On a sunny afternoon like any other in New York, a sizeable crowd of people happily gathered at the port. They were either dressed in summer or beachwear which made most of them look extremely tacky and silly, confusing many passersby that made sure not to get too close too the strange bunch so they won't look like they were anyhow involved with them.
These people didn't care about the looks and happily waited for their ship to dock.
Soon a large cruise ship sailed in, it's size alone made many people's jaw drop from astonishment, passersby included. It looked brand new with a modern vibe to it, it was a mixture of mechanical and technological workings. A revolutionary beauty some might call it. As it docked, a huge banner was raised up for all to see.
-CONGRATULATIONS LUCKY WINNERS!!!-
The loud crowd roared and shouted in excitement as they were the lucky ones, others looked on in envy.
Alrick and Eleanor were part of he cheering crowd, their families included. They had both received a winning ticket to an all expense paid trip to a never before seen before cruise experience. The two were ecstatic and so were their families, nothing seemed wrong at all. Well apart from the fact that every single person in their community and daily lives had received one as well.
The two grew up in the poor part of the city were everyone knew everyone. They were all content with their lives though even if it wasn't the best, they were simple people who didn't dare to take risks outside of what they were used too or seek adventure. That's why most of them remain in their small community without bothering to find greener pastures in other communities or cities.
The few brave ones have tried but it's mostly that they comeback woefully or they don't come back at all, making everyone solidify their resolve to living a peaceful life.
Alrick had been carrying most of his entire family's luggage, not that it was light while she only carried a tiny purse. He had given Eleanor a few hints and knowing looks for help but she flatly ignored him and mostly looked elsewhere every time he did.
"Aren't so we lucky?!", she squealed as her eyes were glued to the grand cruise ship.
"Too Lucky if you ask me, aren't you bothered by any of this?", he asked as he dropped the bags down, it made a loud thump in the process. He had always been stronger than most which was strange but since it didn't bother anyone, no one thought much of it. Even his family made him do all the heavy lifting.
"Shut up you mule, why can't you just be excited for once and stop overthinking everything", she kicked his shin, making him groan in pain.
"Bitch... Must you always do that? I'm in serious pain you know? And of course I have to overthink everything, who in their right minds would give a bunch of low lives like us an invitation like this?", his words fell on deaf ears as the only thing she heard was the "B" word, receiving him another kick.
"Who the hell are you calling a Low life you midget?", a middle aged man with a round belly and scruffy beard walked up to the two, he wore pineapple patterned red shirt with a straw hat, brown sandals and white shorts .He looked really tacky and comical but no one would tell him that. He put his arms over the two kids shoulders.
"You know exactly who I'm referring too and who are you calling a midget old man", Alrick bit back causing old Sally to slap him hard on the back and laugh.
"The fucking brat is so honest, aren't you afraid of hurting people's feelings?", he said while scratching his beard.
"It's not like I'm lying to anyone, why should I mince my words? And don't give us lice", Alrick quickly pulled himself and Eleanor away from Old Sally.
"Tch... Rude kids", he said as he walked off elsewhere. Alrick just scoffed and sat on the bags he had placed on the floor earlier.
"Ellie... I have a really bad feeling about all this, why don't we try to convince everyone to go home?", he said but she wasn't really listening.
"Alrick, try to relax for once would ya? Can't you just see this as a good thing and stop second guessing everything. We all need this vacation", Her words didn't having the calming effect he needed.
"But-", before he could finish, the large speakers on the ship went off.
***"Greetings to our lucky three hundred and seventy four!! I'm happy to inform you that the Beta cruise ship is now opened for boarding! Please be orderly and line up at the boarding gates to submit you're invitations and get onboard for the best weekend of your lives!!"***
"Or the last...", Alrick mumbled to himself resulting in a punch in the arm from Eleanor.
"You're bad luck, come on let's go", she said before happily pulling him along despite all the luggage he was carrying.
"Don't pull me dammit!", he cursed as she continued to pull him along anyways.
After they both checked in, they had to split up for a while to their respective families. Alrick and his family got settled in a four bedroom suite with two huge bathrooms, a living room, mini bar and a beautiful spacious balcony.
"This is awesome!!", his two little brothers; Cody, Max and Alvin said as they ran around the suite. His two older sisters walked in after, their natural instincts on high as they began taking selfies and vlogging like they always did.
No cash was made from the vlogs though, he honestly saw it as a waste of time.
His Mom and Dad walked in, dazzled by the beauty of the suite. No one paid attention to Alrick who was carrying all their bags. "Can I get a little help here??", he finally asked, all gazes falling on him.
"Uhmm... I'm pregnant", his mom said as she rubbed her belly.
"Uhh... someone has to take of your mom", his dad said as he held her shoulders gently.
"I just had my nails done, I'll ruin it if I do", the oldest, Mia said as she showed off her nails.
"I don't want to", Chloe said not looking away from her phone once like he wasn't anything important. He didn't even get a reply from the triplets who just ran off to play. The family just went on with their things, leaving him alone with all their luggage, alone.
"Why did they even pack so much stuff? So damn ungrateful", he mumbled to himself as he finished bringing the bags in. He would have used a valet but it seems like they all avoided him like a plague.
He wondered why his poor family kept having kids but he ended being the one doing everything most of the times, he was considering giving his parents a lecture on family.
Later they were treated to an extravagant lunch and left to do whatever they wanted till evening. Alrick left the room to meet up with Eleanor at the lobby like they had planned earlier. He wore a grey polo shirt and white shorts paired with grey sneakers and white socks, his black hair messy as always. He was tall, handsome and had a nice build for a 17 year old.
He was a well known green eyed hottie that could make any girl squeal just by looking at him but sadly, no girl was in sight. The problem was the resting bitch face he had on for most of the time that scared them off, not to mention his horrible attitude and raw words he let out on a minute basis.
All the girls in his community stayed far away and he liked it that way, was the type to only hand out with a few people. He would never bother with people he didn't like or care about.
He arrived at the lobby and looked round a bit till he spotted a blonde, brown eyed Eleanor in a beige sundress and white sandals. She was petite and very pretty, resembling a porcelain doll. But alas, this angel hid a vicious tongue and vile temper underneath and tended to get violent when she was really pissed.
"Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting for a solid twenty minutes, are you planning on carrying me?", she crossed her arms and gave a sweet smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Chill, i had my own stuff to do, Aren't the guys here yet?", he was referring to his other friends, Tommy and Alex.
"Yeah, they're over at the food court", she pointed in their direction and they soon headed over there. The guys hit shoulders before settling down to eat.
"Aren't you guys worried about this cruise?", he asked while he played with some fries.
"Dude, don't ruin this for me! I'm finally living my life!", Tommy said as he moved his dreads to the side, eating his fifth burger.
"Yeah man, loosen up a bit. Learn to live a little", Alex said with a full mouth while eating a burger as well.
"I already told the mule to get off the idea and enjoy himself but I guess it's difficult for his brain to comprehend", she said, also munching on a burger.
"Stop calling me that and I have every right to be worried for my safety", he scoffed, finally putting the fries in his mouth, "But fine, I won't talk about it again"
"Atta boy!", his friends cheered when he finally decided to stop being a pessimistic pain in the ass and they finally began to enjoy the cruise.