The morning sun kissed the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold as Carrie found herself tucked into a window seat aboard the plane. She stared out, her mind clouded with second thoughts. The sprawling world outside seemed both inviting and daunting.
"I can't go back. This is the right choice," she murmured, as if saying it aloud would cement her resolve. She sank back into her seat, closing her eyes to steady her racing heart.
The captain's voice crackled over the intercom, a soothing cadence cutting through the ambient hum of the cabin. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We're just about ready for takeoff. The weather looks clear, and we're expecting smooth skies ahead. Please fasten your seatbelt, ensure your seat is upright, and switch your devices to airplane mode. We'll update you as we go. Thank you for choosing to fly with us today. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight."
Two hours later, Carrie stepped onto Toronto's bustling soil, the energy of the city buzzing around her. The air was crisp, laced with a refreshing coolness that tickled her cheeks. She took in a deep breath, five times over, savoring the moment.
"Even the air smells peaceful," she said with a soft smile. Reaching into her pocket, she powered on her phone, only for her joy to evaporate. "Impossible!" she gasped. "That little demon chewed on my charger again!" Her voice rose in exasperation, startling a passerby. "How am I supposed to find Leo now?" she groaned, stomping her foot. She scanned the street. "And there isn't a taxi in sight. Great. I'm doomed."
Another hour crawled by. The crowd thinned, yet Carrie stood unmoving, weighed down by exhaustion and frustration. Finally, with a defeated sigh, she gathered her luggage.
"Guess I'll walk until I find civilization," she muttered, dragging her suitcase behind her like a reluctant toddler.
The city's charm quickly wore off as she trudged along. Her luggage felt like a lead weight, her arms screamed in protest, and just when she thought her situation couldn't deteriorate further, fate delivered its coup de grâce—a bird swooped overhead and unloaded on her pristine jacket.
"Hell no!" Carrie shrieked, staring in disbelief at the splattered mess. "What did I do to deserve this? What's next, a torrential downpour?" She threw her hands up, blinking back tears of frustration.
Her grumbling halted when she caught sight of a sleek black Ferrari Portofino gliding toward her.
"Thank you, universe! My salvation has arrived!" she cheered, flagging the car down with the desperation of someone stranded in the desert.
But the car didn't stop. Instead, it breezed past her without a second glance.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Carrie growled, determination lighting her face as she bolted in front of the car.
The brakes screeched, halting just inches from her.
"Do people still escape from asylums?" Jae-wook muttered from the back seat, his voice dripping with disdain.
Carrie marched up to the driver's window. "Please, my phone is dead, and I can't find a taxi. Are you heading toward TerraNova University?"
"저 여자는 막 정신병원에서 도망쳐 나온 사람처럼 보이거나, 소매치기일지도 몰라," ("She looks like she just ran out of an asylum or might pick our pockets," )Jae-wook muttered in Korean, not even sparing her a glance.
"위험을 감수할 순 없습니다,"("We can't take the risk," )Mr. Jin, the driver, replied, equally stoic.
Carrie huffed. "I really don't know what you're saying, but I don't need a ride—just a phone to call my friend!"
"Oh! must be your lucky day, look! There's a taxi behind you," Jae-wook replied with a thin smile.
"Thank God!" Carrie exclaimed, spinning around. But the moment she did, the Ferrari sped off, leaving her in a cloud of dust. She turned back, her jaw dropping. "They tricked me? Are you kidding me?"
"Ms., are you okay?" a familiar voice broke through her haze of disbelief.
Carrie spun around, her frustration bubbling over. "Okay? Do I look okay? I've been wandering for hours, carrying a suitcase that weighs more than I do, a bird pooped on my brand-new jacket, and now you're asking if I'm okay?!" she roared, glaring daggers.
Leo grinned. "Sounds like the birds wanted to give you a warm welcome."
Ava chuckled, earning a withering glare from Carrie. "It's the latest Louis Vuitton model!" she snapped.
"Yikes. That's a tragedy," Ava said, biting her lip.
Carrie sighed, her anger softening at the sight of her friends. "I'm just glad you're here. I thought I'd never escape this nightmare. I need to submit my files immediately."
"I've got a spare jacket in the backseat," Leo offered, his gaze softening. "I've missed you, Carrie," he said, pulling her into a hug.
"Me too!" Ava squealed, joining in.
Carrie laughed, though she quickly pushed them away. "You're going to get poop on yourselves. Let go!"
The moment had gone from boiling hot to cool in the blink of an eye. Carrie soon forgot her earlier frustration, her genuine smile brightening her face until her cheeks turned cherry red. She quickly wrapped up all the formalities required for her academic journey at TerraNova University.
Hours later the three friends found themselves seated at a cozy restaurant for lunch. Carrie, famished beyond words, barely looked up from her plate as she devoured her meal. It was then she realized hunger wasn't just a craving—it felt like a slow, gnawing self-destruction.
"You must have been really hungry," Ava remarked, her tone light and teasing.
"Ava, I bet you wouldn't have survived it," Carrie shot back briefly before returning her focus to her plate.
Leo leaned in with a mischievous smile. "of topic but, I want you to meet someone. He's a friend of mine—one you'd be lucky to know."
"Oh, really? I'm excited to meet him," Carrie said, her interest piqued as she pushed her plate aside.
"I'm sure Carrie will love him." said her words dripping with sarcasm"Then we'd officially be like a racial squad!" Ava exclaimed enthusiastically. "A Black girl, a Mexican, an American, and an Asian—total representation!"
Carrie chuckled, shaking her head at Ava's excitement. "That's really fascinating. Excuse me, I need to take my dad's call," she said before standing up and walking toward the exit.
Leo watched her leave with a thoughtful expression. "She's changed a lot."
"She's taller and hotter too! Just imagine—all the TerraNova guys chasing after my bestie," Ava squealed, her excitement bubbling over.
"I meant she seems more confident, though that's a fair observation," Leo replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"That was quick," Ava said as Carrie returned moments later.
"It was just the butler," Carrie explained casually. "Dad's still stuck in a meeting."
"He's here," Leo said, nodding toward the entrance.
The restaurant door swung open with a soft chime, and as if on cue, the chatter in the room dwindled to a whisper.