Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 4: Departure

Albert is taking me to school on a Saturday. Why? I need to retrieve my necessities from Mr. Oostenhuiz. Albert told him last night over the phone that I will be going to the island. When I arrived at the school a sudden thought hit me.

Detention.

Shawn is always in detention so he will want to have a go with me. It was lunch time now during detention. Stupid idea I know. But it means that there is no chance that I will avoid the douchebag. I walked in the corridors of the school, trying to find my maths teacher. "What the hell are you doing here?" said a familiar voice behind me.

"I'm here to do something more important than you." I retorted. Can't this guy leave me alone for once? "Listen Chad and listen f*****g good. I'm not the type of person who goes without a fight. Yesterday you showed what a coward you are." He grabbed on my shirt and dragged me towards a wall. He slammed me against it, my spine connecting with bricks. I lashed out a fist but Shawn flew past it and punch me in my jaw. It hurt.

"Shawn, I'm sure you don't want to see me angry!" I barked. He threw another punch with his right hand but this time I caught it. I smashed my knuckles into his right shoulder, making it harder for him to hit me hard with his right fist. My fist reached his gut, winding Shawn. He was on his knees now. Time to finish what he started. My foot came crashing down to his ribs.

He lied on his back holding his ribs, groaning in pain. "Stay down b***h." I said. I spat on his face and continued my search for Mr. Oostenhuiz. Apparently he was outside by the field. He was lighting a cigarette. I made a sound with my throat to let him acknowledge my presence. He stumbled a bit, obviously trying to hide the cigarette and lighter. "Chad!" he said, smoke coming out of his mouth like a dragon. "Its not what it looks like!" People of today are so bad at lying. I said, "It's okay sir, I'm not telling anyone."

He thanked me and continued his business. "Your goods are in my classroom." He said, blowing smoke into the air. "I will come with you, as there is too much too carry at once." We walked in the school building, pass the lockers, into my teacher's classroom. There were massive bags full of things I do not know. "There is sun cream," Mr. Oostenhuiz started, "binoculars, books of birds and animals, a hair dryer, enough money to let you live for three weeks. The other bags are for you to pack your clothes and other things you need." He inhaled sharply from the cigarette and blew more smoke. "Thank you sir." I said. He helped me with my luggage to Albert's car and we drove home.
               *********************
The next morning was quite a hassle to get out of bed. Today is Sunday I'm suppose to be at church I know. Unfortunately the plane leaves today. Besides, I don't really believe in God. Albert and I packed the bags in the back of the car. We drove to the airport in silence, just staring out of the window. When we arrived at the airport of New York City (yes, I live in NYC) which wasn't as big as I thought it would be. It is a rectangular building, cream coloured with too many windows. Albert parked his car. We got out of the car and got out my bags. I struggled to carry all my bags, carrying one bag on my back, one bag on my left hand side by the extended handle and on holding a bag by its strap with my right hand. "You need help?" Albert asked.
"Nah, I'm alright." I lied.

We went inside the boring building. Inside was a hassle to walk through the crowds of people. Luckily we made it to the queue to get my ticket. We needn't wait long, as the queue was short. I gave the money and the woman gave me the ticket to the supposedly luxurious island. It was nearly time to leave. Albert knows this and starts shifting nervously. I sense that he was tense, wanting to say something but afraid of saying it. "Hey, I'm going to be fine. Nothing'll happen to me."
"I know, I know," he started, "I am just hoping you can live......normally."

I could tell he tried not to say 'happily'. Yeah. I succeed in school, get a job, get married and live 'happily' ever after.

Bullshit.

I'll never be happy. I know. Albert knows. God knows it (if he existed). But I'm willing to try. This may be my last chance for happiness. Albert suddenly out of the blue puts his hands on my shoulders and said, "Whatever happens, know that I will always, always love you." There was tears in his face. My heart felt like jumping out of my chest. I too, was close to tears. For the first time in my whole life with Albert, we hugged each other tightly. We said our goodbyes and I looked for the plane. There were a fleet of planes. The plane is suppose to have two red vertical lines on its wings. I soon found it, isolated with a sea of people around the plane, waving their tickets in the warm air.

"All passengers please board the plane as we will be leaving shortly for Rondor Island." So that's the name of the island's name! Apparently it is also owned by a rich man named Joshua Rondor. I rushed to the plane, hoping that I could sit at the back. When I got on the plane an old woman was already sitting at the back. Oh well, there was a seat close to the back so I sat there, by the window. The seat next to me was open. Soon people started pouring in the plane, noise filled the silent plane.

Soon the plane was filled as quickly as the people came in. The seat next to me was still open. Good. No one to bother me. "Hold on! I need to get on the plane!" said a voice. I spoke too soon. A boy came into the plane. He has black hair with and a light skin complexion. He was smiling to everyone he saw like a president who just wants to get the most votes for an election. There were no more seats available, except mine. Soon the seat next to me was occupied by this boy. He smiled at me and said, "Hey there!" I just nodded in reply. The stranger continued, "My name's Maxwell but my friends call me Max." He kept on smiling. How on Earth does a person smile so long? "What's your name?" Maxwell asked.
"My name is Chad."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Where are you from?"
"Didn't your parents tell you not to talk to strangers?"
"'Cause they did. But you aren't a stranger if we knew each others names."
I looked out the window. The ground suddenly became smaller and smaller until the ground became a sea of gravel and tar.
"You a very serious person aren't ya?" Maxwell spoke.
"Yeah, don't even laugh or smile." I said.
"Don't worry mate, I'm gonna cure you."
I gave a sarcastic laugh, "You? Help me? You don't even know how I feel right now.
" Grumpy?"
I smiled, it hurt. "Well, yeah."
"See? I can make the dull boy smile."
"Okay, okay. You got me."
"So what's your story?"
I was confused. "My story?"
"Yeah. Like, tell me about yourself."
"I'm not interesting. Or my life. Trust me, you do not wanna hear it."
"I wanna hear it." he pushed on.
"Yeah? You really wanna hear it?" I raised my voice a little but I couldn't help it. My anger was getting the best of me. "My parents dumped me when I was a newborn. Left me for a stranger I don't know. No one wanted to be my friend. Everyone gave me their " sympathy " but once they leave me they forget about me as if I didn't exist! So you tell me, how do you like my story?! "

Maxwell was horrified. The other passengers didn't seem to notice. "Dude, that is deep stuff." Maxwell said.
"I, uh, I'm sorry for snapping at you." I apologised.
"Its fine bro."
"So what's your story?" I mimicked Maxwell's voice.
Both of us laughed. "Nothin' much."
"You sure? There's like fifty adults here and two teenage boys. Surley there's a reason why you're here?"
"Well....." he started but was interrupted by turbulence.
"Hey, uh, I know this is strange to ask but do you mind if I take a nap? I get scared of the turbulence."
"Sure."

And so he fell asleep. And I too, fell asleep.