One Way Trip to a Dead End

Chapter 2

It has been two weeks since my parents announced the news. Apparently I am referring to the news that we are going to London. I packed my bags last night and this evening at nine forty-five our flight leaves to a different city, a different country, a different continent.

My friends did eventually react on our What'sApp group to the announcement I made. They said they were all excited for me and some asked to bring back some Cadbury chocolates back. The Cadbury Crunchie has been requested several times as nobody can seem to find them in our local markets and are one chocolate bar to die for. I bet I will bump into them.

Over the past two weeks we accurately planned what we want to do in London. We researched on how to get around London the easiest and cheapest way and planned out every move we will make every day in London. It may sound extreme to be planning out every second of our stay but my mom is all about organization and looking ahead. On the first day, we arrive there at eleven thirty and Aunt Julie will be at the airport to pick us up. We should be at her house by twelve forty-five. My mom says we shouldn't be suffering much from jet-lag. If we do, we'll rest at her house, have some tea, which is typically British so counts as an attraction to me. However, if we're still all fit, Aunt Julie will show us the Big Ben which is nearby her house. For the rest of the days, which I won't be going through in detail, won't be spent with Aunt Julie guiding us around because she has to go to work. Despite the fact that it is summer vacation, the time when everybody, or in any case, most people, stop and take a break, Aunt Julie chooses to spend her time in the office. I guess it doesn't matter because I still want to be guided by a big red bus through the city of London rather than a small Ford Focus or whatever car Aunt Julie possesses.

One of my neighbours, my neighbours to the left, are a family with a sixteen year old daughter named Rachel and a son who has already gone off to university. Rachel and I have grown to be good friends although we are not very alike. Rachel is pretty much a fashion diva who doesn't stop talking (about herself) and has a big collection of nail polish. I am however a more quiet person with a pretty plain personality who can act fairly hyper around friends. Sorry, did I just say fairly? I mean very. When my feelings are uneven, so when I am feeling down or unusually happy, I pay a visit at her house and we do our nails together and talk. Well, she does my nails.

"Hello my gurrrrrlll!" She exclaims when she opens her front door and sees me.

"Hey Rachel!" I say in a happy and surprised mood.

"Come on in my Apry, I have some great ideas on how those plain nails can fit your outfit today!"

"No it's fine Rachel, I just wanted to tell you that I won't be around for a week -"

"Hold on! You mean I will have no-one to paint their nails for?" She asks interrupting me.

"Yeah gurrrlll, live with it," I say imitating her voice. "Sorry, I am just kidding."

Rachel swings her long blonde hair back. "Oh well, I guess that's fine. Where you off to?"

"London," I reply and I over-exaggerate her hair-swinging action.

"Haha okay, that's fine. I hope you have a great time there! Bring back some Cadbury Crunchies for me, will you?" She says, giggling.

"Sure! I have had tons of requests for that."

"Doesn't surprise me! By the way," she says softening her voice causing me to lean in closer to hear what she says next, "Brit boys are real cute. I dare you to go flirt with one and send me a picture of your catch."

I sigh, roll my eyes and say, "Thanks for the request, but no. Anyway, see you in a week! Bye!" I turn around and exit the front porch before she could even protest, accept or wish me fun in London.