Link Six (completed)

Chapter 26 - VIPs

                  

The cab pulls up near the docs and the kids catch site of the cruise ship they'd be on.

"Wow," Emma breathes. "That thing is ginormous!"

"There's gonna be a gazillion people on that thing," Rhea says.

"Nah, only 3000 passengers and crew," Colton says.

"Only?" Gerald repeats.

"Great, I love people," Howie says sarcastically.

"We'll be fine, we got crowds down pat over the summer," Rhea says.

That crowd. Of under 180 people. Most of which were kids. 3,000 people living in close proximity for a week is a different story. Leeanna projects into her friends' minds.

"Come on, just think of the smaller crowd as practice for this big one," Colton says, trying to pretend that he wasn't nervous. But, the others saw right through him.

"I don't think I can fit 3,000 people's emotions inside of me," Emma says with a half laugh.

"You shouldn't have to, it's not like we'll be right next to everybody," Gerald says.

Our powers don't exactly respect walls, Leeanna projects.

"Our parents wouldn't take us on this cruise if they thought we'd be uncomfortable or unsafe," Colton insists, but he sounded just as doubtful as he did before.

"You are really bad at hiding your emotions," Howie says to Colton. "Even worse than Emma."

"Well, of course he's nervous, we all are, and we should be. But, we were nervous about camp, and we're fine," Rhea points out.

"Better than fine," Colton adds.

"If you say so," Gerald says.

"Guys come on!" Ms. Lawrence calls.

Towing their bags behind them, they get in line to check boarding passes, and finally they enter the room they had to wait in until they could board the ship.

Howie goes to sit down in one of the chairs, but his mom stops him.

"Oh we're not waiting in here, follow me," She says. They follow Ms. Lawrence across the room and she stops in front of the VIP waiting room. The kids look confusedly at each other.

"Hi, Genevieve Lawrence, party of 10." Ms. Lawrence introduces.

"Welcome, to the VIP lounge," the man steps aside and gestures towards the automatic doors.

The families enter and they immediately notice the radio playing music on the side, the attendant serving assorted beverages on the other and the comfy lounge chairs scattered throughout the room. And, they couldn't help but notice that they were the only ones in the room besides the attendant.

"Woah," Emma breathes.

Ms. Lawrence laughs. "Just wait till you see the suite."

"Is this what you meant by connections, mom?" Gerald asks.

"Yep," Ms. Lawrence nods.

"This is amazing, Genevieve," Mrs. Parkerson says. The kids frolic off to the chairs by the refreshment table.

"We can't possibly let you pay for all of this," Mr. Parkerson says.

"When I told you it was all expenses paid, I meant it," Ms. Lawrence explains. "Not by me, one of my... friends is paying for it."