CHAPTER 2

I fell asleep on the plane and was woken up my a stewardess.

"What time is it?" I ask the woman.

"12pm." She says.

"Okay thanks." I say and adjust my watch.

I get off the plane and walk through customs and immigration. After a long time to wait for my back it finally comes through and I pick it up. I walk out to the main streets of the heathrow airport and catch a taxi to my new residence. I walk into the apartment on campus and go to my room.

Room 1040, 1042, 1044! Here we are!

I take out the room key and open the door. I put away my clothes and look around the plain room. I take a seat on my cosy bed and lie down.

I am here. I actually did it. CRAP! I FORGOT TO LEAVE MY PARENTS A NOTE!

I sigh and just let the guilty feeling pass. I will right them a letter.

I go to the desk and take one of the complementary pens out. I grab a piece of lined paper and write:

Dear family,

It's okay, I know your probable worried about me but, I am fine. I have made it. I am safe. I know you wanted me to work with you at the shack for the rest of my life but, I just can't I need to go out on an adventure. I am here in England going to the arts school I got a scholarship to 6 months ago. I needed a break. I will come visit in a few year. Hopefully I can get a job tutoring or something.

All in all, I love you guys and you can write me back to this address.

Lots of love,

Lanny

I fold the paper and put it into a envelope. I write my address and my school address. I put on some shoes and grab my room key. I walk out of my room and down to the main lobby. I put my letter in the mailbox and then go for a walk. I walk past the dance studio, then the art studio and see a bunch of people my age practising for when the semester begins. I walk and see a auditorium. Must be for the singing and acting students. I smile and walk down the theatre stairs to the main stage. I walk on and stand beside the microphone.

I sing quietly fast car and gradually get louder. Finally my confidence kicks in and I perform it. I casually walk around the stage and put my hand out pretending to slap hands. At the end of the song I here a few claps. I look up to see a snobby looking girl glaring at me and her friends clapping.

I blush and put the mic back on the stand.

"WOW! You must be the new girl, I am Derek this is my girl friend Alisha, and her friends Lucy and Lizzy," Derek introduces himself. I blush and shake his hand.

"I am-"

"Landa, we know! The head master told us about you. I didn't know you were this good. Who is your trainer?" Derek asks.

"I don't have one?" I say confused.

"REALLY?!" I think Lucy, says.

"Yah." I say.

"Well that was unbelievable." Lizzy says.

"Thanks." I smile.

"It wasn't even that good! C'mon girls, let's not waste our time." Alisha says and walks out of the room with her possy.

"Sorry about that-"

"DEREK!"

"COMING! - I gotta go." He says and leaves me alone.

I smile and put my leg off of the ledge.

I think I'm gonna like it here.

"Landa! I am so glad you made it here safely!" A old man says.

"Hello sir." I say shaking his hand.

"I am the vocal coach and songwriter, Mr. James." He says and I nod, "I saw your entry and you were unbelievable, and the fact you never had a voice trainer, wow."

"Thanks." I blush and he says, "Could you sing a bit so, I can see what I am working with live?"

"Sure." I say and stand on the stage.

I begin drops of Jupiter by train and watch him nod making me lose confidence.

"It's okay, just pretend i'm not here." He says. I nod and close my eyes beginning again.

When I get into the song I forget completely who I am singing for and walk around the stage moving to the beat of my acapella music.

When the song comes to an end he claps and smiles.

"I can't wait to put music behind your voice! It will be magnificent." he says, "Maybe even better then our star student."

"Who's that?" I ask.

"Alisha, I will introduce you to her on the first day of school." He says, "I think you should give your voice a break till then but feel free to sing softly on your own, just no belting out as if you were singing for a crowd." 

I nod and smile, "Okay sir, I will see you on the first day of school."

With that I walk off the stage and leave the auditorium.

I walk to my room and grab a few of my resumes and grab my old purse which has my 400$ left of money. I walk to the main streets of London and go into a few restaurants and drop off resumes. I go to a grocery store and put a resume there and then I put on in a small cafe close to my school. I order a cup of lemon flavored green tea and walk down the streets.

I see a currency exchange and give them my 400$. In return I recieve 262.09 pounds. I nod and put that in my wallet. I leave and I see a red telephone booth and smile. I walk in and call my home phone.

"Sorry, you are unable to reach this number, try again later." The mechanical voice says through the machine and gives me back my two pounds.

I sigh and leave the machine. I walk down the streets till I get to a phone company. I get a new phone and plan, but keep my same number.

I thank the man and hand him 150 pounds. I leave with my new phone and go to a restaurant. I take a seat and order a small ham and cheese pizza.

After dinner I pay for my meal which was 25 pounds and sigh again.

I only have 62.09 pounds left.

I leave the restaurant and pray someone hires me soon. I go back to my campus and into the dorms. I go up the elevator and straight to my room.

I look at the time. 9pm.

I get ready for bed and crawl in. I close my eyes and instantly fall asleep.