*Avis' POV*

"Are you sure you have everything? Phone? Socks? Undies?"

"Mom!" I groaned as I hauled my suitcase into the car. She smiled at me again and closes the back of the car.

"Alright. Say goodbye to everyone." She said. If I could leave without saying goodbye, I would. But mom knows me too well. I head back into the house and see my family lined up in the living room. Dad hugged me first, squeezing me so tight I couldn't breathe.

"Love you Ave. Stay safe. Remember who you are." He said. I rolled my eyes and move down the line. My older brother isn't the most enthusiastic about my whole adventure.

"See ya Ave." He said grudgingly.

"Bye Z." I said, calling him by his nickname. Next my little sister's. They both glare at me.

"What did I do now?" I asked thoughtfully.

"You're leaving us for three weeks." Buck said. She's eight years younger then me, but she knows how to scare me. The tone of her voice almost sounded threatening. Belle is nicer about it then Buck. She gives me a hug and playfully shoved me.

"Good riddance. A whole three weeks with out getting lectured on the history of Araluen and Skandia." She teased. I gave her a smirk and say a final goodbye before heading out to the car. Mom drives me to the airport as I anxiously bounce in the passenger seat, waiting for her to park.

"Come on mom!" I said. My suitcase trails behind me and I have my carryon bag on my back, filled with the Rangers Apprentice Legends and some spare clothes encase my suitcase goes missing. My cousin had her suitcase go missing while she was on vacation in Costa Rica and she didn't have clothes for five days. I will not let that happen to me.

I always loved the airport. If gave me a sense of travel and adventure. Even stepping inside to pick up someone from the airport gave me a thrill of adventure. Big huge pressurized tubes with hunks of metal on the sides floating thousands of feet in the air to take us to our destination in a matter of hours. It fascinated me. Sadly I never travel. I have always been stuck in Nevada like it was my prison where I will die. It wasn't bad, but it could do with a few trees here and there. Never ending sage brush can make a girl depressed.

I check in my bag and confirm my ticket before heading over to the gate.

"Alright, this is where we say goodbye." Mom says sadly. "You're sure you want to do this?" She asked. I nodded.

"I won't be alone, mom. The two other kids will be joining me soon." I reassured her. She gives me a small smile.

"Well good. I'm proud of you. This is a big step in growing up." She said. I rolled my eyes and hug her tightly.

"I'll see you in a few weeks. I'll call when we get there." She agrees and kisses my cheek before I'm suddenly standing alone at the gate, ready to board a plane for the first time in my life without my parents. Forget growing up, it's freaking scary! Even if I'm fifteen!

"Here I go." I said to myself.

***

We land in Texas within a few hours. The letter told me that the first person to be joining me would be in Texas. I wait patiently in my seat by the window as passengers leave and then board. I don't know what she'll look like, but the letter explained the other two would be assigned seats next to me on the plane.

"Hi!" A cheerful voice announced. "I'm Jacklyn!" She sits down next to me and I smile.

"Avis." I said.

"I'm so excited. It's hard to believe we actually made it!" She said. I nodded.

"I'm still dazed. I swear it's a dream and I'll wake up and be disappointed." I said. She laughs nervously.

"Speaking of dreams...I took a bunch of meditation to help me through the flight, I'm not exactly good with heights. So wake me when we land in New York so I can greet the final person!" Within seconds she is passed on against her chair. Alright, gives me more time to go over the Rangers Apprentice and Brother band books. I want to have them even more memorized then before so I know every detail when we reach the ruins.

Jacklyn is passed out when we land in New York. I feel bad as I gently shake her shoulder. She does't make a peep. If it wasn't for the slight snore to her breathing, I'd say she was dead.

Luckily for us, we don't have to switch flights, so I let her sleep. No need for the medication to wear off and her have to take it again to avoid panic. I love the height, but she clearly doesn't.

Passengers are boarding again and a tall gangly boy with pale skin and black hair sits in the seat next to Jacklyn.

"Are you headed to Redman?" I asked. He nodded. "I'm Avis. This is Jacklyn, sorry she couldn't greet you herself."

"I'm Josh." He said simply. He eyes Jacklyn curiously as her mouth drifts open, letting out another soft snore. I hold in a small giggle as Josh raises an eyebrow. "Tylenol?" He questions.

"I don't know. Must be something strong. And a lot of it." I said shrugging. He nodded and takes a rangers apprentice book from his back. Leaning over Jacklyn, I can see the title. The Icebound Land. One of the legends that contained history on the ancient country of Skandia. The Skandian sea wolves ruled the Stormwhite Sea. They were some of my favourites. Their history is barbaric, but a couple of Araluens changed them for the better. Yes, they continued to ravage towns and steal, but not from Araluen. Their treaty was strong with Araluen due to one young man, Will Treaty. The legendary man who John Flanagan spent most of his career studying. He was one of my favourite characters.

"That's a good one." I said to Josh, gesturing to the book in his hands.

"Yeah. I prefer the Brotherband books, but I needed to refresh my memory of Rangers Apprentice as well." He said. I nod.

"I need to as well. Ever since I got the letter I've been studying them hard. I'm on Halt's peril already." I said, patting the book in my hands.

"That's a good one as well. Keeps you on your toes." He teased. I smile and nod. We both fall into a silence to where the only sound is Jacklyn's heavy breathing and occasional snore. I return back to the book and he does as well as we ascend into the sky, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to England.

***

HELLOOOOO! I'm back. So loved Jacklyn's chapter, it was great. Hoped you liked this one as well. It's a bit weird since Jacklyn and I have never actually met in person, but I think I did a good representation of her. I think. Anyway! Love you all! Please comment and vote! And tell your friends to read this book! It'd be much appreciated.

~Avis