Chapter Eight – Packing

The next day, London decided it was time to tell Mr. Moseby that she was moving in with Brandi. After school, she came back to the hotel and walked over to the front desk.

"Hello, London," Mr. Moseby said.

"Hello, London replied.

"So did you ask Brandi to cash your checks?"

"Uh, yeah. I called her last night. She's coming today to pick them up. She's also giving me back one of my credit cards."

"Just one?"

"Uh, yeah. That's all I really need anyways. I'm going to cut down on shopping, too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I also explained to Brandi why I didn't go to the memorial service and apologized for not going."

"Oh."

"Maddie also suggested that I move in with Brandi."

"Oh."

"And after thinking about it a bit, I realized it was a good idea."

"So you're moving in with Brandi?"

"Yes. I mean, I love this hotel, but I think it'll be a good thing."

"Oh. So when are you moving in?"

"Sunday."

"That's short notice."

"Well, I decided it'd be a good day to do so. Can't keep putting it off. Do you happen to know where I can find some boxes to pack my stuff in?"

"Uh. How many do you need?"

"Quite a few. You know how much stuff I own. I'll probably need at least fifteen..."

"Oh. Check with Arwin. He might have some, and I'll try to track down some for you."

Ok. Thank you," London said, starting to walk away.

"Good luck!" Mr. Moseby said as she walked off. London then walked down to the basement.

"Hello Arwin," she said entering his office.

"Hello, London," Arwin replied. "What do you want?"

"I was wondering if you had anymore boxes you could give me?"

"Uh yeah. How many do you want?"

"How many do you have?"

"About a dozen."

"I'll take them all."

"Why do you need this many boxes?"

"I'm moving."

"Ok... Where are you moving to?"

"I'm moving in with my step-mom."

"Oh. Ok then. Lemmie get those boxes," Arwin replied, walking to the room next door where the boxes were stored. He stacked the boxes together and returned to his office. "Here ya go," Arwin said, handing the boxes to London.

"Thank you," London replied, walking out of the room.

"You're welcome," Arwin said, politely.

London then put the boxes in her suite and grabbed her purse and a dog leash. Just then, the doorbell rang. That must be Brandi, London thought.

"Hi Brandi," London said, answering her door.

"Hello London," Brandi replied. "Here's the money from the checks you had me cash in." Brandi handed London the money.

"Oh. Uh, thank you, but I think you should keep the majority of it," London said, handing all but $20 of the money back to Brandi.

"Why?" Brandi replied, confused.

"I usually don't carry that much money with me. I use my credit cards to buy almost everything," London replied.

"Oh. That makes sense. Plus, it would be safer."

"Come again?"

"Well carrying a lot of money on you makes it more likely someone's going to try to rob you. So, it's safer not to carry a lot of cash with you."

"Oh, that makes sense."

"You've already started getting ready to pack..." Brandi said, noticing the empty boxes by the door.

"Uh yeah, I was going to move in Sunday, if that's okay?"

"Oh. Well that's short notice, but I guess it's okay. You'll be able to be packed by then, right?"

"Yeah, no problem."

"Alright then, I guess that works then. I should leave you to your packing. You seem to have a lot of it to do!"

"Yeah."

"Bye London," Brandi said.

"Bye," London said, as Brandi walked out the door.

"Plans changed... I'll take you on a walk when I get back from shopping," London said to Ivana, as she walked out the door. London drove to the mall. Hmmm... London thought. What should I get Brandi for her birthday?

London looked through her favorite store to find a gift for Brandi. She didn't have a clue what to get her, but she knew she had to get her something.

Meanwhile at the hotel... Zack and Cody arrived home at the hotel at 5:15. Arwin, Maddie, Mr. Moseby and Esteban were gathered around the front desk, talking quietly.

"She's moving?" Esteban said, surprised.

Who's moving?" Zack and Cody asked, overhearing Esteban.

"London. She's moving in with Brandi," Arwin replied.

"Oh. When is moving?" Cody asked.

"Sunday," Maddie replied.

"Oh," Cody and Zack said. "That's short notice."

"We're planning a farewell party for her," said Arwin.

"Oh. Cool," Zack replied. "So what is in the plans?"

"Well, we were planning to have a small party on Saturday at 2:00, since the ballroom is free," Maddie replied.

"We were also planning on each giving her a going-away present," Mr. Moseby said.

"Oh. Does London know about it yet?" Cody asked.

"No. I'll... Uh... Tell her the next time I see her," Mr. Moseby replied.

"Alright. Anything we can do to help?" Zack asked.

"Uh yeah. Get gifts to bring," Arwin said.

"And invite your mother!" Maddie added.

"Tell her to bring a gift as well," Mr. Moseby added.

"Mmmk..." Zack and Cody said, walking away. They then took the elevator up to their suite. When they got to the suite, Carey was there to greet them.

"Hey boys," Carey said, hugging Zack and Cody.

"Hi mom, Zack and Cody replied.

"How was school today?" Carey asked.

"It was pretty good..." Zack replied.

"What?" Carey asked, shocked.

"Zack and I found out this afternoon. She's moving in with Brandi," Cody replied.

"Oh," Carey replied.

"And we're invited to a farewell party for her," Zack said.

"When is that?" Carey asked.

"Saturday at 2:00 in the ballroom," Cody replied.

"And we all have to bring presents," Zack added.

"Ok," Carey replied. "Dinner will be ready soon."

"Ok, I'll be doing homework," Cody said, walking off to his room.

"Yeah, I should do that too," said Zack, following Cody.

Thirty minutes later, Carey yelled, "Dinner!"

Immediately, Zack and Cody ran into the dining room. Dinner was macaroni and cheese.

"Hey mom! I just thought of something..." Cody said, excitedly.

"What?" Carey replied.

"London likes your singing voice, right?" Cody replied.

"Uh, yeah," Carey replied.

"Maybe you could sing at the farewell party," Cody suggested.

"Yeah, that might be a good idea," Carey said.

"Ask Mr. Moseby," Cody replied.

"I shall..." Carey replied. "Wait a minute, I just got an idea of a great farewell gift for i could give London!"

"What?" Zack asked, excitedly.

""I could have someone record my show tonight, and give London the recording," Carey replied.

"Yeah, maybe," Zack said, indifferently.

"That's a wonderful idea, mom," Cody said, enthusiastically. "I could even edit it on the computer to make it more professional looking."

"Yeah, that'd be great," Carey said. "Well I've got to be off to work. Bye!"

"Bye mom," Zack and Cody said, as Carey walked out the door.

After returning from shopping, London spent the rest of the afternoon doing homework and packing. Around 6:00, she took Ivana for a walk. Then she came back and ordered and ate dinner and fed Ivana. She finished off the evening with some reality and late night television shows.

On Friday, London spent the entire day packing, because school was out. Mr. Moseby, Carey, Arwin and everyone else worked on finding a good gift for London.