Return From The Big Apple

Chapter VI: Exploring Cordonia

Every turn I take, every trail I track
Every path I make, every road leads back
To the place I know where I cannot go
Where I long to be...
(No Resolve – "How Far I'll Go")

As the plane flew over Cordonia, Annabelle moved closer to the window to get a better look. All the pictures she had seen of this beautiful country had not done it justice. She remembered her mother once telling her it was like looking at a place from a fairy tale, and now seeing it all for herself, she could finally understand why anyone would feel that way. Acres upon acres of vineyards and blooming apple orchards spread out between the small cities, and glittering streams weaved their way through until they arrived at the ocean. It was finally starting to hit her that she was really here, that after all these years of wishing she could be here, she had finally made it. Now all she had to do was make her main wish come true. "I'm coming, Dad..." she whispered to herself. "Please, please like me."

Once she was off the plane, she found a seat just inside Cordonia International, turning her phone on to check the inevitable messages she'd figured were waiting for her by now. Sure enough, three voice mails and two text messages from her mother, two text messages from Uncle Carl, two from Uncle Daniel, and a good handful of text messages from Lucas.

Mom: Annabelle, what were you thinking?!
Mom: Please call me as soon as you land safely.

Yeahhhh, not gonna happen just yet. She could do without the lecture for a bit while she sorted out her next moves.

Uncle Carl: Make sure you tell your dad your Uncle Carl says hi.
Uncle Carl: And be safe. Love you, kiddo. 😗

Uncle Daniel: How dare you leave without saying goodbye to me? 😮
Uncle Daniel: Good luck, Bella. Your Uncle Lawrence and I are both hoping for you. We love you and we're sooo proud of you! 🤗

Lucas: Dear Bella, And same to you. When you get this, I'll be the one on the plane, but heading toward Broadway camp, which I couldn't be more excited about. I guess I can forgive you for not being here... You know I've always known how important this was to you. I'm happy for you that you're finally on your way.
Lucas: By now, everyone has found out that you're gone, and you should have seen the drama. Except for Uncle Carl... he thinks it's hilarious... which made Aunt Riley mad. LOL. Good luck in Cordonia. Tell me everything! I'm here for you if you need anything. Miss you already. Love, Lucas
Lucas: On my way to the airport now with everyone. Aunt Riley's still kinda frizzed out about all this, but I think she's coming around.
Lucas: Or not... I think she's mad at Uncle Carl again. 😂
Lucas: Time for me to board. Talk to you soon!
Lucas: Guess it figures your flight is way longer than mine. Just landed and waiting to get on the bus to take me to camp.
Lucas: Still flying, huh? Just waiting on cabin assignments right now. This place is awesome! I'll take lots of pictures to show you later.
Lucas: All settled in! I'm so excited right now!
Lucas: [Dramatic selfie pose]
Lucas: Text me when you land! 😃

Annabelle: Okay, I'm finally in Cordonia! 😃 You should see this place, Lucas! It's so beautiful over here!

Not even a full minute passed before her phone started ringing. "Hold on," he whispered, as Annabelle could hear rustling in the background. "Everyone's asleep over here now." There was the sound of a door closing and then a moment's silence. "Okay, we should be good now... so how was the flight?"

"It got a little cramped near the end there, but as soon as I could see Cordonia out the window, I forgot all about it. I can't even begin to describe how I feel right now. I'm like... nervous, and excited, and scared, and happy, and... just so many feelings all at once!"