One Last Hope

Perfect World

"Annastasia, time for school!"

"OK mom! I'll be down in a minute!"

I sigh and grab my makeup bag for a quick mascara coat and some matte lipstick. I walk downstairs and grab my car keys and backpack. This was the last day of junior year before summer came. Tomorrow I couldn't celebrate summer with my favorite thing and sleep in till noon. I was heading to California with my family. I hopped into my car, and drove off to my school.

When I got there I noticed someone was waiting in my parking spot, ugh, c'mon I don't have time for this. I honked my horn and the person standing there turned around and smirked. It was one of my least favorite people on earth, Derek Lang. "Oh hi, am I in your way?" He said, his smirk growing.

He is the captain of a football team and has annoyed me my whole life. It doesn't help that our families have been friends for years and we do everything together, including my California trip tomorrow. I just proceed to keep rolling into my spot slowly until he finally jumps out of the way. I get out, lock my car, and head to my locker. When I get there, My friend is waitng there for me. "hey Twyla" I say as I open my locker. There is something wrong, I dont know what exactly but I feel like something bad will happen soon. I just assume its from all the sci-fy books I read. I say goodbye to twyla as I head towards my first period.

The school day could not go by any slower. I only enjoyed my dance class during my free school hour but other than that and luch there was nothing exciting. At the end of the day, I went strait home to pack. I walked in the house to see my mother was with some guy chatting. "Hey mom, wanna introduce me?"

My parents have been divorced for 6 years. My dad had moved on before then, and I am glad my mom is finally getting back out there too. "Hi sweetie, this is Drake, my new boyfriend. He will be joining us on our trip tomorrow." she said, as Drake gave a genuine warm smile.

"Hi drake, I'm glad your joining us" I said as I headed upstairs to my room. I shut the door and got all my clothes laid out to make decisions easier. I was going to be in California for a week, but I had a werid feeling that I would need more, so I packed extra. I packed enough clothes for 3 weeks, its a good thing im a great packer and have a huge suitcase. I also brought extra money that i wouldnt need or use, first aid, and some small soaps, toothpaste, and other essentials. I packed 3 pairs of shoes, hking boots, sneakers, and sandals. I made sure to pack maps of California, chargers, and flashlights. My makeup was bare minimum, and I had mini Hair tools like a brush and flat iron so I packed those as well. I even packed a huge flat backpack to make things easier if we had to leave with a bunch of stuff really fast. I don't know why I felt the need to do this, but I did it anyway. Better to be safe than sorry, right? With all the essentials I packed there wasn't much room for touristy things so I just decided to have one carryon of my carera, and 4 thin blankets.

I looked at my phone to see it was 9pm. I had been packing for 4 hours. I decided to get some sleep since I have to wake up at 2 am to catch our flight. I told my mom goodnight and went to check on my sister who had probably gotten home about 2 hours after me. She was in her room packing as well, only she was bringing toys and nothing she really needed. "Hey, sis, may I help?"

Carrie looked at me very relieved "Yes Please". I laughed and sat down picking the clothes she wanted, and I packed 2 weeks of clothing for her. I then put her toiletries, and finaly 2 toys, nad the rest I put a blanket, and some other bare necessities including turning her suitcase into a backpack with wheels. By the time I was done with that, it was 10:30pm, so I told carrie good night and went back to my room. I went on my phone for a little bit checking weather, population, and roads of california. Living in Maine, California will be very different. With that I shut my eyes to get as much sleep as possible.

I woke up to my alarm going off. I made sure I was the first one awake, so I could get my things packed away into my car. we are using my car because it is the largest trunk space. When I hear moving in the house, I go back in the house to see Carrie taking her bags out to my car as well. I chuckle to my self as the little 10 year old puts her luggage away just like mine. After she is done, we go back inside to get dressed. Even though it was just the airport, I was not going to give Derek the chance to make fun of me, so I put on some leggings and a cute black shirt. I straigtened my hair and out some makeup on. I get my purse and check that I have my keys, wallet, license, and extra cash.

I cleaned up room up a little and put by sneakers on and headed to the kitchen for a breakfast smoothie. I saw my mom packeing last minute with Drake and I laughed to myself that I was more responisible than my mother sometimes. I make my smoothie and tell everyone that im leaving in 20 minutes. I go back in my room and brush my teeth and decide I dont want my hair down so I throw it in a messy bun, and walk out the door 20 min later to help my mom and Drake put their stuff in my car. I drive off 5 minutes later with my mom and drake in the back arguing over the songs. An hour later it's still dark only 4 am. I pull into the parking garage and we all head to the airport to check luggage and all the normal airport stuff.

15 minutes later we reach our terminal C, and find the Langs waiting for us. We head over and say our greetings and wait for an hour and a half due to a delay in flights. After about 20 minutes, i get restless and decide to go get a starbkucks. "hey mom, I'm going to grab a starbucks." I say walking toward the crowded kiosk.

"Hey I'm gonna go too. " Derek said, running after me. We order our drinks, and I get my and His little sister a chocolate crossaunt. We head back and wait for the plane. Derek's sister Tina, brought a laptop, so we all watched a movie until the plane got here. We decided to pamper ourselves and got first class. I was forced to sit with Derek, while the others sat with each other. Dereks parents, mine, and Carrie and Tina. It was as 4 hour flight so I decided to watch a bunch of movies. Derek, I guess decided to not be annoying so I let him watch as well.

About 2 hours into the flight, we were laughing and having fun so I thought this trip wouldnt be dented by him. "What...do...you call...a...three humped...camel?" Derek asked, refrencing the movie we had just watched?

"PREGNANT" I said proudly. we both laughed hesterically.

Two more hours passed and Derek and I were having a blast a long with everyone else. The plane would be landing soon, so I put all my stuff away and got ready to exit the plane, as Derek did the same. It was weird we were both the most responsible of our familes. I turned around to see Carrie Packeing her luggage up, next to Tina doing the exact same. "aww good for you guys, youre much better than our mommys and daddys." They really liked that comment and they started bragging to the adults. Derek and I laughed so hard our sides hurt. The plane landed and we got off and headed to the train station.