Chapter 2

Tell me can you hear my voice

loud and clear above the noise

Even if I had the choice

I would not give up

I gradually felt my body waking up. I was stiff from sleeping in an airplane chair, even if it was in first class. I took a deep breath before sitting up and stretching.

“You’re actually awake? I was worried that you had died at one point, but then you started snoring.”

I turned to face Ren. “I do not snore.”

He laughed at my expression. “I’m kidding. You didn’t even talk, it was some what disappointing.”

“Well I only talk when I have been sleeping for a long time, not just a couple hours.”

Ren let out a snort of laughter.

“What?” I asked.

“Sarah, you have been asleep for more than a few hours.”

“What do you mean?”

He gave me a crooked smile. “We’re going to be landing in about 30 minutes.”

I stared blankly at him. “Ha ha good joke.”

“I’m not joking. You slept the entire plane ride. I would’ve drawn on your face but I didn’t have access to a marker.”

I rolled my eyes. “You wouldn’t of, even if you had a marker on you.”

“Oh, don’t underestimate me. I can be very unpredictable when it comes to my own sources of entertainment because my flying buddy has decided to pass out instead of keeping me company.”

I laughed at that. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize I was that tired! Normally, I can’t sleep on planes.”

“We’re you up late last night?”

“Yeah, I think I got about 45 minutes of sleep in total.”

“Well, there you go.” Ren smiled at me.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t any fun on this flight.”

He laughed lightly as he put his arm around my shoulders. “It’s alright! I understand that you needed some sleep. You’re going to need your energy this week.”

“Yeah, that’s a given.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, We are about 10 minutes from landing in Heathrow Airport. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts. Please put away all electronics and bags under your seat. Please put your chair to the upright position and stow your trays.”

Ren slipped his arm from around my shoulder to pack up his laptop and iPod.

“What were you typing?” I asked.

“Oh, just working on translating my sponsership essays into, French, Greek and Spanish.”

I just gawked at him. “Okay big deal.”

Ren just laughed.

We made our way out of the plane to the terminal. When we reached the exit, I froze. Ren stopped ahead of me. When he saw the look of panic on my face he closed the gap between us quickly, placing his hands on my shoulders. He looked right into my eyes, concern flooding through them.

“What’s wrong? It is a little bit late to run now Sarah.” His hands rubbed my upper arms.

“It’s just, I know I am going to lose you in this crowd. I mean look at this place! It’s like a heard of obsessed pre teen girls waiting to meet Justin Bieber.”

Ren threw his head back and laughed. I just stared at him, no amusement on my face. Ren pulled me into his arms, still laughing.

“Sarah, do you honestly think I am going to let go of you even once while we go through this crazy airport? Besides, you are with the best tour guide available to Heathrow Airport. I practically live here.” He let go of me and grabbed my left hand in his right. He turned and headed towards the crowd. I clamped my right hand around his right arm. “By the way, you have way to much free time if you are coming up with comparisions that involve Justin Bieber.”

We made our way to baggage claim, all the while I kept a death grip on his hand and arm. We reached the baggage area and pushed our way to the front of the crowd surrounding the convaier belt.

“I see your bag.” Ren let go of my hand to grab my bag and I quickly wrapped my hand around the handle on his backpack. He passed me my suitcase.

We waited for about 15 minutes, continuously searching the convaier belt for Ren’s suitcase.

“Just watch, my bag probably got lost.” Ren sighed in frustration.

“Don’t say that Ren! It was probably not on the first trolley. You probably just jinxed that now.”

Ren just rolled his eyes at me.

“Look, see there it is, right there.”

Ren reached forward and grabbed his bag and placed it beside mine. “Okay.” He pulled the handle up on his suitcase and then mine. “Let’s go and don’t you dare let go of me.”

I laced my fingers through his and let him pull me through the thick crowd. Ren guided me through the exit and down the roped off aisle that was lined with people eagerly searching for their loved ones.

“Do you see my parents anywhere?” Ren asked me as he scanned the crowd.

“You’re five inches taller than me, if you don’t see them then I definitely wont.”

Ren cracked a smile as he stopped on the other side of the crowd.

“There they are!” Ren exclaimed happily, he was on his tiptoes with his neck stretched up to see around the airport. He pointed towards the arrival lounge.

Ren grabbed his suitcase and headed in their direction. I literally had to run to keep up with his long, energetic stride.

“Mum! Dad!” Ren called as we moved around a small group of people.

Mary-Ellen and Douglas Winslade both turned and their faces lit up with warm, welcoming smiles.

Ren let go of my hand and dropped his suitcase as he wrapped his mom in a bear hug, swinging her around in his arms.

“Ren!” she laughed “put me down!”

Ren set her down, quickly kissing her cheek before he let go of her to embrace his father.

“Oh Sarah! We are so excited that you are here!” Mary-Ellen embraced me tightly.

“I’m excited to be here!” I told her earnestly as I returned her hug.

“Nice to see Ren got you here in one piece. Your uncle would have arrested him if he hadn’t.” Douglas smiled at me.

“I wouldn’t put that past him.” I laughed lightly as I reached my hand out to shake Douglas’s hand.

“None of that my dear, you are practically family.” Douglas chuckled as he pulled me into a hug.

“Well, we should get going before the traffic gets to awful.” Mary-Ellen said.

Ren and I grabbed out suitcases and followed Mary-Ellen and Douglas out to their car.

“Welcome to London.” Ren whispered in my ear as we exited the airport.

I smiled. Welcome to my new life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6DIA0d7PoI

Shine A Light by: McFly

Chapter 1

I wonder what it's like to fly so high
Or to breathe under the sea
I wonder if someday I'll be good with goodbyes
But I'll be okay if you come along with me

Such a long, long way to go
Where I'm going I don't know
I'm just following the road

For a walk in the sun

“Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman, this is your captain speaking. We are starting our decent into Calgary International Airport. We should be touching down in about 10 minutes. Please return to your seats and fasten your seat belts. Please put away all electronics and store all bags securely under your seat. Move your seat to an upright position and stow away your seat tray. Thank-you.”

The captain’s voice slowly pulled me out of my numb state. I had been staring out of the plane window the entire flight. Watching British Columbia disappear behind the Rocky Mountains which then opened up to Alberta.

This was by no means my final destination. Calgary was just a passing wave compared to where I am headed.

I am moving to London, England.

I blinked and shifted my gaze from the window to the bright pale green eyes of my best friend, Ren. He gave me an excited smile as he grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. I smiled back at him and he raised an eyebrow.

“You’re actually smiling? You’re not just putting on a fake smile, that’s an actual happy smile from you. May I ask what brought that on?” he asked in his smooth British accent.

“What? Am I not allowed to show that I am just happy to be here with you?”

“Of course you are! I just find it peculiar because you were having a fit of water works 2 hours ago.”

“Did you enjoy the crying? Because if you did, I can start up again.”

“No, no, no, keep the moisture to yourself please. I have an irrational fear of tears.”

“Sure…well you would be crying too if you had to say good-bye to family and friends when you’re not even going away for university where you can come back during breaks and holidays to visit. I am gone for a year! Plus I’m still in high school. Anyways, you will be balling like a baby when it’s your turn next year.”

Ren let out a short laugh. “Nah, I doubt that and besides mum and Dougie will make up for the tears I won’t be crying.”

I smiled as I rolled my eyes at him. This time next year, we would be doing the reverse trip. Ren would be coming to Prince George to go to school with me.

This all started after all the countless times I had complained to Ren over the phone about how horrible my school volleyball season was going to be. He then suggested that I come over and play for his school team. At first, I thought he was joking but as it turns out he was serious. Ren came up with this whole plan and organized pretty much everything.

I first met with the head coach, Joseph Stellar, and the assistant coach, Phil Stanford, at Nationals in Calgary. Then again when I was training on Team BC. They were both very impressed and asked me to join their team in England.

“Looks like we are about to land.” Ren said, gesturing towards the window.

I looked down and saw the ground getting closer. Next thing I knew, the wheels had touched down on the tar mach and we’re squealing to a stop. We made our way slowly down the runway before stopping at the terminal.

“Thank-you for flying with West Jet. If you are connecting to another flight we wish you the best in your travels. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Calgary.”

Ren unbuckled his seat belt, grabbed his bag under his seat and stood up to let me out in front of him. I made my way down the aisle to the stairs that descended to the pavement. As I stepped onto the asphalt I heard a loud thump.

“Oh for the love of all that is holy.”

I turned around to see Ren at the top of the stairs, one hand supporting him self against the doorframe and the other pressed to his forehead. The stewardess was hovering behind him looking worried and trying not to laugh. I, on the other hand, burst out laughing. Ren descended the stairs towards me, still rubbing his forehead.

“Well, you sure know how to make a lasting impression.”

“Ahh, shut up Sarah.” Ren groaned, but a small smile was playing around the corners of his mouth. “ You shouldn’t be saying anything considering all your moments of glory in the absolutely no coordination department.” He teased.

I sent him a glare as I punched his shoulder. He just laughed.

We checked through security into the international flight area and found our way to our gate. I slumped into the seat immediately and sighed. Ren imitated me perfectly in the seat across from me. I raised an eyebrow at him and he smiled as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.

“So, you’re not going to turn around and run for it? This may be your only chance.”

“No, no running.” I sighed and gave a slight smile. “Although, you’re making it sound as if you want me to run away from you?”

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. “ It wouldn’t do you any good anyways. I would just chase you down, pick you up and drag you back here kicking and screaming onto the plane. If that didn’t work I would just lock you in the bathroom on the plane.” He grinned evilly at me.

I just rolled my eyes at him, my typical response to his teasing. “You know, normally I would say I would love to see you try, but I know that you would actually do that.”

He laughed. “You know me too well. I can’t even threaten you with that.”

I grinned. “I’m going to hit up Tim Hortons since this will be my last chance for a while, do you want anything?”

“Yes, can you get me a hot chocolate please.”

“Sure, anything else?”

“No that’s all, thanks.”

“Alright, be back in a bit.”

“Welcome to Tim Hortons, how can I help you?”

“Hi, Can I please get one large hot chocolate, one large Ice Capp made with chocolate milk, two vanilla dip doughnuts and two chicken ceaser snack wraps with no tomatoes.”

“Okay, anything else?”

“No, that’s everything thanks.”

“Alright that will be $11.32 please.”

I paid the cashier and collected my order. As I got closer to where Ren was sitting, I noticed a group of girls, a little bit younger than me, staring at Ren and giggling. I also saw some other women taking double takes at him as they walked by. I know why. I’m not blind.

Ren stood at 6’6 and had a display of muscle tone that could drive any woman crazy. His skin was bronze from spending the summer at his family’s vacation home in the Bahamas. His eyes, a soft lime green shade, sparkled in the light. His facial features we’re defined and he had s strong square jaw. What really made his look more unique, was his unusual hair. It came just to the tip if his ears and he could pull off the bed head look with no effort what so ever. His hair was mainly a pale blonde, but throughout it were streaks of chestnut and dark chocolate brown. To make it unique, it was all-natural. He had never died his hair it just grew like that. Just like the rest of his family, he was gorgeous.

But in all of his glory, I had never been physically attracted to Ren. Sure, I think he is insanely good looking but we have never been more than best friends. I know that is the same for him. I love him like a brother and I would do anything for him.

“Whoa, looks like you got more than just that hot chocolate for me.” Ren laughed as he pulled out the ear buds of his headphones out.

“Yeah, I figured you would like a snack.” I handed him a doughnut and his hot chocolate. “You’ve never been a coffee drinker have you?”

He shook his head. “Never liked the stuff. It has its use for certain things, like flavor. My family doesn’t drink it much either.”

“Hmm.” I said, taking a sip of my ice capp.

We spent our time waiting for the plane just talking and playing some stupid games on Ren’s iPod touch. Before I could really register how fast the time had passed we were collecting our bags to bored British Airways.

“Here’s your ticket.” Ren pulled a British Airways Ticket voucher out of his bag and handed it to me.

“Thanks.” I opened it and did a double take. “Ugh Ren?”

“Yeah?”

“Why does it say first class on it? My dad didn’t buy me a first class ticket.”

“Oh I know, but since I automatically got moved into first class, I moved you up there with me.”

I just stared at him.

“You can thank me later.” He chuckled as he put his arm around my shoulders.

“I hate when you do that.” I grumbled.

“Do what?”

“Spend money like that on me, you know I get uncomfortable when people buy me stuff like that. Now I feel like I owe you big time.”

He shook his head. “You are coming to England, that is payment enough. Heck nothing you could try to do would be better. Look just think of it as a welcome gift from me.”

I stared at him before letting out a defeated sigh. “Alright, alright but no more things like that.”

“Deal.”

“Hello everyone can we have all our Executive members come forward for early boarding now please.”

“That’s us, let’s go.” Ren guided me forward to the line up. We had our passports checked and we made our way to our seats. As soon as I sat down I forgave him a little bit for the seat change.

“Okay the extra leg room is really nice.” I smiled, content.

Ren laughed. “I knew you would appreciate it.”

We sat for about 30 more minutes before the plane started to pull out of the terminal. When we reached the end of the runway Ren took my hand.

“If you are unsure I can always stop the plane now.”

I laughed. “No that’s okay. It will all be fine.”

Ren smiled at me. “Yes it will. I promise.” He kissed my hair.

The plane accelerated down the runway and soon we were up in the air. I watched the ground become smaller and smaller until we were flying above the clouds. I leaned my head back against Ren’s shoulder, still clutching his hand I drifted off to sleep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnHU0NEuTHM

Walk In The Sun by: McFly