Nichole groaned as she slapped at her annoying alarm clock and rolled over to go back to sleep. She dozed as she tried to figure out why her alarm was blaring at 5:30 in the morning.
"NICHOLE! Wake up and get dressed! I told you that I wasn't going to oversleep and I'm not about to let you oversleep!" Tracy bellowed into her ear. "Get your ass up NOW!"
"Shut up, Tracy! Leave me alone! I'll decide when I get up and I believe now's not the time!"
"Fine! When you get up, I'll already be out that door and on my way to England without you!"
"England? ENGLAND! That's today! Why didn't you wake me up sooner?"
"I tried, but you can sleep through a tornado! It's 5:30 now...we gotta leave at 6, so get up!" Tracy hopped off of the bed and began to get her stuff together.
Nic threw back the covers and leapt out of bed. After she hurridly splashed water on her face and threw her shoulder length brown hair into a ponytail, she then went to her closet and pulled out her ripped widelegged jeans and pulled a green tank top over her head. She shoved her feet into her Birkenstock sandals to complete her ensemble.
"Nice jeans, Nic," Tracy rolled her eyes. "Did you buy them ripped or did you decide to get creative and shred them yourself?"
Nichole stuck out her tongue before replying, "Actually, C, none of the above. My sister decided to tear them to shreds because she was pissed at me one day. To her utter dismay, I actually liked the results. They're really comfortable and airy!"
Tracy had to laugh at her response. "Don't forget to take your raincoat! I actually remembered to pack mine," she said as she munched on a bowl of Froot Loops, minus the milk.
"Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me! Where'd you get those Froot Loops? I didn't think we had any of those."
"I went into the kitchen and rummaged through the cabinets while you wear getting ready. It seems like your mom bought some food," Tracy smirked.
"Yeah, she hasn't bought food in a while. You couldn't tell it though by looking at my physique!" Nichole laughed.
"Nic, shut up! You look great. Now, let's get our stuff and carry it downstairs. Ronnie should be here soon."
"Ok."
They lugged their stuff downstairs and walked into the den just as the doorbell rang noisily. Nichole ran into the foyer and threw open the door to find Ronnie standing on the porch, rubbing his eyes lazily. "Sleepy, Ronnie?" Nichole smirked.
"That's the understatement of the year! Are you girls ready to go? I don't want you to miss your flight and have to stay in Birmingham with me all day! I don't think I could survive with the both of you together!" He rolled his eyes.
"Well, I don't think I could tolerate you for more than 2 hours, Ronnie! You're just too...um, boring? No, that's not the right word. Dull? Plain? Unexciting? Hmm...well, boring just about sums all of that up," Tracy nodded emphatically.
"Tracy! Shut up! Do you want us walking to the airport?"
"Your mom could take us. Or, we could drive your car and leave it there!" Tracy tried to rationalize.
"No way. Get your stuff and start loading it up," Nic said, slightly exasperated.
"Fine."
"Sorry, Ronnie. She's just had Froot Loops," Nichole said, as if that explained it all.
"No problem. But make her sit in the backseat, okay?" Ronnie pleaded as he helped load Nic's bags into the vehicle.
Nichole laughed, "Okay, I'll sit up front only if you let us listen to the Backstreet Boys. If you make us listen to that crap you like, Tracy goes up front and then you can deal with her."
Ronnie visably flinched as he agreed to Nic's ultimatum. They got all of the luggage packed in, finally hopped in the car and made their way to their destination. Tracy fell asleep 20 minutes into the trip, so naturally, Ronnie felt gypped. "She's asleep, Nikki! Now can I listen to my stuff?" He whined unconvincingly.
"No! I'll wake her up and switch places with her!" Nic threatened. "Leave the cd alone!"
"Ok, ok! Geez! Why do you have to be so mean?"
"Because I'm a meanie butt! Heh heh. It gives me a zest for life," Nichole smiled as she glanced out of the window. They were silent for the rest of the trip, as they listened to the BSB croon their sweet melodies. An hour later, they arrived at the airport. Tracy had awaken when they got on the interstate, and talked relentlessly until they made it to their gate.
"Nichole, you gotta do your British accent when we get there! You know, to blend in. Hey, did you know that-" Tracy broke off as she listened to the announcement blaring into the background.
"Flight 420 from Birmingham, Alabama to Birmingham, England is now boarding at Gate 69!"
"Omigod, that's us!" Tracy screeched. "Come on Nic! I'm not about to miss that flight."
"Ok, ok!" Nichole had butterflies twirling in her stomach. This would be her first time on an airplane. She just hoped she wouldn't completely freak and throw up on the person in front of her. "Thanks for driving us over here Ronnie," she said as she gave him a hug.
"It was no problem. Ya'll be careful ok? If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I don't know what I can do, being all the way across the ocean, but I'll try to get you some help or whatever," Ronnie hugged her back. "You'd better go. Tracy looks like she's gonna kill you if you don't get over there!"
"Alright! I'm going! Be careful! I'll see you in a week!" Nic shouted over her shoulder as she ran to her friend.
Ronnie and the girls parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts. Ronnie was glad to get away from them both, Tracy was thinking about all the hot guys they were going to meet and Nic was praying fervently. They boarded the plane and found their seats quickly. Not really paying attention to the mumbling flight attendant, Nic looked out the window and watched the people, buildings and cars get smaller.
"Hey! Look! We're gonna watch "Shakespeare In Love"! Joseph Fiennes is so hot in this!" Tracy interrupted Nic's thoughts. "After the movie, I'm gonna listen to your BSB cds okay?"
"Ok. Hey, thanks for coming with me. I don't know what I'd do if I had to fly by myself."
"Are you kidding? If you hadn't of invited me, I would've invited myself anyway! England! Summer Vacation! No, I thank you Nichole!"
They both laughed and giggled while they watched the movie and chatted about the BSB. After 2 stopovers and a crash scare, they made it safely to Birmingham, England. Excitedly, they rushed out of the plane and into the airport. Nichole frantically searched for Dan, who said that he'd be there waiting for them. Finally, she spotted him. "Dan, over here!" she bellowed.
"Nichole! I'm so glad to see you. How was your trip? Oh, hi! You must be Tracy. It's nice to meet you. Hey, come on! I wanna show you around before it gets dark," Dan excitedly said in his sexy British accent.
"Ok, fine with us. Hey, didn't you say that Cath was coming with you? I wanted to meet her so bad," Nic said.
"She had to work late today, but you'll get to meet her before you leave...don't despair. Come on, get your stuff. It's too bloody hot in here to be mulling around!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, it is hot in here. Let's go ya'll," Tracy said, slighty annoyed because they were unintentionally ignoring her.
They agreed and so, they exited the airport and went on their merry little way.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
