The Nile

Boarding

Hazel's POV

I nervously walked onto the SS Hatshepsut behind my father and sisters. Daisy was walking slowly with Amina so I glanced back to tell them to hurry up when I spotted something.

A tall, handsome, blonde boy. My heart jumped into my throat. It couldn't be, could it?

He was accompanied by an Indian boy with dark hair. It had to be them.

As they walked onto the ship I grinned widely, staring at the blonde boy - Alexander.

"Hazel, well isn't this shocking." George stated with what appeared to be a smirk on his face.

"Yes this is very shocking." Daisy stated glaring at me, her eyebrow raised in a very Uncle Felix-ish manner.

"Wong Fung Ying, what is going on?" My father asked, glaring at Alexander and George.

"George was just saying what a coincidence it is that we are both on this cruise together. I'm sure we shall have a good time together, learning things about Egypt." I responded smoothly, shocking myself as well as everyone else how quickly I had managed to think of a response to my father's question without stumbling over every word.

"I see, well Hazel your sisters and I are going to get settled in." My father responded before turning and walking away.

I turned back to face my friends and was greeted with several surprising looks.

"Hazel that was brilliant!" Exclaimed Alexander.

I blushed bright red which caused Daisy and George to smirk. I glared at them then turned to Alexander.

"It's great to see you Alexander."

"It's great to see you too Hazel" he responded before sweeping up into a hug.

I stood on my tip-toes and wrapped my arms around him. He smelt of suncream, that boyish smell that I had grown to love and...cologne. Compared to the last time I hugged him, it was less awkward however he is nearly a foot taller than me so it was still uncomfortable.

Alexander held me tight for longer than normal. Longer than is considered normal for a friend.

"Alex stop hogging Hazel." George laughed.

As we both pulled apart I blushed bright red. I looked up and smiled at Alexander. His face was red - was it from the heat?

I quickly hugged George before stepping back and standing next to Daisy.

"Amina El Maghrabi, you must be George and I'm assuming you are Alexander I've heard so much about you from Hazel." Amina smiled.

I blushed - as did Alexander while George stepped forward and shook Amina's hand.
"Pleasure to meet you Amina."

"Well we should probably get unpacked, let's meet on the top deck in half an hour." Daisy stated before dragging me away.

Once the door to our compartment was shut, Daisy turned to stare at me.

"Explain Hazel."

"There's nothing to explain." I shrugged.

"Oh really if there's nothing to explain, explain why Alexander and George are here." She retorted, one eyebrow raised.

"I sent Alexander a letter saying that we were going to Egypt and that was it." I responded.

"Hmph I don't like it." Daisy grumped.

"What don't you like?" I asked.

"Alexander travelled half the globe for you." She responded.

"That isn't true." I protested but deep down I hoped Daisy was right.

"You don't see how he looks at you Hazel." She said, an unusual expression on her face.

"How he what?" I asked confused.

Daisy just laughed.

That annoyed me so I said snidely "Well you only wanted to come because it was Amina who invited you."

"I don't know what you mean Hazel." Daisy responded "Me only want to come because of Amina preposterous."

I rolled my eyes.

"Let's change out of our travel clothes." I suggested.

Daisy nodded and we both got changed - me into a green floral dress and Daisy into a pale blue dress.

As we walked out of our cabin I looked in the mirror. I was surprised at what the person looking back at me looked like. My hair was free of its braid letting it flow down my back. As the Egyptian sun bounced off it it looked shinier and silkier than ever. My face had lost a lot of its roundness and me eyes shone bright. I looked like my mother - I didn't look like a child anymore - I looked like a young lady.