Is this Rare?

Prologue

As I lay, cuddled up in my cozy pink bean bag, I think back to my years of school before we all departed and went our own ways. By we, I mean all of my best friends: Maggie, Jennifer, Ann, and myself. The hundreds of thousands of memories we made together over the years. Good memories. Years and years of countless sleepovers and parties. Making up inside jokes. Inconspicuously coughing when one of the others crushes walked by. Making up secret code names for certain people. Teasing about boys and dreaming about the future.

Since before we all could remember, Jennifer, Maggie, Ann and I had been inseparable. Literally. We did everything together. Some of us longer than others, like Maggie and I. And, with Jennifer, being in the same group with her as little kids, and not even being friends. With Ann, well, she was friends with Jenn, then we all just clicked when we first met her. We would have so many sleepovers during middle and high school. It's hard to keep track of how many times the tiniest of smiles turning into giggles and finally bursting into uproarious laughter! This always happened, so it was pretty much expected. But, we throughly enjoyed ever second of it.

During our last four years of school, we grew closer together and the bond between all of us tightened. We all had our own arguments and disagreements, but in the end we stuck together. Then, something amazing and depressing all at once hit us. We all had seen it coming. High school graduation. It had crept up on us so quickly. None of us were ready to let each other go. None of us were ready to think about the future, because, well, it can get scary. None of us really knew what would happen in the next five or even ten years. But, sadly, the time had eventually come when we all had to go our separate ways. We hadn't started our college just yet. It's that time just in between high school and college. I'm such and indecisive person that I haven't really nailed down any plans for the near future yet. I'm living in New York for the time being, staying with a close cousin who decided she needed a roommate for a few months.

Jennifer, the one who has always been the most responsible, quiet, patient, and, on occasion, overly curious, plans to a college out in Iowa. Honestly, we all think she should become a writer. It's amazing what she can do with a keyboard and a few hours. All of us can't picture her as something else. Well, she could probably be an agent of sorts or possibly an investigator or something like that. I mean, what other job could you have when your as curious as Jenn always is?

Maggie has made the decision to fly down south and attend a college somewhere in South Carolina, where she would study Early Childhood Education. She's always been the best with kids. I mean, it's like she just connects with children so well. She'll make a great mom one day. That is, if the perfect guys ever comes along.

And finally, Ann. Ann is the one who always tried to scared us for fun, and probably always will. Somehow she just always knew that she wanted to be a vet. She will attend a local community college for awhile and then switch to a private class at Yale. How much more exciting can you get?

And, as for me, my name is Chelsea and I am planning to attend a college in Nashville, but with being myself, those plans can change and they most likely will. I'm not really sure what life holds for me or where it will take me. Music is my passion and has been for awhile now. But, I'm planning on becoming an interior designer. Ask anyone of my friends, I'm always redecorating my room. I suppose, I want to get married, eventually. But, for now, I want to live my life without worry and stress before I have to even think about that far into the future. I mean, I don't even have a boyfriend, for crying out loud!

Now, in a few short hours, we will all be meeting up in Illinois. Then we will all fly to Washington state and spend five days together: for the first time in six months.

I stare at an empty suitcase, which is lying open on my sky blue day bed staring back at me. Normally, I would have been packed way before this, but I've be preoccupied lately with my on going thoughts about the future. The not so distant future, to be exact.

Slowly, I stand up from my cozy, relaxing bean bag. Stretching, I mentally scan through my list of necessities for vacation.

1. Magazines (which I never leave without)
2. My iPhone and Charger (which I can't live without)
3. A weeks worth of clothes (I also can't live without my extra clothes)
4. Some of my (nonexistent) camping gear
5. My makeup kit
6. My shower and hair stuff.
7. Sleeping bag and bedding
8. Shoes

I slowly and robotically fold my clothes then somehow squish them all into my small suitcase, which is teal and coral colored. Eventually, I check my phone and computer before laying in my bed. Right as I grab my owl plush, my phone lights up with a new message.

To: Chelsea Avery
From: Jenny Bear
Hey, Chelsea! See you in 16 hours! Our flight had a small problem with our tickets... BUT, I got it figured it out! So, no worries! Love you!

After I read the message and reply, I plug in my phone, put it on vibrate, then roll over and fall asleep within minutes, which is highly unusual especially when I am looking forward to something as much as I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

~The Next Morning~

This morning has been a flurry of activity so far and it's only 7am. First, my phone, which was on vibrate, didn't wake me up on time. So, now I'm running thirty minutes behind. After rushing through a shower, doing my hair, applying makeup, I inhale a breakfast of eggs, sausage and bacon wrapped in a burrito shell, with small chopped up peppers for flavor.

I decided to skip the elevator because it is always too slow. So instead, I jerk up the handle of my suitcase, sling my duffle bag over my shoulder and fly down the three flights of concrete stairs, luckily I didn't trip over my own feet! Honestly, I'm very clumsy all of the time.

Then, standing on the curb, I flag down a taxi in front of the apartment building. When one eventually pulls to the side, I throw my suitcase and duffle into the trunk, slide into the backseat and give the cab driver my destination. The airport.

Eventually, I arrive at the airport and check my baggage then settle into a seat on the connecting flight to Springfield, Illinois! From there, Seattle, Washington. And five days out in the woods with my favorite people in the world.