Queen's College

Chapter 2

This one is dedicated to my best friend who I love to bits xx

Chapter 2

“BING. BING. BING. Good morning, Australia, it’s the Kyle and Jacky-o Show at 7:30 this grand morning. We have some surprising news about Delta Goodrem, Australia’s The Voice judge, and we also have the charming Spanish heartthrob Enrique Inglesias coming onto the show later this morning to talk about his tour in the states and about his new little Aussie girlfriend that we have yet to identify. But for now, let’s start the morning with a little kick for those sleepyheads struggling to get up and work on a Monday. First off to start the day is Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass…”

The radio alarm blasted out the tune, jolting me wide-awake. I breathed in deeply, yawning shortly afterwards. I turned off the alarm and dragged the covers back, resting my feet on the heated carpet. I rubbed at the crustiness in my eyes and scratched at my unwashed bird’s nest of hair.

“Kale, wake up. It’s 7:30.” I mumbled as a yawn captured my jaws. When my brother didn’t yell at me to shut up, I looked at his bed already made, his suitcase resting at the foot of the bed. I exhaled and got up. “Thanks for waking me and giving me a heads up that we’re checking out tomorrow before noon.” I muttered to myself as I trailed my way to the bathroom.

I don’t know why but I’ve always liked hotel bathrooms. They’re so fancy half the time and the small free bottles of shampoos and soaps always smelled so good and left my hair shiny and silky. Locking the door, I gazed at myself. A few stray bits of makeup were still on my face. I took out of a clean wad, dabbed it with some makeup remover and scrubbed my face pink. I didn’t really want to shower with bits of makeup dripping down my cheeks. I undressed and turned the knob for the hot water. I stepped in and closed the wash door.

Roughly ten minutes later I got out of the shower and was towel-drying my wet blonde hair. I searched it through and despite it being damp, I pulled it back into a braid, leaving a few tendrils in front of my face to dry and curl up. I changed into random clothes I picked from my luggage and tidied up, applying light makeup and deodorant. Hey, the weatherman said it was gonna crank to be 30° in the afternoon.

I slipped some flip-flops on – well, thongs are what the Australian’s call them; not going to lie I had some trouble containing my laughter when it was used so freely – and locked the hotel room with a key. I hurried down the stairs, bumping into no one, because who used the stairs when there’s an elevator for a 6th storey building. I hated elevators and would always freak out if it stopped just for a smidge second. I had bad claustrophobic reactions.

Anyway, I opened the door to the first level where the breakfast room was held. Not many people were up but I could spot my parents and brother sitting at the far end of the room. I passed the breakfast buffet and the delicious smell of bacon and eggs wafted up my nose. I grabbed a plate and looked at the tubs of food. Hmm, did I want waffles, pancakes, or a nice, steamy bacon and egg muffin?

Hmm, waffles or muffin? I decided it would be waffles…no, bacon and egg muffin…no, steamy waffles…no, delicious muffin… no, both!

I piled my plate with them and set off to where my family was. I ignored my father as he tried to catch my attention. Mum was finishing her pancake off in small bites. I looked over to my brother’s plate. Figures we would pick the same food. In the centre was a jar of maple syrup set out as well as a tub of vanilla ice-cream, plain yoghurt and strawberries and lemon and sugar.

“Good morning, Tara.” My dad greeted me.

Biting my tongue, I recalled the conversation from last night, and ignored him again. Sprinkling sugar and squeezing lemon juice on the waffles, I heard Kaleb let out burp beside me. Shaking my head, I scootched my plate away from him. “Ew!” I frowned. I took a bite of the waffles and, my God, it was delicious! I swallowed and took another bite.