It was a quarter until eleven. I had my suitcase in the car, and I had my car keys on me. I also packed two books in case, since I was almost done the one I was reading. Mom was driving, so I could finish in the car. I had the second one in case I had to grab it from the suitcase. The third one was in the suitcase, because I wasn't going to finish two books in an hour." Mom!" I called." We're leaving at eleven. Jess texted me," I said. Mom stared at me and nodded. I think she's screaming on the inside, I know that look." Sam," I heard Dad say." Yes?" I tilted my head." Bye. Love you," he said." Love you too," I nodded. It was 10:55, we should get going.

"Mom!" I called." Yes, hon?" I heard her ask." We should get going," I suggested." Sure!" She agreed. I put Dexter in the back, and I saw Liam rush out. He hugged Mom, then hugged me." Bye," he said." See ya," I blinked in surprise. He'd probably celebrate after with his hockey bros. I waited in the passenger side, pulling out my book. Mom started the engine, then I stared ahead for a sec. She put on Teenage Dirtbag and smiled at me." Mom," I grumbled." I wish I could go," she frowned." You'd bum out the party," I joked." Seven people going, I think. Or was it six? Can't remember." I frowned. On my way, I texted. Great! See you! I was amazed at how fast Jessica could reply to texts." Oh, that must be soooo difficult. I'm praying for you." Mom's tone had a mockery in her sarcasm. I glared at her and continued my book. I could pay attention to about three things at a time.

"I'm just a teenage dirtbag baby," Mom sang. I rolled my eyes and scoffed." Such a teenager!" She frowned." I'm seventeen, of course I am." I scoffed. Mom put Jessica's address into the gps. I listened to the music." I have another song!" Mom beamed. I furrowed my brow." Mr. Forgettable." Mom said." Does that remind you of me?" I pouted." Uhhh," Mom paused." So, um, are you reading a good book?" She asked." Yep," I said." Oh. What's it about?" I tapped my finger on my knee before answering," an adult who travels back in time to investigate the mystery of a six year old girl who was a cannibal and almost ate everybody. He's just running away from a car that's trying to run him over now," I looked over at Mom." Oh..." she mumbled." Almost done," I grinned." Hmm," she nodded. She reached for her phone and kept swiping and tapping, eyes flickering from the blinding screen and the road.

All of a sudden, a podcast was on about an Ouija Board." Those 'Ouija Boards' are stupid," I said in disgust." No, they're real," Mom said." It's a something-effect. Can't remember the word, but you move the planchette with your hands, but your consciousness isn't aware." I rolled my eyes." Really?" Mom raised an eyebrow." Really," I say." Well, they aren't. It does open a portal to the other side, it's clear as day." Mom grinned." And I can walk on water," I scoffed.

"They are," Mom said seriously." Whatever," I didn't actually believe her. They didn't work at all. I continued reading my book and finished it about five minutes later. I was halfway through my second book when mom slowed down." Wow," she breathed." Quite big." She nodded." Yeah," I blinked in surprise." Bye," she called softly." Love you! I'll pick you up if you need me," she nodded." Which will probably be tomorrow," I nodded." Sam!" She snapped. I grabbed Dexter and my suitcase, waving goodbye as I closed the door. 12:30. Not bad. Just thirty minutes late. I saw Mom's car disappear. I wanted to run after her until I heard a voice screaming my name." Jess!" I called." Hey! We're playing charades, wanna come?" She asked.

"Sure," no. I painfully dragged my feet inside her large house. It had two spiraling stairs onto the second door. Chandeliers hung, and a large kitchen on my right. The even larger living room on my left. I saw a person doing something with her hands, and people kept guessing," shovelling?" I stepped into the living room. 

Six people. Good. Seven including Jessica, but that's alright. I guess. I stared at them." Who are they?" I murmured to Jessica." Oh. Pardon me," she said, placing a hand on a girl's back." This is Valerie," she said. Valerie waved a hand, a friendly smile forming on her face." She prefers Val," Jessica added. I nodded. Like how I preferred Sam, and I always went crazy whenever someone called me Samantha." Thomas. Prefers Tom," she nodded towards a guy sitting on the couch. I nodded. Weird. Everyone prefers their short nickname." Katherine. She prefers Katie." She said. I nearly laughed." Alexander. Alex, if you will." I smiled and waved." Charlotte. She prefers Charlie. Am I the only one that doesn't prefer a nickname?" Everyone laughed." Oh! I forgot. This is Bonnie. Just plane Bonnie. Thank god." I assumed Bonnie, smiled and waved." And everyone, this is Samantha. She prefers Sam." I nearly trembled. I was shy." Hey, Sam." Most of them murmured." You're late," Bonnie grinned." Oh, what time did you get here at?" I sat beside her." Eleven. I live two houses away from Jess." She explained.

"Nice," I murmured. I sighed and stared ahead. I wish I was back at home. I didn't want to be here, let alone a week. Why did mom bring me here in the first place?