"We still don't know where we are going," Wyatt mused aloud, frustrated but also even more intrigued. Arthur had spent the rest of the meeting going through various logistic arrangements. They were all asked to get a list of vaccination, as well as an extremely detailed packing list that excludes any electronics.

"What about our phone?" Mr Carl had asked, his face panicky.

"We'll keep it at the departure point and hold it safe until your return," Arthur assured him. "We will do a luggage check so don't think that you can smuggle anything in."

They were set to leave in a week's time, much sooner than what Wyatt was comfortable with. He hadn't even told his parents about the plan, though it wasn't like they had cared about his summer holidays before. In fact, Wyatt was often the one who had to initiate contact with his parents. The two were busy enjoying their early retirement, jet-setting around the world.

"...mum is not happy that I won't be there to babysit, but she understand that this is pretty much my last hurray," George finished. Wyatt had evidently missed the first half of his monologue, not that he noticed.

"Oh yea, how's Tristan and Isabel?" Wyatt asked. George had a pair of twin siblings who are only eight. Wyatt adored the twins, who were much smarter than their brother but a lot to handle.

"Good, Isabel's got scholarship for a music program, and Tristan is hoping to make it to the Lacrosse team," George replied off-handedly before launching back to the tour. It was all he could talk about. "We really should go and get some new clothes for the trip."

Wyatt sighed. Another thing was that they were only allowed to bring simple, clothings made of natural material with no logo and zippers. In fact, Arthur went as far as including ideal outfit photos. Only a few of Wyatt's shirts and one track suit bottom had made the cut.

"Where do you think we are going?" Wyatt asked. George shrugged, seemingly couldn't care less about a trip that he was so excited to be on. They had been bombarded with questions from friends and strangers alike, and for once Wyatt was glad that he had signed the NDA. Besides, there really wasn't much to tell.

The media had somehow got ahold of a photo of every single one of them and put it in print. There were some backlash over the fact that George and Wyatt were friends and both got picked, as well as the Hatfield family all going on. But Arthur had made a public statement reminding the media and public that he had always stated that he would be choosing the lucky thirteen and this wasn't a random lottery.

To be fair, Wyatt couldn't figure out Arthur's criteria for choosing. While most of them were in their twenties, you also have the Hatfield family. The group was predominantly Caucasians, but he's Chinese and Riya was Indian, and he was pretty sure one of the other guy was Hispanic. Most of them were based in the UK, but the Hatfield family had flown in from New York.

Shaking his head, Wyatt decided that he best not drive himself crazy analysing Arthur's motive. It could all be completely random for all he knows.

Aside from getting ready for the trip, Wyatt also needed to clear his dorm for the summer, as well as throw a farewell corridor party. Being a Hall Senior really isn't all that fun, but at least he got to avoid renting. On the bright side, George was in such a good mood that he's letting Wyatt move everything temporarily to his room.

"It's not like I'd be there," he said as they unloaded the last box. The week had flown by and they were due to head to Heathrow airport in the evening. Arthur had collected their passport last week and that had made Wyatt uneasy.

"How much stuff do you have?" a voice sounded by the door and Wyatt turned to see Isabel peering at them. She had grown taller since the last time he came over, and her hair had continued to darken from the blonde she had as a kid.

"Hey Izzy, where's Dad?" George called. Isabel wrinkled her nose and glared at her brother. Wyatt stifled a smile. George knew Isabel hated being called Izzy. The two of them started to bicker and Wyatt wished that he had a sibling.

"You guys ready?" George's dad appeared by the door with Tristan in tow. Uncle John had been kind enough to offer to drive the boys to the airport, and the twins were going to tag along so they could go into the city afterwards.

"As ready as I'd ever be," Wyatt said, surveying his surrounding. He had on the cotton tunic that came with the welcome pacakge and loose linen trousers in a similar colour. It looked almost like he was wearing pajamas.

"You two are dressed funny," Tristan piqued up, sharing a giggle with Isabel. George swung his duffel bag towards the twins and they dodged out of the door, still laughing.

George spent the entire drive double checking his bag while the twins preppered them with questions. Fortunately for them, the drive was just over an hour long.

Wyatt checked his phone again, still no new messages from his parents. He had told them that he'd won't be home for the summer, and they didn't seem to bothered. He wanted to tell them about the mystery tour on video call, but they hadn't told him when they were free. Since they were going to leave their phone with Uncle John, Wyatt knew that he should just send them a message now instead.

Will be without phone for the summer. Call Uncle John if you need to reach me.

There, nothing about the mystery tour. Wyatt hit send and leaned back against his chair, feeling strangely nostalgic. He looked forward to the adventure, but on the other hand, not knowing where he was going filled him with fear.

"Wyatt, will you buy something from there for me?" Isabel's voice pulled him out of his head. Wyatt smiled and ruffled her hair, causing a pout.

"Of course, what do you want?" he asked, happy for a distraction.

Isabel shrugged. "Something you can't get here," she finally answered, then held out her little finger. "Pinky promise?"

Wyatt laughed and hooked his pinky to Isabel's. "Promise."

"Bloody hell..." Uncle John cussed and it only took a second for Wyatt to see why. The departure lane was flooded with cars triple, no, quadruple parking and blocking the entire lane.

"What do you think it's happening?" Tristan asked, climbing forward to get a better look. "There are people with big cameras."

"Maybe Beyonce is landing?" Isabel suggested, craning her neck around her brother's head. Uncle John chuckled and pulled into the lane that leads to the short-stay parking lot.

"Whatever it is, we better stay out of the way," he said, snagging an empty parking space that had just become available.

Nerves started building up higher as Wyatt headed towards their meeting point. But before they could even make it to the parking lot exit, they were stopped.

"Juliette?" Wyatt was surprised to find the girl half hidden behind a pillar. She was wearing a long dress in a similar cut to his tunic, her dark hair pulled into a single braid.

"There are reporters everywhere," she whispered, gesturing for them to get closer.

"You're really pretty," Isabel whispered, tugging at Juliette's sleeves. Juliette looked down at her and smiled.

"Thanks, you are really pretty too," she said, her voice soft. Tristan made a gagging noise, which turned Juliette's attention back to them.

"I'm hoping to find a way in without getting my photo taken," she explained. George nodded understandingly, and Wyatt peeked out to see that there was indeed a few reporters milling about.

"That's easy, we'll go out and you can go around while their attention is on us," George said. Before Wyatt had time to process what he said, he was dragged right into the lion's den.

"Mr Richmond! How are you feeling?"

"Are you ready for the trip?""Do you have any guesses as to where you are going?"

"Mr Cheng, how do you feel about being the only Chinese on the trip?"

"Mr Richmond, is that your family?"

Wyatt's eyes started to water from the camera flashes. He raised his arm to shield his eyes, trying to forge forward blindly. George still had a hand firmly on his right shoulder and was clearly enjoying the attention.

"Yes, that's my family. No, we have no idea where we are headed but we are excited to start the journey!" he replied enthusiastically. Wyatt cringed as more questions were asked. The reporters were feeding on George's attention and he wasn't sure if it was going to end well.

"Let's get going, son, we don't want you to miss your flight." Uncle John pushed his way to the front and smiled apologetically at the reporters. Naturally, not all of them were happy to hear that.

"We are supposed to go to zone 1," Wyatt whispered under his breath, afraid that the reporters would overheard. George was still waving so he grabbed onto his elbow and marched down. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Wyatt wondered if Juliette had used the chance to go ahead undetected.

Still tailed by a few determined reporters, they made their way through the terminal. Wyatt's heart beat faster and faster as they neared their destination. A part of him still thought all this could be a joke, but now it's getting real.

"Glad you see you both," Arthur's smooth voice greeted them as soon as they rounded the corner. The Hatfield family had already gathered, looking much more approachable if not a bit more grouchy in the homespun. Juliette was there as well with her head cast down, but the area was surprisingly camera free.

"I'm afraid this is where your family must say goodbye," Arthur added. Wyatt took a step back to see that it was a lounge, and Arthur was standing at the entrance.

"See you in two months," George exclaimed, giving his dad a hug. Wyatt bended down to hug the twins, wishing that his parents could be here, too. Not that it mattered. They were use to not seeing him anyway.

"Oh, your phones," Uncle John said. Wyatt and George handed their mobile to Uncle John, which admittedly made Wyatt a bit uneasy.

"Have fun!" Isabel squealed. Wyatt gave them one last wave before heading into the lounge.

"I've never seen this part of the airport before," Wyatt mused aloud. He flew home at least once a year, thrice when he was in boarding school, so he thought he knew the airport well. Apparently not.

"This is a private lounge. Now that we are all here, we will be commencing the next part of the journey," Arthur said. Wyatt cringed at the thought at arriving last, but a look at the clock told him that they were indeed a few minutes late.

"No need to trouble yourself, Mr Cheng. We are perfectly on schedule," Arthur said and put a hand on his shoulder, steering him towards the other end of the lounge. Wyatt turned to see everyone else filing in behind them. He swallowed hard; where could they be possibly going?

The door took them out to the tarmac, without any security or passport check. As his eyes adjusted to the harsh lights, Wyatt's eye widened.

"Is that a private plane?" George asked next to him. It was intended to be a whisper, but Wyatt was sure that everyone could hear.

"Don't be such a country pumpkin," Mr Hatfield said, striding towards the plane as though it was the most natural thing to do in the world.

"Where are we going?" Wyatt asked to no one in particular.

"The Himalayas."

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Time for the story to truly get started! I'm a planner when it comes to traveling and this would have stressed me out to no end - I won't even know what to pack.

What about you?