for male students so the clamour would not disturb other passengers. Nonetheless, he had to remind them to control their volume. Excitement being on a trip with friends could make them lose sense of place sometimes.

'Room 10, here it is,' Leo found the room Damian and Dexter were in.

"What?! No fair!" A loud voice beamed through the thin partitions. Leo recognised the voice as Damian's. 'Are they getting into a fight?' He quickly barged the door open, ready to break them apart.

The four boys in the room stared at the intruder. They were playing a card game.

"Don't you know common courtesy? Knock before you enter, geez," said Damian in annoyance.

Leo gave a sigh of relief. "Right, my apologies. By the way, these are snacks for all of you. Share them and enjoy. I shall not disturb your games then." He left quickly in embarrassment over the misunderstanding.

He again, left the carriage for the next one. This time, the carriage was occupied by the female students. There wasn't that much of a ruckus compared to the male's carriage, although chatters and giggles could be heard.

He stopped by room number 21 and knocked on the door, not falling for the same mistakes twice. A guy barging into a girl's room can cause quite an uproar.

"Who is it? You may enter," the voice invited him in and slid the door open.

"I'm Leo. Pardon my intrusion," Leo entered the room and saw Elma drawing a portrait of one of the girls while the other two watched her in amazement.

"Oh, it's Leo!" Elma looked up and she quickly transitioned from a serious focus to an enthusiastic playfulness.

"I got your snacks as promised," he handed her the paper bag.

"Oo, fries!" She took one out and ate it in its entirety. "Hmm, so good," she said with her mouth full and her face in bliss.

"Slow down. Remember to share with your friends too. I'm going now. Enjoy," Leo was about to leave when Elma grabbed on his hand, preventing him from leaving.

She swallowed the food in her mouth before talking. "Don't leave just yet!" She turned to the other girls. "Do you know he could draw really well? He could draw way better portraits than me."

The other girls looked in wonder.

"Maybe I'll do it next time. Staying in a room full of girls is inappropriate now," Leo tried to get out of there.

"Aw, that's too bad then," Elma pouted. "Take these before you leave then." She gave him a handful of chocolates.

"Thanks. I'll be going now," Leo thanked before leaving.

"Isn't that chocolates…" One of the girls asked.

"Hmm hmm, yes it is," Elma nodded. "It's going to be fun."