What began as a spontaneous spring break plan led to wild adventures, unexpected romance, and personal revival. As he organized a trip to Mexico, one encounter would leave him questioning whether it was love at first sight—or just the rush of something new.

Disclaimer

• All characters and events in this chapter —even those based on real people—are entirely fictional.
• The following chapters contain coarse language and situations and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

Chapter 15 “Springbreak Mexico Trip”

Spring break—an intoxicating mix of revelry and relaxation. As my classmates at Anderson brainstormed ideas for the annual pilgrimage, I felt a twinge of regret. Having already taken a trip to Japan with my mom, I had unintentionally ruled myself out of the coveted Japan spring break excursion.

But fate has a funny way of stepping in. One evening, during a casual game of basketball at the gym, opportunity knocked. As we shot hoops and traded stories, some friends expressed their desire to visit Mexico. Without hesitation, I blurted out, "Screw it, I'll organize a Mexico trip!" And just like that, plans were set in motion.

As luck would have it, students from other sections were already planning to attend a wedding in Mexico, and our groups merged into a thirty-person brigade. The idea of a week-long escapade—filled with wild parties, sun-drenched beaches, and copious amounts of tequila—both thrilled and terrified me.

I wondered what lay ahead. Would we survive unscathed, or would Mexico's endless temptations prove too great? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain—this was going to be a spring break for the books.

Organizing the trip was a much-needed distraction, pulling me further out of the haze that had settled over me in the months prior. Slowly, I felt like myself again. Then, in the midst of this resurgence, I saw her—the most ravishing girl I had ever laid eyes on.

It happened at a Brazilian carnival event in downtown LA. The vibrant music and kaleidoscope of colors faded into the background as I locked eyes with her. She was radiant, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down.

Summoning the courage I didn’t know I had, I approached her. She was with another Mexican guy, but my quick-thinking friends from UCLA stepped in and diverted him while I seized the opportunity to talk to her.

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, and as the night unfolded, I found myself captivated by her charm. By the end of the evening, I asked for her number. To my delight, she handed it over with a smile. I left the carnival that night in a state of euphoria, the music still echoing in my ears, but my heart racing for entirely different reasons.

I wasted no time asking her out, and to my relief—and excitement—she said yes. When the day of our date arrived, I was stunned by her beauty all over again. Tall, blonde, and effortlessly elegant, she was everything I had imagined and more. I couldn’t help but compare her to Elisha Cuthbert in The Girl Next Door.

As we spent more time together, everything seemed to fall perfectly into place. I felt invincible—walking on air and seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.

I proudly introduced her to my entire section, and she won them over instantly. Her warmth, lively personality, and genuine nature made her an instant favorite. A classic night at a Westwood karaoke bar cemented her place in our social circle. By the end of the evening, everyone was singing her praises—literally.

I couldn’t keep the excitement to myself. I shared stories and photos with friends and family back in Mexico, gushing about how lucky I felt. Social media became a highlight reel of our adventures, captioned with declarations of love.

For the first time, I genuinely believed I had found “the one.”

But destiny, as fickle as it is, had other plans.

Ironically, during that very week, our operations professor unveiled a new class slogan—"Don't believe in love at first sight." My classmates, well aware of my blossoming romance, couldn’t resist teasing me. We laughed, and I chalked it up to a coincidence.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—was I truly experiencing love at first sight, or was I simply caught up in the thrill of something new? I didn’t have the answers, but for the moment, I was happy to ride the wave.

The honeymoon phase lasted for about a month. Everything felt like it was falling into place. I was so smitten that I even considered canceling my spring break trip—or bringing her along to Acapulco to meet my mom and join my friends.

Unfortunately, her work commitments made it impossible for her to take time off, and we reluctantly parted ways for the week.

But even as I boarded the plane, my thoughts lingered on her.

I spent the next few days plotting the perfect birthday surprise. Then, inspiration struck—Coachella tickets.

It was perfect. Coachella was already on my radar; I had planned to attend with friends and other couples. Now, it could double as the ultimate birthday gift. I envisioned us dancing under the desert sky, sharing unforgettable memories at one of the world’s most iconic music festivals.

I imagined her excitement when I handed her the tickets, picturing how the festival would bring us even closer.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that the road ahead wasn’t as smooth as I envisioned. Our budding romance was about to be tested in ways I hadn’t foreseen.