PART 1

A private plane soared through the vivid, clear skies. The entire group of friends was excited about the trip that would relieve them from the stress of their recent exams.

“Finally vacation!” Emily exclaimed, raising her arms over her two-seat row.

“Look at how excited you are!” Anna said, sitting next to her friend.

“Of course. After exams, nothing beats a trip with all expenses paid,” Emily replied, recalling when Oscar had shared the good news.

At that time, the noisy chatter of students signaled the end of the university’s exam period—a moment Oscar seized to gather everyone.

“We’ve finished the exams. I’m so young and I’m going to have a heart attack,” Johnny said, overacting.

“I don’t think they were that hard,” Mike added, putting away his notes.

“Easy for the genius to say,” Johnny retorted, raising an eyebrow.

“All you need to do is study a bit. The problem is you’re lazy,” Andrew said, loosening the clip that held his hair.

“When you’re the heir to a major corporation, it’s hard to get motivated to study knowing your life is already set.”

“That’s because you’re lazy,” Emily corrected Johnny.

“I’m not, it’s just reality.”

“Yes, you are,” Anna supported Emily. “Look at Mike, his father is the CEO of one of the largest and most recognized cosmetics companies in the world—richer than you, Oscar, and me, and yet he still studies.”

“Flowers for Mike!” Emily teased.

“Shut up!” Anna shouted, completely blushing while Mike acted as if the situation didn’t concern him.

“Still… he’s still a genius,” Johnny added, crossing his arms.

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“Well, Andrew and I are almost at his economic level, and we study,” Emily said.

“I tip my hat to you,” Johnny finally conceded, making a gesture with his hand.

“Let’s change the subject,” Mike suggested, noticing Diana’s discomfort as she stared at the floor. “Why did you call us all here?”

“Well… you know I always keep my promises and despite all odds…” Oscar replied to Mike’s question. “I spoke to my father, and he agreed to let us use his private plane and cover our expenses in the Michi Islands, provided I got one of the top grades. In fact, he was surprised I managed to do it, as I usually don’t ask him for anything…”

“You’re just like Diana. As if you were poor,” Anna said, intending for Diana, seated behind them, to hear, with Emily showing disapproval at her comment.

Meanwhile, Diana was visibly anxious. Her gestures and reactions indicated her unease. Her family couldn’t afford recreational trips, so the idea of flying was particularly unsettling for her.

Mike, sitting across the aisle, noticed Diana’s slight trembling hands and decided to move closer to her.

“Are you okay?” Mike asked in a gentle tone.

“I’m a little afraid of flying.”

“Do you want me to keep you company until the plane lands?” Mike offered out of courtesy.

Since the moment he got up to move towards her, his decision was made. He planned to keep her company for as long as she needed, even if it meant forever.

With a sweet smile, Diana accepted Mike’s offer as the plane began to shake abruptly, increasing her tension. Nervously, she gripped the armrest as if her life depended on it.

“We’re passing through an area of turbulence. Please remain seated and fasten your seatbelts,” the pilot announced.

Even with her eyes closed, trying to think of something else, each movement of the plane tightened a knot in her stomach. The tension began in her feet, spread through her chest, and culminated in her head, instilling an irrational fear of flying. Suddenly, Diana felt a comforting warmth enveloping her hand. Not too tight, not too loose—just perfectly reassuring. Diana opened her eyes to see Mike looking at her with a smile that seemed to say, “Don’t worry, I’m here with you.”

But why was Mike like this? Why was he always so kind? She adored his courtesy but couldn’t, and wouldn’t, accept it in any form. Her feelings for him, contrary to what her mind wanted, grew stronger every day. Each act of kindness from him only fueled an affection she would have to confront in the future if she wanted to move past her feelings. She liked a guy with whom she would never have a chance.

“Stop being so nice!” Diana shouted, pulling her hand away. “I just want to say… you don’t need to worry about me.”

She corrected her tone upon seeing Mike’s surprised expression, then shifted her attention to the celestial landscape visible through the plane window.

A somber silence fell between them until the pilot announced they could get up from their seats. Diana complied, rising and heading to the seat next to Andrew, who was distractedly looking out the window.

“Andrew…”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Are you upset with me?” Diana asked, worried.

“No, why would I be?”

“Since the infirmary, you’ve been distant.”

“No. It’s just that I didn’t know how to react.”