Chapter 5 - Road trip

The morning light was just beginning to fill the sky as the group gathered in front of Astraea's car, excited for their long-awaited road trip. Everyone had been preparing for weeks, and now, the moment had finally arrived.

Lyn stood by the car, making sure everything was packed neatly in the trunk. Julia and Astraea double-checked their bags and confirmed they hadn’t forgotten anything important. Stella, her energy practically overflowing, was holding her favorite travel pillow, already ready for the long ride ahead.

“We’re all set here!” Julia said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “How about you two?” she added, glancing at Astraea and Lyn.

“We’re good,” Lyn replied with a thumbs-up as she closed the trunk. “Everything’s packed, snacks are ready, and the playlist is set. Tank is full, everything is perfect.”

Astraea nodded, leaning against the car. “Just waiting on Derek and Septis now. I hope they didn’t forget anything.”

As they waited, the sound of a car engine approached. The group turned to see Septis’s sister’s car pulling up. The car stopped, and the doors opened. Derek and Septis stepped out, both carrying their bags.

“Morning!” Derek called, grinning. “Sorry we’re late. Had to make sure we didn’t leave anything behind.”

Septis, always the calm one, gave a small smile. “My sister was kind enough to give us a ride on her way to work. It worked out.”

“Glad to see you made it!” Astraea said, grinning. “Now we’re all here. Let’s get going!”

Everyone quickly piled into Astraea’s car. Derek, Julia, Lyn and Stella settled into the back seats, while Septis slid into the passenger seat next to Astraea.

Once they were all settled, Astraea started the engine, and the car roared to life. The group exchanged excited smiles, the road trip finally beginning.

“We’re officially on our way,” Astraea said as she pulled out of the driveway.

Lyn looked out the window, watching as the city slowly faded behind them. “This is going to be so much fun,” she said, her voice filled with anticipation.

“I can’t wait to see all the places we’re going to visit,” Julia added, pulling out a map from her bag. “I’ve planned some pretty amazing stops along the way.”

Stella bounced in her seat, her excitement infectious. “I want to see all the animals! And I hope we can stop at that ice cream place you told me about, Mama!”

“We’ll definitely stop for ice cream,” Lyn promised, glancing at her daughter with a smile. Everyone looked at Stella with a smile.

As Astraea drove, the car settled into a comfortable rhythm, with the group chatting, laughing, and exchanging stories. The journey ahead was full of promise, and as the miles passed, everyone knew this would be a road trip they would never forget.

The world was wide open, and together, they were ready to explore it.

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