Magic

Time to Pack

~ Chapter 8 ~ Time to Pack ~

"Don't you have to ask our parents for permission first?" Skyla asks in her quirky voice.

"No," says Airlily. "This is compulsory."

Skyla laughs, thinking it's a joke, but stops abruptly - apparently it's not, according to our headteacher's straight face.

"We're sending an urgent letter home by email tonight. Pack your stuff. We're leaving tomorrow - further information will be said then."

"TOMORROW?!"

"And, I'm warning you," she gave us a serious look. "Prepare yourselves."

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"Woah, then," says David. It's a high school gathering; funny how I never thought about how one thousand, nine hundred and something-y something teenagers could fit inside the local park.

Hoping so badly that none of my family come anywhere near the park and embarrass me in front of most of the school, I reply. "Yeah. She could have given us a bit more time to pack."

"I second that." I turn my head to see Black Diamond sulking on one of those big circular swings. "I was planning to go into town to get the new video game that was coming out at seven. I wanted to be the first person to get one. Guess I'm going to have to spend that time packing."

I love these moments. When your heart's technically content to the limit, surrounded by all your mates. Everyone's happy faces orange in the light of the beautiful summer six o'clock sun, as it gently starts to sink below the horizon... I don't want to go all poetic, but that's how it is.

"Better get going," says Teresa, checking her watch.

"You're right. Shall we walk down, David?"

"Oh yeah, Dad wanted me to pass on a message."

David and I turn around. Jay's behind us. "He said that since the email said we're aloud to bring phones, he'd like to FaceTime you two when you get there. 'K?"

We nod.

****************************

Aunt Flannery was serving dinner - mash and sausages - when she calls me over. I see Tom give me a quizzical look under his upturned, arced blonde hair.

"We need to talk." Uh oh.

She looks all shifty. "I read that email about the trip."

"Yeah," I say, wanting to be eating with everyone else - I'm hungry!

"Well... I don't want you to go."

"What, me Tom, Vanessa and Fred?" I say, astonished.

"Well..."

"It's compulsory anyway!"

"Well... apparently all the kids are going to be sleeping in the same place."

"Aaaaand?"

"The boys and the girls."

"Your point being?" I say, almost wanting to laugh. Really, Aunt Flannery? Really?

"David's going to be there."

I snort.

"Nothing's funny about this!" Flannery squeaks indignantly.