A/N: It has been decided. They shall go to San Francisco, or the author may die of suspense.
"We will be landing in San Francisco in approximately 15 minutes. The local time is 7:30, and the current weather is 56 degrees and foggy. On behalf of United Airlines, I would like to thank you for your business and hope to see you again soon." The intercom clicked off.
Lizzie pressed her nose against the cool airplane window. The California landscape stretched out before her. She could see the blue of the ocean and the hills of the legendary San Francisco. Jane was fast asleep next to her; Kindle slowly slipping out of her hand.
"Wake up, Jane! We're nearly there!" she squealed like a little girl.
"What?" her sister grunted, rubbing her eyes.
"We're here!" Lizzie repeated.
Lizzie was giddy with excitement. California! Warm weather, sandy beaches, AAAAAA!
Jane was slowly packing up her things. She yawned, slid her bag back under the seat, and went right back to sleep.
Lizzie didn't bother to wake her again. She was still staring, as the ground slowly grew nearer. She could now see cars and people and trees. And suddenly- bump!- the plane landed on the tarmac, rolling along as the captain pushed hard on the brake.
Twenty minutes later, the orchestra finished getting their suitcases and Charles called the bus.
"I just want to go to sleep," yawned Charlotte, "It's already 10:30 back in New York."
"Just be glad we don't have Darcy any more," said a random flautist, "He would be making us practice right now."
"I'd let him practice with me any day," squealed Lydia, a very young woman in the violin section.
"Lydia!" cried Lizzie.
"What?" asked Lydia, "It's true!"
"But it's just…" Lizzie grasped for a polite way to say it. She couldn't find any.
"Bus is here!" called Charles, "Remember to get the basses in first."
The orchestra filed into the bus, putting their instruments in the bottom compartment before going inside.
Lizzie's phone buzzed just as they pulled up to the hotel.
From: maddie gardiner
Hey-
I heard you're in San Francisco. Did you want to go on a bit of a South Bay tour while you're here?
M
From: luvviola
sure. What day do u think?
From: maddie gardiner
What about this Sunday? I checked your show schedule, and it looks like there are no shows then.
M
From: luvviola
sounds good. I'll tell j
From: maddie gardiner
Thanks! I'll tell Mark.
M
"Lizzie," said Jane, "We're getting out."
"Oh, sorry," replied Lizzie, putting her phone in her pocket and standing up.
"It's fine," replied Jane.
The sisters unloaded themselves and dragged themselves into the hotel. The orchestra had assembled in the lobby.
"Everyone!" Charles announced, trying to get them quiet, "We're going to unpack and take today off, but tomorrow we have to start practice down at the Orpheum. Please be ready at 7:00 tomorrow."
The orchestra groaned.