Chapter Nine – Look Through My Eyes

On Saturday at 2:00, Mr. Moseby, Esteban, Arwin, Cody, Zack, Maddie, Muriel and London arrived in the ballroom. Carey had arrived slightly earlier to warm up before she sang. As everyone arrived, and sat in a circle with the presents on the floor in the middle of the ballroom, Carey began to sing.

There are things in life you learn
And oh in time you'll see
It's all out there somewhere
It's all waiting
If you keep believing
So don't run
Don't hide
It will be alright
You'll see
Trust me
I'll be there watching over you

Before opening any of her presents, London opened the large card that everyone in the room had made a collaborative effort on. The front had a four-leaf clover and the saying 'Good luck!' on it. Inside was a message from each person at the party:

Dear London,
You have been like a daughter to me since you came to the hotel fourteen years ago. I was there when you took your first steps and I remember when you first entered school. I remember teaching you how to drive. At first, you were a horrible driver, and it scared me to be in the same car when you were driving. But since then, you've gotten the hang of it and you're a much better driver. While you've still got a lot to learn, you've grown up a lot over the last fourteen years. You've especially grown up in the months since your father died.
I'm very excited for you as you enter a new chapter in your life. Good luck in the upcoming months as you adjust to living with your step-mom. Remember that throughout everything that has happened these last fourteen years, I've always been very proud of you.
Love,
Marion

London,
Good luck to you as you move onto a new chapter in your life. It's been nice knowing you, and I hope that you don't forget my sons and I.
I hope you enjoy your going away present.
Sincerely,
Carey Martin

London,
It's been very nice to know you. We hope you enjoy our going-away gifts. Please don't forget about us as you move onto your new life. Good luck!
Cody and Zack Martin

London,
So, you finally decided to take some of my advice? Good for you! Good luck on your new life. I hope you enjoy your gift, and I'll see you on Monday in school.
Maddie

London,
Just for the record, I don't hate you. I hope you enjoy your present and good luck! Don't forget all of us at the Tipton!
Esteban

London,
Good luck and I hope you enjoy your present!
Arwin

London,
Goodbye and good luck!
Muriel

After reading the card, London opened a present.

"It's from Mr. Moseby," London said looking at the tag on the present. She then opened the present carefully, revealing a large flat book.

"A book?" London asked, confused.

"Not just any book," Mr. Moseby replied. "Your baby book!"

"Oh. That's neat," London replied. "Thank you!"

"I was planning on giving it to you when you leave for college, but you're leaving the hotel, so I feel it's right to give it to you now," Mr. Moseby said.

Just take a look through my eyes
There's a better place somewhere out there
Just take a look through my eyes
Everything changes
You'll be amazing what you'll find
(There's a better place)
If you look through my eyes

The next present London opened was from Arwin.

"What is this?" London said, looking at her present.

"It's a humidifier," Arwin replied.

"Why did you give it to me?" London asked.

"It's healthier to have one," Arwin replied.

"Really?" London asked.

"Yeah," Arwin replied.

"When mom was getting sinus headaches, I recommended getting one, because of something I had read," Cody said. "She got one and her sinus headaches started clearing up."

"Oh, London said. "Thank you, Arwin!"

There will be times on this journey
All you'll see is darkness
But out there somewhere
Daylight finds you
If you keep believing
So don't run
Don't hide
It will be alright
You'll see
Trust me
I'll be there watching over you

The next present London opened was from Maddie.

"A dog leash!" London said. "That'll come in handy. Thank you!"

"You're welcome," Maddie replied.

Just take a look through my eyes
There's a better place somewhere out there
Just take a look through my eyes
Everything changes
You'll be amazed what you'll find
(There's a better place)
If you look through my eyes

London opened the next present, which was from Esteban.

"Omigosh!" London said, opening a box to reveal a beautiful scarf. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Esteban!"

"You're welcome, London! I'm glad you like it," Esteban said, happily.

All these things that you can change
There's a meaning in everything
And you find all you need
There's so much to understand

"Hairbands?" London said, opening her next gift. "Uh... Thank you, Muriel. I'm sure I'll be able to use them..."

"I thought so. You're welcome!" Muriel said.

Take a look (take a look) through my eyes
There's a better place somewhere out there
Just take a look (take a look) through my eyes
Everything changes
You'll be amazed what you'll find
(You'll be amazed if you just take a look)

"A battery?" London said, opening her gift from Zack. "Umm... Thanks!"

"You're welcome," Zack said.

"You'll excuse him..." Cody said, laughing. "That's all he could afford, considering he wastes all of his allowance on gum and playing games in the game room!"

Look through my eyes
There's a better place somewhere out there
Just take a look through my eyes
Everything changes
You'll be amazed what you'll find

"A pen and paper," London said, opening her next present, which was from Cody.

"The paper is actually called stationary," Cody said, correcting her. "I gave it to you so you can write to all of us at the hotel..."

"Oh. Thank you!" London said.

"You're welcome," Cody replied.

If you look through my eyes
Just take a look through my eyes
If you look through my eyes
Take a look through my eyes
-'Look Through My Eyes' by Phil Collins

Carey came offstage and joined the circle. London then opened her last present – the one from Carey. When London opened it, she found a DVD. "Carey Martin in Concert," London said, reading the cover of the insert in the DVD case.

"I knew that you like my voice, so I had someone record my concert on Thursday," Carey replied.

"Thank you!" London replied. "I didn't know you knew that I like your singing voice. This is really nice..."

"I helped too!" Cody exclaimed.

"Yeah... He edited it on the computer," Carey added. "And he made the insert for the DVD."

"Oh. Well, thank you as well," London said to Cody.

For the next fifteen minutes, everyone just sat around, talked and ate some snacks. After the party, everyone left and went back to what they were doing. Maddie went back to the candy counter and Mr. Moseby went back to the front desk. Esteban, Muriel and Arwin went back to their respective jobs. Zack and Cody got a call from Tapeworm and decided to hang out with him at his house. Carey returned home to clean her hotel suite. London returned back to her suite. She finished packing everything except for her pajamas, an outfit for the next day and her toiletry items. At 5:00, she took Ivana on a walk, using the new leash Maddie had given her. When London got back to the hotel, she fed Ivana and ordered room service. This is the last time I'm going to order room service while living at this hotel, London thought before she called. The food arrived 10 minutes later. She ate it and then went back to watching television. At 12:00, she turned off the TV, and went to sleep.