Amalia and Newton’s bond continues to grow. Two months was all it took. Two months of walking to class together. Two months of sitting side by side. Two months of sharing silence that never felt empty.

  By then, people had started talking.

  Newton heard it the first time when he was standing by the lockers. “Look at them,” a boy whispered behind him.

  “They’re always together.” Another voice answered, amused. “Lovebirds.”

  Newton froze.

  He did not turn around. He did not react. But he heard. He felt heat crawl slowly up his neck. He told himself it did not matter. But somehow, it did. He closed his locker and walked away.

  Amalia was waiting near the classroom door. She leaned against the wall, arms folded loosely, her dark hair falling over one shoulder.

  She saw him and smiled. It was a small smile. But it was enough. He felt something settle inside him. Something steady. Something safe.

  They walked into class together. Samuel and Stella were already inside, arguing over something meaningless.

  “You skipped question seven,” Stella said. Samuel frowned. “I did not.”

  “You did.”

  “I did not.”

  Newton sat beside them, Amalia taking her usual seat next to him.

  Normal.

  It had started to feel normal.

  The bell rang. Class began. Time passed. Eventually, the break bell sounded.

  Students flooded out of the room, their voices filling the hallway with noise.

  Newton and his friends stayed behind for a moment.

  Samuel stretched his arms. “I’m starving.”

  “You’re always starving,” Stella replied. They stood and began walking out. When they returned later, something had changed.

  Amalia stopped beside her desk. There was a sheet of paper lying on it. She frowned. “That wasn’t there before.”

  She picked it up. Her eyes moved across the page. Her expression shifted. “Guys,” she said. Her voice carried something different. “Have you seen this?”

  She held the paper toward Newton. He took it. His eyes scanned the words. At first, nothing happened. Then his breathing stopped. His eyes widened. “Wow,” he whispered.

  His fingers tightened slightly on the paper. “It is the mid-year trip.”

  Samuel leaned closer. Stella stepped beside him.

  Newton kept reading..Then suddenly, he shot to his feet. His chair scraped loudly against the floor, as he stood up.

  “No way!”

  His voice echoed across the room. A few students turned. He did not care.

  “They are hosting a fifteen day trip around the Atlantic Ocean this time around.” He said it slowly. Like he needed to hear it again to believe it.

  His heart began to race. He looked at the paper again. The words did not change. They were real. The Atlantic Ocean.

  His chest tightened. He had seen it only in pictures. Endless blue stretching into forever. Ships cutting through the waves.

  The horizon swallowed the sun..He swallowed. “I love this,” he said quietly. He looked up. His eyes found Amalia.

  “It has always been my dream to tour the sea.” The words came out before he could stop them.

  They hung between them. Amalia watched him. She saw it. The excitement. The hope. He held the paper toward her.

  “I hope you are applying for this.”

  She hesitated. Just for a second. Then she looked away. “You know so well that we have to write an exam.”

  Her fingers twisted slightly together. “I do not think I will pass it.”

  Newton stared at her. He did not even think. “Nonsense.”

  He sat down. His voice was firm. “Do not worry.” He held her gaze. “I will help you pass it.”

  Something in her expression softened. He turned. “Samuel. Stella.” They looked at him. “I hope you guys are in.”

  Samuel grinned.

  “Sure.” His eyes lit up. “The sea trip will definitely be fun.”

  Stella nodded quickly. “Yes.” She looked nervous. But hopeful.

  Newton looked back at the paper. The exam date was printed clearly. Tuesday. One week away. One week. That was all.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  From that day on, everything changed..They stayed after school. They met during lunch. They sat together with books spread across the table.

  History books. Past questions. Notes. Newton explained. He spoke calmly, and carefully.

  He made sure they understood. Amalia listened closely. Her eyes stayed on him. Sometimes, he noticed.

  Sometimes, he looked away quickly. Samuel groaned often. “This is too much.” Stella slapped his arm.

  “Do you want to fail?”

  He sighed. “No.” They kept going.

  Days passed.

  The exam came faster than expected. Tuesday morning arrived cold and quiet. A government representative walked into their classroom.

  He wore a dark suit. His face showed no emotion. He carried a stack of papers.

  The room fell silent.

  Students sat straighter. Nobody spoke. Nobody laughed. The papers were placed on each desk.

  Newton stared at his. He felt his heart beating. Not from fear, but from anticipation.

  He glanced sideways. Amalia sat beside him. Her fingers rested lightly on the desk. He could see the tension in her shoulders.

  She noticed him looking. Their eyes met..He gave her a small nod. She nodded back.

  The exam began. Forty five minutes. That was all.

  Newton’s pen moved smoothly. The answers came easily. He did not hesitate. Not once. He shifted slightly.

  Just enough.

  His paper was angle was open, and available for his friends to copy.

  Amalia leaned closer. Samuel sat behind. Stella across. Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to.

  Time moved. The room stayed silent except for the sound of pens scratching paper.

  Then, “Stop.” The representative’s voice cut through the air.

  “Time is over.”

  Pens stopped.

  Papers were collected. Just like that. It was done.

  Outside the classroom, the air felt lighter.

  Samuel let out a long breath. “I hope I pass it.”

  Stella nodded quickly. “I attempted all the questions.” Amalia looked at Newton. “Me too.”

  Samuel smiled. “Me too.”

  Newton said nothing. He only nodded. But inside, hope burned quietly.

  Days passed.

  Slowly. Painfully slowly..Every morning, students whispered. Every afternoon, they waited. Every day felt longer than the last.

  Everyone wanted it. Everyone wanted to be chosen. It only happened once every three years..This was their only chance.

  Then Monday came. The head teacher entered their classroom. Her footsteps echoed.

  The room went silent. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. She held a paper. Newton’s chest tightened.

  “Your result for the mid-year trip’s exam is out,” she said, her voice was calm, and controlled.

  “If you get the invitation, that means you passed.”

  She paused.

  The silence deepened.

  “But if you don’t,” She closed the file slightly, and exhaled. “Well, you may have fun in your home.”

  A few nervous laughs escaped. Nobody found it funny. She began. She called the first name. A girl stood. She walked forward. Her hands trembled as she took the envelope. She returned to her seat, smiling.

  Then another name, he jumped up in joy. “Yes,” he screamed, walking towards the teacher.

  And another.

  Newton’s fingers curled slowly into his palm..He listened. His ears rang.

  Then, he heard his name. “Newton Hill.”

  The world stopped.

  He froze.

  For a second, he thought he imagined it. He stood slowly. His legs felt light. He walked forward. He took the envelope. It felt real, solid, and heavy.

  He turned.

  Amalia stared at him. Her eyes wide. He saw the question in them. He gave a small nod. Her lips parted. Relief flooded her face.

  He sat down.

  His heart was still racing. Then, another name echoed.

  “Amalia Cardós.”

  She gasped softly. She stood. She walked forward. Her steps were quick. She took the envelope. She looked at him. She smiled.

  Samuel’s name came next, then Stella..One by one. Twenty other names were called.

  Each one carries hope. Each one carries dreams.

  Those who received the envelopes held them tightly. Those who did not sat quietly. The room was divided.

  Joy, and disappointment.

  Newton held his envelope in his hand. He stared at it. Fifteen days, at the Atlantic ocean. His dream.

  It was becoming real. And he had no idea it would be the last normal decision of his life.

  Newton’s happiness did not die immediately. It flickered first.

  Amalia stood beside him, holding the invitation letter with both hands. Her eyes moved slowly across the page, reading each line carefully, as if hoping the words would rearrange themselves into something kinder. The excitement that had lit her face moments ago faded quietly, like a candle losing its flame.

  Newton noticed. He leaned closer, trying to see what she saw. She stopped reading. Her fingers tightened slightly on the paper. She did not speak.

  Samuel frowned. “Amalia,” he said carefully. “Is there something wrong?”

  She did not answer at once. Her throat moved. She shook her head slowly.

  “I can’t attend the trip.” The words landed softly. But they hit hard.

  Newton blinked..For a moment, he thought he heard wrong. “What?”

  She did not look at him. “I can’t go.”

  Newton’s countenance dropped immediately, the light draining from his face. “Why not?” His voice carried something fragile. “Are you afraid of the sea?”

  Amalia forced a chuckle. It sounded wrong. Too light. Too empty.

  “Of course not.” She paused.

  Her fingers folded the edge of the invitation unconsciously.

  Then, she exhaled sharply. “Unfortunately, the date of departure fell on a day before my older sister’s wedding.”

  Silence spread between them.

  Samuel looked away. Stella lowered her eyes. Newton stared at her. He knew what weddings meant.

  Family obligation. Things you could not abandon.

  Still, something inside him resisted it..His hand curled into a fist. Then suddenly, he punched the wall. The sound cracked through the air.

  “Holy shit.”

  Pain shot through his knuckles. He did not react to it.

  They all stared at him.

  He had never done that before. Never shown anger like that.

  He stood there, breathing harder than usual. His chest rose and fell. Then his voice became quieter. “I guess I won’t go either.”

  Amalia’s head snapped toward him. She reached for his hand immediately. Her fingers wrapped around his. “No, Newton.” Her grip tightened. “I know how much you wanted this trip.”

  Her eyes held his. “You have to go.”

  Newton looked down at their joined hands. He could feel her warmth. It made everything harder. “But I do not want to go without you.”

  The words slipped out before he could stop them. She lifted her free hand. Her fingers touched his cheek gently. Her skin felt warm. “Come on,” she said softly. “It will only be fifteen days.”

  He frowned.

  Fifteen days sounded small. But it did not feel small. Not to him. Not when she would not be there.

  She saw it. She stepped forward and hugged him. Her arms wrapped around him fully. He froze for a moment. Then slowly, he hugged her back. “Do not worry,” she whispered near his ear. “I will make it up to you.”

  She pulled back slightly and smiled. “Besides, I will be sad if you do not go on this dream journey.”

  He searched her face. He saw it. She meant it. He forced himself to nod.

  Samuel smiled faintly..Stella let out a breath she did not realize she was holding.

  They all smiled. But something had changed.

  That day, when they left school, the excitement that once surrounded the trip no longer felt complete.

  Something was missing. Still, preparation began. Forms were signed. Bags were packed.

  Days moved forward whether they wanted them to or not. Newton spent more time with Amalia. He walked her home. He waited for her outside classes. He stayed longer than usual. He memorized her voice, her laughter, her silence.

  One afternoon, they sat together under the old tree near the field.

  She leaned against him. “You will only be away for fifteen days,” she said. “There is no need for this.”

  He smiled faintly.

  She did not understand. “For me, a day without you feels like a year.”

  He paused.

  “Talk more of fifteen days.”

  She laughed. He laughed too. They hugged.

  Time refused to slow down. July seventh arrived faster than he was ready for.

  The port stretched wide before them, filled with movement and noise..Students gathered in groups. Parents stood beside them. Some carried heavy bags filled with food and supplies.

  Others held their children tightly, as if afraid to let go. The ship stood in the water, enormous and waiting.

  Newton stood between his mother and Amalia..His bag rested on his shoulder..His mother looked at him carefully.

  “This is it, Newton.” Her voice carried both pride and worry. “You must remember the teachings of the Holy Bible and pray always.”

  Newton nodded. “I will, mom.” She stepped closer. She placed her hand gently on his head. Her lips moved quietly. Declaring words of faith. “May our good lord go with you.”

  She paused.

  “Amen.”

  Newton swallowed. “Amen.” He turned. Amalia stood there. Her hands clasped together tightly.

  Her eyes watched him like she was trying to remember everything.

  “I guess this is goodbye for fifteen days,” he said.

  She nodded slowly. Then she reached into her pocket. She brought out a small locket. It gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

  She opened it. It separated into two equal halves. She fixed one half onto a necklace. Then she stepped closer and hung it around his neck.

  Her fingers lingered there for a moment. “Try not to be stolen by the sea,” she said softly. Her eyes met his. “I need you back as mine.”

  They both laughed. But the laughter carried emotion beneath it.

  Newton stepped forward and hugged her. He held her tightly. He did not want to let go. He memorized how she felt in his arms.

  Then quietly, before he could stop himself, he leaned forward, and kissed her.

  Everything stopped. It lasted only a second. But it changed everything. He pulled back quickly.

  His mother’s eyes widened.

  Newton froze.

  He knew that look..Fear shot through him. He grabbed his bag quickly. “I have to go!”

  He turned and ran toward the ship before his mother could say any word. Behind him, Amalia stood frozen. Her fingers touched her lips.

  His mother stared after him in shock. Newton did not stop running. He did not look back. He crossed onto the ship. Behind him, the distance grew.

  The ship didn't take time to move.

  His mother raised her hand and waved. Her son waved back. She smiled. She did not know. She could not know. Her son was heading into a world where morality does not exist. A world where the cruel lives and the kind hearted dies off.

  The ship began to move slowly.

  The port drifted away..The people became smaller. Amalia stood there until she was only a blur.

  Newton stood at the railing. His fingers held the locket tightly. The ocean stretched endlessly ahead. Calm, peaceful, and silent.

  Far beneath that silence, something waited. Something ancient. Something watching.

  And far away, Where no human eye could see, a message appeared.

  SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:

  CANDIDATE ON THEIR WAY.

  ARRIVAL EXPECTATION: EIGHT DAYS.