The Adventure of a Lifetime

Chapter 2: The Struggles of Packing

CHAPTER 2: THE STRUGGLES OF PACKING

"How did you get all of your stuff to fit into one suitcase and a carry on?!" Cameron yells while jumping up and down on the lid of the suitcase. I laugh.

"Ummm maybe because I didn't insist on bringing every piece of clothing I own," I say sarcastically.

"Shut up! At least I will be prepared! No move your little arse over here and help you best friend with the zipper!" She whined. I laugh again before giving in.

"What do you want me to do?" I ask watching her helplessly pull at the zipper. Her curly strawberry blonde hair tangling its self due to the fact that her whole body was bouncing back and forth. As a petite girl, and standing at 5' 4", this was a struggle for her; not that she let that stop her. Her green eyes showed annoyance when she looked up.

"Anything!" She said almost out of breathe. This just sent me into another fit or laughter.

"Stop laughing and help!" Cameron said starting to get annoyed with me.

"All right, all right," I said pushing her on to the suitcase.

"What was that for Hannah?!" She yelped.

"Just sit there, and be quite a minute," I said tugging on the zipper. When it began to move, I sigh in relief.

"I thought this thing was never going to close!" I have the zipper one last tug and it closed tight. Cameron hopped off the top.

"Thanks so much! You're a lifesaver!" She said hugging me.

"Okay, okay," I brushed her off my shoulders. "Now lets drag-"

"Oh. My. God... I forgot my straightener!" She said running into the bathroom that was across the hall from my room. I rolled my eyes.

"You can put it in mine! There is no way on earth we are opening your suitcase until we get to Australia!" I yelled across the hall. I heard her laugh.

"I think that's a good idea..." Cameron said returning into her room.

"Are you ready?" I said looking around my almost empty room. When I didn't get an answer, I looked over to her. There were tears in her eyes.

"Yeah," she answered finally. I went over and gave her a hug.

"It's okay; we're only going to be gone a year. Nothing is going to change," I said in attempt to comfort her. She laughed.

"Except for the fact that neither of us have a boyfriend!" It always goes back to the boys. I lightly slapped her on the back.

"Why are you so dead set on a boy? This is our time off!" I said exasperated.

"My eyes don't take a holiday," she retorted. I roll my eyes.

"Whatever Cameron," I said walking out of the room. All I hear is a grunt behind me and then a loud boom. I'm about to run back in there when I hear her yell.

"I got it!" Oops I guess I should have helped her get the suitcase off the bed. I just laugh again. This is going to be an interesting summer.

I make a quick stop in the bathroom across the hall to ensure that I have all my toiletries. (Not that there aren't any stores in Australia, but a girl's got her preferences!) I check the mirror to make sure I look presentable (for an airplane. Don't judge.)

My dark brown curly hair cascades down my back in ringlets. I try to comb it down with my fingers but there really is no hope for me. My chocolate brown eyes are tired. My Irish heritage is present on my face with the freckles scattered across it. Not tons, but enough. I stand about 5' 7" so I consider my self pretty average in most aspects. Not too tall- not to short. Not too skinny- not too heavy. Not too plain- not overly dramatic.

Just me.

Hannah Elizabeth Skys.

Satisfied with my appearance, I leave the bathroom and take one more look at my bedroom. The walls are bare, all pictures and posters were stripped from my walls and stuffed in my suitcase to make Australia feel more 'homey'. I sigh. With one last glance at the room that's been mine since the day I came home from the hospital, I shut the door.

I carefully made my way down the stairs, making sure that I wouldn't bang the suitcase into the wall. My eyes were slightly misty for the upcoming good-byes. Hopefully I can hold it together.

When I got to the kitchen, I saw my mom, dad, Jen, and Cameron.

"It's about time! I mean I've been packed for hours!" Cameron said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood even though I could see her eyes were cloudy as well. I chuckled a little.

"I just needed to make sure I didn't forget anything," I said, shutting my mouth before I could say anything else; the tears were threatening to fall.

My dad came over and hugged me. I lost it. "You'll be fine," he encouraged me quietly as I pulled myself together again.

"I know," I said wiping away the tears from my eyes. He kissed the top of my head as I moved on to my mom. The tears were already streaming down her face.

"My baby girl," she said pulling me into a hug. "You're not a baby anymore," she smiled sadly. I hugged her like it was the last time I was ever going to see her. After a while we let go. The room was filled with sniffles. My dad was the first one to break the silence.

"Just remember: No boys!" He smiled at us in a joking, but stern manner.

"Steven!" My mother warned.

"What?" He asked innocently. "I'm just joking." He winked. My mom pushed him playfully. They really were a good couple. Jen smiled at them. We all knew she missed her husband. I went over and gave her a hug as well.

"Make sure Cameron doesn't get into too much trouble," she said patting my shoulder.

"Mom, I believe it should be me watching Hannah. I mean she gets pretty wild reading those books of hers," Cameron joked and we all laughed.

"Be safe," were the last words I heard my mother speak before I exited the house and left my childhood behind to become an independent woman.

Just me and my best friend off to Australia, for the adventure of a lifetime.

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