Senior Year, Biscuits & The Fuentes Family As Told By Nelissa Brown

I've never been on a plane alone. Last time I was with Mom and Nicky on our way to visit Dad in Germany. Mom had to get drunk before we even took off. So did Nicky. I was sober and the designated adult for the trip. But this time I'm with B and Cassie and the boys. No parents and no rules. There is the rest of my class going and my teachers. But really we're all alone.
Mom took me into the airport and dragged my bag onto a trolley. I looked over and saw all of my friends watching. They all waved in unison and Mom waved back. "Be careful and don't do anything stupid." Story of my life.
"I promise." I smiled.
"Okay, go have fun. I'll see you in a week." she said and pulled me to her. Mom squeezed me and kissed my eye. I blinked up into the light.
"Mom." I groaned.
"Go on, your friends are waiting." she urged and pushed me over. I looked back and saw her crying. I never know what to do when my mom is crying. She sniffed and waved to my back before she went out of the airport.
I went over to everyone. I put my trolly with theirs and Mike wrapped his arm lazily around my shoulders. "Were your goodbyes as emotional as mine?" I asked.
"Oh yeah," Mike said brightly. "My mom started crying and then got my shirt wet so she made me change it for another from my case in the middle of the airport. I was embarrassed so she cried harder. Then Jaime tried to cheer her up by putting a 'caution wet floor' sign by us." he explained.
"Did it work?" I asked hopefully.
"No, I don't know why." Jaime said sadly.
"It's the thought that counts." Cassie said gently.
We were told to go to check in. I went with the others and then we were made to wait. I hate waiting. Waiting is like my arch nemesis. I told B this and she frowned. If she keeps doing that she'll get wrinkles. I could have told her that but I don't think it would have helped matters.
We were told to board and I followed the others. On the plane I was stuck in between Cassie and B. They said they wanted to talk about the boys on the flight. I suppose that means that the boys are talking about us. I looked out of the window and saw the little sign flashing overhead telling us to fasten our seat belts. I heard Cassie grasp and grip her seat. That's all I need.

It turns out that Cassie is deathly afraid of flying. You'd think that would be something she'd share before we boarded but apparently not. B swapped seats with me because Cassie kept hitting me. B is stronger than me. She also hit her back.
After everyone had gotten our things we were taken to a hostel. Not a I'm-poor-and-my-baby-daddy-hits-me hostel. But a one with a common room and where they serve continental breakfast. It seemed late when we arrived. I dragged my case inside and groaned. I looked behind me and tried to communicate to the guys I needed help. But they didn't care. Of course they didn't.
We all sat in the common room and looked up to Ms Davies in the middle of he room. I think Mike has fallen asleep. "Rooms have been assigned. We put you with your friends don't worry." she told us. I stopped listening until she mentioned anything interesting. "Cassandra, Rebecca and Nelissa. You are together."
"Thank God." Cassie grinned.
"No fair!" Jaime exclaimed. "I want to be with Cassie."
"The boys are not with the girls." Ms Davies said sharply.
"I'm with Jaime. I want to share with the ladies." Mike said. Apparently he's woken up.
"No." she replied sharply.
"I wouldn't touch! Only have a little peek when they take their lady holders off."
"Lady holders." B echoed.
"Damn he's a catch." I rolled my eyes.
Ms Davies seemed to become rather sick of Mike. She dismissed us and again I had no help getting my case to my room. I walked inside and looked around. There were three single beds along each wall and wardrobes and vanities along the other. It was grey. So cheerful. It wasn't a bad room. But it smells funny.
Cassie started setting all her things up and B was arranging her lipstick. Actually most of it is my lipstick. I heard somewhere that if you share lipstick you can get foot and mouth. But B says if she gets foot and mouth she's dragging me down with her.
There was a knock on the door and I looked at the other two. "Well, I'm busy." Cassie said.
"And I'm lazy." I replied.
"Get up." B rolled her eyes.
I went to answer the door and found it was a girl in my grade. I've never actually talked to her before but she has quite pretty eyes. "Are you Nelissa?" she asked.
"That's me." I smiled. What have I done now?
"Mike Fuentes asked me to come and tell you he wants to see you. He's just outside." she explained.
"Oh okay," I nodded. "Thanks." The girl disappeared and I turned to the others. "I'm going to meet Mike." I said and grabbed my jacket - or more precisely Mike's jacket.
"But it's ten minutes until ten. That's curfew." Cassie said.
"We've been skipping for two years, I don't think she cares." B said.
"You haven't!" Cassie gasped.
"I'll see you." I waved.
I went downstairs and headed outside. We are not supposed to be out here so I had to sneak past the common room where I'm guessing Ms Davies and her accomplices were. I looked around outside and saw Mike leaning up against a tree, a cigarette hanging lazily in between his lips.
"I got your message," I said. "What's up?"
"I needed to see you." he shrugged. He stubbed out his cigarette and threw the end somewhere.
"You've seen me." I said and went to turn around.
"Wait," he said and grabbed my wrist. "Look I'm sorry, Nel. You know about the other day. It's been kind of weird between us. Hasn't it?"
"A little I guess." I shrugged.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay." I reassured him.
"I'm just finding it so damn hard to get over you." Mike sighed. Over me. When did he get on me?
"Mike," I whispered. "I just want you to be happy."
"How did all this happen from a fucking pen?" he shook his head.
I thought it over for a minute. "It wasn't just any pen-"
"It was a pen you threw at me."
"No I didn't!" I exclaimed. "I never did it. It was B. I told you that."
"You were telling the truth." he gaped at me.
"Yeah, I told you!"
"So it's all B's doing." Mike laughed.
"Let's blame her." I nodded eagerly.
"Don't know whether to thank her or string her up."
"When in Rome." I shrugged.
"When in Rome what?"
"Go get ice cream." I said brightly.
"Did the Romans do that?"
"The Romans did everything." I said seriously.
"So, how about we go find the kitchen?" Mike offered.
I nodded and Mike took my arm. He led me back to the hostel and I looked up to the sky. "Do you think they'll have chocolate?"
"I hope so. If not we'll make some."
"How?"
"I leak chocolate sauce." Mike told me easily.
"Ew." I muttered.
We walked inside and Mike peeked around the corner. He grinned and gestured for me to go on. I walked behind him. Mike turned around to look at me. He gave me a thumbs up but then stumbled. I helped him up and we both looked around in horror. He'd just walked right into Ms Davies. I hadn't noticed before but she's wearing her p.j.'s. She's wearing a knee length night dress. It's blue with red flowers on it.
"What are you two doing?!" Ms Davies demanded. "It's dark and late - almost eleven at night. I went around the rooms telling everyone it's lights out ages ago."
"Rocking night dress, Ms Davies!" I grinned. I saw her eyes flash at me. Damn it.
"I can explain it all!" Mike exclaimed.
"You can?" Ms Davies asked.
"Yeah you can?" I raised my eyebrows.
"You see," Mike started. "I heard a noise coming from the girls room. Now because I'm such a gentlemen I felt it was part of my duty to go and investigate to see if they needed any assistance and to not assault the ladies.
"But my path was blocked! Nelissa here was sleepwalking. I remember reading that you're supposed to wake up a sleep walker because they can freak out and die and stuff. I didn't want her blood on my hands and to be sent to jail. Imagine me in jail? The guys would own me I'm so damn good looking. So I just followed her. I was hoping to run into you when bam! She fell and woke herself up. Seems like she's just as clumsy asleep as she is awake. I was just about to accompany Nelissa back to her room, being the lovely gentleman I am." Mike rushed.
"A very elaborate story." Ms Davies sighed.
"The truth often is." Mike nodded knowledgeably.
"Go to your rooms. We'll talk this over tomorrow." she said.
"Okay, thanks Miss!" Mike grinned and took my arm.
"Where do you get your night clothes?" I asked.
"Come on, Nel. You already have night clothes." Mike told me quickly and dragged me away.

Notes

Hey! Ugh, guys this was so hard for me to write. I don't know why. I really dislike this chapter. What did you think? The next one should be loads better. What will happen? Did it make you laugh? Favourite line? Mike is a very elaborate liar! I feel like you all will be disappointed when you find out Tony's little secret. Hint, it'll be true to Tony Perry in real life. It's not so much a secret, more something he isn't comfortable sharing and talking about a whole lot. Stay rad! xo