See You Around

| Chapter 2 |

"Am I missing out on something?" I inquired. Gabriella was the only one who appeared confused as to why she was here. Great, that makes the two of us.

"Sit down, honey," my mother ordered. With a nod, I slowly lowered myself on the couch beside Gabriella. "As you know, it's the summer holiday."

"No, shit," Gabriella muttered and I passed off a quiet laugh as my mother scolded Gabriella for her use of language.

"And I know that you," my mother paused for a dramatic effect. Jesus Christ. "Are going to do absolutely nothing this summer. Therefore, your father and I conjured up the idea of..."

"Of spending the remainder of the summer vacation in Australia," my father finished for her, tired of having to deal with her dramatic behaviour. My jaw almost dropped as I heard this.

"What?" I glanced between my mother and father, who both nodded in unison.

Being an amateur photographer, I nurtured a hobby of taking pictures of my surroundings. Before heading to college, I promised myself that I'd visit Australia, London, Paris, Africa and Greece, so when my father had declared that we were visiting Australia, I was shaking with excitement.

"But..." I began, an excited grin making its way onto my face. "Where are we staying at?"

My father leaned back on the couch and folded his arms across his chest in an authoritative fashion. "We've staying at our long lost friends house, Bill and Lauren. When I was young, I decided to study in Australia, where I stumbled upon Bill and his girlfriend, Lauren. We immediately hit it off and Lauren introduced me to your mother, who just so happened to be studying in Australia too.

Then, after college, your mother and I decided to get married and head back to America. We kept in touch with Bill and Lauren, and we'd call them from time to time. Though, we sort of became busy and our calls lessened frequently. You see, we used to visit them every summer holiday, but once you turned four, we stopped visiting altogether. Our trip is in a few days, so you better start packing."

I nodded my head in understanding as Gabriella spoke up. "What about me?" she inquired.

"Your parents are coming back from their business trip in a few days," my mother answered and Gabriella gave her a curt nod in response.

"Can I leave now?" Without waiting for a response, she galloped upstairs and slammed the door of her room shut. I knew, for a fact, that Gabriella was going through her 'phase'.

You know, that phase preteens go through. It consists of hating their families and moping in their room while listening to sad songs. I can say this since I've experienced this firsthand.

"Don't forget to pack warm clothes! It's winter over there!" my mother called and I nodded as I got up from my seat and climbed upstairs. As soon as I made it to my room, I flopped down on my bed and reached for my phone with an excited grin on my face.

"Guess who's going to spend the remainder of their summer vacation in Australia?" I hinted in a suggestive tone, a creepy grin spreading across my face.

"Barney?" Charlotte replied back sardonically. I sent the mirror a flat look upon hearing this.

"No, me!" It was silent for a moment until Charlotte began squealing loudly. "I know, right? I suppose I'm just special," I sighed, grinning from ear to ear.