Problematic

Ch. 5: Overseas

🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

"Hey, where are you guys?" I scream over the noises in the LAX. Shrugging the tattered back pack on my shoulder up, I start pacing around the waiting are in Gate 16.

"We just checked in our bags," the boyish voice spoke through the receiver.

"You better hurry! They just started boarding toddlers and the disabled," I sighed, glancing nervously at the old woman shuffling her way with her walker.

"Yeah yeah yeah, we're coming. See you soon!" Before I can say another word the call ends. I let out a much needed sigh and make my way towards the window. I can vaguely see my reflection, my curly black hair peaking out from my San Francisco beanie. I ignore my retched reflection and stare at the big white planes taking off down the runway.

"People seated in first class may now board."

I steal a glance at the digital clock above the gate. 10:32.

"Now boarding passengers seated in rows A through H."

So if we take off at 11, it's an 11 hour flight. So we should get there around 10 PM.

"If anyone else seated in rows A through H now is the time to board."

Wait, there's an eight hour difference. So that mean we get there at 6 AM tomorrow. Strange.

"Now boarding rows I through P."

I take one more look around, and to my dismay I didn't see the two perky twins I was hoping to. My head falls as I trudge into the line full of travelers. I slowly shuffle forward, making different shapes with my rubber band. Can this line be any longer?

"Katrina!" I perk up at the sound of my best friend's voice. I smirk and look down, pretending not to here.

"Little girl wearing the grandma dress and vans!" He yells again. I scowl and look down and my attire. I pick at the flows bottom.

"It's floral, not grandma," I mumble, stuffing my hands into the pockets.

"Bunny!" Cody yells, his voice shouting practically in my ear. I let out a shriek and hop backwards, my eyes wide. The blonde smirks at me and I stick my tongue out.

"Meanie pants. You barely made it, too," I stated, shuffling forward. Two more people in front of us. So close.

"Well, Blondie, over here, decided to start packing this morning," another voice chimed in. I glanced over at Zach. I tried not to look at his bare arms, but what can I say? Baseball did him well.

"We made it, didn't we?" Cody argued, flipping his hair.

"Barely," I got out. Before he could reply, though, the lady behind the desk cut him off.

"Passport and tickets out."

We all complied, taking out the blue US passports.

"Will there be an adult traveling with you kids today?" She asked politely. I squinted to read her name tags. Marlene. What a pretty name.

"Nah, just us three, ma'am," Zach replied, just as polite as she. She began scanning our passports. I was first. She gave me a smile before waving me through. Next was Zach, who offered her a head nod. We stood underneath the gate, waiting for our last companion to be waved through. Though, instead of the light turning blue, it turned a bright red. Marlene scowled and tried to scan it again. She tried about three times before she made a call. The rest of the passengers looked impatient, and I started hopping from one foot to the other.