A/N: Hi guys!

So I know this chapter should have gone up on Monday, but my beta wasn't available until today, so I decided to wait. Sorry! I promise that I'm not a terrible person! This story will now be updated on Tuesdays and Fridays for the sake of my sanity (and maybe yours as well). I'm currently trying to sort out my schedule, so bear with me while I try to figure this out. :)

These next few chapters are mostly a snapshot of all of the girls' packing, and smaller surprises before the big trip. If certain plot points don't make sense now, they should make sense later.

As for the Cassidy and Zach situation, it will be addressed, I promise. I wanted to let it be for a few chapters, but Zach will return. :)

If any of you saw my profile update, you probably already know the name of my new story, A MDBC Memory Book. It will most likely be another collection of bonus scenes, one-shots, and stuff that doesn't fit in with this story. I am also working on a novella/novelette story that I hope to publish in a few weeks. I want to write a few chapters before I start posting.

"And," Mrs. Hawthorne says, "There's even more exciting news!"

Jess

We all watch as Mrs. Hawthorne pauses, her face threatening to break out into a smile as seconds go by.

"Besides going to the fashion show, I've managed to fit in an extremely exciting side trip to our itinerary! We will be visiting an amazing island, Cheng Chau, during our trip!"

Mrs. Wong nods enthusiastically. "This island is filled with restaurants, a miniature Great Wall, and a pirate's hideout! An infamous Chinese pirate, Cheung Po Tsai, hid out in this cave on the island in the 19th century. We'll get a chance to explore the cave from the inside because it is still open!"

Cassidy whoops as she hears the news. "Finally! Something adventurous for once!"

I laugh as Megan and Becca sigh. They probably aren't too happy about this new development, but it sounds really fun to me.

We wrap up the meeting by talking about the situation with Understood Betsy, the book that we were supposed to read this year.

Mrs. Hawthorne sighs. "Girls, I know we haven't been able to start Understood Betsy at all, but I'm hoping that we'll be able to have an official book club meeting for actual book club business sometime in the next week or two before Hong Kong."

Mrs. Wong nods. "I agree. We might even have a chance to hold a book club meeting during Hong Kong. I'll see if we can fit something in after the fashion show is over."

"Well, in that case, I probably should share the list of fun facts I've compiled about the author of our book, Dorothy Frances Canfield." She passes out a handout for all of us to read.

5 Fun Facts About Dorothy Frances Canfield

1. Dorothy was born in 1879 in Lawrence, Kansas.

2. She went to Ohio State University, the University of Paris, and Columbia for her college education.

3. In 1907, Dorothy married John Redwood Fisher. She had a son and a daughter with her husband.

4. Understood Betsy was published in 1916.

5. Dorothy passed away in 1958, in the state of Vermont. She was 79 years old.

"Wow," Cassidy says. "She sure had a lot of school to go to."

"Yeah." Becca nods. "Three different colleges? Sounds like a nightmare."

I smile as I see Becca pretend to frown. We all know that she's more than excited to go to the U in Michigan to be with her beloved Theo.

Becca's changed a lot since her queen bee days at Walden, and she's even more focused on her studies now that she's getting ready for college.

Half an hour later, the book club is done discussing Dorothy Frances Canfield, and we all pile into our cars to head home.

By the time we get back, it's 9:00 PM, and even though I usually go to sleep later, I end up falling asleep on our couch.

The next morning, I wake up early and start on my chores. It's pretty simple these days. I milk the goats, refill their food, and feed chickens.

Dylan and Ryan are doing a lot more chores now with my parents preparing me to go off to college, and I'm finished with my chores in less than an hour.

I text Emma after I'm done, asking if she wants to head to downtown to eat or shop. She responds apologetically, saying that she is meeting Stewart all day today.

I sigh. Becca, Megan, and Cassidy are all at Megan's working on a science project, and now that Emma isn't here, I'm all alone.

Even Darcy isn't here because he has football practice.

I decide to go to a coffee shop in downtown and grab a latte before heading home to finish some studying for school.

My to-do list for today isn't too bad, and it mostly consists of studying and packing for Hong Kong.

I'm really excited that we're getting to go, especially since my mom was so hesitant in the beginning. She was worried my dad wouldn't be able to handle the farm by himself, but he assured her that he could.

I've never to Asia before, and judging from my research on Hong Kong, it's going to be a blast.

I finish packing a few hours later, and spend the rest of the afternoon reviewing for my physics test.

By the time nighttime comes, I'm exhausted. It's no surprise to either of my parents when they find me sleeping on the couch once again.

My phone buzzes just as I'm about to fall asleep, but the small glow from my screen isn't enough to keep me awake anymore.

I guess I'll check it in the morning.

That was a filler chapter, I'll admit. I'm just a bit stressed now, but the next chapters will hopefully be more exciting. I'm going to edit this tomorrow because I finished this at 9:00 at night (procrastination), then I will send it to my beta, dreaminitiate. The next chapter, beta'd and all, will be posted on Friday.

Thanks so much and sorry for my terrible updating, Britt