Ch. 2 Backpacking Across Europe

Corrine felt tired and weary as she woke up that morning. Marshall would be coming in an hour to pick her up. They were driving to the airport, and board an airplane to London, where they'll take a ship to France, then start their journey across France, Germany, part of Spain, and finishing in Rome, Italy where they'll take a plane back. Corrine, despite being tired that morning, was highly excited. Just her and Marshall, after a year apart, just spending time together traveling across Europe! The most romantic continent on the planet! Going to France, Spain and Italy, the three most romantic countries! If this wasn't an event that would bring them closer, then there wasn't anything that could.

Corrine's mother was helping her do some last-minuet packing, when her father entered the room with a serious look on his face.

"Now Corrine, we know that you are a very responsible young lady, but you ARE going on a two-and-a-half month long trip across Europe with a guy you really like, and you are an adult now. So I don't at all feel guilty giving you these, just as a precaution. You may not even need them," and Corrine's father handed her some condoms and birth control pills.

"What… Dad, why are you giving me these? We probably… I mean…"

"Yes, I do know that you probably won't need them, we've brought you up to be that way," he said proudly, "however, I do know that you really like Marshall, and he really likes you--"

"Likes is an understatement. I love him," Corrine said under her breath.

"—so you might want to do things you wouldn't normally do, being alone. So I ask you to protect yourselves," and Corrine nodded.

"I understand Dad, I was just confused. Parents don't normally hand their kids birth control," and all three of them laughed.

"Yes, this is true Corrine. Oh, I hear a horn, you better finish up!" her Mom sighed.

"And don't let him see those things until he needs too. Trust me, guys feel awkward if they see that stuff," her Dad advised.

Corrine did this, finished packing, and went out the door.

"Marshall, this will be so much fun! Aren't you so excited?" Corrine asked as they drove to the airport.

"Totally excited, my heart's pounding," Marshall laughed. Although his eyes were on the road, his hand was entwined with Corrine's. And they had been for the entire trip. His other hand was on the steering wheel.

"I can't believe… its been so long since I've spent this kind of time with you Marshall. You've been at your new school and me at Blake Holsey… there was that week last summer, but this is the whole summer! And then we're going to France, Spain, and Italy! The most—"

"—Romantic countries in the world," Marshall finished for her.

"Yeah, what I was going to say," admitted Corrine. Marshall chuckled and squeezed Corrine's hand.

"Corrine, I'm positive we'll have fun, wherever we are. And did I ever tell you," Marshall paused; they were at the airport where his father was waiting to take the car.

"that I love you?" he finished as they grabbed their stuff.

Flying across the Atlantic Ocean, Corrine and Marshall were snuggled up together on the plane seats, arm rests pushed back to make one big chair. Marshall was whispering gentle words in Corrine's ear. Corrine was playing with his hands. Of course, some of the people on the plane weren't too happy with them. Words like "young hooligans" and "cocky kids" were used, but neither cared.

"That's why, Corrine," Marshall whispered in conclusion to his long list of why-he-loves her. Corrine giggled nervously.

"I love you too, Marshall. I hated last year," Corrine even shuddered at the thought.

"I know. Sometimes, all the time really, I couldn't concentrate in class because I was thinking about you. It was after a month of torture that I realized."

"Too true," Corrine nodded, "and Josie disappearing made everything 10 times worse. I hated it," and Corrine kissed him gently.

They were in London, getting ready to board the vessel they were taking to France. More specifically; Cherboug, France; where they would start their journey.

"Yep, this 'ere ship, she'll get yer to France," answered the Captain to their inquiry about the boat. Marshall paid the captain for passage, and the two boarded the ship and grabbed a room.

"Well, this looks…" Marshall failed to find an adjective as he stared around at the tiny cabin. It had a queen-sized bed, a desk, and a bathroom.

"Cozy, which could be a problem if you're claustrophobic," Corrine giggled.

Marshall nodded while laughing, tossed his stuff on the bed, collapsing on it himself.

"I think I'll go see when we're leaving," Corrine decided, but Marshall had already fallen asleep. Smiling, Corrine left eh cabin and grabbed a blanket in the closet across the hall. She took the blanket and gave it to Marshall. He moaned something in his sleep, and curled up in the blanket. Corrine smiled and walked over to the kitchen, grabbed a bag of chips and a soda. Walking back to the room, Corrine gently opened the door and snuck in herself.

Marshall was still asleep, mumbling incoherent words and hugging himself. Corrine giggled and stared at the desk. It had a simple lamp, and a small battery-charged laptop with no internet access. Just a simple word program, a simple drawing program, power point, and a few games. There also was a printer and a phone.

"Simple technology, typical of a ship, but I wish I had email. Ah well, I can call Josie instead," and Corrine did, but not with the ship's phone (which was dead) but with her cell.

"Hey Corrine, how's the trip going?"

"Great, but I have to tell you something…"

"Well, time to start on our journey!" Marshall declared as they started their journey from Cherboug to Paris. It was early in the morning, so they would be at Paris late that night. They were going to then stay a day in Paris.

"We should walk from here to Caen, its not that long, and then take a train or a bus to Paris," Corrine read off her guide, Backpacking Through Europe in Two Months.

"Great, to Caen! How far away is it?" Marshall asked as they started to walk.

" About 50 miles," Corrine said absently.

"50 miles!" Marshall exclaimed.

"Oui, Marshall. But that's not that long, we can find a bus if you think its too much for you," Corrine said with a laugh.

"No, I can walk that!" Marshall said dismissively. Corrine laughed and grabbed his hand and they began to run.

(1,128 Words) Ta Da! Next Chapter Tomorrow!