-Cassie's point of view-
"Now then everyone, something exciting for you all to look forward to," our lecturer Julian's attitude perked up immediately as he looked at his watch and new it was nearly the end of the lesson. He waited for me to finish writing my sentence before continuing with his announcement. "Following the start of our Old testament topic, the college have organised a trip to Bethlehem and Jerusalem for ten days during the summer holidays!"
"Lol okay our college is broke we can't afford that," Molly snarled from next to me. I nodded my head in agreement because it was very true, our college couldn't even afford a new set of laptops after all the old ones got broken by shit head second years, so we were forced to bring in our own technology for a few months.
"Actually Molly, we have teamed up with another college in the vicinity, and were all going together on a joint trip," he sat back on his chair and swung his legs,smiling sarcastically at Molly to which she just plainly nodded.
"Please say it's not with that Ridgeway college full of poshos Julian?" Someone close to the front shouted.
"Yeah actually it is, there are only five vacant spaces left for us though so if you're interested, let me know."
"Will we have to talk to the other kids?" The same voice perked up.
"Yes Daniel, of course you will. Shouldn't be a problem though will it, be a chance to make some friends," Julian said, playing around with him. Everyone oooo'd in reply as the bell rang, signifying the end of the school day. I began to pack up my things into my bag whilst Molly and Katie went to talk to Julian.
I waited outside the class room for them to finish and flicked through my music and started to play the some of the new magic gang stuff. "Hey, Cassie, I got this for you," Kates thick Spanish accent filled my ears as she held out a letter. I read it in my head:
'Dear Parent/Guardian,
I am writing to inform you on a new exciting trip for your child/children.
We have partnered up with Ridgeway College to plan a ten day long trip to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, to study Christian culture. The trip has been opened to our first year religious studies students as we think it'll be a fantastic trip to set them up for further knowledge. The trip will cost £820 (payed for through 9 monthly payments of £91.99),which will cover accommodation, travel, food and entry to attractions,and we will be leaving Heathrow airport on the 30th of July and returning on the 9th of August. We will be visiting lots of monumental sights and tours as well as a shopping/free day in Paris on our return. If your child/children are interested in this once in a life time trip, please return the form attached with a £60 deposit to reception by Friday the 8th of October 2015.
Kind regards,
Julian Watts (head of religious studies)'
The trip was right up my street, but I just didn't think my parents could afford it, especially with my dad just losing his job. If I wanted to go, WHICH I REALLY DID, I'd have to pay for a lot of it off my own back. "I don't know if I can afford this Kate," I said.
"Oh please just ask," she begged. "Yeah please do!" Molly replied coming out from nowhere. I sighed and gave in, "okay then,". They both cheered before leading the way out of college and walking home.
-Time skip to dinner at home-
I sat down at the dinner table with my dad and younger brother. The room was dark, only lit up by the ever glowing television and the lamp in the opposite corner. My mum followed in behind me with two bowls of spaghetti. We all began to tuck into the meal, and I waited for the right moment to ask to go on the trip.
"How was your day then Cas?" My dad asked whilst sprinkling grated cheese onto his bowl of spaghetti.
"Yeah good actually, in last lesson today Julian told us about this trip that the college have planned to go to Bethlehem and Jerusalem in the summer," I scrambled in the pockets of my jeans searching for the letter.
"Mhmm, and what about your day Tyler?" And with that, the conversation had changed. I sighed and continued to eat the bowl of spaghetti.
After dinner, I cleared everyone's plates and took them to the sink. My little brother Tyler climbed down from his chair and returned back up to his room, finally I could mention the trip again. I sat back down at the table and pushed the letter towards my mother, knowing she would be more lenient towards letting me go. She read it through before passing it to my dad. "Sounds exciting Cass," I could sense a 'but' coming. "But I don't know where we'd get the money from," there we go. My dad quickly skimmed through the letter and agreed.
"But that's the thing, I can take more shifts at work to cover it. I think Kate and Mol are going too." They both looked at me unimpressed. "Oh pleaseee," I begged.
"We'll see," they both said in union.
"Okay cool, thank you! I love you both," I said, rushing up towards them and kissing their foreheads before heading to the kitchen to begin the washing up.
I quickly got a shower afterwards before getting into bed early and Skyping Molly and Kate like we usually did on a Friday night. I told them that the chances of me being able to go were probably about 50/50 at the moment. They convinced me to carry on talking about how much I want to go and even said they'd chip in money too at one point. They were both able to go and would be giving in their deposit money on Monday. I wished I was just able to go to things easily, without the problem of money like they were.
That night I lay and thought about the trip, what it would be like if I was able to go. I'd never met anyone from Ridgeway college but everyone makes them out to be absolute "poshos". The college is about half an hour away up the road, in a much bigger town than ours. Maybe I could make friends, maybe even meet a nice new indie lad like me?
