The year soon ended for Kiara, and instead of relaxing on the first day of summer vacation, she found herself hurriedly packing and getting ready for the long flight to Korea. Kiara neatly folded her summer clothes into her sapphire blue suitcase, and her cosmetics and books in another Cassiopeia red one.           

            Her brother had gotten her the sapphire blue one as a gift for her 11^th birthday, and stickers of Super Junior logos were plastered all over it. The red suitcase was one she got for herself when she was obsessed with DBSK; Kiara smiled to herself as she ran her fingers over the stickers of the Korea flag and SM Entertainment. She had a chance of training at SM Entertainment like her brother, but she turned the offer down when she was accepted into the exchange student program.

            The last piece of clothing was added to the blue suitcase, and Kiara shut it with a “click.” She dragged the two luggage bags outside to the front porch and checked the time on her phone. It was 9:15 AM, and Kiara strode back into the house, leaving her heavy suitcases lying on the front porch. Her stomach flip-flopped at the thought of seeing her family again, and although she went every year, Kiara’s feelings were always the same before the flight.

            She took her green, Nike drawstring backpack from her room, took one last look at it, and returned back to the porch, waiting for Jeremy’s aunt and him to pick her up. As she was waiting, she looked over her list of things to bring, and made sure one last time that she didn’t forget anything. When she heard the honk of a car, Kiara looked up and saw Jeremy walking up the stoned pathway to the porch.

            “Good morning!” Jeremy smiled. “Did you sleep okay?” He grabbed both suitcases and tilted his head towards the car as if to say, “Let’s go!”

            Kiara grinned and helped Jeremy load the suitcases into the silver van. Jeremy’s aunt greeted Kiara and said, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, dear. I know it’s a little late, but your performance with Jeremy was outstanding!”

            Kiara blushed at the compliment and replied, “Thank you very much, Aunty, and thanks for the ride to the airport! My mom wanted me to be sure to thank you today.”

            Jeremy’s aunt smiled and started the car. She glanced at her nephew and saw his gaze towards Kiara and her smile deepened. “It’s my pleasure, dear. Tell your mother that I appreciate you being able to go to Korea with Jeremy. I always worry about him getting lost on the way there. At least the two of you can stick together in the crowded airport.”

            Jeremy ducked his head and complained, “Aunt! I told you that I’m not in elementary school anymore! I’m going to high school next year, and you still treat me like a baby.”

            His aunt chuckled and didn’t say anything back. She remained quiet through the ride and when they reached the airport, she kissed Kiara and Jeremy goodbye at the gate and wished them a good ride on the way to Korea.

***

            Jeremy ogled at the pretty flight attendants and the spacious first class seats when the two boarded the airplane. It was his first time riding an upper class flight, and he wanted to be sure to take in each and every detail of the flight.

            Kiara giggled and smiled at his wowed expression and said, “It’s not that cool, you know.”

            Jeremy looked back at the girl who was looking at him strangely for his actions and retorted, “Well it’s not my fault that my older brother’s not a superstar.”

            Kiara pouted and then said, “Well I’m sorry if my brother’s job offends you so much. What’s wrong with being able to go to different places of the world each year or-“

            “Being able to associate with all of those pretty girls!” Jeremy interrupted. “I never thought of that until now. Your brother is really lucky to be able to meet Girl’s Generation and 2NE1 and Kara and-“

            “You want me to ask my brother to hook you up with them?” Kiara joked. “You’re way too young for them though.”

            Jeremy scoffed and replied, “Isn’t the older girl thing really popular these days?”

            “Yes, but not to the point that the boy hasn’t graduated high school and the girl is practically halfway through college!” Kiara pointed out.

            Jeremy made a weird face at Kiara and slumped in his seat, “These seats are very comfortable! I am taking quite a liking to them!”

            “Stop trying to change the subject, Jeremy!” Kiara laughed.

***