I dragged my suitcase from the car and wondered why it was so heavy. I was only away for a week and it felt as though I had packed the kitchen sink in with all of my clothes.
“Are you sure you have everything?” My Mother asked, rushing to my side and taking my cheeks in the palms on her small hands.
I sighed.
“Yes, now, please, stop fussing?” I pleaded.
She smiled as my Father approached us, ruffling my hair.
“Here, kiddo. We got you this.” He said, handing me a book. I looked at it and had to smirk.
“That will come in handy, won't it?” He asked. I nodded.
French words for dummies.
“Thank you.” I said as they attempted a group hug. “Okay, okay.” I said as they clung on for a second too long.
“My baby.... growing up.” My Mother said, wiping a tear. “I'll be gone a week... and I'm seventeen... I'm a big girl now.” I smiled.
Hi. I'm Sophie. And today is the day I go on my first vacation without my parents. Well, it's hardly a vacation. More of a college trip.
Being British has it's advantages, of course. For example, we can drive to European countries. On a coach. This makes me happy because airplanes kind of scare me.
Now, all of this is wonderful, except the fact that I know no one. Not a soul. Fuck.
I'd joined the course late and decided (much to my parent's enthusiasm) to go along on this trip. They called it a 'once in a lifetime opportunity) which, clearly, it wasn't. But, I didn't argue.
“I'm going now.” I said, taking the handle of my suitcase as the coach arrived and my class began to crowd up, eager to get their seats.
“Goodbye. Keep in contact as much as you can. We love you.” My parents said, waving as I walked towards the crowd.
I'm nervous.
I check in with my teacher and sign the register, taking my suitcase tags and filling in the details. I drop my language book and bend to pick it up and as I stand back, I elbow someone in the ribs.
“Shit!” I say, turning around.
“It's cool.” A boy says, his smile wide.
Wow, he's tall.
“Are you new?” He asks, frowning. I nod and introduce myself.
“Siva. Siva Kaneswaran.” He replies. I try to re-pronounce his surname in my head and nod. He seems to realise this.
“Don't worry, you'll learn it.” He smiles.
“Learn what?” Someone asks, joining him.
A girl. Small, but pretty... well, stunning.
“Ana, this is... Sophie... right?” He smiles his wide smile again, aiming it at me. “Sophie, this is my girlfriend, Ana.” Girlfriend, right... it figures.
“Hello...” I smile.
Could these two people be my new friends?
“Come on, we're getting onto the coach.” Ana said, adjusting her rucksack on her back. I noticed the pins on it and raised my eyebrows.
“You're a Potter fan?” I asked. She scoffed, loudly, as did Siva.
Siva was the first to speak. “Do not mention Harry Potter to her. Or anything along those lines.” He groaned. Ana punched his arm, playfully. “You could say I like it. Like, a lot.” She giggled.
I climbed the stairs of the coach and worried about finding a seat. What if I had to sit alone. Like some loser idiot?
“Did you run or something?” Siva asked someone at the back of the coach, sitting on the back row.
“Maybe... Gotta get a good seat, man.” I heard.
I followed Ana and Siva straight to the back. “I'll sit with Tom.” Siva told Ana. I wondered if Tom was the person Siva had spoken to. I was correct.
“You can sit by me, Soph.” Ana smiled. I nodded, feeling relieved.
Soon enough, the coach was almost full.
“Sorry, these seats are reserved.” Ana said to two girls about the four seats in front of us.
“For who?” I asked her, quietly.
“Hey, hey!!!” I heard.
“This is Jasmine, Nikki, Val and Sally.” Ana said, pointing to each one as she said their names. “This is the new girl. Sophie.” She said, pointing at me. I gave a little wave and they said hello and sat down.
“Hello, new girl.” I heard from behind me.
The voice was new and as I turned to speak, the smell of strong aftershave hit me like a wave. “I'm Tom. Tom Parker.” He said.
