Calliope and her friends had already set a time to meet up, so by the afternoon, everyone had packed their bags and piled into the cars for their road trip.


    Ss had let Uriah know about the ns, too.


    Uriah couldn''t head out with them right away, but after some gentle nudging from Ss, he agreed to catch up with the group the next day.


    So, with the music sting and everyone in high spirits, they headed south, nning to make little adventures out of every stop along the way.


    That very night, they rolled into the first small town on their list, a ce famous for its old-world charm.


    After dropping their luggage at the hotel, Calliope and the gang headed out to explore.


    The streets were packed. People everywhere,ughter echoing, food stalls selling everything from hot dogs to funnel cakes. It was impossible to stick together in the crowd.


    Eventually, somewhere between the vintage candy shop and the street performers, they got separated.


    Luckily, Calliope had made a group chat ahead of time. She quickly messaged everyone: "Way too crowded! Let''s just wander around on our own and meet upter."


    Honestly, walking together in that crowd was exhausting, much easier to split up and enjoy the chaos solo.


    Ss, always keeping a close eye on Calliope, managed to stick with her. They wove through the crowds, hand in hand, never losing each other.


    Meanwhile, Archie found himself jostled away from everyone else.


    Just as he was rolling his eyes at his luck, he spotted Quentin, who looked equally out of ce, leaning against amppost.


    "Hey!" Archie called out, grinning. "You flying solo, too?"


    "Man, the crowd swallowed everyone up in a blink," Quentin replied, shaking his head. Even a trained Marine wasn''t a match for this mob.


    "No worries. Callie said we should just do our own thing if we get lost. If you don''t mind somepany, we could check out the town together."


    Archie shed a crooked smile. "Though, two dudes wandering around a romantic old town might look a little weird..."


    Quentinughed. “Nah, just friends hanging out. Nothing weird about that.”


    So the two of them set off together, disappearing into the throng.


    Elsewhere, Portia nearly lost her bnce in the swarm but was caught just in time by Julius.


    "You alright?" Julius asked, ncing down at her with concern.


    "I''m fine, just a little freaked out,"


    Portia admitted, her eyes wide..


    "People were pushing like it w


    ck Friday. Is there something


    ing up ahead?"


    "Looks like someone''s giving away free stuff. Everyone''s stampeding for it."


    Julius nced over his shoulder and smiled. "d you''re okay. Let''s steer clear of the crowd, safer that way."


    "Wanna stick together?" Portia


    asked, scanning the crowd for their friends. "Everyone''s scattered. Callie said not to waste time searching for each other, just enjoy the night. If we''re meant to, we''ll bump into each other again."


    Julius''s eyes sparkled with "Honestly, I''m not a fan of There''s a quieter side street


    there. Want to check it


    "Sounds good!" Portia agreed.


    They were just about to head off when a voice rang out above the noise.


    "Oh my god, is that Julius?"


    "No way! It is! Julius is here!"


    "Who''s that girl with him? Ugh, she better not be his girlfriend. If Julius has a girlfriend, my heart''s broken!"


    Julius just sighed. Fame was a double-edged sword. Sure, it paid well, but getting recognized in public was always a hassle.


    He hesitated, wondering if he should just grab Portia and make a run for it.


    But Portia was Callie''s best friend. He couldn''t just leave her behind.