Students were all informed to a.s.semble outside the building for an activity by the faculty. They had around an hour to unpack things and get some rest while the staff had to arrange for the Day 1 events.They arrived at 8: 30 AM and, time was taken for them to arrange the rooms, and accommodate every student. Seth informed the kids to a.s.semble at 10 AM sharp in front of the building to start with their Day 1 adventures.
***
Time 09:56 AM
Anna and Giselle caught up with Diego at the scene. Students, seen arriving one by one yet, no one saw Lillian Grey. Her roommate Mindy also came and joined with her cla.s.smates.
Anna went up to her and asked about Lillian"s whereabouts. Mindy answered that Lillian returned to the room and went straight to bed. Before leaving, Mindy had tried to wake up Lillian and told her to get ready.
"She woke up and sat on her bed still dozing off, I thought she might be tired, and so, gave her a few minutes. I came down at that time."
Mindy"s answer can only mean one thing:
Lillian Grey is still in her room, asleep as a pig.
Anna shared it with Diego quickly and went dashing to Lillian"s room. She pa.s.sed over Carmel and Ivy, who were arguing seriously. Anna didn"t have the luxury to halt and listen; she continued moving as Lillian"s occupied at the end.
Anna swung open the door to find her friend leaning back on the wall and sleeping soundly.
"LILLIAN GREY, IDIOT!" Anna screamed.
Startling from the sound, Lillian fluttered her eyes open to see an enraged Anna in front of her.
"I don"t care what you will do, get down on your feet, right now," Anna ordered the dormant girl.
Lillian blinked her eyes to get a clear picture of Anna, and the heat waves steaming around her.
"What happened?" she asked in a dry voice, leisurely.
"We have our day to start. I have water and napkins just in case. b.u.t.ton up your shirt and come down. You look fine, and I"ll fix your hair."
"Day to start? Wait, what is going on?"
"Mr. Seth has informed us to a.s.semble at 10; it"s already 09:59. I"ll fill you up with the details on the way. Come on, now,"
Anna said while dragging the sloppy Lillian out of her room. The two speed-walk the corridor and went downstairs.
"There she is, G.o.d d.a.m.n it, Lilly!" Diego spotted the two and waved.
Anna and Lillian joined with the rest. Lillian looked like a homeless person with her hair all messy and wrinkled clothes.
"I should have swapped with you, you know! I must warn Mindy now for the rest of the trip to go smoothly."
Anna noted.
"Giselle, fix my hair."
Lillian spoke out of nowhere in this confusion.
It became quiet for a few seconds before Anna signaled Giselle to help Lillian.
Comparing both, Lillian is taller, and so, she had to bend down a little for Giselle to work with her hair. She removed the hairband and neatly gathered the hair strands with her hands into a ponytail. It wasn"t too high or low and stood in the middle.
"Thank you, Giselle!" Lillian replied as she smiled brightly.
"Looks like you are finally awake now!" Diego observed.
Time – 10:00 AM.
Seth appeared like a ghost, sharp at ten in front of the building and checked for the student count.
"Two are missing?"
"Who are they?"
Seth asked.
Ivy appeared rushing downstairs, earning looks from all. She went straight to Seth to inform.
"Mr. Seth, Bridgette isn"t feeling well and so, she requested me to inform you," Ivy whispered.
"What happened? Is she sick?" Seth inquired.
"Should I be concerned about her health during this trip, Ivy?" Seth questioned to know about the situation.
"No, sir. She will be fine if she takes rest tonight."
"Bridgette will be joining us from tomorrow onwards, Mr. Seth" Carmel loomed behind Ivy and joined in to request as well.
Seth saw the two worked up and agreed to let Bridgette rest. Ivy sighed and thanked Carmel for helping.
"Alright, let"s leave. Stay together and make sure to learn and enjoy the trip. Don"t do things that will make me furious."
Seth informed giving chills to the notorious pairs who are little over-excited to enjoy their trip.
With that said, Seth, the staff, the guide and the kids all left the place for their Day 1 venture.
Their trip included a hiking trail along the Round Hill loop and East mountain. The hiking begins and ends at the same spot, making it easy for the student on their first-day adventure trip.
The 7.5 miles trip included the striking vista along the road filled with a curved trail, a cascading waterfall, and the maze of stone fences.
The kids enjoyed their trek along with their friends. Often, they would stop for breaks to catch breath and snack for more energy. However, the entire trip took about 5-6 hours to complete, and by the time they returned, food was ready.
***
The kids and the adults who accompanied had to skip lunch for a few hours to complete their hike.
Despite it, the kids get to enjoy scenic landscapes and get to have fun making memories.
Ivy joined Carmel and Sara along with Josh and his friends. Without Bridgette, the pack had only a.s.sociated when necessary. Watching Ivy frown worried Carmel to a great extent. The girls were not able to enjoy their hike as much as others.
Meanwhile, Lillian and her gang were lagging behind everyone and had to be on the lookout from getting lost.
"Can you please walk faster, Lilly?" Anna hurried the one who is causing them trouble.
"I wish, Anna. I wish!" Lillian appeared to be panting heavily.
"Aren"t you the active one next to Diego?" Anna provoked.
"I am, if not for someone who woke me up abruptly. My mind wasn"t ready to actively enjoy this hike."
"I should have used Bridgette"s excuse and slept more."
Lillian kept ranting while Anna interrupted by mentioning that no one would ever believe if Lillian made an excuse of not feeling well!
"Giselle, do not leave me alone with these critics. Help me walk," Lillian pouted childishly appealing to Giselle.
Giselle went in and joined Lillian, helping her walk a little faster. For the rest of the hike, Giselle didn"t leave Lillian Grey and kept walking alongside her, holding hands together from letting Lillian faint.
By the end of the trip, everyone felt exhausted while Lillian got fired up. She was finally active and could let her brain intake any occurrence.
"I"m pumped up for the next event. What do we have in for next?" Lillian asked eagerly.
"Eating! I"m sure you"re still pumped up for that!" Diego cheered on her enthusiasm.
"Excuse me!" Lillian surprised from the judgment, slightly angry.
"Come on, let"s all eat together," Giselle stated, grabbing the other two"s attention.
Anna observed Lillian, along with Giselle together, she approached the energetic Lilly,
"Be glad that Giselle is here to save your a.s.s, or else you would be dead already for your sloppy behavior."
"Yes, madam," Lillian apologized from Anna"s temper.
She knew her mistake of sleeping in and letting her friends worry for her. If not for Anna, Lillian would have got caught by Seth. Lillian realized her blunder and apologized to her friends and, pledged never to make the same mistake happen again.
With that, Anna forgave her friend, and all went together for their meal.
***
The kids are permitted to relax for the rest of the day returning from lunch. Everyone reverted to their rooms or gathered with their friends to play and have fun together.