Texas Bound
825 Words
The cool evening air greeted Sienna as she walked back through the gates of Hart Estate, her suitcase rolling quietly behind her.
Kristopher was waiting beside his car.
The moment he saw her, he stepped forward and took the suitcase from her.
"Everything packed?"
Sienna nodded.
"I've got everything I need."
Kristopher smiled.
"Good."
He lifted her suitcase into the boot before opening the passenger door for her.
As Sienna climbed in, William leaned forward from the back seat.
"Ready for Texas?"
Sienna laughed softly.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Josh grinned.
"I still can't believe we're going to a real ranch."
Paul chuckled.
"I've packed trainers."
William laughed.
"I don't think trainers are going to help when Gramps puts us to work."
Even Sienna smiled.
For the first time that day, the car felt full of laughter instead of sadness.
Kristopher started the engine.
"First stop."
"My house."
"We all need to grab our bags."
The car wound through the quiet streets before pulling into the driveway of the Moussaka family's villa.
Kristopher turned to the others.
"Give me ten minutes."
The four boys headed inside, each returning with a travel bag over one shoulder.
Kristopher emerged last carrying a rucksack and a large bag filled with snacks.
Josh raised an eyebrow.
"Planning to feed the whole plane?"
Kristopher laughed.
"I know Sienna."
"She'll tell everyone she's not hungry."
"So I bought enough for all of us."
He opened the bag.
Chocolate bars.
Packets of crisps.
Sandwiches.
Fruit.
Bottles of water.
Even a packet of Sienna's favourite chocolate-covered raisins.
Sienna smiled.
"You remembered."
Kristopher shrugged with a grin.
"I always do."
William laughed.
"Honestly, Kris, you could run a corner shop out of that bag."
"Maybe," Kristopher replied, "but no one starts a long journey hungry."
Everyone climbed back into the car.
Kristopher checked the sat-nav.
"Right."
"Next stop..."
"The airport."
As they pulled away from the villa, Sienna looked out of the window at the familiar streets disappearing behind them.
Ahead of her was a three-week winter break on a Texas ranch, surrounded by the people who had never made her doubt how much she was loved.
Beside her sat her best friend.
Behind her sat three loyal friends who hadn't hesitated to join the adventure.
For the first time since leaving the competition hall...
The journey ahead felt like the beginning of something hopeful rather than the end of something painful.
The group arrived at the airport just as the evening lights began to glow across the terminal.
Kristopher grabbed a luggage trolley while William, Josh and Paul loaded their suitcases onto it.
"Ready?" Kristopher asked.
Sienna nodded.
"Let's go."
Inside the terminal, they checked in without any problems.
The airline assistant smiled as she looked at her screen.
"Miss Hart?"
"Yes."
"I can confirm your grandfather has arranged all of your travel."
She handed over five boarding passes.
"Everything has already been taken care of."
Sienna smiled.
"Thank you."
The five friends headed towards airport security.
They placed their bags, jackets and phones into the trays before walking through the security scanners.
Josh stepped through first.
The scanner beeped.
He sighed dramatically.
"I knew it."
The security officer smiled.
"Anything still in your pockets?"
Josh reached into his hoodie and pulled out a handful of coins.
William burst into laughter.
"You never learn."
A few minutes later, they were all through security and walking towards their departure gate.
Kristopher glanced down at his boarding pass before stopping in his tracks.
"Sea..."
She looked over.
"What?"
He handed her the boarding pass.
Across the top were the words:
Business Class
William checked his own ticket.
"So are ours."
Paul looked genuinely shocked.
"Your grandparents have booked all five of us into Business Class?"
Sienna smiled.
"That's Gramps."
"He always says that if family and friends are travelling together, they should travel comfortably together."
Josh shook his head in amazement.
"I've only ever walked past Business Class."
Kristopher laughed.
"Looks like today we're walking into it."
Soon, boarding was announced.
The five friends made their way onto the aircraft, where a smiling flight attendant welcomed them.
"Welcome aboard."
She showed them to the front of the aircraft.
The seats were wide, with soft leather upholstery and plenty of space to stretch out.
Kristopher and Sienna settled into the two window seats together.
Behind them sat William and Josh, while Paul took the seat across the aisle.
Kristopher looked around with a grin.
"I think your Gramps has officially spoiled us."
Sienna laughed.
"He does that."
"But he'll expect you all to earn it once you get to the ranch."
William smiled.
"I've got a feeling we'll be working from sunrise."
Kristopher fastened his seatbelt and looked across at Sienna.
"You ready?"
She looked out of the window as the airport lights twinkled below.
For the first time since the competition...
She smiled without forcing it.
"Yeah."
"I'm ready to go home.”
- Writer
