"Elara, can we go on a trip?"
"A trip?"
Elara turned around from the counter, looking surprised. I sat at the dining table, nodding slowly. We had just finished dinner. I hadn't been hungry, so I had only picked at my food. Elara had eventually sat next to me and fed me with a spoon, one bite at a time, until I managed to finish half a bowl of rice.
"To an island," I said. "I've never been there."
She tilted her head. "Don't most kids go there for school trips?"
"My school went to the seaside instead."
I remembered how disappointed I was back then. An island had been a choice, but the school picked the cheaper option because of the budget. I had been so excited to finally ride an airplane, only to stay on the ground. I had promised Alex we would go together one day, but life always got in the way. We were too busy, too tired, or too broke. I had only ever seen the blue water of the island on TV, watching with envious eyes.
