Passage to Australia [Passage to Australia Trilogy Book One]

Chapter II San Francisco

Chapter II

San Francisco

"He's staring at you."  Brandon leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"I know.  Just ignore him and maybe he'll get the hint."  Paris answered, keeping her eyes on the page in front of her.  The airplane ride was nearly over, and Erik had been sending her glances the whole time.  She suspected he was suffering more from damaged pride than from any actual liking for her, so she ignored him and let him lick his wounds in silence.

She shifted her legs into a more comfortable position and turned the page.  

"Oh, Brandon, look at these!"  Janine's head poked over the back of the seat.  She pushed a magazine into Brandon's line of vision and pointed to a pair of heels that looked more suited to a red carpet reception than any practical use.  "Aren't they so adorable?"

"Yes," her cousin replied slowly. "But I think I'll stick with sandals and wedges."

"You're no fun." Janine whined, turning the page so Paris could see it better.  "What do you think of them, Paris?"

"I-uh, I don't think my parents would let me wear those," was her excuse.  Brandon smiled.

"Can I see?"  Erik asked from across the aisle, and Janine handed it to him, obviously desperate to find someone who agreed with her.  "Hmm, they look a little, uh, fancy."

Paris smirked at him, and Paul took the magazine from his brother.

"They're ugly and impractical."  He announced bluntly and allowed Janine to reach over and jerk it out of his hand with a grunt of annoyance.  

"What do men know about fashion?"  She sat down heavily and with an offended look pasted on her face went back to her magazine.  Paul resumed staring moodily out the window, Erik unbuttoned the top of his shirt and settled deeper in his chair, and Brandon turned up the volume on her iPod.  Paris couldn't concentrate on her book and looked out the window, allowing her mind to wander.  

In just a few short hours Denver, along with her parents, seemed so far away.  It had taken her a whole week to make up her mind, but she'd finally decided that six weeks' vacation was worth the wrath she would face when she returned.  She planned to enjoy herself to the full, and face the consequences later.  After all, one could have a lot of fun in six weeks, right?  

And then she would be grounded for life.

All she had to do was make sure to intercept any e-mails her aunt sent to Denver.  That wouldn't be so hard, since her mother rarely checked her mail anyway, and Paris knew the password.  

Her mind traveled to the shopping they would be doing for the rest of the day.  Ah, new clothes, new accessories, and of course all the books she would need to keep occupied along the journey.  She knew Janine would buy more shoes than all three of them could use, so she didn't have to worry about that.  Then again, maybe she should.  She smiled wryly and glanced at her cousin, still absorbed in the fashion magazine.  Yes, she would buy her own shoes.

Someone cleared a throat and she glanced up at Erik.  He brazenly winked at her before going back to the flier he had been reading for two and a half hours.  Paris sighed and erased the frown from her face, determined not to let him ruin her vacation.

When the plane finally touched down at the San Francisco International Airport, Paris was more than ready to set foot on solid ground.  And to put more distance between herself and the brothers.  

Once they got out of the airport terminal, Uncle Parker hailed a taxi to take him to the nearest car rental agency.  Erik went with him.

"Ah, we can breathe now."  Janine said sarcastically as Fiona led them to another waiting area to wait for Parker's return.