The Switch

Chapter 2 | Travel Buddy

c h a p t e r 2

TRAVEL BUDDY

LIV.

Piper and I sat at our usual lunch table at school. As we began eating, she started talking about her everyday topic. Care to make a guess?

"Olivia, did you hear One Direction is having a concert in Seattle for the U.S. leg of their tour? I so want to go." She pouted. "It's probably going to cost a lot— but it would be so worth it! I mean, hello, it's One Direction!"

I sighed and glanced around the cafeteria, trying to find some kind of distraction to focus on so I wouldn't have to listen to Piper keep gushing about the British teenage boys. There were so many times a person could hear about how amazing Louis was.

I wonder how much time is left of lunch ... ?

"-wouldn't have a ride though. Hm, maybe Leah could go with me and give me ride there! Wouldn't that be perfect? Olivia?"

"Huh?" I snapped out of my haze and shot her an apologetic look.

"I said, wouldn't it be perfect if Leah went with me to their concert?"

Leah Olson was another friend of ours, who was also a huge fan of One Direction. I'm pretty sure she was the one who turned Piper to the dark side.

I forced a smile."Oh, yeah. That would be so perfect!"

"I know! I need to text her after school!"

I nearly fell over in relief as the bell rang to signify the end of lunch. We stood and started to walk down the hall to go to our next class, and it wasn't long before Piper started back up again.

"Oh my gosh! I was watching all these One Direction videos on YouTube last night. They were hilarious! My favorite one is when they were playing dodge ball with James Corden. You totally have to watch all of them, Liv!"

I shook my head at her. "Piper, you have the One Direction infection. And you are way past the point of getting help."

She just grinned. "I told you before, I'm dedicated." I just laughed and waved goodbye as I went towards my classroom.

Later, after class, I noticed a poster on the wall in the hallway:

Europe trip! Come join us this summer as we travel all over Europe!

I looked closer.

Cost: $1,000 up front to sign up.

I frowned and turned away, continuing my walk down the hall, disappointed that a chance to travel was cut short by such extreme requests. I knew my parents would never go for something like that.

I sighed as I walked into the school parking lot and headed towards my car, thinking about the weeks to come— graduation was coming up really fast. In a few weeks, I'd no longer be a senior in high school. Things were changing.

Little did I know by just how much.
____________________

"I'm home!" I yelled, kicking my shoes off.

"Hi honey! How was school today?" my mom asked as she appeared through the kitchen entryway.

"Fine, I guess." I plopped down into a chair at the kitchen table.

"Why so down? You're going to graduate in less than 2 weeks. I would think you'd be more excited."

"It's just— I really wanted to travel somewhere in Europe when I graduated," I told her. "But the Europe trip at school is way too expensive."

"How expensive?"

"$1,000. And that's just the up front price."

She whistled. "That's pretty spendy."

"Yeah, I know," I sighed.

"What if you just went to one city in Europe? Instead of all over Europe?" my mom pondered. "It would cost a lot less."

"That could work!" I said, perking up at the suggestion. "I would be able to afford that! And I've always wanted to go to London."

"You'd have to talk it over with your dad and I though first," she warned.

"I know, I know."

"And don't even think for a second you'd go alone. Maybe I should go with you—?"

"Mom, no offense, but I'd rather not have you come. I'm 18, and I'm about to graduate. I think I'll be fine."

"No. If I'm going to let you go, you're not going alone," she said firmly.

I rolled my eyes in frustration. "Well, who else would I—" I cut myself off. "Wait! What if Piper came with me? I bet she'd love to go!"

My mom thought it over. "Maybe. I'll have to talk to her parents about it. But I don't see why not ... "

"Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Thank you Mom," I squealed.

I quickly dug my phone out of my purse.

TO: PIPER
FROM: OLIVIA
Hey Pipe! What do you say about going to London with me after graduation? :)))

TO: OLIVIA
FROM: PIPER
OMG! Are you even serious??! Of course I'd want to go to London with you!!

My phone chimed again.

TO: OLIVIA
FROM: PIPER
I'm not being punked, right?

TO: PIPER
FROM: OLIVIA
No you're not being punked LOL

TO: OLIVIA
FROM: PIPER
Just begged my parents. And dude, they actually said yes!! This is so crazy!!

TO: PIPER
FROM: OLIVIA
That's why I want to go!! Talk to you later Piper! I gotta book tickets :)

TO: OLIVIA
FROM: PIPER
Ok, bye Liv! Love ya and see you later, traveling buddy!! :))