10 Chapter eight

Emily always manages to lose, drop or chip something.

I had known that Emily would definitely lose something between the train station and the cruise, but I definitely was not ready for the reaction to be so loud and frantic.

When she first screamed out, I could already feel the annoyed eyes shooting our way, but as Emily's best friend I have a duty to uphold and complete.

"What? What did you lose?!" I ask, perking up.

It takes Emily a long moment freaking out before she finally replies to my question.

"I've lost my dinosaur keyring!"

Emily screeches once more, claws at Tasmin's shirt, then drags her away, leaving me surrounded by many disappointed-looking older generations.

They're thinking: these dumb and crazy teenagers.

Sometimes, I'd agree with that statement, but my sentimental best friend is having a breakdown and I cannot ignore that.

Tasmin shrinks through the crowd so I mouth to her that I'll stay so I can leave her assured as she helps Emily look for her precious key ring.

Alone, I stand now, pulling our three duffels closer as people move further ahead in the line. I shiver. These stares from those surrounding me are rather scary-looking, so I start to beg internally for Tasmin and Emily to quickly find that key ring.

Ahead of me, the line continues forward, and when a few more minutes pass and they still haven't returned, I start to really panic. There is only an old couple in front of me now, and I cross my fingers in hope that they will take their time.

But suddenly, I'm being called to a check-in desk, and I'm turning away help from surrounding passengers who still look pretty annoyed with my group, and I'm lugging three heavy duffel bags. I know that the distance between the front of the line and the desk isn't far, but carrying the weight of a full IKEA bookcase split in three makes it feel like a thousand miles! Plus, with beady laser eyes pricking the back of my neck, the cross takes a millenia.

"G'day, how are you today?" the middle-aged check-in man asks, as if I hadn't just broken my arms on the way to the desk.

Through puffs of breath, I say, "Fine, thank you."

As I reach into my little backpack to pull out the passports and other identification documents, I swivel around to try and spot my two friends, wanting this ordeal to be over, but to no avail.

With documents in hand, I attempt to telepathically communicate with Tasmin and Emily: Tasmin Kelly and Emily Smith to the front desk please, I repeat, could freaking Tasmin Kelly and the freaking forgetful Emily Smith come to the front desk.

No luck.

The man smiles wearily at me as I hand over the documents. I think he's starting to question why I handed him three documents with information about three people and why I have three packed bags with me, and there's only… well, me.

I chuckle nervously. "Oh, sorry for any confusion. My two friends aren't here because they're looking for something really important." I nod for emphasis. Very important.

Smile fades. "Right then. Well, they're going to have to hurry or I won't be able to check you all in." He starts reading the documents. "I need them here to clarify identities."

I nod in understanding. "I understand. I'm sure they'll be here in a minute."

I immediately turn, trying to spot them, but I don't see them. A long and painful minute passes, and I turn back to see a less understanding middle-aged check-in man tapping his finger impatiently on the desk.

I cough. "Sorry, I'll go look for them."

He hums in agreement, turning his attention away as I swiftly make my exit, back through the crowd, some people giving me unapproving looks.

I know I'll find them quickly. And when I do, I'll be ready to give them a proper scolding. I spot Emily's curls between two heads and make a beeline for her.

Bursting through the crowd, I start scolding, "Emily, did you find your stupid keyring yet? We're at the front of the line and two out of the three passengers that are supposed to be boarding right now are M.I.A!" I have a lot more to say about this situation, but I figure that the longer time I spend yelling at them the more impatient the man at the desk will become. Continuing, I say, "Hurry up —"

Turning my head, I spot three boys. Three very recognisable boys.

"You guys?" I am shocked to see them again, but specifically, I'm shocked and relieved to see Charlie.

Him and I competed in our district spelling bee in year six, representing our grade and school. We came second, but it may have been the most fun I had with the opposite sex ever! We didn't stay in contact, but memories I made with him have always been a sentimental keepsake for me.

"Lilli?!" he calls out, also seeming shocked.

Tasmin looks the most confused, so I decide to make the situation very clear to them, as quickly as possible.

"These three boys in front of us are boys in our class from year six. Don't you recognise them?" Do they really not recognise them? Charlie hasn't changed a bit! He's only gotten taller.

Emily only knows who Ben is, but Tasmin, I was expecting better.

"Don't you recognise your crush, Taz? He's right in front of you, staring at you," I whisper to Tasmin.

They really haven't changed at all. And I can tell Tasmin recognises him by the way she's blushing and nervously jittering. I want to say more, but Emily grabs my arm, pulls me closer, and whispers to me, "We should go, but let's meet up with them later."

"Huh?" I say.

Emily grins and approaches Ben, whispering to him before turning and giving me a thumbs-up.

I shrug.

"Okay, we better get going! They've been waiting for our arrival up there for ages now and we wouldn't want to lose our punctuality," Emily says seriously, tugging on Tasmin's shirt.

"But —" she replies.

I nod and push Tasmin along, saying, "Yeah, Emily, Tasmin. We gotta go." I'm genuinely worried about how long we've spent here.

We finally manage to pull Tasmin away from this smiling trio, but she looks like she could vaporise us with one little glance.