Broken timeline - Part One

Chapter Two - The Prize

My classes were a total blur. At 4 p.m I ran towards Mr Caldwell office. He was sitting at his desk, talking on the phone with someone. When he saw me, he pointed to the chair facing him, indicating me to sit down. I waited for him to finish his conversation which wasn't very long.

"So miss Hastings !"he said, while hanging up, "I believe congratulations are in order !"

"Thank you sir, I still can't believe it. I never thought that my story would be good enough to impress you."I said,

"Well it sure did ! It was very imaginative and inspirational. I love how you managed to include true historical facts to use as leverage for your plot. And your character development was impressive. I have to say, it was one of the best stories that I've read from a student"

I stood there, completely in awe of what he was saying. Tears starting filling up my eyes, I felt recognition.

"Oh miss Hastings, don't cry, your story is really good and I wouldn't say that if it weren't true"

"Thank you so much sir" I managed to reply, wiping off my tears. "To be honest they're tears of joy, becoming a writer was a dream of mine for so long and having someone tell you that what you've wrote impressed them is always crazy to hear."

"Well, now let's talk about that trip", he began, "It's an all expense payed trip that will include four different locations during approximately 12 days. The order is not relevant but there's two days in Hever village, where you'll get to spend a night at Hever Castle, the former home of Queen..."

"Anne Boleyn !"I shouted, before realising that I had just cut him off. I was a tiny bit embarrassed, "Erm... Sorry, go on..."

"Yes, Queen Anne Boleyn and visit Leeds Castle and it's grounds, then you'll be a day in Bath, a day in Brighton, half a day to visit Stonehenge, a day to go to Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of Sir William Shakespeare, and finally six days in London and it's amazing places."

"Wow" I replied. I was starting to make a quick list in my head of what I had to pack for my trip.

"Miss Hastings you will be accompanied by different local guides and companions throughout this trip. There's going to be : Kate and James who are certified tour guides at Oxford University and Henry who is a history major at Queen Victoria University, a true Londoner and looking forward to meet you."

"Thank you so much sir", I replied enthusiastically.

"You're welcome miss Hastings, do us proud and fill your head with memories. Here is all the paperwork that you need to fill out, and all your tickets. Be sure to return everything as soon as you can", he said while giving me a small but bulky file holder.

"I'll be sure to do that sir, thanks again !" I said, before standing up, shaking his hand and leaving his office.

I was feeling like I was on cloud nine. My trip will be next month on April the 2nd. I couldn't wait to start planning and packing. Only four more weeks and I would be on a plane towards my dream vacation ! What could possibly go wrong ?

The last four weeks went on so slowly. I attended classes like a zombie. I was daydreaming, All. Day. Long. I could barely focus on my lessons knowing that in a very short amount of time, I would be on the plane, taking me to my destiny. Okay, I'm exaggerating and I'm being very poetic, surprisingly, but it's so amazing that I cannot stop thinking about it.

Finally the day came, and I was as exited as a child that just found out that he's going to go to DisneyLand for the first time. Or when you find back that very good pair of tweezers, that you relied on for so many years, after looking for it for months. Okay, I'm being super extra, but that's how I felt.

Finally, the night before my departure arrived. I was packing my suitcase, making sure that I wasn't forgetting anything. Of course I had Caila with me, crossing off everything on her list.

"Passport ?", she asked,

"Check"

"Ticket ? iPod ? Sweaters ? Coat ? Gloves ?"

"Yes I have all of that ! Jeez Caila ! Smothering much ?"

"Hey I just want to make sure that you don't forget anything, Excuse me for being nice !" she shouted,

"I'm kidding ! Chill, you've always been very motherly, I love that about you ! I'm going to miss you." I said,

"Me too girl ! This place is gonna be so empty while you're away !" She replied, rushing to me and holding me into a very warm but tight embrace.

"Caila... I... can't.... Breathe..." I said , jokingly,

"Sorry ! I guess i'm a bit emotional, okay I think that we packed everything, don't forget your folder. And go to sleep missy, your plane leaves pretty early, and the car taking you to the airport is going to be here at 6.30 a.m"

"Okay mum I'm off to bed ! Sleep tight !"I said, walking off to my bedroom.

I lied in bed, plugged my phone to charge it up, set the alarm to 5.30 a.m. Should be enough time to get ready before the car arrived. I couldn't sleep, I was so exited. I tried my best, but it took me a solid hour before I started to doze off.

That night, I had a dreamless sleep. I had heard about that before, but it had never happened to me. 'Weird', I thought.

I woke up before my alarm. Got into the shower, got dressed, had breakfast, and finally, the car arrived. Caila hugged me one last time before I got into the car. And then I was on my way to the airport.

JFK is a huge place but thankfully my flight was departing from a small Terminal. In other words, a lot less room for me to get lost !

I checked my luggage and went through security. Then waited for boarding to start. I went to the gift shop and got reading material: a fictional book and two magazines to help me stay occupied during the flight.

After 8 long hours, I had finally arrived at Heathrow airport.