Words take me on journeys that have never required a map.
~unknown source quote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a few minutes after, that I was able to move my feet and recover from the previous shock. I went to my room and sat down.

I decided to shower first and then scrutinize the ticket and the catalog carefully.

Shower felt unnecessarily long today although it was refreshing. I took time untangling the knots of my dirty bronze hair. Not to brag, but I love my hair. I like it short. It reaches just above my shoulders in messy spikes.
I'm satisfied with my body too although I'm not too keen about my protruding collar bones.
I thought only vampires had the ability to change eye colour, but apparently, not. I had crystal grey eyes as a child which slowly turned into bluish grey.

Anyways, I got out of the shower finally and sat on my bed once I dried myself. I changed into my only pair of blue pyjamas and snuggled in bed. I flipped through the catalogue eagerly. Mauritius seemed magical. I had heard the name of Mauritius but I didn't really know where it was. I just knew it was an island. A beautiful island. I did some searching and found that it was located in the Indian Ocean but was a part of France. (*correct my lack of knowledge*)
I checked dates of departure....

Wait...no no no no

DAY AFTER TOMORROW??!?!

I haven't even prepared myself for the trip yet. Jordan doesn't even know about it. I have to buy clothes. Fast.

Okay. Calm the heck down Cass, there is still time to think it through.

Tomorrow. Shopping. Keep it minimal.

Tell Jordan..... slip away slowly.

Packing. Okay.

Breathe in , breathe out.
Breathe in breathe out.

Ok Cass. Think about it tomorrow. Time to sleep.

---------------------

The morning light penetrated through the small crack in the window and hit me straight in my eye.

"Mother of ****"

"Ughhhh"

Get up Cass, get up Cass,
DAMN IT WOMAN! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER AND GET THE HELL UP!!!!

I flinched, once, twice, thrice, and jumped up. I rubbed my eyes and looked around vaguely at my room.
Slowly, my eyes focused on my bedside cabinet.

The ticket.

Tomorrow.

And it all came screaming back to me.

"I have to tell Jordan." I mumbled to myself.

Getting up, I made my way towards the bathroom when I heard a knock at my door.
I went over and opened it to find Jordan standing in front of me with a look of disdain etched on his face.

Expected.

"Yes?" I questioned beckoning him to come inside.

"You forgot to clean the dressing room. Again." He looked at me frowning.

Shoot.

"Oh..um ... sorry ...I guess."

" Well, it's going to cost you half of your salary."

What??!???

"Wait no no please Jordan, I cannot survive with $30 . I need things to buy. Well this time a bit extra than what I usually spend. "

Well here goes.........

"What do you mean Cassandra?"

He called me Cassandra, this can't be good.

"Well....."

"Well what? Gee, just tell me. I don't have all day."

"Fine." I sighed.

"So... you know how hard I have been working for the last few years and I haven't got a break. So, tomorrow, guess what.."

"WHAT"

"I'm going to Mauritius."

"WAIT WHAT?!?" He screams.

"Nice talk . Ok see ya." I start to walk away hoping he will not remain mad at me for too long.

"Wait Cassandra, hey!!"

He caught up with me pulling me by the shoulder and turning me around.

"What did you just say? How can you be going to Mauritius out of all places!
And HOW are you going ? Did you save up?" He rushed out all in one breath.

I decided to play along.

"Yes. Exactly. I saved up. I have been saving up for quite some time and I feel that now is the time to take a break."

I hated lying to my only friend.
I couldn't do anything about it as the real reason was to remain a secret.

"Oh. Well, okay then. It's your choice."
Jordan did not look pleased but was not mad anymore.

"When are you leaving?" He added.

"Umm, tomorrow actually.. so I'm going shopping today." I flushed.

"TOMORROW?" Jordan was positively mad again.

Oh no.

"Yes, already booked the ticket. Non refundable." I shrugged, hoping he would let this matter go.

"Well, I guess, okay." He was speaking hesitantly.

"Jordan, I promise I will return in a few months."

" A FEW MONTHS????"

"Well, ...yes. I need this time off Jordan. I have been working hard. Plus this trip will be perfect to help me overcome my nightmares about my past." I added.

"Ok , if this is going to help you then you should do it. I'm not going to stop you. "

"Wow thanks a ton Jordan. I knew you'd understand." I smiled at him relieved.

"Where are you going shopping?"

I hadn't really thought about it. I needed to buy clothes, cheap ones. All I can afford.

"I was thinking maybe you would help me with that?" It sounded more like a question.

"Cassy, how do you expect me to know a shopping spree? I have never been to shopping malls for the purpose of buying clothing. I buy those online."

"Oh ...do you know someone who would help me with it?" I asked.

"You can talk to my sister Penelope. She works in retail for Macy's, but I'm sure she will be able to help you out . She loves shopping."

"Yes. Please."

" Ok . Here's her number. Give her a call and say that you are a close friend of her cute brother. That will do. "
Jordon wrote a number on a slip of paper and handed it to me.

" Cute?" I laughed.

" Yes. Cass. Yes. I am cute."

"Narssistic much?"

" No, I have just learned the art of admiring myself so that I don't feel inferior to anyone." He looked at me half solemnly yet urging to laugh.

"Ok." was all that I could manage.

"Ok. See ya!" He waved and then left the room, shutting the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided to call Penelope right now.
I dialled her number in my phone and waited for her to pick up. She picked up almost immediately.

"Um, hi! Penelope?"

"Yes, who is this?"

" I'm Cassandra Jackson. I'm a close friend of your brother. Actually, we work together. "

" Oh. Hi Cassandra. Pleasure to speak to you." She is so nice.

"You too. Actually, I wanted to ask you something. It's more like a favor. Jordan suggested that you will be able to help me. "

" Oh ok. Go ahead. Whats it?"

" Actually, I'm going for shopping today. I have to buy some clothes for a beach holiday and I don't know
any good but cheap places for shopping. Jordan said that you work at Macy's and I wondered if you would help me." I said.

"Oh yes sure sure. It will be my pleasure!" She answered enthusiastically.

"Yay! Thanks a ton Penelope."

"No problem."

"So where to meet you today?" I asked . "I live in Madison." I added.

" Um.. you get ready. I am coming to Madison. We don't have much time because my shift starts at afternoon. "

"Yeah ok . Thanks so much."

"Ok bye."

"Bye"

I kept the call and went inside to shower. I came out fifteen minutes later and started counting my money.
I know it's a little weird, but I have no other option. I live a highly limited life.
I counted and it came to $ 250 give or take a few bucks.

Will that do? I have no idea.
I hope it does.

An hour later Jordan informs me that Penelope has arrived and that's he is waiting outside the arena.

I grab my purse and phone and head outside.

I see her in waving towards me standing beside Jordan.

I smile and wave back.

"So are you ready to do some serious shopping?" She asks.

" Yes?" It was more like a question.

"Well, good . Let's go!" She pulls my hand , we say goodbye to Jordon and go.

I will admit that I am an introvert and I am freaking shy when it comes to meet new people , boy or girl. Doesn't matter. I have only been comfortable with Jordan.

So I was a little scared and intimidated for no reason whatsoever by this perfectly sweet girl...more like a woman.

" Since you want to go to a cheap place...um I hate to ask you this but what is your budget...I mean if you are comfortable telling me that."

I have to tell her .

" Um. Not more than a hundred. Much less. I don't want any fancy beach clothes, just normal beach ones. And don't even bother to search for a bikini. I don't swim. " Another story.
A traumatic one.

"Well, let's go to Target then. I hope you get what you are searching for."

"Okay." I agreed and went along with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So here's the rack for beach clothes. Go find yourself something pretty and cheap. "

............. What

"Sorry ! That came out wrong!" she said when she realised what she said a few seconds ago.

"It's ok Penelope, I understood what you meant." I say softly.

After a few hours of shopping, I finally got 3 tops and 2 pants.

Good enough for me.

It was almost 3pm when we reached the arena.

"I had fun today, Cassandra. " She smiled at me.

"Yeah, me too. Thanks for helping me." I replied politely.

"You are a charming girl, you know that right?"

Ok, how to reply to that ?

I just smiled in return.

"See ya ! You can call me or hang out with me anytime you want. "

"Wow, thanks ."
Penelope was so sweet.

I waved her goodbye.

I went back in my room and pulled out the big suitcase from under my so called bed. I removed the dust and started packing, my favourite thing.

I put in all the clothes I have into the case neatly. Then I make a new name tag and stick it on top of the suitcase. I also take two of my woolen sweaters because I will be staying there during July and August. Its the winter season there.Last but not the least, I put my songbook in and shut the suitcase. I look around the room to see if I have missed out any necessities or not. Satisfied, I do a little dance mentally because I'm weird like that. Yep, judge me.

I put my Android on charge and shower. At 11 00 I turn the lights out excited for what was approaching me.

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So yeah! Do comment about this chapter and about the slight progress I'm making with the story. I literally have no idea about the response I will receive and I'm shit scared.
Also, PLEASE VOTE IF YOU LIKED IT .

Alsoooooo, it's 15th August !!!!! Its Independence Day here in India!!!! So HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO EVERYONE!!!🇮🇳

that's all I think 😅

All the Love
Hazza❤