The princess games

Taking off

*Charlie*

The hum of the plane feels the air around me, a gentle reminder that I’m no longer in my comfort zone. I’m seated next to Nia, who seems to be absorbing every detail of our journey. She’s practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement palpable. I glance at Tessa, who’s already rifling through her bag of snacks, and then over to Arabella, who sits with her arms crossed, a frown etched on her face.

“Can you believe they put us in economy?” Arabella huffs, her perfectly manicured nails tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “I mean, it’s completely absurd! I mean they should have made the whole plane first class. This is a trip to meet royalty, after all.” She flips her hair over her shoulder, emphasizing her discomfort.

“Arabella, but we’re not royalty,” Tessa says through a mouthful of gummy bears. “But at least we’re going to a kingdom where we can pretend to be for a little while!” She grins, and even Arabella can’t help but c***k a smile at that.

The plane hits a slight turbulence, and I grip the armrest instinctively. Nia leans closer, her voice barely above a whisper, “Just think about the beach, Charlie. Palm trees, sun, and maybe even a sexy cabana boy to bring us drinks.”

I laugh, but inside, my nerves twist like a coiled spring. This trip is far from what I’m used to, and I can feel the weight of uncertainty settle in my stomach. But as I look around at my friends, all dressed in their vibrant vacation attire, I remember the promise I made to let loose. Just relax and enjoy life for once.

After what feels like an eternity, the plane finally descends, the landscape below transforming from clouds into rolling emerald hills and shimmering blue waters. As we exit the aircraft, the tropical warmth envelops me, a stark contrast to the chilly air conditioning we just left behind.

“Okay, ladies, let’s find our driver!” Arabella declares, leading the charge. I follow, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling inside me. The airport is bustling, but as we step outside, I see him… a tall man in a crisp white shirt holding a sign that reads, “Arabella Lancaster.”

“There’s our ride!” Arabella practically squeals, her earlier complaints forgotten as she struts toward him, her confidence radiating. The driver greets her with a polite nod and a warm smile, and I can’t help but admire how effortlessly she commands attention.

He gestures for us to follow him, and we trail behind, our luggage clattering over the pavement. I glance at the surroundings… palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the air is filled with the scent of salt and blooming flowers. It’s all so beautiful, and for a moment, I forget my worries.

We reach a sleek minivan, and the driver begins loading our bags while Arabella chats animatedly with him, probably sharing her latest gossip about if the two princes will really be there. I can’t help but chuckle at her; she’s a force of nature.

“Are we really doing this?” I think to myself as I slide into the backseat next to Nia. The leather feels cool against my skin, and I take a deep breath, letting the aroma of the van… a mix of leather and sunscreen… fill my senses.

“Just over an hour to the harbor,” the driver informs us, his accent thick with a melodic lilt that makes every word sound like music. I nod, excitement bubbling anew.

As we drive through the landscape, the scenery morphs into a vibrant tapestry of colors. Fields of wildflowers burst with yellows and pinks, and the azure sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds that lazily drift by. The roads wind like ribbons, and I find my heart racing with anticipation.

But then we find ourselves driving through a village. The house are small and looks like they could definitely need a touch up. Tired looking adults and dirty kids look at our fancy car passing by.

“I thought this was a rich country,” Arabella says, wrinkling her nose as two kids chase a raggedy dog, laughing.

“It is,” I tell her. “But it doesn’t mean everyone is rich, sadly. Basically the rich are very rich, and there are quite a lot of rich people, but the poor is also very poor.”

She makes a face I am nor completely sure what means, then sighs. “Well at least there is no poor people on the island.” She looks at the driver. “Is there?”

He shakes his head. “No miss, only the guests and servants.”

“Out of the eye out of the mind,” I mumble. I am of course aware that all countries have poor people, some worse and more than here. It is more that fact that the country and the upperclass here is so extremely rich and they still leave people to live like this, that bothers me.

“Look at that!” Nia points excitedly out of the window, and I follow her gaze to a stunning view of the ocean, its waves crashing against rocky cliffs. “It’s like a postcard!”

“Wait until we get to the island,” Tessa adds, her eyes wide. “We’re going to be living the dream!”

I can’t help but smile at their enthusiasm. Maybe this trip is going to be more than just a break from the ordinary. Maybe it’s a chance to rediscover myself, to escape the shadows of self-doubt that have clung to me for so long.

As we approach the harbor, the minivan slows, and I see the bustling activity of the docks. Ferries bob gently on the water, and I feel an exhilarating rush of anticipation. This is it… the gateway to adventure.

The driver parks, and we pile out, stretching our legs as we take in the scene. Alongside our other vans with women parks The sun shines brightly, but the heat is just perfect, a kiss of warmth that feels inviting rather than oppressive.

“Let’s grab our bags!” Arabella commands, already moving toward the back of the van. I can see her energy is contagious as Tessa and Nia eagerly join her, and I follow, my own excitement bubbling to the surface.

As the driver helps unload our bags, I glance at my friends, their faces glowing with anticipation, and I realize that I’m ready to embrace this journey, to step into the unknown and see where it takes us.

“Ready?” Nia beams, her eyes sparkling like the ocean waves. I nod, feeling a surge of adrenaline.

“Let’s do this!” I exclaim, and as we head toward the ferries, I can’t help but think that this trip might turn out different than I have expected.