Left Outside the Frame

Summary

The night before our post-graduation trip, we managed to secure only six express rail tickets.

Seven people. Six seats.

The odd one out would have to ride the overnight regional train—seventeen hours on a stiff, unpadded bench.

Eli, terrified that an open conversation might bruise feelings, posted an anonymous poll in our group chat instead.

"Who is best suited to take the overnight train?"

I hesitated for a long time, staring at the glowing blue screen of my phone, before finally tapping my own name.