(Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story. This disclaimer applies to subsequent chapters.)
A great white expanse of cumulus clouds spread over the Pacific Ocean. They were so bright that nobody who looked at them from below would doubt that they were as solid as a cotton comforter.
But they brushed past Jeanette's airplane window like vanishing wisps of smoke.
Jeanette's eyes held an expression of dreamy rapture. She and her sisters were on the plane to their birth country, Australia, for their very first concert there.
Simon, sitting in the seat beside Jeanette's window seat, seemed rather unnerved by her blissfulness.
"Um, Jeanette, aren't you a little nervous, I mean; I've heard all of your stories about Australia…"
"But that's all in the past now. We are going to see Olivia, and make her proud, and explore the outback and observe the unique fauna that the continent of Oceania has to offer-"
"Not to mention become internationally famous!" Brittany interrupted. She and Alvin were fighting over an issue of Us Weekly.
Theodore and Eleanor were fighting over the last pack of airline peanuts.
"My, my, why must our siblings have petty quarrels instead of enjoying a peaceful flight?" asked Simon.
"I don't know," said Jeanette as she looked over Simon's shoulder at the textbook on topology theory he was reading.
"Say, may I borrow that?"
"Sorry," said Simon, "but you will have to wait until I'm done."
"Fine," said Jeanette, "but you will have to wait until I'm done to read my BRAND-NEW book on quantum molecular dynamics!"
Simon snapped his book shut. "Not the new one by Dr.-"
"Uh huh. The very one."
Both of them had finished both books by the time the plane landed in Sydney.
Alvin stumbled exhaustedly off the plane, his eyes and mouth wide at the brightness of the midday sun.
"We were on that plane for like ten hours," he exclaimed, "and it's still daytime! The sun doesn't set anymore! Armageddon, everybody! It's the end of the world!"
"Alvin, everybody knows that a westbound flight chases the sunset; therefore, Australia is several hours behind us. Well, actually, several hours ahead of us, because we crossed the International Date Line."
"Well, daytime or not, I've…" Brittany yawned. "… got to get some beauty sleep for tomorrow's concert."
"Actually, that concert is tonight," said Jeanette. "International Date Line, remember?"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry up and check into a hotel so that we can get rested for tonight!"
Dave checked out a room for Simon and Theodore and a room for him and Alvin (he insisted on rooming with Alvin, despite Alvin's protests, so that he could keep an eye on him).
The Chipettes were already booked for the three-bed luxury suite on the top floor.
Brittany sighed contentedly as she rode the elevator. "This has got to be the nicest hotel we've ever stayed at! Not only that, but we get the best room in the whole hotel, girls!"
Brittany slipped the card key through the slot and twisted the gold-plated handle open.
As soon as the door was opened, the doors dropped their luggage and the air erupted with not three but six screams.
"Um, déjà vu, anyone?" asked Jeanette.