"Andy, pack your things quickly, we have to leave in three hours," Clare said as her mother pressed a croissant into her hand. Clare and I were going to India this time. Our parents never minded us travelling alone, they had appointed people to look after us and protect us during the trip.

School was never a problem for us because we studied and travelled at the same time.

history was the best subject ever because after learning about an event in history, we immediately travelled there and explored it.

for example, last month we learnt about the French Revolution and the very next day we were in France.

I sat unmolested on the sofa as the time of our flight drew near. Everyone in the house was walking around, my father was having breakfast while talking to his colleague on the phone, while my mother and Clare's mother aunt Charlie were unpacking our travel suitcase and checking that everything we needed was there. Clare's mother started shouting at her because she had forgotten to put away her extra pair of shoes.

Clare came running out of her room with a pair of shoes while she kept apologizing, her mother took the shoes and looked at them, and glared at Clare while she just put on a guilty smile. Clare then looked at me and signalled me to come along. I got up from the couch sluggishly and my father called out to me, "Go feed your siblings, Andy, can't you help Clare with that?"

i looked towards the kitchen sighing when I heard him say in a low voice, "No sense of responsibility you brat." He was so loud so I could hear it, as if he wanted me to hear it.

i replied slightly annoyed, "Okay dad," and looked at Clare who was trying to stifle a laugh.

i quickly went into the room to feed my siblings and Clare followed me in.

she closed the door and I looked at her in irritation. She giggled and said, "Who told you to be lazy when you should be getting ready to leave."

i crossed my arms, looked out the window and said, "Come on, you're there to take care of such things, what else do I've to do?" I felt her smile and unconsciously the corners of my mouth curved upwards.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, come and help me here," Clare said, avoiding my gaze.

She fed Ryan and George. They loved her and were the closest to her. After our parents, Clare was the only one to look after them, as our parents were busy with our journey for the last two days and Clare was the only one to look after them.

Our flight was in 2 hours and we had to arrive an hour before, so we had to leave quickly. Clare's father, Uncle Robin, was waiting outside in the living room talking to my father.

Mum called us out and told us to get ready while auntie Charlie took Ryan and George.

Clare and I parted ways to get ready.