Sang POV
I hear the loud, heavy footsteps of the boys running up the stairs. I stay hidden under my covers, burying my head further into my pillow, letting out a soft, happy contented sigh.
Today is Saturday and the first day of spring break. For the last week the boys have been up to something, planning something that I'm not allowed to know. Normally if it was Academy work they would tell me so, but every time I asked what was wrong they brushed it off like a piece of fluff on their shoulder.
I started watching their behavior. The only change I noticed were the huge, massive smiles on their faces-including Mr. Blackbourne-but even then nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
I hear my door handle being twisted and then the soft approaching footsteps of the boys as they get closer to my bed. Deciding to be funny, I chuck back the covers and jump to my feet trying to Roar and my voice cracks but I'm pretty sure I saw Gabriel jump back a step while the others laughed.
"Shit. Trouble. You scared the shit out of me." Gabriel complains.
"Sorry, Meanie." I smile at him.
"Not you're not." He says.
"I can't believe Sang just made you crap your pants." Luke says slapping him on the back.
"Shit. I didn't crap my pants." Gabriel complains.
"Whatever you say, Gabe. Whatever you say." Luke says.
I look between the two smiling. I love their banter. I can't help it. "So, what are you all doing here?" I look between North, Silas, Luke, Gabriel, Nathan, Victor and Kota who are all now grinning at me. I'm pretty sure they've lost their minds.
"Baby, it's spring break." North says.
I nod, completely aware of that. "Soo..." I press on.
"Were going on fucking vacation, Trouble."
I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped opened. Vacation? As in a holiday? I've never been on one before that I know of. I also don't have any money. I mean these things cost money right? I know I'm probably worrying about something stupid because I know Victor will pay for it like he does with everything else even for the others. But...I can't believe it. "A holiday?" I finally whisper. Seven heads nod eagerly. "I've never been on a holiday before." I admit. Sad, angry looks cross the faces of the boys as they realize that this may be true. "Where are we going?" I ask wanting to get rid of that look.
"After a long discussion at our family meeting last week we chose a place." Kota said, pushing up his glasses with his index finger.
"It's slightly childish baby, but I know it'll be fun." North said. "I can't wait to see your face when you see the place we have chosen."
I wait for them to tell me but instead they just look at me a little worried. Finally I say. "Well...? Where am I going? Where are we going?" Excitement bubbles inside of me. I'm going on holiday.
"Peanut, were going to Florida."
"Florida?" I repeat.
"Disneyland to be exact, Aggele."
"And maybe a few water parks but yes Sang." Kota says. His green eyes lighting up. "We're taking you to Disneyland, Florida."
I can't help but squeal with excitement.
*
After I had calmed down about the news of going to Disneyland -a place I have only ever read about in books and seen on TV-North and Luke cooked breakfast for us all. Nathan and Kota disappeared off to their houses with Victor and Luke while Gabriel dragged me up to my room and into the attic to start sorting clothes together to put in a new pink suitcase he had brought with him that was already full of clothes I had never seen before.
North and Silas follow us into the attic, North taking a seat on the bean bag chair and Silas sitting on the floor cross legged while I sit near my closet while Gabriel says yes and no to clothes to pack.
I look from the suitcase and my closet several times before saying. "Where did those clothes come from?" I point over to the case.
"I've been shopping this week Trouble and I bought you some things you'll need." He replies frowning at a pair of shorts.
"But...don't I have enough things already?" I'm sure I don't need new clothes for a Holiday but then I've never been before so I don't really know.
"No Trouble you don't."
"Don't worry Baby." North says from his chair. "He's been shopping for all of us this week." I relax a little knowing that I wasn't the only one who had new clothes bought for them. This also tells me that it's normal to have new clothes for the holiday.
Gabriel hands me of pair of pale blue shorts, pale pink cami, grey cardigan and a pair of bright pink tennis shoes. None I have ever seen before. "Go have a bath and get dressed Trouble. It's going to be a long day."
I take the pile of clothes and shoes from him and head over to the attic door. I pause for a second looking back at the guys over my shoulder. "While we're away..." I pause for a moment wondering if I should ask. I shrug mentally and finish my question. "Would you be doing Academy stuff?" It's a thought that's just occurred to me. I have never seen the boys have a day off since I've known them and I'm a little worried that some Academy stuff will pull them away from having fun and doing what normal sixteen/seventeen year olds do.
Smiles grace all their faces. "No Aggele. No Academy." I feel my whole body relax and let out a sigh of relief knowing that we will each have each other's attention.
I smile at them all once more before climbing out of my attic and making my way to the bathroom.
I quickly bathe, shave my legs and brush my teeth. I don't bother washing my hair as I only washed it last night. I dress in the clothes that Gabriel handed to me and look at myself in the mirror.
I can see my own excitement reflected in my eyes and the smile on my lips is completely happy, unforced or shy. It's a full blown one and I don't recognize myself.
I brush my hair and decide to part it down the middle at the back and put it in two braids. Something different for a change instead of my normal blow dry from Gabriel or my twist and clip style.
I exit the bathroom and walk back into my room to find Gabriel pulling my case from the attic space, grunting and groaning as he does. I let out a small giggle and go over to help him. When it's free, we move out of the way for North and Silas to climb out. "What about Marie?" I ask. It's another thought that occurred while I was in the bath. I don't want to leave her by herself.
"Marie is going to some cabin with Danielle and a load of other girls from school." North replies and I can't help wondering how he knows this. He knows more about my own sister than what I do and I've never seen him have a conversation with her.
I don't reply I just follow them downstairs and out the front door where North's jeep is and an SUV I don't recognize but a familiar face with grey eyes climbs out of the driver's seat and another familiar faces climbs out of the passenger side. "Mr. Blackbourne. Dr. Sean." I nod my head at them.
"Looking forward to vacation, Pookie?"
I can't fight the smile that spreads up across my whole face. I'm pretty sure it's going to split in half. "Yes." I say but it's come out more like a squeal. I really have to stop doing that.
Dr. Sean laughs. "I'm glad."
"Where's the others?" Mr. Blackbourne asks. I take him in the first time since he arrived and I'm completely shocked with what he's wearing. A white fitted v-neck t-shirt, a pair of dark blue jeans and sneakers on his feet. Sunglasses rest in the v of his t-shirt. I've never seen Mr. Blackbourne doing casual before and I can't help but think that it suits him. He looks more his age at nineteen but keeps his face stern, calm and collected. I wonder if Mr. Blackbourne will relax a little over Vacation. I do hope so. It's a side of him I would love to see.
"Just coming now." Gabriel replies.
"Why don't you put Sang's case in the SUV Silas?" I'm pretty sure my mouth dropped open for the second time within a couple of hours. For once Mr. Blackbourne didn't use the Mr and Miss thing he does. He notices my face and his millimeter smile appears. "You seem a little shocked Sang. I can be casual too you know."
"Of course." I reply not missing his slight playful tone. I like this side of Mr. Blackbourne already.
"Don't worry Pumpkin." Dr. Sean says. "You'll miss this side of Owen when we return home and back to reality so enjoy this Owen and forget the stern commanding one just for the week."
I stifle the giggle that threatens to burst free. "Okay, Dr. Sean."
"Oh...I'm not a Doctor this week so Sean is just fine." Sean looks over at Mr. Blackbourne and grins wickedly before turning back to me. "And he's Owen. I don't care what he says. This next week, he's Owen to you and the others."
I can't help but flick my gaze to Mr. Blackbourne, silently asking if that's okay. I see him nod his head slightly, giving me permission. The only thing I do is smile in return. I'm speechless because this Owen, Mr. Blackbourne is so different.
When Nathan, Kota, Luke and Victor come back with two suitcases, a red and a green one they pile them into the SUV and jeep.
"I've got Sang." North announces as we huddle around the two cars.
"I'll come with you." Silas adds.
"Me too." Luke says raising a hand.
"And me." Gabriel says. "Got to keep my Trouble out of trouble." He winks over at me.
"Looks like I have Victor, Kota and Nathan then." It seems odd for Mr. Blackbourne, Owen to call the boys by their names and not so formal. It may take a while to get used to it but I can't help the small smile that lingers on my lips as he does it.
I really, really like this Mr. Blackbourne.
We all huddle into the cars. I sit in between Luke and Gabriel while North gets into the driver's seat and Silas into the passenger seat. North starts the car and starts to follow the SUV. "Where are going now?"
"To the airport." Luke answers.
My eyes widen at him. "But don't I need an id?"
He smirks. "Don't worry about that Sang. Just sit back and relax."
Trust. Trust. Trust. I chant silently in my head. Trust the boys. When that sunk in I sink back into my seat. "Relax." I repeat. "Yeah, I can do that."
*
It's doesn't take long to arrive at the airport. North follows Owen through some gates and onto a turf where a large white plane is. Both cars come to a stop and we all jump out. Owen goes up the steps to the plane looking completely relaxed wearing his sunglasses, he shakes a man's hand who is dressed in a white shirt and black dress pants with a tie and a black hat on his head.
An arm goes around my shoulders and I look up to find Silas. "That's the pilot, Aggele. He'll be driving our plane to Orlando."
"Oh." I say. "Don't we need to go through baggage claim and all that?" I ask curious. I've read many different books over the years just out of curiosity of different things and I'm sure that's what happens.
He grins down at me. "No Aggele Mou, this is a private jet."
"Private jet?" I squeak out.
He nods. "Yep. It's not often we use it but when we do it's for things like now, Vacation of course and I sometimes use it to go back to Greece that way I don't need to mess about with all that stuff."
"Whose is it?" I ask.
"The Academy's." Well, that explains it then. "C'mon Aggele, the others have our cases. Let's get you on the plane."
Silas takes my hand and we walk over to the steps. Owen comes down them in that moment, flashes me his millimeter smile and then goes over to the cars. Silas pulls me up the steps. I nod and say a small hello to the pilot before walking into the cabin of the plane. I'm blown away.
The cabin has a black and white theme. Opposite me is a little black marble bar that has a shelf full of liquors. To my left line around twelve black leather seats all with random different buttons on them. By the looks of things you can turn them as well in any direction you want.
Taking a few more steps into the cabin I look over the chairs to see an L shaped sofa bench and mounted on the wall is a huge tv. To my right at the bottom of the cabin room I see a little hallway which leads to the bathroom, I guess. "Wow." I breathe.
It's spectacular for a plane. In books I read that if you weren't in first class then you get squished against random people. I don't think I'm going to get squished here.
"Take a seat, Aggele." Silas says and then goes back down the steps.
I walk to the third chair in and sit down. I look at the random white buttons and press the one that says 'TV'. I then watch with wide eyes as a big heavy looking tray comes up from the side of the chair, sits itself across my lap and a thin screen pops up. "Holy..." So many things are going through my mind right now. How is it possible for a TV to come out of a table? But then I remember that this is the academy. Their phones shock you for goodness sakes. How is that possible?
I shake all thoughts away and press the button again. The TV lays back down into the table and the table moves away from my lap and back into the side of the chair, completely fascinated with watching the table I didn't hear anyone come onto the plane. I look up to find nine amused faces. "That's so cool." I say causing them to all chuckle. "Can I have one of these at home to put in my attic?" I ask.
They all laugh again and take their seats. My chair is turned so I'm looking straight ahead and out of the rectangle windows. "Buckle up Baby and watch the view." North says from beside me. "We're gonna fly through the clouds."
I can only grin and do as he says.
*
North was right. I couldn't stop looking out the window at different sceneries. Blue skies, the odd white cloud and the view below was pretty amazing. I couldn't help but ask whether we can have a night flight back so I can see the stars. Of course North's face brightened up and said that he'll arrange it.
When we arrive in Orlando, two black SUVs are waiting for us off the turf. We all pile out and collect our luggage and put them in the cars. This time I'm seated with Kota, Nathan, Sean and Owen. I felt bad that Victor couldn't sit with me but he said he'll just have some time with me later.
Owen then drives us to our hotel. On the way I take in the different sceneries. At one point I could see the castle at Magic Kingdom and the white ball at Epcot. I couldn't help but clap my hands with excitement.
We start heading towards a large building. The first thing that catches my eye is the large Swan statues on top of the building. "The hotel is called Walt Disney Swan, sweetie." Kota informs me.
I'm in complete awe as we come to a stop outside of the building. Palm trees line the drive through and a water fountain sits in the middle of a circular grass island. It's pure amazing. I've never seen anything like this before.
We get out of the cars and I think we all look around and take the place in.
"We should have come here before." Nathan says.
"I second that." Kota says.
"Pretty awesome." Sean muses.
We all gather our suitcases and walk into the lobby. Another water fountain with four swans welcome us. I can't help but remove my phone from my bra and bring up the camera. Before I even take the picture my phone is snatched from my hand. I look over at Victor and watch as he slides my phone in his pocket. Victor places the ruck sack he was carrying on his shoulder down onto the floor and crouches down. He opens it, digs around and then hands me a pink digital camera. "For you, Princess."
My cheeks are starting to ache with all the smiling I'm doing. I take the camera from him, say a thank you and then turn the camera on then snapping a picture.
I then look around for the guys and spot them over near the check in desk and snap a picture of them. They must see the flash because all heads turn my way which causes me to giggle.
Victor grabs my hand. "Come on Princess. Let's get you to your room."
We all gather round at the elevator and wait for the doors to open. Once inside Owen hands out keys to everyone. "Kota and Nathan in one room. Luke and Gabe in another. Silas and North are sharing. Victor is in with Sean and myself and Sang have our own rooms."
"Why can't Peanut share with us?" Nathan asks.
"Because Nathan she is a girl who may want her own privacy." Owen states.
"I don't mind." I say.
"See? She doesn't mind." Nathan says.
"We'll discuss it later, Nathan." Owen says as the elevator comes to a stop. We all scramble out. Nathan and Kota find their room. Luke and Gabriel are in the room opposite them. North and Silas are next door to Kota and Nathan. Sean and Victor are next door to Gabriel and Luke, opposite North and Silas. I'm next door to Sean and Victor and Owen is next door to me.
Before we go into our rooms Owen says. "Unpack. Shower. Change. Do whatever you want for a couple of hours and then we'll go and have some dinner in the restaurant." We all nod acknowledgement.
I slide my key card into the slot, wait for the light to turn green and then push my door open. Yet again I'm in awe as I take the room in. I trail in my suitcase behind me and then close the door.
The carpet is an old fashion pattern in a gold and dark green. There's a floor to ceiling window that gives an amazing view of the hotel grounds. Two plush, comfy looking beds are placed in the room with white sheets. Opposite them is a unit with a TV.
There's a small kitchenette with a kettle, microwave and fridge. I spot a white door and walk over to it. Opening it reveals an all white bathroom.
A knock at the door startles me a little. I close the bathroom door and walk over to the hotel room door and open it. I smile when I find Victor. He holds my phone out to me. "I forgot to give you this back, Princess."
I forgot too. I take the phone back from him. "Thank you."
"You like the room?" He asks.
I look back into the room and take it in once again. Looking back at Victor I nod my head. "Yes, thank you."
"Don't need to thank me, Princess." I blush a little and give him a shy smile. "I'll see you in a little bit." I nod and close the door.
Then silence. I can't help but miss the boys deeply right now.
I go over to one of the beds and lay down on it. I bury my head in the soft pillow and drift off to sleep. The early start and long flight tiring me out.
*
My phone vibrating in my hand wakes me. I open my eyes and blink a few times before lifting the hand with my phone in it and lighting up the screen. I see I have a text message so I swipe my thumb on the screen and bring it up.
Gabriel: Trouble, I need to choose what you're wearing tonight. I'll be over in five.
Sang: Ok, Meanie.
I put my phone on the bed and slide off it and make my way to the bathroom. I take out my pigtail braids then start teasing my hair with my fingers the way I have seen Gabriel do so. I'm not an expert but when I'm finished I think I look good. I hope my Meanie likes it.
Leaving the bathroom I go straight for the door and open it. I duck when I'm almost whacked in the face by Gabriel's fist as he went to knock. "Fuck, Trouble. Don't do that. I could have hurt you."
I giggle and stand back up straight. "Okay." I say and open the door wider. Gabriel comes in followed by Luke. They're both wearing board shorts and tanks top, Gabriel a bright orange and Luke a light blue. Gabriel's shorts are a bright yellow with swirls of bright orange. Luke's are black and light blue Hawaiian style flower print. I shut the door after them.
"You haven't unpacked?" Gabriel asks lifting my suitcase onto the bed.
"Uh..." I say. "No. I fell asleep."
Luke's mouth drops open for a second before he says. "You've slept?" I nod my head, blushing a little. He turns to Gabriel. "Told you I could have taken a nap."
"You needed to unpack just like Trouble should have done." Gabriel says. He opens up my suitcase and starts unpacking my stuff into the unit where the TV is. "I have to do everything." He mutters under his breath.
"I'm sorry Meanie." I stick my bottom lip out a little.
He looks up at me and shakes his head. "Nuh-huh Trouble. Not the bottom lip. Jesus Christ." His face softens when I push my lip out a little more. "Shit, fuck. Trouble, stop. I forgive you okay?"
I smile. "Thank you, Meanie."
He shakes his head and continues unpacking my stuff for me. Luke chuckles a little beside me. "You know, Sang, you have a great advantage there. None of us would be able to get away with that."
I grin at him. "He loves me that's why." My eyes widen when I realize what I have just said. Luke looks over at Gabriel nervously. I do too and find him with his mouth dropped open a little. I blush. "I'm sorry. I should have thought before I said that."