Summer break was the most anticipated in our school, not only because it was a two-month break but also because of the student activities that would be held in the second month. The class is currently waiting for our teacher to grade our midterm exams. 

"Hey, who will be first in the rankings?" 

A commotion started. The rankings are one of many ways to get into the student council position. "Shouldn't it be Sherry? I mean, she got a high score in math." While I got a high math score, I wasn't the only one with a high score. "Settle down class! I'm going to hand out your test results one by one. Come up here if your name is called." As our names are called, one of the students is sweating bullets with each name being called. "Hugo." "Y-Yes!" Hugo is one of my closest friends. We have been friends since the fifth grade. He and I, along with the rest of my closest friends, made a promise to graduate and get our dream jobs in 6th grade. However, I'm worried about him because of his grades.

"Hugo, I want you to start taking math seriously. I've tried to increase your grade, but this is the best I can do." Mr. Benson let out a big sigh. Yes, sir... I'll try harder. " He let out an awkward laugh, hiding his emotions. Since 7th grade, his grades have been getting lower and lower. "Maybe I should tutor him for some cash..." I pondered anxiously, If his grades continued to decline, we wouldn't be able to keep our promise. "Sherry." "Right." Sigh, I should think about this matter later on.

"Sherry, do you mind keeping this for me?" Mr. Benson hands out someone's midterm exam. "Is it for Aliyah?" "That's right. Since tomorrow's summer break, I want you to hand it over to her." Looks like Aliyah is in first place in the rankings. There is no surprise here since she is the student council president. "But I don't know her address..." "That's fine, take this. She called in sick yesterday. So try visiting her as soon as possible." Mr. Benson gave me Aliyah's student ID. It has everything I need including her home address. "Got it, thank you." I went back to my desk and the teacher continued his announcement.

"Now that everyone's exams have been given out, I hope you accept the score I give. Please message me on my phone number if there's a mistake." He then announced that starting tomorrow, all school activities would be canceled due to the start of summer break. The class cheers upon hearing the news.

Pop! "So, what grade did you get?" Enola asks, opening a can of soda. She's also one of my closest friends. "Got an A again, what about you?" "B+, And Lucy got a B." "I bet she's furious about you getting a higher grade, huh?" "You bet, She couldn't believe it!" She held back her laughter. "Mmm... Is this what you like to do behind my back?" Lucy says, glaring her eyes at Enola. "...I mean it's the tru-" Lucy pinched Enola's cheeks before finishing her sentence. I let out a chuckle, seeing those two getting along. Suddenly, Lucy pokes my sides. "Don't think you're off the hook!" "Ah!- Stop that!-" I tried to shake her off, but she kept targeting my ticklish side. 

After some time, Lucy finally stops, and the three of us gasp for air. "Let's stop this, okay...?" I said, still gasping for air. "Fine...!" She quickly turned around. "Were you ranked first, Sherry?" Enola changed the subject, I guess she's curious if I'm first. "Unfortunately, I'm not first." "You're not the first!? Then who was it?" "I'm not sure, the person didn't show up." "Then what were Hugo's grades?" Lucy asked. "He barely passes. It's a C..." "Tch! I never understand why his grades are declining." Just then, out of the corner of my eyes. I saw a silhouette of someone.

"Sherry, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, noticing that I had spaced out. "Oh, it's nothing. I just felt like someone was staring." "Is that so, then I'll give them a piece of my mind if they keep staring at you." "You don't have to do that..." Because I know it was Hugo just now. He might've gotten scared by Lucy. Though he's been acting strange lately, I'm wondering why... Enola asked Sherry, "What are you planning to do during the summer break this year?" 

Sherry replied, "I'm not sure yet. I'll think about it later."

"Then how about an amusement park!" Lucy exclaims. "Really...?" Enola was stunned in disappointment. "What, there's this really cool theme park I hea-" "That's enough nonsense coming out of your mouth!" Enola yells as she covers Lucy's mouth. But as soon as they were about to argue, I quickly pushed them away from each other.  "W-wait...! How about this instead...?"  I told them we could make a group chat and discuss it there instead. They were reluctant at first, but they both agreed after some time. "Ah! Sorry, but I have to go now. I have a guitar lesson this evening!" Enola says, panicking with her words. "Be careful on your way home!" Lucy and I waved to Enola.

After some time, Lucy and I headed home together. Our homes weren't close, but her train station was near mine. "Thanks for accompanying me home," I smiled and waved at her. "No worries, see you soon!" Lucy said, running off to the train station. I went into my house and went straight to lie in my room. "Sigh, what a day..."  

I check my phone to see if something compelling is in the news. Lately, I have been looking at news about summer break this year. I want to know the prices, locations, views, etc. There are some thrilling options. But I'm hesitant about places like that. Ping! A message showed up in a group chat that I didn't know about. I had a feeling, so I looked at the notification. It was a group chat made by Enola. Lucy is bickering again with Enola about where we should spend our summer break. So far, Lucy has suggested the Mountains and an amusement park, whereas Enola has only recommended the beach.

I tried to stop the bickering, but I made it worse. It's stressful when things like this happen. "Alright, alright. let's discuss this another time." I put my phone down and try to get some sleep. Three days have passed, and the group chat is quiet. It seems like they're changing their minds about their suggestions. Lucy also added Hugo yesterday, but he hasn't said much. Right now, I'm going to Aliyah's house. It's not as far as I imagined. It's a forty-minute walk from my home.

"Phew! Her house should be around here..." I checked my phone to see if I was on the right street. "Hm, what's this?" A message notification popped up on the group chat that Enola had made. The message was from Hugo, saying that we should meet sometime to discuss where to go on this year's summer break. I didn't reply immediately because I was still looking for Aliyah's house. "Hey, Sherry!" I hear someone calling me from a distance. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a hand waving in my direction. "Hey...!" Aliyah called out, trying to grab my attention. As soon as I spotted her, I hurried over to her. 

"Sorry for the sudden visit..." "It's fine, have a seat," Aliyah says, patting an empty seat. "Thank you." "No problem. So, what brings you here?" "Actually..." I filled her in on what happened three days ago. She was surprised she got first place since she didn't try her hardest. "Oh, and here. Mr. Benson asked me to give this to you." I handed her midterm exam results. Aliyah scans thoroughly on her exam, and she thought she could've done better, but wasn't exactly disappointed by her results. "Oh, I nearly forgot to mention this too." She said as she cleared her throat. "Starting today, You, Enola, and Lucy will be free from student council activities."

"Huh...?" "Like I said, you're free from your student council duties." "I get that... But why so suddenly?" "Well, it's a long story..." Aliyah explained that just yesterday, someone came to her house and asked to hand over the student council duties assignment to him.  I questioned if that person was someone Aliyah knew. Aliyah shook her head, confirming that she had never met him. "Did you at least know his name?" "I think he told me... But I'm having a hard time remembering it. I'll let you know who once I remember it." "Okay, thanks." I waved at her and was getting ready to leave. 

"Wait!" Suddenly, Aliyah grabbed my hand, pulling me away from the door. "What's wrong?" "Ah, how did Hugo do in this midterm?" "...It didn't go well for him." Aliyah and Hugo have been friends for longer than me, I can understand her worries. "Hah... I offered to tutor him but he still refused." "Why did he decline?" I asked, tilting my head. "I'm not sure myself... He didn't mention why he didn't want to be tutored." Aliyah says, clearly bothered by Hugo's low score. "I'll try to talk to him later." "That'd be great, thank you." She let go of my hand and I left. Some time later I returned home. I immediately rushed inside, excited about being freed from my student council duties. When I got inside, I saw a note left on the table. It wrote 

'Hello, Sherry,

This is Mom and Dad. We will be going abroad for work in Singapore and will return during your next semester. Please take good care of yourself.

Love, Dad'

"This totally feels like I am an anime protagonist..." I sighed, put the note back, and went to bed. I thought about where to go for this year's summer break. Going on a beach could be fun, but we've been there many times since 8th grade.  As for mountains, I doubt we have the stamina to climb one. 

Out of ideas on where to go, I checked my phone to see if anyone had said anything in the group chat. When I opened it, Enola had already asked if they were available to meet at my house tomorrow. Lucy agreed, but Hugo was having some difficulties. I asked what time they'd come, and Enola said around 8 A.M. I agreed to those terms, but told them I might still be asleep.

The next day came and as expected, I overslept. I woke up to the sound of knocking at my front door. I checked the time, 8:18 A.M. I hurried over to open the door, worried I might make them wait a while. "Sorry for making you guys wa-" I froze when I only saw Hugo at my front door. "Where's everyone else?" I asked, tilting my head and checking my front yard to see if anyone else had arrived. "I didn't see them, they could be late." 

Scratching his head, he asked if he could come in, to which I agreed and let him in. An awkward silence fills the air as we sit in the living room. "So... do you have any suggestions for this year's summer break?" I asked, trying to break the silence. "Hmm... Maybe a carnival...?"  "A carnival, why?" "Well... not only we haven't been there, but there's also..." He explains the new rides and a 30% discount for 2 weeks, which is a steal, but will the others agree? 

"I'll give it some thought, thanks for the suggestion." "No problem, can I go back?" "Stay here for a bit. I would like to hear the others first." We waited for a while until Lucy and Enola came. "Sorry for the wait!" Lucy yells, opening the door. "At least be polite if you know you'll be late!" Enola says, tugging at her ear and apologizing for being late. "That hurts!" "Then listen to what I told you." I accepted Enola's apology and let them in, The two sat down near Hugo.

"So, about this year's summer break... Where do you two think we should go?" I asked Lucy and Enola where we should go for this summer break. "Hmm... how about a mountain range?" Enola suggested, raising her hand.  "That's too tiring!" Lucy exclaims. " Then where should we go?" "I'm thinking of the beach!" "Nonsense, it's too hot!" Enola yells at Lucy. "Yours is worse than mine!" "Huh!? No way!" The two started bickering again, I sighed and told them to stop. "What would you guys like to do for this summer's break? I'll narrow it down."  I said.

Hugo suggested some fun activities, Enola advised a place with good views, and Lucy suggested a place that's not too hot or cold, and to meet new people. I wrote down their suggestions and looked for a place that fit the criteria. The three waited and talked with each other while I browsed the internet. Two hours have passed and I still haven't found a good place. "Have you found one yet?" Lucy asked, looking over my phone. "Still nothing good yet..." I exhaled, feeling stressed out. "You can search it later Sherry, take a break," Enola suggests I take a break. "Okay, I am a bit tired after all..." Lucy and Hugo decided to go home for the day, and Enola stayed behind to search for it with me. 

Enola and I spent hours looking for a place good enough for the summer break. There were some close ones, but they were either fake, closed or too expensive.  I asked why Enola chose to stay with me today, she told me it's been a while since she stayed with me. She then asked if she couldn't stay over, I let her know that wasn't the case and I was just surprised. I then asked why she didn't invite Lucy with her, she told me that Lucy had something to do in the evening so she couldn't stay. 

Suddenly, Enola heard a notification sound. It was her mom asking her when she would be home. Enola panicked, and she was going to go home—until... Crack! A flash of lightning suddenly struck near my house. Enola shrieked and hid behind me. "Are you still afraid of lightning?" "Of course I am! Why wouldn't I?" Crack! Another one struck just as Enola was about to finish her sentence. "You sure you still wanna go home?" 

"Ah... I think I still do..." She hurried to the front door, still shaking due to the lightning. "You sure? Because another is gonna strike in three... two...-" Crack! Another one strikes even closer than the previous one. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR SOMETHING!? YOU KNOW I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID OF THUNDER...!" Enola grabs my collar with tears in her eyes. "Alright, alright calm down...!" I apologized and raised my hands. "...Fine" She lets go of me, whimpering. "Do you want some hot chocolate? I'll let you stay for the night." "Sure..." Enola sits in the living room as I prepare the hot chocolate.

As I prepare the hot chocolate, I see Enola scanning the living room. She seems to be looking for something. "Are you looking for something?" I asked Enola, who was still scanning the living room. "Are your parents not coming home?" Enola responds. "Oh, they're going abroad for work." "Abroad? To where?" "They say they're going to Singapore." "That's nice, but when will they go back?" "Next semester, they say." 

"Next semester?! That's a bit of a stretch, isn't it?" Enola raised her voice. Shocked that my parents will be back in the next semester. "Could be, but I don't want to disturb their work." "Just give them a call once a week." "...That doesn't sound too bad, I'll call them next Saturday." I smiled at Enola for the suggestion. Once the hot chocolate was ready, I handed it to Enola, and we chatted as she sipped it.

We talked about our past, specifically our middle school days, and how she missed those days. I agreed with her and told her that we were separating slowly. And that is also why I'm looking forward to where we will spend this year's summer break. Now Enola understands why I looked so focused when searching for a place to spend summer break. We continued talking for another hour before heading to bed. I let Enola sleep in my room because my bed's big enough for three people. I told her to sleep first because I'd shower, but she insisted and asked if she could use my shower too. I allowed her but only I took mine first.

Enola checked out my room while I was showering, she noticed a few plushies on top of the shelf. Ranging from cartoons to popular animes. She also saw a picture from our middle school. It included Lucy, Enola, Hugo, and me. She giggles as she remembers our middle school days and how wild it was back then. "You like this picture, huh?" I tapped her shoulders, unaware that I had just finished showering. "Huh!? Done already!?" She said hastily. "Yeah, you can take yours now. I'll clean the bedding." I cleaned the bedding and waited for Enola to be done showering.

Enola finished taking a shower and came back. I told her she could use my pajamas for tonight but reminded her to return them when she could return. I was about to turn off the lights and head to bed when Enola asked if she could ask something. She asked if I had noticed about Hugo's strange action. Enola mentioned when Hugo was staring at us from a distance a couple of days ago. "You noticed it too? I thought only I did..." "Don't you think something is going on with him?" "Nah, I bet it's just him being shy because of his low score." I shrugged it off as him being shy, Enola, however, doesn't think that's the case. "Let's just talk this tomorrow." "...Sure." I turned off the lights and we both headed to bed.