Summer Paradise in December
Ch. 5 – The Plane Ride
Seth and Ryan walked down the halls of Harbor School with only one thing on their mind. Winter vacation. It was going to be amazing. Seth, Ryan, Marissa and Summer. In Tahiti, with no parents to boss them around. What was even more amazing was that if it were possible, Ryan may have been even more excited than Seth. This was a rare occurrence because Ryan hardly ever got excited. And when he was excited he hardly ever showed it.
The two boys met up with Summer and Marissa at their lockers. "Hey", they both said in unison.
"Hey", Marissa said flirtatiously as she gave Ryan a peck on the lips.
"Summer, to what do I owe this pleasure", Seth asked.
"Cohen. Whatev. Let's just go", Summer said in her usual tone.
And with that Seth and Summer walked arm in arm down the hall way to their first period biology class.
"So, can't wait till tomorrow", Ryan announced to Marissa.
"I know. It's gonna be so awesome! Just you, me and an endless stretch of beach to relax on all week", Marissa said dreamily.
"Actually", Ryan corrected. "In case you didn't know Summer and Seth are going to be there too.
Marissa smiled at his joke and he pulled her towards him and gave her a sweet, but simple kiss on the lips.
"Just a preview of what's to come?" Marissa questioned playfully.
Ryan smiled once again and took hold of her waist as he led her down the hall to the same class Seth and Summer had disappeared into only minutes earlier.
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It was 8:31 on a Friday night. Seth and Ryan had agreed to pick up the girls at their houses so that they only had to take one car to the airport. Seth's mother bounded down the stairs as if she were late for something important and stumbled on the last step. She joined Seth, Ryan and Sandy in the kitchen.
"Sweet heart. I just wanted make sure you guys have everything. Cell phone, money, car keys, plane tickets?
"Yes, mother", Seth answered annoyingly.
"Ok then. I hope you guys have fun. Call us when you get to the airport, when you check your bags, when you board the plane, when the plane takes off. When the plane lands. When you leave the airport and when you check into the hotel. Ok?" Kirsten said all in one breath.
"God Mom. Worry much?" Seth asked his mother.
"I just want to make sure you guys are okay".
We're fine mom. We're going to be fine. And I am not calling you from all of those places. I'll call you when we board the plane and when the plane lands. And if Ryan gets hit by a car, I'll call you then too", he added sarcastically.
Kirsten rolled her eyes and hugged Seth despite his efforts to pull away. She then hugged Ryan who, though he did not like hugs from anyone but Marissa did not pull away.
"You guys be good now", Sandy instructed. "Make sure you do everything the chaperones tell you to do."
Seth's jaw dropped. "What the hell? Dad, come on chaperones?"
"Kidding", Sandy said as he chuckled. "Can't a dad have a little fun once and a while scaring the shit out of his son?"
"Ha ha, very funny, not!" Seth said.
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"Bye", Kirsten said as she and Sandy waved to them from the porch.
"Bye mom", Seth said for what seemed like the millionth time in the last three minutes.
Ryan waved and got into the car on the drivers side as Seth got into the passenger seat. They both waved one final time and then pulled out of the drive way onto the quiet street.
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Ryan pulled up to Marissa's dad's apartment at around 8:50. He parked the car and he and Seth got out. Ryan rang Marissa's bell twice and just before he was about to ring again she opened the door.
"Hi guys", Marissa greeted them. "Sorry I was just getting some last minute things from my room."
"No problem", Ryan replied. She ushered them into her apartment where they found two suitcases sitting in the living room.
"Jeez, you're bringing two suitcases?" Seth asked. "We're only going to be gone for ten days.
"You think this is a lot? You should see how much luggage Summer has," Marissa informed him.
Seth groaned at the thought of how much luggage Summer would have. She was a clothing goddess after all. Who of course just couldn't decide which of her nine bathing suits to bring so decided to bring them all.
Ryan picked up Marissa two massive suitcases and trudged out the door. Seth followed and so did Marissa after she had kissed her father good-bye. The three of them got back into the car except this time Seth let Marissa sit up front with Ryan because lord knows he wanted to sit in the back with Summer. They pulled out of the apartment parking lot and headed towards the Roberts' mansion. They arrived at Summer house around 8:00 and Seth was the only who got out this time. He hopped up the porch steps and rung the doorbell. Summer promptly opened the door.
"Finally Cohen. I was beginning to think you guys forgot about me.
"Forget about you? Summer Roberts the prettiest girl in Newport Beach. No way in hell. Seth leaned towards Summer and gave her a kiss as before he walked into the foyer and grabbed her bags. Marissa had been right. Summer did pack heavy. She had two large suitcases as did Marissa, one medium one and on smaller carry-on.
"Jeez Summer. Did you pack your whole closet? And how many bathing suits did you bring?"
"Oh, just nine. Besides, Daddy got me the whole Louis Vuitton travel set and I couldn't just leave one home. I had to use them all. That's why it's called a set. Duh Cohen."
"I see. Well since you decided to pack so "lightly" why don't you grab the two small bags."
Seth walked out the door and Summer followed him stopping at the door wishing her father was there to kiss her good-bye and wish her a good trip. But he wasn't. So she picked up her bags and followed Seth the rest of the way to the car.
Seth loaded all of her bags into the back of the Range Rover. They now had a total eight bags in their car, half of which belonged to Summer. Seth climbed back into the backseat of the car and Summer did the same. She scooted into the middle seat and snuggled up against Seth.
"Ready to go?" Ryan asked.
"Yup", Seth said as Ryan pulled out of the driveway.
It was only about a twenty minute ride to the airport so the gang got there around 9:15. They checked their bags and went to find gate J17, which they would be boarding from. Seth and Ryan sat down in the chairs in the waiting area for gate J17 while Summer and Marissa headed off toward Starbucks to grab the guys and themselves some coffee.
"Coop, can you actually believe we are going to Tahiti!" Summer squealed.
"I know. It's gonna be amazing! I can't wait till we get to the hotel! Marissa answered with equal delight.
"Four Mocha Lattes, two with no foam and two blueberry scones", Summer told the Starbucks employee.
"That will $12.34", the cashier informed Summer.
Summer handed the women the money and she and Marissa made their way back to the boys. When they arrived back Seth and Ryan immediately took their drinks, setting the drink caddy out of balance.
"Jeez you guys. Hurry much?" Summer asked.
"Sorry", Ryan apologized. "Just a little thirsty".
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The four friends boarded the plane at 10:27. Seth called his mom as he had promised just to let her know everything was okay. They all had the privilege of getting first class seats. Seth and Summer sat in one row while Ryan and Marissa sat across the aisle in another row. Ryan was beginning to get nervous; 1) because he had never flown in a plane before and 2) he was afraid of heights. Marissa comforted him though the best way she knew how and just told him to get some sleep. Summer fell asleep almost immediately on Seth's shoulder. The pilot announced that the plane was going to be taking off shortly and that all electronic devices should be shut off. The stewardess then cam into the aisle and did their little emergency safety presentation which Seth found highly amusing. The plane took off not long after and Seth and Marissa were soon also asleep.
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Seth woke up to daylight. He opened his window and looked out amazed by the spectacular sight of water. He assumed they were somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. A stewardess walked by and Seth asked her much longer the flight would be. She said probably around 6 more hours. Seth groaned softly which woke Summer up.
"Mornin' sunshine", Seth said in his usual chipper voice.
"Hey", Summer returned the greeting.
"I just talked to the stewardess", Seth said. "She said we had about six more hours to go".
Summer laid her head back down on Seth's shoulder just as the breakfast cart stopped bedside their seats.
"What can I get you guys", the stewardess asked Seth and Summer.
"I'll just have some yogurt and orange juice", Summer replied.
"I'll have the breakfast sandwich", Seth decided.
The lady handed them their food and turned around to face Ryan and Marissa who were still asleep.
"Just leave them some cereal", Seth told the lady.
The stewardess left two small boxes of frosted flakes in their cup holders and made her way down the aisle. Seth and Summer ate mostly in silence not because they didn't want to talk but because they were both still tired. Summer finished her yogurt and settled back down onto Seth's shoulder and went back to sleep. Seth soon after finished his sandwich and did the same as Summer.
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"Ladies and gentleman", the captains voice boomed over the airplane PA system. "We will be landing at the Papeete International airport in Tahiti shortly. Please place your tray tables and seats in the upright position. I'd like to thank you for flying Tahitian Air and wish you a wonderful stay in Tahiti!"
The pilot finished his speech and Seth heard the microphone click. Ryan had woken up and in turn had woken Marissa up as well. Summer was gathering her things from under the seat, ready to depart the plane.
"Well that plane ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would be", Ryan informed Marissa smiling.
"Yah, that's because you were asleep for more than half the trip", Marissa scoffed playfully.
The plane started to make its descent and within minutes was landing at Papeete International Airport. Summer, grabbed her carry-on from the overhead compartment and the four continued to exit the aircraft. The made their way through the airport and arrived in baggage claim quickly. Seth then proceeded to pull out his cell phone and told Summer to watch for his bag. He call his mom once again as he had promised and she wished them all a great vacation. The four of them got their bags and stepped out of the airport into the fresh Tahitian air. Seth could tell that this island wax no place like Newport. I t was better. He could tell already that this was going to be a great vacation.
A/N – Hope you liked it! I absolutely loved writing this chapter and hope you love reading it. This one is quite a bit longer than my other chapters so enjoy! Please, please, please review!! I really appreciate it when you take the time to tell me what you thought of the chapter! That's all for now, I will try to update soon if I have time! Remember, review! Thanx!