It was that time of the year again for the Chapman family, and Piper sat huffing in her room as she thought about the next two weeks and what they would bring.

Ever since Piper can remember growing up, her family had shoved the idea of being 'perfect' and 'proper' down her throat. It didn't matter how much love her and her siblings received in return, as long as everybody in the neighbourhood thought that they were the perfect family. The thing is, is that Piper had always considered herself to be different to everybody else. She did not like the whole charade around designer clothes, flashy jewellery, and fake garden parties where everybody gathers around drinking champagne. No, Piper much preferred to sit in her bedroom, alone, with the comfort of her books.

Unfortunately for Piper, it was winter vacation, and she could no longer use the excuse of homework to escape the realities of her parents and their friends. Instead, she had just returned to her room from sitting downstairs with her parents discussing the annual Chapman vacation.

This was one of the only times that Piper could actually stand to be around her parents; mainly because they were too busy trying to impress the other guests around, and Piper could easily find an excuse to lounge in the sun all day with a good novel.


The blonde awoke to the winter sun shining through the window directly in front of her. Squinting, she turned her head to face her alarm clock on the side and noticed that it was still very early. Today was going to be a busy day for Piper; she had been instructed by her mother the night previous that she needed to go shopping today. Her father had increased the number of funds going into her account and she was to use this money to find some nice outfits that "didn't look like they had come from a charity shop", in the words of her mother.

Piper checked her phone on the night stand, and smiled when she realised she had gotten a text from her boyfriend, Larry.

"Morning babe, I'll meet you in town in about an hour, is that okay?", Larry asked.

"Morning sweetie. Yes! That's great. I'm just about to get out of bed, make some breakfast, get dressed, and I'll be on my way. Text you when I'm leaving", Piper replied.

Piper placed her phone by the side of her and lay back down in her bed, sighing to herself. She really did not want to leave Larry for an entire two weeks whilst they went on vacation, especially considering this happened to fall on their one year anniversary. Piper had so many plans! She was going to treat herself and Larry to a date around the city carnival that visits only once a year. They could eat popcorn, go on the rides, and Larry could even win her a present from one of the arcade machines.

That would be just another disappointment in her life ruined by her parents. Now she had to spend an entire two weeks on a cruise sailing around the Caribbean, hopping from island to island and having to suffer inaudible conversations with people exactly like her parents.

"This is going to be hell", Piper thought to herself and she stood up and started to walk downstairs to make some breakfast.


After quickly showering, throwing on an old pair of blue jeans and a jumper, Piper quickly wrapped a scarf around her neck and ran outside to her car. It didn't take long to drive into the city on this fine Saturday morning; there was no traffic on the roads and Piper quite enjoyed this alone time to listen to the radio and hum along quietly, thinking about making the most of this last day she was going to spend with Larry for a long time.

As Piper pulled into the car park and reversed her car into a space, she noticed Larry in the rearview mirror waiting for her. She took a second to take all of her surroundings in; she really did love Larry. Although they had been together for just under a year, she could honestly say that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. He made her happy. He was very smart, he had aspirations to become a famous writer, and he looked adorable stood behind in his sweater and winter gear. She was really looking forward to today.

The next few hours flew by. Piper and Larry wondered around the city shopping centre holding hands and looking for clothes that her mother would deem appropriate. It didn't really take too long to find the clothes she needed, the majority of their time was spent in a relatively posh, yet cosy, restaurant eating a lovely dinner that Larry had secretly planned for the two of them. Piper guessed that this was their way of celebrating their one year anniversary, and she enjoyed every moment that they spent together for the few hours that they had. Before heading home, Piper sat with Larry in her car and thanked him for the day they spent together.

"This was really lovely Lar, I will miss you so much", Piper sighed.

"I will miss you too Pipes, and don't forget to text me as soon as you land and get on the ship. You can message me whenever, okay? Just try to enjoy yourself as much as you can", Larry replied.

"I will, babe", and with that, Larry kissed Piper good bye on the cheek and made his way over to his own car, waving to Piper as she drove off down the street towards her own neighbourhood.