SPIDER-CHICA!

Friday had finally arrived - the day of the school trip. For most students, it was a day of excitement and freedom, but for the teachers, especially Mr. Cummings, it was a day of chaos and stress.

"Roberts! Put that down!" Mr. Cummings bellowed, his face turning an impressive shade of crimson as he caught yet another student trying to smuggle contraband onto the bus. His voice echoed across the parking lot, causing a few pigeons to take startled flight.

Meanwhile, Raphaela and Jasmine found themselves trapped in what felt like their own personal hell. Seated next to Ben Bens Hur Junior for the entire five-hour journey, they were subjected to an endless monologue about his family's business empire and his own perceived greatness.

As the bus finally rolled to a stop at the campsite, Raphaela and Jasmine bolted for freedom. They hit the ground running, their sneakers kicking up dust as they made a beeline for the restrooms. But their relief was short-lived as they heard the telltale sound of hurried footsteps behind them.

"Ben?" Raphaela called over her shoulder, not daring to slow down.

"Yes, Raphaela?" came the eager reply.

"Are you seriously going to follow us to the toilet too?"

"Of course not! But why are you two going together?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Because it's a girl thing, Ben!"

Jasmine, who had caught up with them, grabbed Raphaela's hand and pulled her toward the restroom. "Come on, let's go!", she said with a playful wink, dragging Raphaela toward the restrooms.

Ben still didn't get the hint. Even as they disappeared into the bathroom, he lingered outside like a lost fart drifting aimlessly through the desert.

The girls ducked into the bathroom, leaving a confused Ben hovering outside like a lost puppy. Inside, they took full advantage of their Ben-free moments. Gossip was exchanged in hushed whispers, phone screens lit up with the latest chapters of their favorite light novels, and a deck of cards materialized from Jasmine's backpack.

"Hey, check this out," Raphaela grinned, striking a yoga pose that was more comical than graceful in the cramped space.

Time flew by, and when they finally emerged from their sanctuary, they were met with a sight that made them wish they could retreat back into the safety of the restroom.

There, in all his glory, like a guardian of awkwardness, was THE MYTH! THE LEGEND! THE CREEP IN EVERY SCHOOL GIRL'S WORST NIGHTMARE! BEN BENS HUR JUNIOR!!!!! He was clutching three plastic plates piled high with food, a hopeful smile plastered across his face.

"Finally! You guys are out," Ben exclaimed, relief evident in his voice. "Mr. Cummings was getting worried, but don't stress - I covered for you. Oh, and I grabbed some food. Didn't want you to miss out."

Raphaela's eyes lit up at the sight of the food. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her just how long they'd been hiding out. She lunged forward, hands outstretched. "Where's mine?!"

Jasmine's hand shot out, grabbing the back of Raphaela's hoodie and yanking her back. "Raphaela Gomez!" she hissed. "What do we say first?"

Raphaela's face scrunched up in a pout that would put a toddler to shame. She mumbled something unintelligible.

"What was that?" Jasmine pressed.

"Thank you, Ben," Raphaela grumbled, her eyes never leaving the plate of food.

"No problem," Ben said, his warm smile brightening as he handed over the fullest plate. "Hope this is enough to satisfy that monster appetite of yours."

Raphaela didn't bother with a reply. She snatched the plate, dropped into a squat right there on the dusty ground, and began inhaling the food like it was her last meal.

Jasmine watched her friend with a mix of amusement and horror. "Geez, Raph. You're worse than my little brother."

"No, I'm not," Raphaela mumbled through a mouthful of food, sending bits of mashed potato flying.

Ben, ever the peacemaker, chimed in. "I think she just has a healthy appetite."

Before Jasmine could retort, a bellow cut through the air, making them all jump.

"You lousy brats!"

Mr. Cummings stormed towards them, his face a thundercloud of fury. His clipboard sailed through the air, bouncing off the ground with a clatter. "You had me worried sick, and now look at you! Sitting here like you've done nothing wrong!"

He paused, chest heaving, as he glared at each of them in turn. "I can see now why most teachers refuse to come on these trips. YOU. ARE. MONSTERS!" His voice cracked on the last word. "Unfortunately, some of us need the money, dammit!"

The trio stared at him, wide-eyed and frozen. Even Raphaela had stopped mid-chew, a piece of carrot hanging precariously from her lower lip.

Suddenly, as if realizing he'd gone too far, Mr. Cummings deflated. He bent to retrieve his clipboard, brushed off his khakis, and straightened his polo shirt. When he looked up, his face was a mask of forced calm.

"I... I apologize for that outburst," he said, his voice strained. "Sometimes life gets a little overwhelming, and we teachers - who are people too, mind you - need to release the negative energy you kids build up with your... your lack of diligence and respect for authority."

He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses, which had gone slightly askew during his tirade. His hand moved to his head, patting down the three lonely hairs that clung desperately to his scalp.

"Now, if you don't mind," he continued, his tone clipped, "please make your way to the designated dining area. It should be painfully obvious that this is not an appropriate place for a meal." He shot a pointed look at Raphaela, who had the grace to look slightly abashed. "I need to take roll call. So come along now."

With that, Mr. Cummings spun on his heel and marched off, muttering under his breath about early retirement and the virtues of a nice, quiet library job.

"Wow! What a man," Ben Bens Hur Junior exclaimed, clapping his hands together with genuine admiration for Mr. Cummings' dramatic exit.

Jasmine rolled her eyes and tugged at Raphaela's sleeve. "Let's go, Raph."

"But I'm still eating, Jasmine," Raphaela whined, her mouth full and her plate still half-loaded with food.

Ben, ever the mediator, chimed in. "Let the girl finish eating. What's the rush?"

Jasmine shot him an exasperated look. "The rush is not getting into more trouble. She can walk and eat, can't she?" She turned back to Raphaela, beckoning with an impatient wave. "Come on, come on. I'd like to get there before nightfall, if possible."

With a dramatic sigh that would put any soap opera star to shame, Raphaela hauled herself to her feet. Her shoulders slumped forward, bottom lip jutting out in an impressive pout. She shuffled forward, each step a portrait of teenage misery.

"Look what you've done," Ben said, shaking his head at Jasmine. "She's sad now. You'll probably end up giving her depression or something."

Jasmine snorted, linking her arm through Raphaela's. "She's a big girl, Ben. She'll survive the trauma of having to walk while eating. So you don't need to worry, Ben Bens Hur Junior!"

As the girls started to walk away, Ben's eyebrows shot up in sudden realization. "Ah, I see now what my father meant," he mused, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "They really do say your full name when they're angry with you."

He trailed behind them, lost in thought about the intricacies of teenage social dynamics and the apparent power of full names. The campground buzzed with activity around them, other students setting up tents and unpacking gear, their chatter and laughter filling the air.

As they made their way to the dining area, Raphaela's pout gradually melted away, replaced by her usual grin as she polished off the last of her food. Jasmine relaxed too, her earlier irritation fading as they fell into step together.

Ben, a few paces behind, watched the friends with a mixture of fascination and envy. There was clearly a bond there that he didn't quite understand, but desperately wanted to be a part of. He quickened his pace, determined to catch up and maybe, just maybe, find a way to fit into their world.

The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the campground. As they approached the bustling dining area, the smell of campfire and cooking food wafted towards them. Despite the rocky start, it seemed the adventure of their school camping trip was only just beginning.

Later that night, Raphaela was startled awake by Jasmine's restless tossing and turning. A low, guttural sound—somewhere between growling and groaning—filled the air. Half-asleep and confused, she unzipped her sleeping bag and crept over to Jasmine's side, her friend drenched in sweat, her face twisted in discomfort.

"Jasmine," Raphaela whispered, her voice tight with concern. "Are you okay?"

Jasmine barely stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Yeah, I'm fine," she murmured, her voice thin and strained.

"Are you sure? You're sweating like crazy, and you were groaning in your sleep. Should I get a teacher?"

Jasmine's eyes snapped open. "No!" She gritted her teeth, sitting up slightly. "It's just… that time of the month. I'll be fine. Just go back to sleep. I'll be better by morning. You'll see. Go on."

Reluctantly, Raphaela nodded. "Okay… if you say so." She crawled back into her sleeping bag, glancing at Jasmine one last time before drifting off into a fitful sleep.

By morning, Jasmine was back to her usual self, even waking Raphaela up early with her typical enthusiasm. Their routine was only interrupted by their self-proclaimed best friend, Ben, who forcefully barged into their tent—only to be shoved out just as quickly.

The rest of the day was filled with games and challenges, the type designed to push everyone to their limits. And they did. Raphaela's hunger gnawed at her with every passing hour, a dull ache that twisted her stomach into knots. She knew what was coming—nightfall, and the impossible hunger that came with it. A hunger she couldn't ignore.

As the day wore on, Raphaela's unease grew. She knew what the night would bring. The thought alone plunged her into a moral dilemma—one she couldn't shake. She didn't want to harm anyone, let alone her classmates. She knew them all by name, had shared laughs and stories with them. They'd been kind to her in their own way, and besides... transforming into her true self—a monstrous, towering spider—would hardly go unnoticed.

But the hunger... the hunger was becoming unbearable.

"I guess... I have no choice," she muttered darkly to herself, looking up from her plate at dinner, her mind swirling with the horrible reality. "I'm going to have to eat you all."

Jasmine, seated next to her, glanced up, startled. "Wait... what?"

Raphaela blinked, realizing what she'd said. "I mean... all my lunch, you silly goose!" She slapped Jasmine playfully on the shoulder, masking the dread that had settled deep in her bones.

Jasmine laughed, though she looked confused, while Ben, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes. "You two are so weird," he muttered, shaking his head.

But luck was on Raphaela's side that day. As the group explored the woods later that afternoon, they spotted a couple camping far off in the mountains. A surge of relief washed over her. They'll do, she thought. I won't have to hurt anyone I know.

That night, as the camp settled into silence, Raphaela drifted into sleep, her hunger momentarily sated by the knowledge that her problem had a solution. But as darkness deepened and the woods came alive with eerie sounds, she was pulled from her slumber.

A sound. Giggling. Faint, but familiar.

Her heart thudded in her chest as the memory surfaced—the same eerie giggle she'd heard on her last hunt. She unzipped her sleeping bag slowly, cautiously calling out to Jasmine.

"Jasmine?" she whispered, but received no response. Jasmine was fast asleep, her breathing even and peaceful.

Raphaela huffed, feeling a wave of irritation. "Look at you," she muttered under her breath. "Sleeping like a log, after keeping me up all night with your groaning." She stiffened. The giggling returned—this time, it was farther away, carried on the wind from the direction of the couple's campsite.

Her blood ran cold.

"Oh, no you don't," she growled softly, eyes narrowing. "They're mine."

Without a second thought, Raphaela slipped out of the tent, moving low and fast, keeping herself hidden in the thick underbrush. Once she was a safe distance from the camp, she let her monstrous spider legs unfurl from her human body, her transformation swift and seamless. She scaled the nearest tree with unnatural speed, her multiple black eyes scanning the darkened forest for movement.

There it was again—the giggling. And now she saw it. The same dog-like creature from her previous hunt, stalking toward the couple's tent. But something was off this time. It was smaller, its fur brighter.

Raphaela's eyes gleamed with predatory intent as she leapt from tree to tree, closing the distance with terrifying agility. In moments, she was directly above the creature, and with a single leap, she pounced.

But the creature was fast. It kicked her off with startling strength, sending her crashing into the undergrowth. Raphaela snarled, quickly regaining her footing as the creature bared its teeth, growling low in its throat.

Raphaela chuckled darkly. "Oh, so cute—a little dog-man, or maybe a hyena-woman, whatever you are." She took a step forward, her voice dripping with malice. "Let me show you what real terror looks like."

With a hiss, she covered her face with her hands, took a deep breath, and lunged forward. Her hands dropped, revealing her true, horrifying form—six black, soulless eyes, sharp fangs gleaming in the moonlight, and jagged teeth ready to tear into flesh.

The creature whimpered and recoiled, dropping into a fetal position. And then, before Raphaela's eyes, it began to change. Its body shrank, fur retracting, limbs reshaping... until a human figure lay trembling before her.

Raphaela's eyes widened in shock.

"Jasmine?" she gasped, her voice breaking the stillness of the night.