Page 14 of Journey to Love

Lana chuckles, "Maybe it's because it knew we needed the money."

With a sigh, we finish our cigarettes in silence, the weight of exhaustion settling over us. I tap Lana on the knee, signaling it's time to head back inside. We both return to our shifts, pushing through the final stretch of the day.

As the night comes to a close, Lana and I make our way to our respective cars. "I can’t wait for tomorrow," Lana exclaims, her excitement palpable.

I nod in agreement, mustering a smile despite my fatigue. Thankfully, I've already packed my suitcase in advance. "I’ll meet you back at my house," I tell Lana as we part ways. We've decided it's best for her to stay the night so we can head to the bus station early the next morning for our journey to New York. Tomorrow can't come soon enough.

Chapter Six

Anya

I was buzzing with excitement as Lana and I geared up for our vacation. It feels like we’ve been waiting for this trip for ages, and finally, the day was here. With our bags packed and our spirits soaring, we headed to the bus station, the first stop on our journey to the cruise dock in New York City.

"Can you believe we're finally doing this?" Lana exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement as we walked towards the bus station.

"I know, right? It feels like we've been waiting forever," I replied, my heart racing with anticipation. She giggles, "Time really flew by, didn't it?" Lana remarked, a grin spreading across her face. "I can't believe it's finally happening, especially considering we started planning this just 2 months ago!"

Stepping into the bustling bus station, I felt a surge of energy at the sight of so many travelers bustling about. Signs pointing us to different platforms added to the thrill as we weaved our way through the crowds, each step bringing us closer to our vacation. The air buzzed with excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation coursing through me as we found our bus. This was it—the beginning of our vacation, and I was ready to dive in headfirst.

On the bus, I eagerly took the window seat beside Lana, my heart racing with excitement as we hit the road towards our New York. "Oh my God, I’m so excited, Anya!" Lana exclaimed; her voice filled with anticipation as she squeezed my arm. "I know you’ve been on a cruise before, but this is my first vacation without my parents. Like, I feel like I’m finally an adult!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

I couldn't help but grin at Lana's enthusiasm. "I'm grateful you said yes," I replied. Her eagerness added an extra layer of excitement to our adventure, and I was thankful I was able to do this with her.

As the bus driver pulled out of the station, a flutter of excitement and anxiousness filled me up inside. While yes I’ve been on a cruise before, like Lana, I’ve never been on one without my family. So this is new for me as well, just gotta get past this nervousness. I glanced out the window, watching as the familiar sights of our small New Jersey town slowly faded into the distance. The excitement of the journey ahead mingled with a bittersweet feeling of leaving home behind, but I knew that thrilling adventures awaited us on the horizon. With a sense of exhilaration, I settled back in my seat, ready to embrace whatever the road had in store for us.

As we entered the city limits, Lana's eyes went wide with wonder. "Anya, look!" she exclaimed, leaning across me and pressing her face against the window. The towering skyscrapers came into view, their gleaming facades stretching toward the sky in a mesmerizing display of urban splendor.

"It's so beautiful!" Lana exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and excitement. I couldn't help but share in her enthusiasm as I gazed out at the impressive skyline, feeling a sense of exhilaration at being surrounded by the energy and vibrancy of the city. It was a breathtaking sight.

As we exited the Port Authority, the hustle and bustle of the city enveloped us, immediately assaulting our senses with a cacophony of noise and an array of smells. The sounds of honking horns, chattering pedestrians, and bustling traffic filled the air, creating a symphony of urban life. Meanwhile, the pungent aroma of street food mixed with exhaust fumes, creating a heady blend that was both intoxicating and overwhelming.

"Wow, talk about sensory overload!" Lana exclaimed, wrinkling her nose at the combination of smells.

"Yeah, it's definitely a lot to take in," I agreed, feeling both exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed by the bustling energy of the city..

Excitedly, I scanned the area and spotted the designated taxi stand. "Oh my God, Anya, I'm hailing a cab in the Big Apple! Can you believe it?" Lana exclaimed, her laughter bubbling with infectious joy as we made our way to the waiting taxi.

"I know, right? It's like something out of a movie!" I replied, my own excitement matching Lana's as we climbed into the cab.

Pulling up to the cruise terminal, I couldn't contain my excitement as I laid eyes on the massive ships all lined up before us. "Holy shit! These ships are massive! I mean, I knew they were big but I hadn't realized just howbig,"Lana exclaimed, her head tilting back as she took in the sheer scale of the vessels stretching towards the sky.

"Isn't it amazing?" I breathed, my heart pounding with excitement as we stepped onto the gangway. With a flutter of excitement in my chest, I stepped aboard the ship, ready to set sail into the unknown and make memories that would last a lifetime.

As we enter into the grand foyer of the cruise ship, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over me as I took in the lavishness that surrounded us. The air buzzed with excitement, like the anticipation before a big concert or the thrill of stepping onto a bustling dance floor. Laughter and chatter filled the space, bouncing off the polished walls and mingling with the scent of saltwater and adventure. It was infectious, this vibrant energy that seemed to pulse through the ship, igniting a sense of excitement in everyone it touched. As I stood in the foyer, surrounded by the lively atmosphere, I couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins, a thrill of anticipation for the adventures that awaited me on this journey.

"Wow, this place is incredible!" Lana exclaimed beside me, her eyes darting around the room in wonder.

"I know, right?" I replied, my voice filled with awe. "It's like stepping into a whole other world."

As we made our way further into the ship, I couldn't help but marvel at the variety of shops and cafes that lined the promenade. There was a boutique filled with designer clothing and accessories, a cozy cafe serving up freshly brewed coffee and pastries, and even a bustling marketplace where vendors sold everything from souvenirs to local crafts from our future destination.

"I could spend hours exploring all of this," Lana remarked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced around the promenade.

"Me too," I agreed, my gaze lingering on a display of sparkling jewelry in one of the shop windows. "But I think we should head to our cabin first and drop off our bags."

Making our way through the ship, Lana and I eventually arrived at our cabin, which was conveniently located only a couple of floors below the main deck. As a surprise for Lana's birthday, I had upgraded our cabin so that we had a balcony to enjoy and watch the ocean as we departed. As we stepped inside, Lana's eyes widened in surprise and delight at the sight of our upgraded accommodations. "Oh my God, Anya, this is amazing!" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious as she took in the view.

"Surprise! I had it upgraded as a birthday gift to you." I replied, feeling a rush of satisfaction at her reaction.

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