Cheating with my boyfriend's best friend novel (Olivia and Aaron)

Chapter 306 New Friend

"Well, maybe you don't need to be so anxious." Ross's tone rose slightly, which sounded very soothing, "Even if you can't seeyour parents, believe me, the trip to the South Pole will be one of the most exciting experiences of your life."Perhaps my skeptical expression was toodirect, as Ross immediately became serious."I'm serious. The trip to the South Pole isunlike any other trip you've ever taken! Theroute we're taking will cross the Antarctic Peninsula, venture into the Ross Sea, and passthe International Date Line. Along the way, you'll see landscapes you've never seenbefore. Enormous icebergs, ice blocks thatnever melt, seas filled with broken ice, andvarious polar wildlife like penguins, whales, and seals can only be seen in polar regions. Not to mention the Drake Passage we'l becrossing in the next couple of days. Believeme, you're in for an experience like no other."Ross babbled on.

Her tone lifted, and her eyes sparkled.

And I had to admit, I was drawn to her

enthusiasm."Have you been to the South Polebefore?"

"Of course," Ross readily admitted."Thisroute is a favorite among many South Poletravel enthusiasts. Most people who comehere for the first time usually choose

itineraries that only include the Antarctic Peninsula or the Three Islands, withoutactually reaching the South Pole."

I was immediately in awe of Ross - honestly, the cost of coming to the South Pole was notcheap! My one-month vacation and the heftybonus I received were almost entirely drained by this trip to the South Pole.

Being able to enjoy multiple South Pole tripswas a privilege reserved for the wealthy orthe

privileged!

"Maybe you're right. Thank you, Ross, may Icall you that?" My mood was soothed, and the smile returned to my face.

After all, the journey had already begun. Outat sea, everything was unknown, and therewas no benefit in getting caught up inemotions.

I spent a pleasant mealtime with Ross.

During our conversation, Ross shared her pastexperiences.

She's a photographer and started traveling theworld after graduating from the School of Visual Arts in New York. So far, she and hercameras had visited over twenty countries andregions. She showed me pictures of elephantstaken on the African savannah, dunes

captured in the Sahara Desert, and a malemodel photographed on the streets of Tokyo.

I must say, the camera became trulyenchanting in her hands. Each photo

conveyed a strong emotion and was filledwith storytelling.

We hit it off during our conversation, and after leaving the restaurant, I took the

initiative to ask her for her Instagram account. However, when I opened my phone, the firstthing I

saw in the notification bar was anemail from Kirsty.

This was the first time my mother hadresponded to an email so quickly - it onlytook two hours! I clicked in.

"We got it. Please make sure to notify us ofthe specific date and time of your arrival atleast one day

in advance, and we will arrangefor someone to pick you up at Scott Cottage. We're looking forward

to your visit. TheSouth Pole is a fascinating place. You'll fallin love with it."

I looked up at Ross with a smile on my face.

"You must be my lucky star." I showed hermy mother's email,"See, I can go to McMurdo station again!"

"Congratulations." Ross hugged me warmly.

It was late at night by now, and after

exchanging Instagram accounts, Ross and Ibid each other farewell.

Before leaving, Ross gave me someseasickness pills.

"Did you see the vomit bags hanging everymeter in the corridor? If you don't want to usethose, you better take the pill on time."

I returned to my cabin with the pills, finishedmy bedtime routine, and prepared to sleep.

But when I woke up again, the sky was stillgloomy. What woke me up was not myinternal clock, but the violently shakingworld!

I turned my head and looked through thewindow. Over the vast gray-blue sea, a

shallow blue wave, at least one meter high, gradually surged. As the wave reached higher, its color became closer to white.

The hazy sky merged with the sea, and Icouldn't see where the horizon was. The only thing visible in my field of vision was thatmassive wave.

It surged toward the window, the foamy whitewaves crashing against the transparent glass. Then, all the waves quickly receded,

returning to the dark blue sea surface andpreparing for the next wave.

I wanted to scream, but the nauseating feelingin my stomach almost made me want tovomit.

I was extremely dizzy and weak all over -thisfeeling was truly unbearable!

Even though I had mentally prepared myselfin advance, I had underestimated the power ofthe notorious Roaring Forties.

As I sat up in bed, I noticed that the bag thatwas casually placed on the table was nowlying in a corner on the floor.

That was what happened when it was notsecured to the floor.

I attempted to stand on the ground,

overcoming the discomfort of the rhythmicswaying beneath my feet. I found my phoneand wanted to

check the time, only to realizeit was just after 4 a.m.!

I had slept for less than three hours! Nowonder my head hurt so much.

Just as I was about to put down my phone, Icaught a glimpse of a text message lying inthe

notification bar.

It was from Aaron.

Aaron: It takes about two days for the

Explorer to pass through the Drake Passage. There are seasick patches in the inner pocketof your backpack. You can stick them behindyour ears.

I picked up my backpack and rummaged through it, and sure enough, I found quite afew of them. Compared to seasickness pills, I preferred these patches for external use. I replied to himwith a "Thanks." Unexpectedly, Aaronimmediately called me.

"Are you feeling seasick?" I heard his familiarvoice coming from the phone. Aaron's voicewas slightly lower than usual as if he had justwoken up. His intonation had a slight rise, which felt particularly soothing in this quietroom.

I didn't know why, but just listening to hisvoice made me feel inexplicably at ease. "Yeah, a little. I just used your seasicknesspatches. Thanks."

"You're welcome. The Explorer will probablytake two days to cross the Drake Passage. During these two days, you should stay inyour room, lie down as much as possible, anddo not open the window - it's too dangerous, "Aaron spoke slightly faster, but quite clearly, and there was a hint of concern in his voice.

Few people had ever given me instructionswith such a caring tone.

It felt like.. a parent nagging their child whowas embarking on their first solo journey.

I had seen this kind of scene in many schooldramas and among my classmates when I wasyounger, but I had never personally

experienced this feeling. At this moment, Aaron's words seemed to be a puzzle piecethat silently

filled a void in my heart.

"I'm not a child. I can take care of myself,"I muttered.

There was a pause in Aaron's voice.

Then, a long sigh came from the other end ofthe phone.

"I'm really worried about you, Olive." He sounded upset, "I shouldn't have listened toyou and just gotten off the ship!"