THREE YEARS LATER- To Iceland

"Aurora Borealis." Our Geography professor explained, whilst I drifted in a deep thought, pondering on what it was like-the last three years without seeing her, that perfect smile which weaved a tapestry of peace in the heart, those twinkling soft brown eyes reflecting the light, with a sparkle which enchanted whomever it saw. An Aurora for sore eyes indeed.

"Rumi." Seb whispered "did you listen?"

"Oh... shoots what did I miss?"

"Iceland!" Sir. Andrew finished.

"Sir what day will we have to submit the forms?" Ash, a boy with a military cut, and braces questioned.

"You may submit it today, as we will be leaving at dawn tomorrow, so better be quick about it or you may miss the chance."

"Leaving?" I asked Seb.

"I told you," he said slyly "you missed the part where we will be going to Iceland."

"Wait...  so why Iceland?"

"C'mon man you are the topper here, figure it out" Paul interrupted.

"Just because of the northern lights?" I asked bewildered.

"Duh!" Paul smiled.

"I don't wanna go, it's already too cold down here, I don't wanna freeze my arms off!" I said frustrated.

"Well... your bad my friend, I guess I'll just have to take my chances on Aliza." Seb taunted.

"Oh... they would make a fine couple." Joshua proposed.

"Piss off!" I shouted "Ok... so you mean that the whole 4th grade is coming, including forbidden fruits?"

"Wait what about Sasha?" Paul interrupted. "weren't y'all a thing?"

"Nah mate she was... too much into him." Joshua finished.

"Yupp." Seb smiled cheekily. "and who the hell calls them, forbidden-flipping fruit?"

Everyone broke into laughter before Paul finally broke the silence.

"Yeyye Lessgo."

"We have to get ready let's go." Joshua said mustering all the excitement he could.

After staring at Joshua, the shiest person I know, quivering his glasses on his nose, wondering how much he had changed, his red hair longer than before, his shyness almost completely gone. I wondered how  much the group assessments changed the four of us into best friends; we filled and submitted our forms.

Soon accompanied by exhilaration I came back to my dorm room, where five tall, white, wooden cupboards stood as if waiting to greet it's guest, convoyed by beds with almost identical appearance.

"You, lucky son of a gun!" Matthew, the eldest in the room, with blonde hair and a mustache exclaimed.

"I know right." I answered, "By the way, where is everyone else?" I asked glancing at the empty beds.

"Who knows, probably crying in the bathrooms, wishing to be one of the 4th graders. Anyways... do you need anything?"

"Nah I'm ok, I'm actually gonna start packing, feel free to help me." I winked.

"You cheeky bastard."

"Yeah... Imma just gonna pack for Iceland... and yeah please help me choose the sexiest outfits." I grinned.

"Stick to that grin, and you'll surely become a chick magnet my friend." He said mockingly.

With the help of Matthew, I packed my bag with all the essentials needed for the trip; my gear {given by the academy}, clothes- 9 pairs of it, socks-again 9 pairs, {what is up with number 9 and these people} and other necessities. The day flashed by faster than any other day in anticipation, excitement, and packing 9 pairs of almost everything.

"You should sleep, it's a long day ahead... and send me pics of some potential candidates." Matthew smirked.

"Tch... ugh... eww... man you really need to get married soon." I chuckled.

I slacked on my bed in the attempts to sleep until we had to set out for the airport, I couldn't at first, it took time, but soon I drifted in the dark realm of nothingness, however it wasn't the usual oblivion, it was indeed dark blue, no it is dark, but in that night sky I saw a golden outline of her, the light this time was her. Unexpectedly, this time she came towards me, her aura spreading, I was bursting with bliss, transfixed by the sheer luck of this second visitation, although, I couldn't see what she looked like- it was just her silhouette taunting me-she opened her mouth and screamed, confused I pondered.

I woke up.

I washed the midnight dreary, suited up. Surprisingly, Matthew had chosen a long sleeves shirt, which made me remember my room back home, sea green, and a red North Face jacket complimenting the shirt. Finally, I was on my way to the same golden gate from which we had entered, when my phone rang.

"Hey Ma! Wassup!" I exclaimed with delight.

"Don't you wassup me young man!" She coughed, while my phone screamed and vibrated at the tone.

"Mom its just a school trip I'll be fine."

"I know kiddo, I am more worried about myself than you."

"Mom the doctor said you've improved; you're going to be fine."

"I know son, ok anyways have fun... and please find someone better than Sasha please."

"Mommm!" She cut the phone call. Her laugh still lingering in the empty hall way.

I was still thinking of her while walking, my mother is a writer and hence my name- Rumi from her favorite poet. She used to say that 'Rumi-the Persian Poet's quote Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form, had kept her sane after father had died, and that although she had lost father, she had me.

I snapped back to reality.

I had reached the golden gate; still shining in the night light, it sparkled awaiting our departure. I looked around for my usual group when Paul's compliment attracted me.

"Woah look at you... lookin all dope." Paul noticed.

"Wait... you have dope with you?" Joshua asked in a hush voice.

"Ignoring what Josh said, are you probably going to fulfil the bet you made three years ago." Seb chuckled as usual.

"let's see, if lady luck is with me then, sure... why not."

"Sebastien Cornell, please escort your group to the van, and submit the headcount to me" The trip manager said in a high-pitched voice. Then continued shouting the group heads name and rubbing his messy beard with his huge withered hands

"This never gets old!" Paul laughed.

"Well, well if it isn't the colonel of our group!" I saluted.

"Yeah, yeah... I'm just happy y'all didn't say popcorn kernel."

"You think... we are that shallow." Joshua finished, narrowing his eyes and swaying his head in disapproval.

"let's just get in the van..." Seb offered frustrated.

There were 7 groups each consisting 2-3 members or even 4, like ours. In the past 3 years I had kept to myself only being open with Seb, Paul, and Josh. Even if I had tried to become an extrovert I would've failed. The two genders were separated in each class, we only met at some combine studies classes, which were separated by subjects. Many in my class had chosen science, but I had always wanted to become a writer. like my mother.

The difference between a science student, and art is; the lack of females in science. The jealous eyes would pierce through me and Seb {We were one of the few who had chosen arts}. Filled with hatred they would mainly ignore the sight of art students, who were as they call it; blessed with the presence of 'Angels'. {Who even comes up with these ridiculous metaphors?}

"C'mon Rumi, we're here." Seb's words brought me back to reality, when I saw that our van was parked, awaiting his passengers. 

"Y'all ready?" Paul asked.

"I don't know about y'all, but I was born ready." I said with my chest puffed up with pride.

"dude what the hell man... could you be anymore of a cliché." Seb said with a grin displaying his Chandler impression.

"lets just... ca... can we just go already." Joshua chimed in.

"Yeah alright, and my friend don't you dare stutter in front of those beauties." Paul said with a sparkle in his eyes.

"I can't wait to get in a relationship, even someone like Sasha would do at this point." Seb said although sarcastically.

"Trust me mate, you don't." I said remembering the horrendous experience.

We reached the Rapid City Regional Airport, and filed in with the rest, when I finally had a glimpse of what was like a dream come true. She was with her friends, when I saw her looking towards us from the corner of her eye, I didn't know at the time but, I had a feeling she was looking at me-although, nearly everyone around thought the same thing.

I quickly shifted my gaze from her, and how much she had changed since our last encounter, her hair longer than before, with blonde highlights complimenting her brown eyes and white skin tone.

"Rumi, I think you'll have a tough time in conquering her." Seb said looking around.

I met his gaze, ignoring his use of words, when I saw almost all heads turned towards her.

"Damn bro, but... look at the bright side you both are wearing the same jacket lmao." Paul comforted me.

"Wait wha-..." my voice trailed off when I saw her clothes.

"Oh... shit dude, you dead." Seb said.

I think he didn't quite convey the scenario with me dying that well; she unzipped her jacket showing her sea green shirt, the eyes now turned towards me-telling me or rather eyeing that they wanted blood, my blood, helpless I gave a shy smile shrugging my shoulders.

That isn't it!" Joshua said nudging me to meet his gaze.

I regretted my decision soon as I saw what he wanted me to see. there she was, all my nightmares folding together in this moment, as I saw Sasha vigorously waving her hands towards us.

"This is going to be a long, long week!" I said gritting my teeth in frustration.

"You don't say." They followed me, as we received our tickets.