The Travel Journal

1. School Trip (1)

You're strongly advised to first read the author's note at the end of the chapter. Thank you.

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There's nothing that I hate more than that Sci-Fi alarm on my phone that beeps every five minutes from 6 to 8.45 in the morning.

However, that day was different; I remember it was 4.32 am, I was wide awake and still not done with my suitcase.

All in all, I had about an hour before Michael was set to come and pick me up to leave for the airport and I had just gotten out of the shower.

"Way to go, Amelia, always running, just like time", I mentally confronted myself.

It was December 12, two weeks before Christmas and us, seniors, were set to go on a five-day trip to Prague, Czech Republic. I was pumped, to say the least, because, in all seriousness, there's nothing that excites me more than the idea of going on a journey. I'm a true wanderlust, if I may say so.

I quickly put on my black flare pants, a black sleeve top, a dark grey scarf and my black converse shoes and checked the time: 4.41.

"Great", I muttered to myself, as if I don't know that I take all the time in the whole world.

I decided to actually make a run for my life and get ready on time for once in the then 17 years of my life.

And so I did. Call it perfect timing if you want, but as I managed to close my suitcase, my phone rang and I picked it up knowing it was going to be Michael.

"Oi man, I just zipped my suitcase. Where ar-", is all I said because Michael had to cut me off.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU JUST ZIPPED YOUR SUITCASE?????? I'M OUTSIDE WAITING FOR YOU", he practically screamed at the other end of the line.

"Oh, lol, calm down bruh, I'm ready, just give me a minute to say goodbye to my ma and I'll be down in no time", I answered.

"HAHA, I don't believe you", he fake laughed and continued on with a stern voice.

"Just watch me", I retorted as I looked myself in the mirror one last time and bumped my butt sassily into the air.

I quickly hung up the phone and my mom came into the room. I knew she had heard the conversation because she seriously looked so anxious thinking I wouldn't make it to the airport on time and that I would leave Michael and his dad waiting for me.

Mom helped me with my suitcase, which, in all honesty, was bigger than me. I seriously don't know what I had decided to put inside.

In the meantime, I didn't even bother waking up my snoring 13 year old sister, Ellie, because I knew she didn't even care about me going away - hell, she'd throw a party if she could! However, I pat Brandy on the head and gave my two year old German Shepherd a big kiss on the cheek.

After that, I wore my light grey cardigan, which by the way my best friend Christina once called "blanket", my black coat and got my black schoolbag that has travelled the world with me. I thanked God for my long dirty blonde hair and, damn, my not-tanned-at-all complexion because they always manage to lighten my appearance.

'Insert gagging emoji right here', I thought to myself for always choosing the right words.

Yet, it is true that I struggle with wearing clothes that aren't black, white or grey in color. 'Hence the dark appearance', I sarcastically smiled to myself.

We got in the elevator and mom, clearly surprised by my perfect timing, got emotional and told me how much she was going to miss me. Even though I wasn't surprised, I reassured her that, unfortunately, I would be back in no time. In the meantime, we arrived at the car in front of us and ma thanked Michael's father for letting me carpool to the airport with them.