Part 1The Cheapest Trip Turned Nightmare

Senior year was finally over, and my class was buzzing about a graduation trip. I stepped up and offered to have my family's travel agency put together an exclusive package.

A ten-day, nine-night grand tour across five European countries. All inclusive for just $2,500.

My classmates were practically shoving their wallets into my hands, thrilled by the deal. That is, until Jessica, the undisputed queen bee of our class, suddenly spoke up.

"We're all classmates, Harper. Don't you think it's a little messed up to scam us like this?"

She crossed her arms, her perfectly glossed lips set in a pout. "I was looking at another agency online. A full European tour is only $900. There are forty of us in this class. I can't even imagine the kind of kickback you're pocketing from this."

The hands reaching out to pay me froze in mid-air.

"Sixteen hundred dollars is a massive difference. I could buy a new laptop with that."

"Yeah, maybe we should rethink this."

Just like that, the entire class pivoted, flocking to Jessica's recommendation. I simply waved my hand, completely unbothered. Let them go.

An all-inclusive European vacation for $2,500 meant the flights alone were eating up nearly two grand. My family was essentially subsidizing this trip as a graduation gift to my friends.

I knew exactly which agency Jessica was talking about. A $900 European getaway? I could only wish them the best of luck surviving it.

* * *

"Two thousand five hundred is just absurd."

Jessica's voice acted like a bucket of ice water dumped over the class's excitement. Everyone stared at her, their eyes caught between confusion and shock.

"Every agency is slashing prices right now. I was scrolling through TikTok last night and saw a sponsored stream for a twelve-day, seven-country European package. It's literally $900."

To prove she wasn't bluffing, she pulled out her phone and held it up.

A flashy promotional flyer filled the screen, with a massive, bold red "$900 ONLY" stamped across the top left corner.

I didn't say a word. I just sat at my desk and watched them.

I had grown up running errands and doing grunt work in my parents' travel agency. I knew exactly how deep and dirty the water in this industry could get.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. And if a pie falls from the sky, it's usually made of concrete.

One of my closer friends in the back row chimed in, sounding hesitant. "Isn't $900 a little too cheap? I looked up flights to Paris yesterday, and the absolute cheapest economy ticket was like twelve hundred bucks."

Jessica pulled her phone back, a smug, unwavering smile on her face.

"I asked the streamer about that! This specific agency has massive government tourism subsidies backing them up. That's why they can practically give the spots away. And they guaranteed in writing that there are zero forced shopping stops."

Hearing that, the skepticism in the room began to melt.

A sixteen-hundred-dollar difference was impossible to ignore. Anyone in their right mind would at least pause to consider it.

"Harper, I'm just looking out for everyone's wallets. You won't hold it against me, right?" Jessica batted her eyelashes, her tone dripping with fake innocence.

"I mean, look at guys like Ben and Marcus. Their families are really struggling right now. $2,500 is way too heavy of a burden for them. I just want our whole class to be able to make memories in Europe together."

She specifically named the guys who were on full financial aid. It was true, their families didn't have much to spare.

I nodded, keeping my expression entirely neutral. "Of course not. I was only providing an option. Nobody is holding a gun to anyone's head."

I let a beat pass before I added my warning. "But $900 for that kind of itinerary is dangerously cheap. I highly suggest you guys look into the fine print before handing over your money."

Jessica's smile instantly went stiff. Being publicly challenged by me clearly bruised her ego.

"Give it a rest, Harper. You can fool them, but you can't fool me."

She rolled her eyes. "Everyone knows your family's agency loves to lock tourists in shady souvenir shops until they buy overpriced garbage. You guys literally made the local news."

I shifted my gaze to Liam.

Our families had known each other for years. His parents were executives at a major airline and did a lot of B2B business with my parents. Everyone in class knew we had history.

So when he stood up and echoed Jessica's accusation, his words carried the lethal weight of an insider's testimony.

Instantly, the way my classmates looked at me shifted. The excitement turned into cold, hard suspicion.

"Harper, I'm starting to think your package is a rip-off. I'm going with Jessica's group."

"Can you refund my Venmo? My mom said I should take the cheaper option."

The same people who were cheering my name ten minutes ago were now crowding my desk, demanding their deposits back.

I pulled out my phone and processed every single refund without a flinch.

The $2,500 price tag was already a charity case from my parents. If they didn't want to go, they were just saving my family thousands of dollars.