Chapter Text
With one last push, the zipper runs its tracks and closes the suitcase.
“A cenar! Dinner!” My mom’s voice rings up to my room.
“Ahi voy!” I call down, grabbing the handle of the luggage and pulling it off the bed letting it fall to the floor with a heavy thud. I glance around the room, going over my mental checklist. Clothes, concert clothes and shoes, bathroom kit, toiletries, and my favourite blue jacket in case it gets cold. I drag the luggage out into the hall, leaving it at the top of the stairs next to another one I had set earlier to bring down later.
“Hey” Daniel’s voice says behind me. I glance back to see him coming out of his room, phone in hand. His overgrown wavy hair falling just above his eyes is flicked away with a quick swipe of his hand.
“Hey” I responded, heading down the stairs with him following behind.
“How are you going to survive a week without your phone, I bet you’re already going through withdrawals” he jokes, holding his phone out in front of my face.
“Haha” I snarkily replied. “I can go so much longer than a week without my phone, definitely longer than you.” I pointedly say, snatching the phone from his hand and racing down the stairs.
“And by the way just because I’m leaving for the week does not mean you get to go snooping in my room” I call back, reaching the bottom of the stairs and racing away with his phone still in my hand.
“Hey!” he chases after, his quick steps following behind.
“You’ll be gone for a whole week… you wouldn’t even know I was in your room” He joked, snatching the phone back and stepping into the kitchen.
“Daniel!” I call him out, chasing after him once more.
“What?” He innocently asks, but the smirk on his face tells a different story.
“Deja de molestar y mejor ayuden me con los platos. Quickly plates”
“Sorry, yo no hablo espanol” Daniel jokes, with the heaviest accent imaginable.
“And what if I take away your phone for the week too? Ahora si me entiendes,verdad?” Mom turned, giving him the no-nonsense look.
“Oof! Good one mama, boy’s speechless” I smirked as I casually leaned on her shoulder, shaking my head at Daniel.
“What? No, I am not” he defended
“Denial. The first stage of grief. Oh Mother, how you have wounded him.”
“Hey!”
“Anger! Stage two of grief.” I leaned in close to whisper in her ear “ I fear he may never recover” I lament.
“Who’s not recovering?” A new voice asked, as Javier loudly stepped into the kitchen.
“Danny. Mother has delivered a fatal blow with no mercy”
“Como que fatal blow? No seas dramatica” Mom dismissed, turning back to the stove filled with pots and pans of different foods.
“Exactly, stop being dramatic Liz” Daniel agrees smugly.
“Excuse me? I am a performer, it is quite literally my job to be dramatic” I act offended.
“No, no no. Right now, your job is to bring these plates to the table. Andale” She ushers, shoving various plates in my arms and guiding me to the dining room. “You too” I hear her add, giving the two boys their own plates to carry.
“Ya llamenle a papi” she calls out, as the three of us gather round the table and set the dishes down. Javier snapped his finger pointing in my direction “Go, get Dad”
“What? Why me?”
“Because you are leaving for a week and that means we have to do your chores so really you should be doing all the chores right now” he answers back
“And we’re helping you now so really you should be thanking us” Daniel adds, as the two boys smirk at each other.
“Fine fine, I’m going” I relent, walking back out the door and down the hall to the basement door.
“Papi, it’s time to eat” I call out, stepping down the stairs and already hearing the familiar voices coming from the TV speakers.
“Pajarito! Just in time, the new episode is about to start!” An older man called from the couch, a blanket tightly wrapped around his shoulders keeping away the cold draft, and two sleeping dogs at his feet.
“Daddy, this show came out in the 90’s. A new episode has not come out in over 40 years and besides you’ve already watched every episode that you basically know the dialogue”
“Well that’s what happens when you have a good show, you keep watching it” He answers as if it's the most logical thing to do. The familiar theme song music begins to build and I see his pleading look from the corner of my eye as the dialogue starts.
With a sigh I join in on our unintentionally started tradition of reciting the opening
“Space: The final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!” We recite together as the music crescendos and takes over.
I smile as he begins singing along with the instrumental music, getting up and half haphazardly throwing the blanket back onto the couch as the music ends.
“So what episode is this?” I ask him, picking up that same tossed blanket and actually folding it.
“Este es el que tiene Apollo”
“Ah, the one with the Greek god right?” I asked. Before he could confirm Mom’s voice rings from the top of the basement stairs “Ya se esta enfriando”
“Vamos” Dad says, shutting off the TV “Before she gets mad” he jokes, passing by to go up. I follow behind him, “Crystal, Kenai! Let’s go” I call the two sleeping beagles as I shut off the lights.
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The sun's rays had begun to disappear behind the shadowed trees, with evening colors highlighting the sky. The perfect view as I washed the last of the dishes, the distant sound of Javi playing a familiar tune on the piano accompanied the rushing water from the tap and the small snores emitting from Crystal’s sleeping form.
“You have to bring me something back” Danny muttered “as repayment for doing your chores”
I huffed through a smile “Okay, well what do you want?”
“I don’t know…something cool” he replied casually
“Something cool, you got it” I winked at him, he turned away but I still saw the smile on his face.
“Speaking of cool” Mom’s voice came out of nowhere, scaring both Danny and myself.
“Geez mom! We have to get you bell like we do with Crystal” I mumble under my breath
“Ha! So True” Danny rejoiced
“Que dijiste? No te me estés burlando eh?” I turned to see her and Dad standing at the kitchen entrance, her eyes playful but face quite serious.
“Me? Making fun? I would never!” I gasp dramatically
“Uh-huh,” She said, stepping further into the kitchen with Dad following behind holding a small gift bag.
“Before you left, we wanted to give you a little something” Dad began “For all the hard work you’ve put into this opportunity and for how far you’ve come” Mom continued, holding out the bag.
“It’s not much but when I saw it at the store I knew you would like it” Dad shrugged but eagerly waited for me to open the bag. I smiled at them and opened the bag, the thank you that was already on my lips drew back as a gasp instead escaped me. Inside was a light blue pullover sweater, with small music note embroidery on the cuffs of the sleeves.
“Wow” I breathe.
“A little something for mi pajarito” He smiled
“póntelo a ver cómo te queda” Mom ushered. I slip the hoodie over my shirt and snuggle into the warm fabric.
“It fits perfectly, thank you” I say to both of them.
“Estamos muy orgullosos de ti” They both step in and embrace me.
“Wow, a gift and a hug. She is totally the favorite child”
“It’s like we’re not even here” Danny agrees with Javi.
We turn to see them both now leaning on the counter with their arms crossed.
“Ah, quiren un abrazo también? Ven aquí mis niños hermosos” Mom said, opening her arms wide and stepping towards them.
“On second thought, it's okay. Go back to having your three-person hug” Danny quickly retreated
“Como?! No quires un abrazo de tu mama?” She gasped offended but kept advancing until she had them both in her embrace.
“Estamos todos juntos. All together even the dogs are here” Dad acknowledged happily.
“Just the way I like it” Mom mumbled from Javi’s shoulder.
“Wow, that was so cheesy” Danny groaned “Ow!” he cried from Mom’s light slap on the head.
“Okay now back to business, do you have everything packed already?” Mom asked, turning back to me
“Almost, just the last-minute things like my toothbrush and such” I replied
“Are you sure? Mañana no quiero estar corriendo buscando tus cosas…let’s go check your luggage before you go to bed”
“Mom I have everything I need, trust me okay?” I reassure her.
“Fine” she relented after a moment. “Let’s start heading to bed because we have to leave for the airport early, okay?” she states, walking out of the room.
“Yes, mom” We all chorus.
“You start heading up mi pajarito, I’ll finish the last of the dishes” Dad kisses me on the forehead as he passes by.
“Goodnight” I call back, as I collect my things and start heading upstairs.
The soft jingle of Crystal and Kenai’s collars follows me up the stairs and into my room.
“Are you also ready for bed?” I ask the two beagles, who are patiently waiting to be allowed on the bed. I bend over to remove their collars and give them a good belly rub in the process.
“Okay!” I cue them, and with wagging tails, they both jump and claim a spot on my large bed.
“No taking my pillow” I murmur, grabbing my night clothes and heading for the bathroom to get changed and do my nightly routine.
“Do you have your performance clothes?” Mom double-checks from the door.
“Yesh” I respond with a mouth full of toothpaste
“Even your shoes, I won’t be able to bring them to you like last time” she adds
“Kina in da mifle of somdin” I babbled around the toothbrush “And that was one time” I responded properly once I spit everything out.
“I’m just saying” Mom shrugged nonchalantly “so what do you still need to pack?”
“Just my toiletries. The rest is already packed and ready for the car” I say, nodding towards my luggage by the top of the stairs.
“And what about-”
“My passport is in my travel backpack. Yes, I have cash on me for emergencies. No, I won't spend it on nonsense. And Yes, I’ll be careful with my things” I cut off her questioning “Am I missing anything?” I ask smugly, already familiar with her line of questioning.
“You know me so well” She smiled but walked back to her room pleased.
I collected the last few things and left them on the counter for tomorrow morning and got changed for bed. The two dogs were already fast asleep on top of the covers, Kenai slightly creeping closer to claim my pillow. With a quick flick, the lights were off and I climbed into bed. The sound of the tap running downstairs as Dad finished the dishes, followed by what sounds like Danny and Javi playing some sort of intense video game if their quiet shouts and exclamations are anything to go off by. All those sounds accompanied by the soft snoring of the two dogs on the bed lulled me to sleep.
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“Okay, ya estas checked in, luggage has been taken y tu gate is over there” Mom announced aloud
“Mami, stop stressing”
“Como que stressing, I’m not stressing” She waves me away
“Yes you are, you’re switching back and forth between English and Spanish and you only do that-”
“When you’re stressed, relax mi amor” Dad finishes for me, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
“Gross” Daniel mumbled, to which Mom lightly smacked him in response.
“You still have to go through security” Dad informed me, wrapping Mom in a hug “After that, your gate should be straight ahead”
“Ooh, I need a picture before you go” Mom scrambled for her bag, searching for her phone.
“I am way too tired for this” Danny half-heartedly complained
“Pues me vale! I don’t care, your sister is traveling on her own for the first time and is going to be gone for a week” She pulled out her phone and waved it threateningly “so I want a picture”
Danny paused for a moment, then with his arms outstretched pulled Javier close
“Everyone say cheese!” he smiled overly bright.
“Eso!” Mom cheered, pulling up the phone camera and ushering everyone close. With a big smile, I faced the small camera screen, dad’s arms surrounding me.
“Alright honey, let’s let her go before you run out of phone storage again with all your pictures”
Dad ushered me towards the security checkpoint “You have your passport?” he asked.
“Right here” I patted my bag
“Okay mi pajarito” he leaned forward and kissed my forehead “take care”
“We’ll be here to pick you up when you're back” mom said, stepping forward “I’m so proud of you. I love you Lizzy”
“I love you too mami” I say giving her another hug
“Ten mucho cuidado” She whispered, pulling me close
“I’ll be careful” I reassure her, pulling away with my bag in hand.
“Bye guys” I wave to the boys who were hanging back
“See ya later” Danny nodded
“Dale un abraso” mom urged
“Eh, it’s fine. I’ll see her in a week.” he waved it off
“Yeah mom, I’m too cool for hugs now” Javi added
“Que-” I quickly cut mom off from her upcoming rant
“Well I should go. See ya guys! Bye mami, bye papi!” I wave at them already walking towards the guarded security point.
“Hey Liz!” Danny’s calls out, not having moved from his spot “Something cool” he reminds me
I half-heartedly salute with a smile on my face, letting the doors close behind me.
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Once the ferry had docked the rocking of the ship worsened as eager park goers rushed for the exits, grabbing their luggage. Screams of excited children stood out over the excited murmur of conversations that surrounded me. Dismounting, I followed the crowd down the pier and saw a lone woman holding an iPad with my name clearly printed on the screen.
Elizabeth Rosales.
She had long, dark wavy hair. Her business suit stood out among the sea of shorts and Hawaiian shirts of the crowd but all the better for me. With a deep inhale I stepped forth and greeted her
“Hi, I’m Elizabeth”
“Zara Young. I will be escorting you to and from your performance and I will then drop you off at the camp when you’re done tonight.” She informed me, jumping right into business.
I nodded and began following the crowd, heading up the stairs to the train.
“We won’t be taking the monorail, it’s quicker to drive.” She interrupted me, raising her arm and pointing out a black car off to the side.
“Oh, okay” I readjusted my bags and started heading there when Zara snapped her hand and two workers quickly stepped forward, picking up my bags and taking them to the car.
“Is that all your luggage?” She asked.
“Yes, the hard case has my equipment and the other has my other things” She looked doubtful “The piano is already there right?” I asked, feeling the building anxiety of something going wrong.
“Yes, there is a piano already at the location. It hasn’t been set up yet”
I sigh in relief. “Oh good, that’s no problem”
She doesn’t reply but nods a thank you to the workers who had placed my luggage in the car and were waiting at the doors. Zara opened the back door of the car and motioned me inside, waiting for me to pass and following behind me. The two workers got in the front, starting the car.
“This is Glen and Ray, they will be helping you set up. If you need anything let them know” Zara introduced but didn’t spare a glance up from her phone as she appeared to be typing out a message.
“Oh, okay. It’s nice to meet you” I greet the two men, Glen and Ray, up front to which they respond with their own greetings but nothing further. I lean back in the seat and look out the window seeing the crowds of people trickle out and dense forestry overtakes the outdoor surroundings. A few minutes pass with the only noise really coming from the car driving down a dirt road and the jostling of my luggage in the back. Pretty soon, we were pulling into a basement garage, lined with similar black cars.
“And we’re here” Zara announced, once again not looking up from her phone. Glen and Ray both stepped out of the car, and made their way to the back where I can hear the opening and closing of the trunk.
“I’ll be back one hour before the dinner starts for any last minute preparations” She informed me
“Oh, you’re not coming?” I asked
“No” She paused then looked up “I suggest you hurry up so you have ample time to set up your equipment”
“Right” I flustered, quickly removing my seatbelt and stepping out the door “Um, thank you for picking me up. It was nice meeting you”
“Likewise” she responded, looking back at her phone looking uninterested.
I took that as my cue and gently closed the door just in time to see Glen re-enter and start the car. I stepped back and saw Ray waiting with my luggage off to the side.
With a quick exhale, I stepped forth mentally preparing for the upcoming evening.
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The early morning bustle was surprisingly active in the lobby. Running children with parents chasing behind, the early worms coming down for the in hotel breakfast buffet and the flurry of workers coming to and fro. I sat on one of the lobby couches with my blue sweater providing warmth from the slight morning chill, my two bags and backpack at my side. I sat there watching the clock behind the clerk's desk when a voice startled me out of my thoughts.
“Alright, are these all your things?” Zara voice asked, as she was suddenly standing off to the side with Ray at her side. I nod in response, still figuring out at what point she snuck up on me.
Ray grabbed both bags and began wheeling them to the hotel entrance, leaving me and my backpack there with Zara
“I hope you’re not forgetting anything in the room because Jurassic World is not liable for any lost or misplaced items” she says in a practiced voice
“No, I - uh I have everything” I reassure, slinging my bag over my shoulder and standing to face her. With a nod she begins walking towards the entrance and I follow behind.
“Breakfast at the camp starts at 7:30 so you’ll still have time to eat if you haven’t already” She notes, walking towards a black car. I’m unsure if it's the same one from yesterday, but I follow her lead and climb in the back after her.
Ray, in the driver seat, smiles and nods in greeting from the rear-view mirror. I smile but otherwise the drive is silent. Also similar to yesterday, the whirlwind of people and buildings fall away to dense forestry and it's not until we reach a clearing and the car slows to a stop I realize I’ve arrived at camp.
“Well here you are, we thank you for your performance last night. If you take the elevator up, you’ll find your camp counselor ready to greet you. Please enjoy your stay at Camp Cretaceous”