Selene's POV
The morning sun cut through our living room curtains, falling in golden strips across Ayra's organized chaos. Maps, boots, jackets, snacks, first-aid kits—it looked like Everest base camp had exploded across our floor.
"I swear, if we carry any more energy bars, we could open a mountain-side grocery store," Ayra muttered, tying up her third pair of wool socks with a twine.
I was crouched beside my duffel bag, carefully folding my thermals. "We are going to a place called the Himalayas. Do you want to risk running out of snacks at 4,000 meters?"
She paused, considering. "Point taken. I'll pack two more."
We both burst into laughter. It was surreal. The idea of leaving behind our routine lives for this—cold breath, distant peaks, shared sunrises—was thrilling.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Antonio: Guess who just bought yak-wool mittens and forgot the size of his own hands?
I giggled.
Me: Don't tell me you got kid-size again.
Antonio: I panicked. They were labeled "cozy."
Me: I'm bringing you adult ones. Please return those.
He sent a selfie of him holding up the tiniest mittens known to man. In the background, Mira and Amara were trying on fleece jackets, while Devina checked a travel checklist with a pen tucked behind her ear.
Antonio's POV
I didn't realize how serious hiking prep was until Dad walked in with an actual altimeter.
"Don't forget this. And drink water like you're part fish."
"Duly noted," I said, watching as my sisters tried to pack their own "sibling adventure kit" in case I needed backup. Mira had included hot sauce and tarot cards.
"Do you think I'm summoning spirits at base camp?" I asked her.
"They might help you breathe better," she said solemnly.
Ayra's POV
Eliot was surprisingly calm. He showed up to help us pack with a waterproof backpack, labeled pouches, a sleep mask, and… a jar of lavender honey.
"You know this isn't a spa trip?" I raised a brow.
"It's for tea," he defended. "Imagine sipping it in front of the mountains. Don't knock it till you try it."
We were packing late into the night, switching from clothes to gear to snacks and then to playlists. Selene brought out a sketchpad and scribbled something—designs inspired by the Annapurna ridges, she claimed.
"You're actually going to create fashion inspired by glaciers?" I asked.
"Why not?" she smiled. "The mountains leave something behind in your soul. Might as well return the favor."
Group Chat: MOUNTAIN MADNESS
> Antonio: Bought crampons. Didn't know what crampons were until 10 mins ago.
Selene: If you wear them to the airport, I'm pretending I don't know you.
Eliot: Already downloading offline maps and meditations.
Ayra: Also downloading: ABBA for motivation.
Antonio: Should I be concerned?
Selene: Deeply.
Selene's POV
The final night before our flight, we sat in Ayra's room—suitcases lined, backpacks zipped, hearts half-packed with wonder.
We lay side by side, talking in whispers.
"Do you think this will change us?" Ayra asked.
I turned to look at her. "I hope so. Not in the 'we lose ourselves' kind of way. But maybe we'll find more of ourselves."
She smiled softly. "You know, I never thought I'd fall for someone like Eliot. Or go on a trek like this. Or… feel this excited."
"You deserve it all," I whispered.
"And you deserve Antonio."
She nudged me playfully, and I blushed like I hadn't already heard that a hundred times. But in that moment, everything felt possible—like the mountains were waiting for us, already whispering our names in the winds.