4 Chapter 4

The day for Roxie to leave for the UK had finally arrived. Garrett and Kyle were busy loading up some of Roxie's luggage into Kyle's car; while Cassie was double checking to see if everything wasn't forgotten before the group of friends left for the airport. Roxie, of course; was in her bedroom looking out her window at the view of what she once called home for the past 2 years. Outfit wise; Roxie opted for a pair exercise tights, sneakers and a tang top with a plaid shirt. As for her makeup; Roxie decided to just wear very little foundation, and some eyeshadow. Once she was done getting herself ready, Roxie looked at her bedroom for one last time. Roxie would think by now that she would be excited about her trip instead of being scared or nervous, but for some odd reason Roxie couldn't shake away the nerves no matter how many times she had tried that morning. Roxie then took out her cell phone and took a picture with the camera.

"Goodbye New York; until we meet again." she whispered to herself. All of a sudden there was a knock on the bedroom door and to Roxie's surprise it was Cassie.

"Hey; everything is loaded up into the car. Are you ready to go?" Cassie asked her.

"Yeah, I was just reminiscing everything that has happened between you and me in the past 2 years." Roxie sighed.

"Hey; it's ok to feel nervous. Everything is going to be fine." Cassie told her.

"How do you know everything will be ok? I'm so scared that my hands can't stop shaking and every five minutes I feel nauseous in my stomach." Roxie cried.

"I know this because you are my best friend. You are the strongest, courageous, determined, talented girl that I know. And if some big shot publisher in the UK can't see that; then screw them." Cassie reassured her. Roxie then hugged Cassie and Roxie just cried in her friend's arms for one last time.

"Out of all the people I know; you are going to be the one person I'm going to miss the most." Roxie said.

"Yeah; I kind of figured you were going to say that right now. Oh, god; you're practically ruining your makeup. Anyway; come on, you don't want to miss your flight and besides there is probably a ton of traffic on the way to the airport right now." Cassie said. Then the two girls hugged each other again and walked outside to the front of the apartment building.

"Finally; what took you girls so long? You know there's going to be traffic right now." Garrett remarked.

"Hey; don't start blaming us for running late. Besides, we're two best friends reminiscing our moments here in New York for one last time." Roxie pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, who cares; we got a plane to catch remember?" Kyle reminded the girls. The two girls just rolled their eyes and laughed. The group then got into the car and drove off to the airport. Once the group made it to the airport, both Kyle and Roxie got out of the car and headed to the ticket station. Garrett and Cassie then switched seats and went to go park the car in the parking lot. Once Garrett and Cassie had parked the car; the two of them walked towards the airport. When they entered the airport; both Kyle and Roxie were waiting for them by the security check-in.

"Alright; let's do one more check list before you leave: is your luggage all set at the ticket stand?" Cassie asked Roxie.

"Yep; the flight attendant took both of her suitcases and her bathroom bag once she got her plane ticket." Kyle replied.

"Ok and you've got your backpack with all of your carry on items all set ready to go with you. Is your laptop, phone and camera charged?" Cassie asked.

"Yes, yes and yes; I also have two full cases of batteries just in case my camera dies out on me while I'm gone." Roxie replied.

"Now boarding 9 AM flight from New York to London. All passengers flying from New York to London; your 9 AM plane is now boarding." the flight attendant said over the intercom.

"That's me; I can't believe I'm actually doing this right now." Roxie said astonishingly.

"You can't believe that you're doing this; I can't believe this is actually happening right now." Garrett chuckled.

"Ok; honestly I really need a group hug right now or else I'm going to ball my eyes out." Cassie said. The four friends then hugged each other.

"Wait, let's take a group picture," Roxie suggested. Roxie then took out her cell phone and put it on the camera setting. "On the count of three everybody say London. One, two, three!" she said.

"London!" the group yelled. The group then said their final goodbyes and Roxie was on her way to her flight. In no more than several hours the airplane landed at the London Airport. Once Roxie grabbed all of her belongings; she walked out of the airport and gasped.

"Hello London; our little adventure is about to begin." Roxie smiled. Roxie then started to walk towards one of the nearest bus stations. Roxie had never seen a city quite as fascinating as London, England. Every where Roxie turned, there was always something unexpected and exquisite about the culture, vibe and overall experience of the city. Every few minutes Roxie would take pictures with her camera; capturing every moment that she saw or went through that day. Once Roxie made it to Buckingham Palace; she got off the bus and just stared at it with awestruck wonder.

"This is just by far the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life." she said to herself. Roxie then turned around and saw a hut with a bunch of city maps.

"Hi there; can I have a city map please?" Roxie asked the clerk.

"Sure thing love; let me guess, this is your first time in London?" the clerk asked her.

"Yes it is; how can you tell?" Roxie smiled.

"Love; I have been working at this booth for almost 40 years now. I see lots of young guys and gals just like you taking these crazy trips so they could make all of their dreams a reality. And if I'm correct; you must be from America?"

"Yes I am; I actually live in New York City."

"Really; you don't sound like a New Yorker to me dear." the clerk chuckled.

"That is because I'm not originally from New York, my roommate and best friend is actually from the Bronx. I'm originally from San Francisco, California. I went to college in New York." Roxie explained.

"Oh, well then in that case welcome to our beautiful city of what is London, England Ms. -?"

"Roxie; my name is Roxie Rodriguez." Roxie said as she shook the clerk's hand.

"Well; it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Roxie. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"Yes; I think you can help me out with something. Do you know where The Smouldering Hog is at by any chance? It's this little pub and inn where I'm supposed to meet a friend at just on the outskirts of the city." Roxie asked.

"Oh; you're looking for The Smouldering Hog? That place is not too far from here really. What you want to do is go to that Red Bus station over there and get off at Wimberly Drive from that point the pub is about two or three miles down the road. Do you think you can manage walking with all of your things?" the clerk asked her.

"Well; with some experience in living in New York City, I think I'll make it to the pub in an hour or so." Roxie guessed.

"Well, it's best if you get on your way then. There's supposed to be a storm coming in later in the evening and it wouldn't seem right if a nice young gal like yourself ended up with a cold on your first night in London." the clerk smiled.

"Good point and thanks so much with all of your help." Roxie smiled.

"Anytime love and stop by ol' Bertie's anytime you like." the clerk shouted. Roxie waved goodbye and headed back to the bus stop.