Part One
I read my phone with delight.
Skai, Paige, Danielle, and Eva texted ideas for where we should travel this summer. Let me give you a little background about us:
Skai and I met first, in kindergarten, we’ve been best friends ever since. Then came along, Danielle she was older than us and we made her the mama of our friend group. And after that it was Eva and Paige, we met two years later. And we’ve been friends up till now. We are in our senior year of high school now. And it has been a blast, but senior year is over now, and the girls and I wanted to think of some way we can celebrate our survival.
I texted the group chat, “how about New Zealand?”
Eva texted, “Ooh yeah! I like that idea.”
Skai texted too, “Yup I think we should definitely consider going there.”
I love how supportive my friends are.
I send another message, “I hope this summer never ends!” And surprisingly, at the exact same time, my phone had read;
Eva: Me too!
Skai: same :)
Danielle: same here sista
Paige: me too
I laugh at it silently to myself and send the girls one last message,
Simone: Girls! Start packing we leave first thing tomorrow morning at six!
The next morning, I text Eva and tell her to the tell the other girls to be ready so that I can pick them up. We’re car pooling. My parents told me that they would pick up the car once I reached the airport safe and sound. I grabbed my suitcase, my purse and my duffle bag. Because we were going to be away for the whole summer, and my organized, geeky self wants things to be organized.
My dad walked up to me and took one of my bags, and helped me carry it out to the car.
“Thanks dad.” I say, he places it in the trunk and gives me a smile, “I love you MoMo.” He says, which is my nickname for me. “Don’t get smart with any boys while you away.”
I roll my eyes, “As if.”
He hugs me tight and then he calls my mom out, “Lindsay!”
“Coming sweetheart!” Mom hollers from the kitchen. She comes outdside. “See ya soon, Simone.” She kisses my forehead and then she hugs me tight. “Be safe.”
“I will—Bye baby Serenity.” I say as I kiss my mother’s pregnancy belly. She’s due in three months. “I really hope I don’t miss her birthday.” I say with a frown.
“I know.” My mother starts. “But if you happen to miss it, we’ll have it on tape.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you mom.” I hug her tight one more time. And get in the car, strap my seatbelt across my chest and start the engine. My window rolls down.
My parents wave goodbye and so do I.
“Bye!”
And I drive away into the early morning light.
