It was the 30th of April, a stunning summer day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sunshine poured over the bustling city, the warm breeze carrying the scents of fresh fruit from nearby vendors. Under the shade of a grand, leafy tree, a small girl sat peacefully, relishing her swirled raspberry and vanilla ice cream. Life was perfect—or at least, it was for a few blissful minutes.
Then, chaos.
A shout erupted from the nearby Rio International School, breaking the calm like an earthquake. Startled, the girl gasped—her grip loosened—and there went her ice cream, splattering onto the pavement. Tragic. But what could make an entire school scream like that?
The answer: The Ringing Bell.
This wasn't just any bell. No, this was THE bell—the final signal before students were set loose upon the world. Summer vacation had begun, and nothing could contain their excitement. Imagine yourself in the classroom, watching the clock tick down, waiting for that last moment—then RING! You shout, you throw your books into your bag, and you sprint toward the door like it's the finish line of a race.
And that was exactly what happened here.
Students surged out of classrooms like a stampede of cattle, bursting through each school gate like level bosses in a video game. The final exit—the main gate—was the ultimate challenge standing between them and freedom. Some laughed, some screamed, others shared their grand vacation masterplans: "I'm gonna sleep until my mom thinks I disappeared!" "I'm watching every single movie ever made!" "I'm finally gonna learn how to surf!"
But among the chaos, three students stood still near the gate—two boys and a girl, all around 17. Unlike everyone else, they weren't rushing home. They were waiting.
Ray sighed dramatically, crossing his arms. "Where is Eric?"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Relax, Drama King. Juniors like Eric haven't been dismissed yet. Our grade got out early." She turned to Adven. "Tell him to chill."
Adven smirked, shaking his head. "Emily, he's your brother. You tell him."
Before she could respond, Eric finally appeared, bursting from the school doors, waving way too enthusiastically. His grin was as bright as the sun, pure joy written all over his face.
Now the group was complete.
As they walked home, the real discussion began. Ray wasted no time. "Bro, I wanna go somewhere epic this summer. No more museums, no more hiking. I want beaches, adventure, pure fun!"
Adven, the certified smart guy of the squad, grins. "Sure, we can head to the Grand Line. Pirates, treasure, danger... you'd love it."
Eric and Emily cracked up, while Ray just shook his head. "Serious answers, please?"
Then came the moment of deep thinking, the kind where everyone stares into space, contemplating life decisions. And then—out of nowhere—Eric spoke.
"Mexico! It has adventure, amazing beaches, cultural richness, and Miami is right next to it. It's literally perfect. Plus, our parents will probably allow it since it's close to home."
Shockingly, the idea made sense—which was unexpected, considering Eric usually speaks first, thinks later.
Eric's suggestion of Mexico wasn't just random—it was actually a solid choice. Mexico is a country bursting with adventure, culture, and stunning beaches, making it a perfect mix of thrill and relaxation.
Imagine this: Cancún, with its crystal-clear waters and endless beach parties. Tulum, where ancient Mayan ruins sit dramatically against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Mexico City, a vibrant hub of history, street food, and Lucha Libre wrestling matches. And let's not forget Puerto Vallarta, where you can zip-line through the jungle before stuffing yourself with tacos.
Ray was all in for Mexico. "Bro, this is perfect! We get adventure, beaches, and culture all in one trip!"
Eric nodded enthusiastically. "And Miami is right next to it! We could even do a dual trip—Mexico first, then Miami for the ultimate summer experience."
But Emily wasn't convinced. She leaned back, arms crossed, shaking her head. "Look, I get it—Mexico is fun. But if we're talking about culture, nothing beats Europe. Paris, London, Rome—these cities have centuries of history, luxury, and elegance. Imagine walking through the streets of Paris, sipping coffee at a fancy café, or exploring the grand castles of England."
Adven, ever the logical thinker, chimed in. "Europe is great, but Singapore is the real deal. It's futuristic, clean, and packed with tech innovations. Plus, it has some of the best street food in the world. You can go from exploring high-tech museums to chilling at Sentosa Island, where you can zip-line over the ocean."
Ray groaned. "Guys, we're not going on a history tour or a tech convention. We need fun! Mexico has beaches, adventure, and food—what more do you need?"
Emily rolled her eyes. "Ray, not everything is about beaches. I want to experience different cultures, not just lie in the sun all day."
Eric, sensing the tension, tried to mediate. "Okay, okay—how about this? We make a list of pros and cons for each place and see which one wins."
And so, the Ultimate Travel Debate officially began.
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Mexico Pros: ✔️ Beaches (Cancún, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta) ✔️ Adventure (Zip-lining, snorkeling, exploring Mayan ruins) ✔️ Food (Tacos, churros, street markets) ✔️ Close to home (Easier to convince parents)
Mexico Cons: ❌ Not as luxurious as Europe ❌ Some areas require extra safety precautions
Europe Pros: ✔️ Rich history (Paris, London, Rome) ✔️ Luxury & elegance (High-end shopping, castles, museums) ✔️ Diverse cultures (Different languages, traditions, and cuisines)
Europe Cons: ❌ Expensive ❌ Less adventure-focused
Singapore Pros: ✔️ Futuristic city (High-tech museums, modern architecture) ✔️ Amazing food (Hawker centers, Michelin-star street food) ✔️ Adventure spots (Sentosa Island, Universal Studios, night safaris)
Singapore Cons: ❌ Far from home ❌ Less traditional vacation vibes
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The debate raged on, with each person passionately defending their choice. But before they could reach a conclusion, Adven suddenly stopped talking.
Lagoon Lake was a sight to behold. The water, a mesmerizing shade of deep blue, stretched out like a vast mirror reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun. Gentle ripples danced across the surface, catching the light in a way that made it seem almost alive. The lake was surrounded by lush greenery, tall trees standing like silent guardians, their leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze. A narrow stone-paved walkway curved around the lake, inviting passersby to take a moment to soak in the tranquility.
For anyone walking by, Lagoon Lake had a strange effect—it was impossible not to feel a sense of inner peace. The air was cooler here, carrying the faint scent of fresh water and earth. The moment the group arrived, their lively debate came to an abrupt halt. It wasn't planned—it just happened. The lake had a way of quieting thoughts, making everything feel calm, focused, and strangely magical.
After soaking in the beauty, they finally reach their homes. And before you go wondering why they waited for Eric in the first place—let me clear it up. These four? Childhood neighbors. Practically family. The kind of bond that has survived everything from embarrassing middle school moments to exam panic.
As they parted ways, Ray turned to the others. "Alright, we need to finish this debate properly. Let's meet at my place at 2:30 PM."
Emily nodded. "Fine, but I'm bringing snacks. I refuse to sit through another argument without food."
Eric grinned. "I'll bring chips. And maybe some soda."
Adven smirked. "I'll bring logic. Someone has to keep this discussion on track."
Ray rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just be there on time."
Current time: 1:30 PM.
Each of them headed home, freshening up, grabbing their snacks, and mentally preparing for the Ultimate Travel Debate: Round Two.
One hour later—2:30 PM arrived.
Ray's room was bathed in golden sunlight, the scent of fresh lemonade- which his mom had made some, filled the air. Emily sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through her phone. Adven leaned against the desk, tapping his fingers rhythmically. Eric, as expected, was already munching on chips.
Ray stretched his arms behind his head, reclining lazily on his chair with a satisfied grin. "Okay," he announced, voice dripping with contentment, "We've officially started summer vacation. You know what that means?"
Eric, mid-chip crunch, raised an eyebrow. "That we finally get to sleep without alarms?"
Emily shook her head, sipping her lemonade. "No, it means Ray is about to say something dumb."
Ray gasped in mock betrayal. "How dare you?! I was about to say we do something fun first, before any of this vacation planning nonsense."
Adven smirked, leaning against the desk. "Agreed. We just got our freedom back—we're not wasting it on debates."
Eric dramatically flopped onto the floor. "Fun first, planning never!"
Ray laughed. "That's the spirit!"
So, what exactly did they do for fun? Well—Ray had way too many ideas.
Ray placed the carrom board on the desk, excitement gleaming in his eyes. The four friends settled around it, ready to play—but here was the catch. Ray hadn't brought this game for fun. Oh no, he brought it because he knew he would win.
See, when it came to sports or anything requiring physical skill, Ray was undefeated. He was the kind of person who could pick up any game, master it, and then dominate everyone else before they even knew what was happening. So, obviously, the outcome was already decided—Ray crushed them, taking victory after victory, making the match predictably boring.
After losing too many rounds, Adven finally snapped. "Alright," he said, crossing his arms. "I'm done with this. Let's play something else."
Ray, still grinning like the king of carrom, shrugged. "Fine. What do you wanna play?"
Adven smirked. "Chess."
Now, since chess only requires two players, Eric and Emily didn't participate in this one. Instead, Eric nudged Emily, eyes lighting up with an idea. "Sis, let's play video games on Brother Ray's PC."
Emily raised an eyebrow before breaking into a smile. "Now that's a nice idea, Eric. Let's do it."
And so, while Adven and Ray faced off in an intense chess battle, Emily and Eric turned on Ray's computer, selecting a fast-paced action game to burn some time.
As expected, Adven won chess effortlessly.
The thing about Adven was—he wasn't just smart, he was brilliant. The kind of guy who could ace exams without studying, yet still analyze a strategy game like a seasoned master. Ray stood no chance.
Meanwhile, as Emily and Eric finished their game, they switched over to watching anime and random TV shows, happily munching away on Eric's endless stash of chips.
Before they knew it, time flew by—and when Adven finally checked the clock, it was already past 6 o'clock.
Ray, satisfied with their fun-filled afternoon, stretched and said, "Alright, we've played enough today. Let's rest now and finally talk about our vacation plans before heading home."
Emily took a deep breath and looked at the others. They formed a circle, sitting comfortably on the floor, ready to have a proper discussion.
Emily spoke first. "I talked to my parents. They're fine with us going to Mexico. So honestly, I think that's not a bad plan."
Eric grinned and glanced at Ray—who was already smiling proudly.
Adven, nodding in agreement, said, "Same for me. My parents are okay with Mexico too."
But the way he said it—so casually—it was almost like the entire debate about Singapore never even happened.
And honestly—this moment hit close to home.
You know that thing where you boast in front of your friends? You confidently declare something wild like, "I'm totally going to climb Mount Everest one day", or "Next summer, I'm traveling across Europe."
Your friends nod in admiration, totally buying into your fantasy.
But then, when it's actually time to ask your parents? Yeah. You don't even try.
Because deep down, you already know the answer—and it's probably something like, "Sure, go ahead. Let me know when you buy your own plane."
Happens every time, right?
And by the way if you had to choose from the above destinations: Mexico, Europe and Singapore , what would have you chose?
Oh crap, I lost the track!
Back to the story...
After Emily and Adven had finally agreed on going to Mexico, and Miami seemed like the final choice, Eric suddenly spoke up, shifting the entire mood of the discussion.
He casually said, "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you guys something. Do you know why I suggested Mexico?"
Everyone's eyes widened.
Eric? Coming up with such a genius idea? They had to know how this happened.
Ray leaned forward, curious. "Wait—how did you come up with Mexico?"
Eric grinned, pausing just for dramatic effect before finally revealing, "Honestly? I only picked it because Ray wanted beaches."
Silence.
Then, after processing this revelation, the group burst into laughter.
Emily shook her head. "Of course. That's just so Eric."
But Eric wasn't done yet.
He smirked, looking at them with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Actually, I also have another reason for picking Mexico…"
The group exchanged glances. Was he serious?
He continued, "I was thinking of visiting the Bermuda Triangle—it's nearby. What do you guys say?"
The room went completely silent for a second.
Then—BOOM. Everything changed.
Their simple vacation just took an unexpected turn—because suddenly, they weren't just talking about relaxing on beaches anymore.
They were talking about mystery. About adventure. About the Bermuda Triangle.
And that, dear reader, is where things get really interesting.