A/N This is my first fanfic that I have uploaded onto here, so please be nice and offer me some constructive criticism and enjoy the story.

The Holiday

"I'm going to miss you so much, mom." I said as the tears I was fighting to keep from falling, finally spilled and ran down my cheeks. My mom pulled me into a warm hug which caused me to start sobbing; it had only just hit me that I wasn't going to have any more of these hugs for over 2 months.

I couldn't believe that I was finally going on a vacation that didn't include my parents or my brother, just my best friend Emily. Well it wasn't really a vacation seeing as Emily was going for an audition for a new film. She had the option to wait and do it until the director came back to America, but both of us had always wanted to go to Germany and as soon as we heard that the casting people were going to be there for a couple of weeks, we instantly started packing! It all fell into place so well, Emily and I had both just finished our last year of school and we had time off of our jobs so we planned on going for the audition and staying there for an extra 7 weeks to do all the sight-seeing we possibly could, oh and not to mention all the shopping too!

"Oh now don't you start crying, you'll make me start!" my mom replied trying to smile at me reassuringly, rubbing circles on my back like she used to when I was a little girl and was scared.

"Too late." My brother declared as he saw the tears fall from my mother's eyes.

"Oh shut up Jake!" I retorted as I pulled away from my mom's comforting hug and punched my brother lightly on his arm before giving him a hug as well. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and squeezed me tightly, that was how he always hugged me. Strangely we were actually quite close considering we were hormone and angst ridden teenagers, which was bad enough but being brother and sister was even worse. Having to eat, sleep and breathe the same air as him for over 16 years was rather daunting now that I think about it; but, as per usual, I am making it out to be worse than it actually was. The good thing was that we were raised by parents who trusted and respected us and basically treated us as young adults, which is how we liked it. But they also had a very good sense of humour, which I and Jake both obtained. It was just that ours were not as PG rated as our parents! My little brother made it easier to live with him by making me laugh every single day that we spent in each other's presence. Ugh, I just realised how cheesy that sounded!

As we hugged I whispered into his ear, "Please try to be good for mom and dad, and don't miss me too much!" He softly chuckled at the last part.

"Well, I am going to miss you. But there are a few perks to not having you around for a whole two months!" Jake said cheekily as he pulled away from our hug. I rolled my eyes and punched his arm again, a little harder this time.

"Geez Bree, you're going to leave me with a bruise if you keep punching me." He said sarcastically as he grabbed his arm and looked hurt, then he started giggling. I just rolled my eyes again and smiled as I moved to stand in front of my dad. He looked as if he was going to cry, which made the tears come back to my eyes. I blinked fast, trying to hold them back.

"You have grown into such a beautiful young lady, you know. I just can't believe that you are going for two whole months!" He said, I knew that he wasn't going to last long before the water made its way out of his dark blue eyes and streamed down his face.

"You know, I can remember when you were only little and would sit on my knee as we watched cartoons on the televis-"

"Daddy I love you but please don't start, I have a plane to catch!" I said, cutting him off with a small, sad smile on my lips.

"Okay sweetheart." He pulled me into a huge warm hug, one that I hadn't had since I was that little girl; most of them were quick half hugs when he dropped me off at school or anywhere in public. You know what it's like when your parents, especially fathers, go in for a big hug when you're standing at the gate of school. Utter embarrassment! But this time I made an exception and hugged him with all my heart and soul.

"Now you remember to call us every week and if anything happens I have my mobile turned on 24/7." He said kissing my forehead.

"Sure thing dad." I sniffed as I pulled away from my dad's safe and strong embrace. "I guess I better go." I hated saying that sentence, I mean I was really excited to go to Germany with my best friend, but there was an overwhelming feeling of sadness and doubt and my stomach had managed to turn itself into a big knot.

"Oh darling, be careful. I love you so much!" My mom quickly pulled me into another hug. She whispered to me "You know you are my favorite." And pulled away cupping my face and kissing me on the cheek.

"I heard that!" Jake spoke up, pointing a finger at my mother and pretending to look shocked. We all laughed, but it wasn't the usual hearty laugh; it was quieter and more…solemn.

I turned to my brother and pointed at my cheek. "Plant one on there."

"But Bree, there are heaps of chicks around, I don't want them to see me kissing you. Do you know what that would do to my reputation?" He whined while I stood there tapping my cheek. He sighed, looked around awkwardly and then quickly pecked me on the cheek, blushing softly. I just grinned, enjoying embarrassing my brother in a crowded airport.

Flight 4903 to Germany is now boarding, please make your way to the gate with your passport and ticket in hand.

I sighed heavily as Emily said "Well, that's our flight Bree, we had better hurry."

"Yeah." I said picking up my bag that was on the floor next to my feet. "I guess I'll see you guys in 2 months then!" I gave a small smile as my family and I hugged for the last time and Emily and I made our way to the gate.

"Hey, where are your 'rents Em?" I questioned as we walked away, suddenly noticing that she had been standing there waiting for me patiently while texting busily on her phone.

"Oh, they couldn't make it. Mom had to work and dad was busy on a call with some rich ass big shot." She replied bitterly. I could see that she was really upset that her parents were too busy, heck they were always too busy! Every single play that Emily was in or any kind of award she got, her mom and dad were always 'busy' with something and couldn't make it. I suppose that's what you get when your mother is a lawyer and your dad works with an acting agency, that's how Emily got her audition. Not to say that she can't act, because she really can. But to be honest, she wouldn't have gotten it if she didn't have 'connections'.

I sighed and turned to her while we waited in line "I'm really sorry, Em." She gave me a half smile and pulled me into a hug.

"It doesn't matter anyway, I'm used to it. You know, sometimes I really wish I was your sister. I mean your family is so great compared to mine!" She chuckled quietly while looking at the ground.

"Hey," I said pulling her head up and looking into her eyes, "You are my sister and my parents love you just like one of their own! You remember what we said when we were little?"

She smiled from ear to ear as she remembered our silly little 'pact' we made when we were 7.

"One day we are gonna go on a big adventure together." We said in unison, I was surprised that we both remembered exactly what we said; but then again, due to spending so much time together we had developed a sort of… twin thing.

I looked her straight in the eye and grabbed her hands, "Well this, my bestest friend, is our big adventure. And we are going to have the time of our lives. No parents, no rules, no pesky brothers and sister, and best of all…no goddamned alarm clocks!" We both burst out laughing, earning strange looks from the others in line. As we finally got past the ticket people, whatever they are called, we both turned and waved to my parents and my brother.

Just as we were going to board the plane, Emily grabbed my hand and turned her head to me with a scared but excited grin. We both shared the same feelings, absolutely terrified and absolutely ecstatic! I smiled back at her warmly and we both knew that as soon as we stepped onto that plane, we were on our own. The thing we didn't know was that it was also going to become the most important holiday we had ever been on.