Summer kills
Roads 1.2

They attended school like any other day but now with keen attention directed towards those who were less fortunate. They immersed themselves in conversations with these kids, gradually understanding the realities of life very different from their

own.

But the transformation did not come without resistance and hardships.

One evening at Ethan's house, his father confronted him. "You're making a spectacle out of yourself!" he growled after hearing about Ethan's experience on public transport. "It's a disgrace to our status!"

Ethan stared back at his father, his resolve unwavering. "I am trying to learn humility," he replied calmly, "something more valuable than status."

His father was taken aback by such bold assertion from his son. He watched Ethan walk away, leaving him in silent contemplation.

Simultaneously, confrontations brewed in other households too; parents armed with fury and disbelief while their children stood firm with profound determination.

It wasn't just their peers and parents who were puzzled by their altered behaviour; the servants in these grand mansions too were perplexed. They were not used to the unexpected politeness, the sudden interest in their lives and their problems. But as time passed, they too began to let down their guard and shared tales of their hardships.

But amidst the skepticism and struggles, they also found support in unexpected quarters. Teachers lauded them for their newfound maturity; underprivileged classmates were grateful for their empathetic attitude.

Each day, each conversation, each experience was shaping them anew. Their transformation was slow but significant.

The group continued to meet at their secret spot each night, sharing their experiences, discussing strategies to deal with upcoming challenges, and cementing their bond strengthened by shared purpose.

They knew this journey wouldn't be easy. They knew they'd falter along the way. But what mattered was that they had embarked on a path of self-discovery and social responsibility.

As they stared at the glimmering stars above them on one such night, they realized that those celestial bodies were not so different from them - all unique yet bound by a common universe; all shining brightly yet some overshadowed by others.

They were determined to reset the balance not only within themselves but in the society which, until now, had been skewed by their indifference. This was just the beginning of their odyssey towards a

more balanced and enlightened existence. They pledged to each other under the vast expanse of the cosmos, their words echoing out into the silent night.

In the days that followed, they brought about changes not just within themselves but also in the microcosm they inhabited. They organized fundraisers, set up charity drives, and even initiated a mentorship program for the underprivileged kids at school. Every action was guided by a newfound sense of empathy and a desire to make a difference.

Luxury parties were replaced with community outreach programs, designer outfits with practical wear. Their ostentatious display of wealth was gradually replaced by an aura of humility. However, this did not come without affecting their social standing within their circle of affluent friends. Once pillars of their elite society, they found themselves ostracised.

But they held strong in the face of adversity. Instead of feeling disheartened, they took it as proof that they were making progress. They remained steadfast, welcoming every challenge as an opportunity for growth.

Yet, amidst all these trials and tribulations, they never lost sight of their luxurious lives or dismissed their privileges entirely. They acknowledged them as part of their identities but refused to let it define them entirely.

It was in these moments that they truly grew; evolving from mere rich teenagers into young adults filled with purpose and promise. They were no longer just the heirs and heiresses strutting about in gleaming limousines but individuals that made a conscious effort to understand the world beyond theirs.

One such evening, Ava gazed out at the city skyline from atop her high-rise mansion-a cocktail party roaring behind her and saw more than just towering skyscrapers and twinkling lights; she saw an array of lives, each with its own struggles and joys. She saw a society marred by disparity yet thriving on hope; she saw a world where she could make a difference.

They continued to meet at their secret spot, no longer just to escape their lives, but to discuss how they could help change the worlds of those less fortunate. They had truly come a long way from being self-absorbed teenagers ruled by arrogance and ego.

From atop their hill under the infinite cosmos, they watched their city sleep, knowing full well that, come morning, they'd have new experiences to embrace and new challenges to overcome. But they weren't afraid anymore; they were ready. This was their journey now a journey towards understanding and empathy, a path trodden not by entitled teens but by responsible young adults committed to making a difference.

With the dawn of each day, the richly-draped windows of their mansions opened to more than just the rising sun; they opened to a world that needed them as much as they needed it. As they embraced this new life with open arms, they knew one thing for certain the rich teenagers were no more; in their place stood agents of change, on a journey towards understanding, empathy and growth. And this was only the beginning.

As the days turned into weeks, they delved deeper into this developing world they had chosen to inhabit. A world where privilege was a foreign word and survival was the daily struggle. They volunteered at the local orphanage, taught in makeshift classrooms and served food in soup kitchens. They were surrounded by squalor and hardship, yet the vibrancy of spirit and unyielding resilience they witnessed were humbling, inspiring even.

They saw children with sparkling eyes and laughter that echoed through the narrow, dust-covered alleys, despite their torn clothes and empty bellies. They saw women who carried unbearable loads yet walked with grace and strength. They saw men labouring under a scorching sun to earn a handful of coins for their families. Every interaction was another raw reminder of the inequity that existed in this world, an inequity they now felt a strong compulsion to fight. With every plight-filled tale of survival they heard and every pair of hopeful eyes they looked into, their resolve only strengthened. For all their wealth and privilege hadn't prepared them for this side of life-the raw pain, deep despair yet an unwavering joy in simple existence. This was real life raw, unfiltered, humbling.

In the midst of all this chaos and hardship, they found a beauty that was elusive back home-a beauty of shared laughter over a single loaf of bread; a moment of joy as an orphan learned to read his first word; a look of gratitude from an old man as he received his daily meal.

Each night they returned to their hilltop under the cosmos, recounting the day's experiences, sharing stories that moved them, lessons learned and plans for their future contributions. The city below slept as they forged dreams not just for themselves but for those they sought to uplift.

Their hearts had been touched by a reality so starkly different than what they knew. This experience had forever changed them, igniting the spark of a hopeful revolution within. They felt more alive than ever before, united in their purpose, their mission fueled by an insatiable desire to create a difference. Their adventurous journey into the depths of society had shown them life in all its rawness and had transformed these once self-absorbed teenagers into compassionate individuals, agents of change ready to make a lasting difference in the world.