"Ah man, why does the train have to be on the third platform?" Nevin groans like he's been asked to walk across the desert.
"Same," I think to myself, but keep it inside. Complaining feels like more effort than walking.
After what feels like a marathon (in slow motion), we finally arrive at the platform, dragging our feet. We plop down on some empty seats, and immediately, there's a collective sigh. Ahh. This day… it's been something else.
Now, the only thing on my mind is, "Will we actually get seats, or are we doomed to stand for the entire 12-hour journey?" My legs scream at the thought. We'd booked tickets early, thinking we were so smart, but somehow, everything's still a mess—like always.
As I scan the chaos around us, I catch Nevin chugging a juice bottle like he's in a survival movie. He notices me staring at him. For way too long.
"You want some juice?" he asks, bottle poised mid-chug.
"Nah, I'm good." I shake my head, trying to ignore the fact that I'm thirsty now.
"Your loss, man." He shrugs and resumes gulping it like it's the elixir of life.
I glance over and see Sujin on his phone. Looks like he's talking to his parents. He has that "Yes, I ate my vegetables" tone.
Just then, my phone rings. Some random number I don't recognize flashes on the screen. Yeah, I'm not picking that up.
"Why do random numbers hunt me down like I'm their last hope?" I grumble, jabbing the decline button with way more aggression than necessary.
I breathe a sigh of relief for about two seconds, and then my phone buzzes again. I glance at the screen and instantly feel my stomach drop to the center of the Earth.
Oh no. It's my mom.
Forget random callers—this is full-on mom meltdown territory. We're talking 'prepare for a lecture' level bad.
Just as I'm about to process how much trouble I'm in, Nevin's phone rings. He picks up, and suddenly, he's speaking like he's in the middle of a business meeting. I watch as his expression goes from confused to serious in about three seconds.
"Yes, sir... Yes, he's with us... Oh, really? I'm not sure why he didn't pick up, but I'll ask him. Okay, yes, I'll let him know. Thank you, sir."
He hangs up, turning to me with a mix of pity and amusement.
"Who was that?" I ask, though I already know it's not going to be good news.
Nevin grins. "Oh, just the principal of our college."
I blink. "Wait. What?"
"Yeah, your mom called the principal because you weren't answering your phone. Apparently, she thought you'd been kidnapped or something."
My jaw drops. "WHAT?! She called the principal ?!"
Nevin nods, looking way too pleased with himself. "Oh yeah. And it gets better. Apparently, she's been calling half the college asking if anyone's seen you."
I groan and sink lower into my seat. "This is a disaster."
My phone immediately blows up with messages. My classmates, friends, probably people I've barely spoken to, all texting me to ask if I'm alive. My mom's gone full FBI. I feel like a missing person on a wanted poster.
Sujin finally hangs up his phone, noticing my distress. "Dude, what happened?"
"My mom thinks I'm dead," I reply flatly. "Or kidnapped. Or both."
Sujin's eyes widen. "Oh, wow. She really went all out, huh?"
Nevin's snickering beside me. "Bro, at this rate, she's going to call the national news.'Missing student: Last seen avoiding phone calls like his life depends on it.' "
I roll my eyes, but I can't even deny it. This is exactly the kind of thing my mom would do. Before I can even explain myself, the train announcement blares in the background, adding to the chaos.
I quickly dial my mom, knowing that if I don't call now, the next step will probably be the police. She picks up immediately, her voice equal parts worried and furious.
"Son, where have you been?!"
"Mom, relax, I'm fine," I say, trying to sound casual, but my voice cracks. "I just didn't hear my phone."
"Didn't hear your phone?! " she snaps. "Do you know how worried I was? I called your principal, your friends, your teachers! I was this close to calling the police !"
"Mom, seriously, I'm okay. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Well, you did. And now the entire college thinks you're missing. What have you been doing this whole time?!"
Before I can answer, the train pulls into the platform with a deafening screech, as if to emphasize the fact that I'm, indeed, alive and very much not kidnapped.
"Mom, the train's here," I say quickly. "I gotta go, but I promise I'll call you when I get home."
"You better," she says, still not convinced. "And if I don't hear from you in 12 hours, I'm calling the army."
"I won't forget. Love you, mom," I say, quickly hanging up before she can lecture me anymore.
I shove my phone into my pocket and look up to see Nevin and Sujin grinning at me like they just witnessed the most entertaining thing of their lives.
"Well," Nevin says, crossing his arms. "That was... intense. Does your mom know you're just coming home and not fleeing the country?"
Sujin can't hold back his laughter. "Bro, your mom's about to put you on a cartoon. 'Missing son: Last seen boarding a train. Call if found.'"
I groan. "You guys are the worst."
Nevin shrugs. "Hey, we're not the ones who almost had a SWAT team sent after us. Better make sure you call her every hour, just in case."
Sujin nods solemnly. "Can't be too careful. She might have the Navy on standby."
I roll my eyes, knowing that this is going to haunt me for the entire trip. At least I'll have down 12 hours to figure out how to live this down.