Part 3The Cheapest Trip Turned Nightmare

Staring at the glowing screen, a harsh laugh escaped my throat.

When did I ever agree to go? They were making decisions for me and trying to publicly guilt-trip me into compliance.

"When you pitched this trip, you said participation was voluntary. I am voluntarily opting out. End of discussion."

I hit send, then immediately went to the settings and left the group chat entirely.

We had graduated. There was absolutely no reason to stay tied to these people anymore.

The next morning, Sarah walked into the agency right on schedule. My mom and I sat her down in the VIP lounge with fresh coffee.

"This $3,500 covers round-trip direct flights, visa processing, a fully bilingual tour guide, all four-star accommodations, and three meals a day," I explained, sliding the glossy brochure across the glass table. "It hits all the major historical landmarks. You guys literally don't have to use your brains for ten days. Just follow the guide and have fun."

Sarah flipped through the packet, her eyes lighting up more with every page.

The last page was a compilation of reviews from previous student groups. They were unfiltered and real. Even the few negative reviews were just standard travel complaints about jet lag or walking too much, nothing to do with the agency's integrity.

I AirDropped the digital version to her, and she immediately forwarded it to her class chat. Her phone started pinging like a slot machine.

"This is incredible. My whole class is in. We can wire the money today!"

My mom and I exchanged a look. My mom pulled out a stack of crisp, formal documents.

"We need these signed first. Even though most of you are eighteen now, your parents are the ones funding this trip. We absolutely require a signed parental consent and emergency contact form before we take a dime."

Sarah respected the professionalism. She took the stack of forms and promised to return in three days with the signatures and the full payment.

I walked Sarah out to the parking lot. As she was getting into her car, a familiar figure stepped into my line of sight.

Liam marched right up to me, his chest puffed out with unearned arrogance.

"Jessica just told me the news," he said, practically beaming. "The agency she booked with was so thrilled we brought them a forty-person group that they comped one ticket. The class took a vote, and we decided to give the free spot to you. You don't have to pay a cent, and you still get to come."

I stared at him, utterly baffled.

What kind of bizarre obsession did they have with me? Why were they trying so desperately to drag me onto this sketchy trip?

A cold sliver of suspicion slid down my spine. This wasn't just peer pressure anymore. This felt like a setup.

My eyes hardened into chips of ice. "I don't need your charity. I am not going on that trip. Give it up."

Liam's face flushed with immediate anger. "Why are you being such an ungrateful bitch? Jessica is trying to save everyone money. Unlike you, who clearly sold your soul for a quick buck. You're getting a free vacation to Europe, you should be on your knees thanking her."

I didn't need their $900. And my reason for staying behind was simple.

I valued my life.

Going overseas on a dirt-cheap, unverified tour group was a massive gamble. Once you land in a foreign country, you are completely at their mercy.

"Does your mom even know you're flying to Europe on a discount budget tour?" I asked, my voice deadly quiet. "Stop harassing me, Liam. Or I'll call Mrs. Wright right now and tell her exactly what you're doing."

Liam was a spoiled rich kid. He was an only child, and his parents watched him like a hawk. If they knew he was flying halfway across the world with a sketchy $900 agency, they would lock him in his bedroom until college started.

Right on cue, his arrogant sneer faltered. He fell dead silent.

It took him a long moment to recover his voice. "You're a real piece of work, Harper. Just wait."

Sarah, who had been watching the entire exchange through her rolled-down window, looked at me in disbelief. "Why are you fighting them so hard on a free trip?"

"They found some random agency online charging $900 for a ten-day European tour. I like living. I'm not going."

Sarah let out a sharp laugh. "$900? There's definitely going to be some aggressive forced shopping. Once you're out there, they'll confiscate your passports and lock you in a warehouse until you max out your credit cards. They have zero survival instincts."

I didn't reply.

Forced shopping was the best-case scenario. My worst fear was that this agency didn't want their money. They wanted their lives.