Bee, full name Bridget Higgins, was not at all sympathetic to my dire
state. My supposed best friend shrieked on the other end of the phone line,
and it wasn't in agony.
"Hogwarts! That's SUPER! What awesome news!" she was about to babble on like this for God knows how long. I had to put an end to the madness.
"Bee! God Da-"I stopped myself from uttering what was on my lips as my father's creaking footsteps warily paced the floor outside my bedroom door. "-Gosh darnit Bee, don't you realize? I'm moving. Doesn't that mean ANYthing to you? My life is gonna change! I don't CARE how cool Hogwarts is!" I gritted my teeth with frustration. Bee was not playing the role of comforting best friend very well. I was just about to hang up and forget the whole thing, thinking maybe new friends is what I need, when Bee redeemed herself.
"Of course, Luc, I know it sucks. You've been my best friend since, whaa, 1st grade?? I can't imagine things without you. It's just good to know my best friend will be enjoying herself in such a rad place!" she said, her voice vibrating in the phone at a high pitch, with the occasional squeak. I wondered if this was sadness or excitement in her voice, and what her reason for using "rad" was. Sigh. "Thanks Bee. I just hope it's as good as you make it sound. It sounds like a dream place in your words." I could almost see Bee grin as I said that.
"Hogwarts is hot stuff. I'm honestly very jealous of you, so you know you hafta write like, a million times. Tell me everything while I'm back here dragging through Salem!" I grinned. Bee was the last person to "drag" through anything, the ultimate over-achiever she was. But I felt special for her to make an attempt for me.
"Bee, I won't have any other friends there, so yeah, expect 2 million letters. Though my hand might get tired." I added. I still couldn't believe that this place didn't have e-mail, or anything else technology related for that matter. It was one of the many facts Bee had related to me in the past hour about the wonders of Hogwarts. I mused over whether Salem had computers are other "Muggle" crap and what not, but I realized, being a Wizarding school, it was the exact last thing to be on the premises. Maybe I wasn't missing much traveling over the Atlantic Ocean to live in a castle with Brits. Bee seemed to catch my thought train. "Ya know, I just love the accents. You'll love the accents. I've always wanted one. It'll be fun, I hear they are pretty funny over there." I laughed at Bee's honest stereotype, catching my bitter distaste for my new move starting to fade. Bee really did work charms on me. I shook my head to myself and tears pricked my eyes. I'm not an emotional girl, you might have noticed, and I surprised myself when it happened. I'm already missing it and I haven't even left! I thought, my bitterness returning full-fledged and ready for more battle.
And just in time.
"Luc, baby?" My Mom's voice sang sugary-fakey sweet from the other side of the door. Oh, now she wants to place perfect house mom, does she? I though as I rolled my eyes. "Gotta go, Bee. Yeah, it's my Mom." I hung up reluctantly and opened my door, ready to face what my Mom threw at me.
Her face lit up as I met her in the doorway, as if I were her new birthday gift. "Oh, we are going to have fun! Hogwarts has already sent out a supplies list, you see, you are a bit late on the roster but all is well," she zinged her hands through the air to emphasize this. "All is well! We just have to get you the supplies, the books, and the robes!" her face was like a child's on Christmas and I did not dare ruin her fun. Nod. So far I was holding up well. She clasped her hands together. "Robes for Hogwarts, they must be formal, dear!" her hands had fought their way out of their clasp and were now dancing and flying dangerously through the air to express her words. "They are just fancy there. We'll have a blast finding you some hot clothes for your stay. What's your favorite color again? Yellow?" I cringed at her attempted use of "cool lingo" and fumed at her mistaking Melody's favorite color for mine. Besides, how are robes supposed to look "hot?" No words yet though.
"Oh yes!" one of her hyperactive hands flew to her mouth in excitement. "Oh yes, and you must know about the Houses you are sorted into! Similar system to Salem, it is quite jazzy!" she was bouncing with positive energy and I could hardly stand it any longer. My blood was boiling. I attempted to make a hole in the floor with my toe as I spoke. "My favorite color is blue. Whatever about the robes, I don't care." I was ready to go to bed and act like this whole thing was just a joke, I would wake up tomorrow to my acceptance at Salem and then I would go celebrate with Bee and act like I normally do. But Mom had other things in mind. I yawned impatiently, hoping she got the hint. My Mom isn't the kind of woman to take a hint, even ones as blatant as my own. "All right Ma, I'll go to bed now, we can talk about it in the morning, buy 'em later." I turned to escape to my plush, comfortable bed, but she really just wasn't done yet!
"But Luc, you don't understand." Her hands had taken a deserved break and were now resting on voluptuous hips. "We really are behind, other students have gone and bought supplies, chosen wands, got their pets in order, their wardrobe..." she babbled. Honestly, she was doing a lot of that recently.
"Your point IS? I'm tired. I don't care what the British wizards are doing right now, this American one is going to bed." For the first time tonight my mother actually looked like she had had enough of me. I wondered if I had pushed her too far, until she spoke again.
"No Luc, we have to do what "The British Wizards" are doing. They start school in a matter of weeks. You don't have time to dawdle here and wait for the moving and such!" What, you suggest we escape into the night? I considered saying this, but my mother was tired too and it wasn't by far the smartest move.
"You need to get to London soon. You and your father will leave this Thursday, we found a great deal for tickets. You will only be in London 2 weeks, staying with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mitchell, you remember them, with Lydia, that cousin? That'll be time for you to get everything in order for school, and your Dad will be able to get a head start for work. Your sister and I will follow up with the luggage and all a few weeks later, you'll be at school by then. I suggest packing a jacket, it's always damp there." This whole speech was so absurd, my body would have laughed but my mind was to exhausted and confused.
"But Thursday...that's four days away" I said numbly.
"Yes sweetie, have everything in order by then, will you? Pack lightly, you'll get plenty of school clothes while you're there." She kissed me on the forehead as an end to the statement and the conversation, and left me with a "Good night sweetie".
It all happened so fast that I didn't believe what was going on. I lay on my bed, totally abject from sleep now as I lay wide-eyed, staring at the ugly white ceiling. Four days...four days and I'll probably never seen Salem, Bee, or the West Coast again. Four days and I'll be in Great Britain. I closed my eyes. These kind of absurd and wild plots only happen to movie stars in cheesy Disney movies. So why was it happening to me, Lucky Keefer? Did Lucky ever have luck in the first place?
Apparently not.
After the news was broken to Bee, we cried, we reminisced over past memories, we contemplated become national quidditch stars so we could meet up again at some championship. It wasn't going to work. We both realized this as we hugged goodbye, probably giving each other broken bones to remember the other, we hugged so hard. She saw me to the airport, along with my family.
I had never been on an airplane before. I suppose that requires little flyer's wings and extra peanuts, but I didn't get any. Big disappointment. I was in the midst of contemplating whether my future in England would be a big disappointment as well when a flight attendant with a permanently pasted white smile on bent down to ask me if I would rather have the Chicken Parmesan or the Filet Mignon. I said I would rather have real food, and oh yeah, does it hurt to smile like that?
I got in trouble with Dad and I got Chicken Parmesan. Things aren't looking up in the "Lucky World".
And I had a feeling things weren't going to. I looked out the window, where another first-time flyer's disappointment hit me. We weren't sailing through marshmallow white clouds. The sky was gray and dismal, like my life right now. I had heard this is what London looks like. Refusing to look out the window any longer, I tried to see the movie, which was impossible to accomplish. So I was left with my thoughts. Those are dangerous things, ya know.
What awaited me in London was a sharp, strict Aunt that ate like a rabbit, an alcoholic uncle who always smelled and whom I despised, and that cousin that Mom mentioned, Lydia? Ohh Lydia. I shivered when I thought of dealing with china-doll faced Lydia, sweet, intelligent, snobbish Lydia with a knack for making any person feel like an idiot. I must say, it's quite a talent. All the more reason to loathe Lydia Keefer. My father's sister, Aunt Peggy and her family, who moved to England when Uncle Mitchell got a job in the Ministry's Muggle Network, were not a group to be fooled with, and I had no desire to even break into their world. For at least two weeks, how ever, that was just exactly what I was going to be doing. Exactly what I was going to be doing in gray, soggy London, with no one but my self and my over-worked Dad. And every other freak that called London home. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against London and it's people, but I was never planning on becoming one of them, and frankly, I don't want to. I don't belong here, I thought, my emotions and dramas springing up from hiding again.
"Would you like a soda?" Miss Perma-Smile was here again, though I noticed the smiled wasn't nearly as warm now. It must have really hurt her to smile like that, though something went wrong last time I mentioned it. "No thanks," I grumbled. The speakers crackled overhead as Perma-Smile made her way up the row again. "We are an hour out of London, crew! Please strap into your seatbelts!" a far too jolly pilot announced. What, shouldn't we be drinking tea now? I thought dryly, before realizing I was becoming just as bad as Bee was with the stereotypes. I decided to nap a bit and try to escape my deranged mind, which was beginning to cause more trouble than it needed too.
"Hogwarts! That's SUPER! What awesome news!" she was about to babble on like this for God knows how long. I had to put an end to the madness.
"Bee! God Da-"I stopped myself from uttering what was on my lips as my father's creaking footsteps warily paced the floor outside my bedroom door. "-Gosh darnit Bee, don't you realize? I'm moving. Doesn't that mean ANYthing to you? My life is gonna change! I don't CARE how cool Hogwarts is!" I gritted my teeth with frustration. Bee was not playing the role of comforting best friend very well. I was just about to hang up and forget the whole thing, thinking maybe new friends is what I need, when Bee redeemed herself.
"Of course, Luc, I know it sucks. You've been my best friend since, whaa, 1st grade?? I can't imagine things without you. It's just good to know my best friend will be enjoying herself in such a rad place!" she said, her voice vibrating in the phone at a high pitch, with the occasional squeak. I wondered if this was sadness or excitement in her voice, and what her reason for using "rad" was. Sigh. "Thanks Bee. I just hope it's as good as you make it sound. It sounds like a dream place in your words." I could almost see Bee grin as I said that.
"Hogwarts is hot stuff. I'm honestly very jealous of you, so you know you hafta write like, a million times. Tell me everything while I'm back here dragging through Salem!" I grinned. Bee was the last person to "drag" through anything, the ultimate over-achiever she was. But I felt special for her to make an attempt for me.
"Bee, I won't have any other friends there, so yeah, expect 2 million letters. Though my hand might get tired." I added. I still couldn't believe that this place didn't have e-mail, or anything else technology related for that matter. It was one of the many facts Bee had related to me in the past hour about the wonders of Hogwarts. I mused over whether Salem had computers are other "Muggle" crap and what not, but I realized, being a Wizarding school, it was the exact last thing to be on the premises. Maybe I wasn't missing much traveling over the Atlantic Ocean to live in a castle with Brits. Bee seemed to catch my thought train. "Ya know, I just love the accents. You'll love the accents. I've always wanted one. It'll be fun, I hear they are pretty funny over there." I laughed at Bee's honest stereotype, catching my bitter distaste for my new move starting to fade. Bee really did work charms on me. I shook my head to myself and tears pricked my eyes. I'm not an emotional girl, you might have noticed, and I surprised myself when it happened. I'm already missing it and I haven't even left! I thought, my bitterness returning full-fledged and ready for more battle.
And just in time.
"Luc, baby?" My Mom's voice sang sugary-fakey sweet from the other side of the door. Oh, now she wants to place perfect house mom, does she? I though as I rolled my eyes. "Gotta go, Bee. Yeah, it's my Mom." I hung up reluctantly and opened my door, ready to face what my Mom threw at me.
Her face lit up as I met her in the doorway, as if I were her new birthday gift. "Oh, we are going to have fun! Hogwarts has already sent out a supplies list, you see, you are a bit late on the roster but all is well," she zinged her hands through the air to emphasize this. "All is well! We just have to get you the supplies, the books, and the robes!" her face was like a child's on Christmas and I did not dare ruin her fun. Nod. So far I was holding up well. She clasped her hands together. "Robes for Hogwarts, they must be formal, dear!" her hands had fought their way out of their clasp and were now dancing and flying dangerously through the air to express her words. "They are just fancy there. We'll have a blast finding you some hot clothes for your stay. What's your favorite color again? Yellow?" I cringed at her attempted use of "cool lingo" and fumed at her mistaking Melody's favorite color for mine. Besides, how are robes supposed to look "hot?" No words yet though.
"Oh yes!" one of her hyperactive hands flew to her mouth in excitement. "Oh yes, and you must know about the Houses you are sorted into! Similar system to Salem, it is quite jazzy!" she was bouncing with positive energy and I could hardly stand it any longer. My blood was boiling. I attempted to make a hole in the floor with my toe as I spoke. "My favorite color is blue. Whatever about the robes, I don't care." I was ready to go to bed and act like this whole thing was just a joke, I would wake up tomorrow to my acceptance at Salem and then I would go celebrate with Bee and act like I normally do. But Mom had other things in mind. I yawned impatiently, hoping she got the hint. My Mom isn't the kind of woman to take a hint, even ones as blatant as my own. "All right Ma, I'll go to bed now, we can talk about it in the morning, buy 'em later." I turned to escape to my plush, comfortable bed, but she really just wasn't done yet!
"But Luc, you don't understand." Her hands had taken a deserved break and were now resting on voluptuous hips. "We really are behind, other students have gone and bought supplies, chosen wands, got their pets in order, their wardrobe..." she babbled. Honestly, she was doing a lot of that recently.
"Your point IS? I'm tired. I don't care what the British wizards are doing right now, this American one is going to bed." For the first time tonight my mother actually looked like she had had enough of me. I wondered if I had pushed her too far, until she spoke again.
"No Luc, we have to do what "The British Wizards" are doing. They start school in a matter of weeks. You don't have time to dawdle here and wait for the moving and such!" What, you suggest we escape into the night? I considered saying this, but my mother was tired too and it wasn't by far the smartest move.
"You need to get to London soon. You and your father will leave this Thursday, we found a great deal for tickets. You will only be in London 2 weeks, staying with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Mitchell, you remember them, with Lydia, that cousin? That'll be time for you to get everything in order for school, and your Dad will be able to get a head start for work. Your sister and I will follow up with the luggage and all a few weeks later, you'll be at school by then. I suggest packing a jacket, it's always damp there." This whole speech was so absurd, my body would have laughed but my mind was to exhausted and confused.
"But Thursday...that's four days away" I said numbly.
"Yes sweetie, have everything in order by then, will you? Pack lightly, you'll get plenty of school clothes while you're there." She kissed me on the forehead as an end to the statement and the conversation, and left me with a "Good night sweetie".
It all happened so fast that I didn't believe what was going on. I lay on my bed, totally abject from sleep now as I lay wide-eyed, staring at the ugly white ceiling. Four days...four days and I'll probably never seen Salem, Bee, or the West Coast again. Four days and I'll be in Great Britain. I closed my eyes. These kind of absurd and wild plots only happen to movie stars in cheesy Disney movies. So why was it happening to me, Lucky Keefer? Did Lucky ever have luck in the first place?
Apparently not.
After the news was broken to Bee, we cried, we reminisced over past memories, we contemplated become national quidditch stars so we could meet up again at some championship. It wasn't going to work. We both realized this as we hugged goodbye, probably giving each other broken bones to remember the other, we hugged so hard. She saw me to the airport, along with my family.
I had never been on an airplane before. I suppose that requires little flyer's wings and extra peanuts, but I didn't get any. Big disappointment. I was in the midst of contemplating whether my future in England would be a big disappointment as well when a flight attendant with a permanently pasted white smile on bent down to ask me if I would rather have the Chicken Parmesan or the Filet Mignon. I said I would rather have real food, and oh yeah, does it hurt to smile like that?
I got in trouble with Dad and I got Chicken Parmesan. Things aren't looking up in the "Lucky World".
And I had a feeling things weren't going to. I looked out the window, where another first-time flyer's disappointment hit me. We weren't sailing through marshmallow white clouds. The sky was gray and dismal, like my life right now. I had heard this is what London looks like. Refusing to look out the window any longer, I tried to see the movie, which was impossible to accomplish. So I was left with my thoughts. Those are dangerous things, ya know.
What awaited me in London was a sharp, strict Aunt that ate like a rabbit, an alcoholic uncle who always smelled and whom I despised, and that cousin that Mom mentioned, Lydia? Ohh Lydia. I shivered when I thought of dealing with china-doll faced Lydia, sweet, intelligent, snobbish Lydia with a knack for making any person feel like an idiot. I must say, it's quite a talent. All the more reason to loathe Lydia Keefer. My father's sister, Aunt Peggy and her family, who moved to England when Uncle Mitchell got a job in the Ministry's Muggle Network, were not a group to be fooled with, and I had no desire to even break into their world. For at least two weeks, how ever, that was just exactly what I was going to be doing. Exactly what I was going to be doing in gray, soggy London, with no one but my self and my over-worked Dad. And every other freak that called London home. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against London and it's people, but I was never planning on becoming one of them, and frankly, I don't want to. I don't belong here, I thought, my emotions and dramas springing up from hiding again.
"Would you like a soda?" Miss Perma-Smile was here again, though I noticed the smiled wasn't nearly as warm now. It must have really hurt her to smile like that, though something went wrong last time I mentioned it. "No thanks," I grumbled. The speakers crackled overhead as Perma-Smile made her way up the row again. "We are an hour out of London, crew! Please strap into your seatbelts!" a far too jolly pilot announced. What, shouldn't we be drinking tea now? I thought dryly, before realizing I was becoming just as bad as Bee was with the stereotypes. I decided to nap a bit and try to escape my deranged mind, which was beginning to cause more trouble than it needed too.