Authors note: this chapter is simply an introductory page that doesn't do much with the plot. Skip if you'd like, although you might miss some extra backstory!
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February 3rd, 20xx, 11:00 p.m.
I stand by my bed, looking downward hesitantly at my empty duffel bag. Ugh, I guess I've procrastinated long enough.
Only two things in my life currently are certain: death and packing. Only, I'd wonder if I would more welcome death in the respite of folding clothes and jamming in Touring London books.
Before packing, I exhaustedly move to my bedroom window, tugging open the blinds. I'm greeted with a beautiful view of nighttime Manhattan, looking across the sea of sparkling lights from my sixth-story window.
I move my hands under the rung of the window and open it, welcoming a cool breeze into my otherwise stuffy room. While gazing out of the window, my mind momentarily creates mental notes of my plans once I'm in London.
Visit historical sights and old museums, eat at excellent restaurants with June, see the Big Ben, and most importantly, hopefully, see Buckingham Palace.
Agh, I can't wait! And with June's bright future in artistic pursuits, I know she can't wait either. I only hope I can work alongside her once we're older. Maybe I could be her art manager?
I turn and stride to my clothes drawer, grabbing adequate clothing for my week-long senior year trip.
After hastily stuffing my clothes in, I reach into my pantleg pocket and toss my flight ticket onto the bed, landing on my haphazard pile of books and loose change near my duffel bag.
I idly scan the details on the ticket.
"VEXARIA-AIR, SATURDAY FEB-4, 20xx.
Departure: NYC (JFK) --- LON (LHR)
8-HOUR FLIGHT TIME."
My eyes pause as I skim the flight time. I sigh in disappointment. So close to a lucky seven! At least it's not a six. Otherwise, I might've had to cancel the trip.
Not that I'm superstitious or anything...
"Claire!" My mother shouts. I spin around toward my bedroom door as my mother, Elizabeth, rushes through the door with her brunette hair bouncing on her shoulders.
She holds a stack of newly washed laundry, hurriedly placing it into my duffel bag. I sigh in annoyance, wishing she would knock.
"The school called. The bus shuttle to the airport should be here by about two-thirty tomorrow..." Elizabeth beamed as she zipped up the duffel bag. Elizabeth smiles at me, sighing with mild sorrow as she will spend the entire week without me.
I'm sure she fondly remembers her honeymoon to Europe with her husband, Mark. She had a hell of a time during her visit, and she hopes that I will too.
Elizabeth knows this class trip to London is huge for me. It's a whole week of independence and leisure—a week with my girlfriend, June.
Elizabeth can only hope that I'll be safe. Her worst fear is losing me, especially after everything with Mark.
Elizabeth unknowingly became a bit of a helicopter parent after everything that happened. I know she's doing it because she cares, but it sometimes gets on my nerves.
"So, you're seventeen, and you've got an entire week to yourself in London..." Elizabeth says calmly, "You've got your life ahead of you. Live it up, Claire."
I nodded in gratitude, trying to hide my smile. "Thanks, goodnight," I reply before Elizabeth exits my bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
Once Elizabeth leaves, I stop, scanning my bedroom to make sure everything is in its proper place. My clothes are all packed, perfume, deodorant, and books as well... Perfect! It looks like I'm all set.
With everything in order, I turn off the lights in my room and lie down on my bed. I decide to text June before I drift off for the night.
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Junie woonie ❤
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11:45 p.m.
Claire
Gn June!!! <3333
June
See u tmrw you superstitious slut <33
Claire
Omg STFU >:((
June
Nah >:)
Claire
Okay fr now go to bed!! love youu
June
Gn! till death do us part <3
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After texting back and forth, I soon notice the text becoming scrambled and fuzzy as I become drowsy. I tiredly place my phone on my nightstand before cocooning myself from the world with my bedsheets.
Even with my nagging worries regarding the trip, especially my slight fear of flying, I know I have many more important things to do, like sleep.
Just some extra backstory to the characters.
The chapters will get much longer from now. See you in the next one, which will contain the inciting incident!