by Adrien Leduc
Chapter Four
FLIGHT TO FRANCE
Rosenberg residence. The following morning.
“Come on you two, we need to get a move on. I don’t want to be late.”
Next morning, Uncle Marty's more agitated than I've ever seen him.
“You two really have to stop dilly-dallying and get ready.”
“But I can't find my Nintendo DS,” my brother whines as he and Uncle Marty cross paths in the kitchen.
“I think you can manage a few weeks without video games. We’re going to be doing some pretty exciting stuff.”
“A few weeks without video games? Are you crazy? I’ll be so bored!”
Troy laughs. “Have you ever tried it? It’s not that bad.”
Josh scowls at him. “No...”
I look at Troy and smile.
Now you’re pissing off my brother...what amazing thing will you do next!?
“Well, it’s really not that bad.”
“I want my Nintendo DS.”
I look at my brother.
How immature...
“Josh, quit being such a little diva.”
He looks at me. “You quit being such a little diva.”
I gape at him. “Uh, how am I being a diva?”
“You two,” Uncle Marty snaps, “that's enough. Joshua, go and look for your Nintendo DS. Sarah,” his voice softens, though only slightly, “eat your breakfast and don't talk to him until we're on our way to the airport.”
My brother mutters something and stomps off down the hallway. I glance at Troy, wondering what he thinks of our latest family feud. He's got his nose in a book though and he seems to be more interested in that.
“Good book?” I ask, taking up a spoonful of Cheerios.
He looks up at me and in case I'd forgotten just how gorgeous he is, I'm suddenly reminded.
“Not really...my girlfriend lent it to me...she recommended it.”
“Oh...what book?”
Troy grins and turns the cover so it faces me.
I laugh. “Dark Moon!?”
He’s blushing now, actually blushing.
“You’re reading Dark Moon!?”
“Sarah, please quit gabbing and eat your breakfast,” says Uncle Marty as he finishes wiping down the counter, his tone impatient. “Our taxi will be here in thirty minutes and I want you ready.”
“I’m not allowed to talk to anyone now? I thought you just said I couldn’t talk to Josh.”
Uncle Marty looks like he’s about to respond, but then he puts his hands in the air and leaves the kitchen.
Troy looks at me as he slides off the stool. “I think we’d better get ready.”
“But wait! You have to tell me why you don’t like Dark Moon!” I laugh. “Is it because it’s a girls’ book?”
“It’s not a girls’ book...is it?”
I look at him. “Uh...vampires and romance and all that stuff. I think it’s a girls’ book.”
Troy almost looks embarrassed. “Well...hmm...no wonder I don’t like it that much.”
I make a face and continue eating my cereal.
“Whatever,” he says, flipping the book over in his hands, “I’ll still read it. It’ll give me something to do on the plane at least.”
“You and Uncle Marty are supposed to tell me this big story you guys couldn’t tell me last night. Can’t you do that on the plane?”
Troy grins as he rinses his dishes in the sink and loads them in the dishwasher. “I guess so, eh.”
“Uh, yeah,” I answer, laughing, though I’m not sure why because there’s nothing funny about them holding out on telling me this story.
“Alright. That’ll pass the time for sure.”
“Cool. And I want all the details. No leaving any parts out.”
“Alright,” says Troy, nodding smartly as he makes his way from the kitchen.
“Alright,” I call after him, bringing the bowl to my mouth and drinking straight from it now that he’s no longer in the room.
This might just be a fun little vacation after all!