Captured And Caged

Surprise?

I heard the dismissal bell ring for the end of the day. This would be the last time I'd ever hear the bell, my high school experience was over.

I gathered all the trash that teachers make you take home. Stuffed it in my backpack and went to go find my two best friends Sonnie, and Macy. As I walked on the blue, green and white linoleum tiles down the hall I thought about what I wanted to do with my life. "Becca, you're so good with kids. Become a teacher" Sonnie would always say. "Or a pediatrician" Macy would add in. I loved the two of them dearly but sometimes their ideas sucked. The summer right before our sophomore year Macy thought it would be fun for me and Sonnie to join her in principles of education class. Neither Sonnie or I were particularly fond of the idea at first but Macy being Macy. Found a way to make it seem great. Eventually Sonnie found joy in dealing with kids ranging from the ages of 9-12 and macy just had a natural way with kids. I, didnt like dealing with kids but after the course of a year and a half i found it to be slightly interesting. After turning a few paint chipped corners, and awkwardly passing a couple severely making out, I spotted Sonnies bright curly orange hair. "Sonnie!" I yelled down the hall. She didn't hear me the first time so I yelled again. She heard me and turned around. As I expected her mascara was running from her hazle green eyes down her face to her freckled cheeks. She ran over and hugged me. Sonnie was about 4 inches taller than me when she wasn't wearing heals. Today, she towered over me. Her heels making her 3 more inches taller and also making our hug awkward. "Oh Becca aren't you gonna miss this? The halls? All the people?". I thought about it and finally came to realize. I would. The musty textbook smells that filled the hallways. The corny posters displaying multiple clubs, activities, and student counsel members. And yes, even the crowded halls full of prepubescent teenagers. I was going to respond but Sonnie had already started talking about something else. "Macy said she'll meet us down by the new Starbucks they built up. She said she has a surprise for the three of us." I wondered what it was. Knowing Macy it was probably a cute little keychain. Or a joint Instagram page. "Alrighty then. Let's not keep her waiting." I said.

As we walked down the hall and said a series of "goodbyes", " I'll miss you's" and promises to keep in touch. I started getting choked up. I was out. To fend for my own in the real world.

My parents had died on their Honeymoon in the Amazon when I was 3 leaving me and my grandmother alone. I loved my grandma. She was the sweetest lady. And boy she could bake. She owned her own bakery downtown and was always busy. And active. For a lady of 73 she looked great.

We approached sonnies baby blue Volkswagen Passat. Threw our backpacks in the back and headed for Starbucks. "I'm curious to see what Macy's surprise is" I said. For some strange reason the thought would not leave my mind. "Knowing Macy. I'll bet she got matching purses for us. Or maybe even more keychains" I laughed. Macy was like that. Always so optimistic and never thinking negative. She appreciated the small things. I liked her for that.

We came to a red light. A group of obnoxious football players pulled up. I knew every one of them. "Hey fine thing!" Yelled James. The "leader" of the group. "Oh Becca James is calling for you" she gave me a little nudge. I instantly got red. I waved, scared to speak because anything that would've come out my with would've embarrassed me. "Hit me up when you can. Shoot me a text or Skype me." He yelled and winked. Then took off down the street. "How do they all fit?!" Sonnie asked laughing. I'll admit. It was quite a sight to see about 6 jocks piled in a chevy truck. "I have no idea." I replied laughing. Sonnie turned the radio up and we listened to the country radio station.

Three songs later we pulled up in a spot next to Macy's black and pink camaro. Sonnie spotted Macy sitting out side in her light pink, knee length dress. Sipping on a grande caramel frappé. She saw us and waved us down.

As we walked up I noticed she didn't have a bag or anything with her only her tiny purse. So the surprise wasn't matching purses. "Hey Becca!" She kissed my cheek and hugged me. She did the same for sonnie and we all sat down. "I ordered for y'all already. Sonnie I got you the strawberry tea and Becca I got you a grande cinnamon frappé...the usual". " Macy you know us so well." Sonnie said. She flashed her pearly white teeth at us. "So y'all are probably wondering what my surprise to y'all is" her voice got informative like her dad.

Macy's dad was a salesman for a real estate agent, and he travled across the country staying away for weeks at a time. She rarely saw him but never accused him for not being around.

She pulled out three slips of paper. At first I couldn't see what exactly it was, but by the look on Macy's face. I could tell it was something big. "My dad has this huge promotion thing. And his boss gave him a three pack of tickets.." Sonnie and I looked at each other. This topped all surprises. "Where?" I asked. She bounced in her seat, her straight shoulder length Sandy brown hair slightly brushing her shoulder tops. "The Amazon!!!" She yelled. Multiple people turned around, startled.

Sonnie and I looked at each other with disbelief. "Are you serious?" I asked. "Of course I am! Look" she passed me and Sonnie our tickets. "I know we all have passports, and cars. So it shouldn't be to big of a deal with our folks." The waitress came and set the tea and frappé down. "Wait wait wait" Sonnie said. "You're meaning to tell us that your dad was perfectly okay with sending you off to some rainforest, in the middle of no where?" Sonnie asked. Suspicion in her voice. "Exactly!" Macy laughed. Sonnie lightened her mood and laughed with her. If Macy didn't find it suspicious why should we? "When exactly are we leaving?" I asked. There would be a lot of packing to do. "And how long?" Sonnie added in "we have to leave on the 15th. 3 days from today. And we are staying for two weeks." Macy was brimming with excitement.

"Alright then" I said sipping my frappé