Fun Reading

"Mom, should I take this?" I asked, holding up a fourth pair of swim shorts.

"Kale, I told you to take as much swimming gear as possible. You'll be swimming a lot in Maui."

I threw in the swim shorts. I was packing up to go and visit my cousin Makana, whom I hadn't seen since we were both fourth graders, which, to be precise, was five years ago. I was spending the summer in Maui with her family.

Mom had shown me pictures of Makana and I when we were young. She was a small girl, smaller than even me, and she had long, wavy brown hair that went down to her hips. She had tan skin and sparkling brown eyes. Like every Hawaiian, I thought.

I, on the other hand, was also short, but with black curls and brown eyes. I didn't look fully Hawaiian because my Mom's side of the family originated from Italy. Dad's side of the family, which Makana was part of, was originally Hawaiian. I lived in Hawaii until I was nine, then we moved to Toronto because Dad got a better job offer here.

I threw in t-shirts and shorts, clothes so unlike those I wore when we were in Toronto. I remembered Maui as being sunny, with a vast shoreline. I also remembered the shave ice they had. It was just like a snow cone, except with actual snow and not ice. Yum!

When I was finished packing, I went downstairs to have my lunch. I was greeted noisily by my younger sisters, Kalena and Ella. Kalena was three years younger than me, and was coming on the Maui trip, and Ella, at seven, was much too young to be traveling alone, so she would stay at home with Mom and Dad.

"Kale, we're having some kale for lunch," Kalena teased. My sisters liked giving me a hard time about my name.

"Well, guess what?" I shot back. "Your name is basically the feminine version of mine."

Ella giggled. "You guys will be stuck on a plane together for a lot of hours."

"Ugh, I know." grimaced Kale.

The next day must have been the busiest day of our lives. Kalena and I were way too excited to even think of other needed things to take to Hawaii. "Honey, you ready?" called the mother.

"In a bit." Exclaimed Kale.

We thought of our fantastic trip as we got ready to finally fly to Hawaii. Once we were all ready, both of us quickly snatched some snacks to eat as we waited for an available flight. The car drive felt like the longest drive in a while, but it made sense because the airport was about an hour from our house.

When we finally arrived, Kalena and I waved at our parents. I will deeply miss my parents and younger sister, I thought. Waiting inside the airport was very stressful and tiring.

"Kale.... do you think we'll land safely?" Kalena fearfully questioned.

"Yes, don't be frightened; it'll be an amazing journey filled with memories!"

Kalena had been scared of death ever since she was a young toddler. Not looking any happier, I gave her a big hug to slowly comfort her while we waited.

After what felt like a year, we safely got in the airplane. I couldn't wait wait till my summer vacation officially started with Makana. We had slept for most of the flight, but when we finally arrived, we couldn't believe what we were looking at.

Hawaii had changed a lot in beauty; it was only a view and both of us couldn't wait. The weather was perfect in every way, the setting was perfect, and the striking views automatically caught my eyes.

Makana was waiting for us in order to salute us in the most delightful way; we hadn't seen each other for five, extensive years. We all hugged each other for a while, then the authentic conversation started in the car.

"Kale, how was Toronto?" Makana questioned.

"Surprisingly, it was actually better than I had expected."

As always, Kalena was a not- so- talkative girl, but could be very annoying most of the time. However, she always took it as a joke in a funny way.

"Did you hear about the amazing location we're heading to?!" exclaimed Makana.

"Oh, no I didn't; where are we going?" beseeched Kale.

"How about keeping it a surprise since you'll find out pretty soon!"

Sooner or later, we arrived at Makana's immense mansion. Kalena couldn't seriously believe her eyes. 

Woah, this is probably the most phenomenal house I've seen, thought Kalena. 

Makana's parents were weren't too rich, but still managed to save up for their own mansion with its own swimming pool and movie theater auditorium. I slowly walked in through the driveway, observing the mansion in slight awe.

As I was stepping onto the gem path, I carefully looked above the gate at the vast mansion which was made of crystals. The outside porch was made of ancient wood, and a rocking chair was visible by the doorway. I took a step closer and took in the significance of the house, with its angelic palm trees.

As we approached the mansion, I couldn't help but hold my breath as I took in its luxury. Translucent figures stood tall by the entrance and I couldn't seem to take my eyes from the luminous details on them.

As Kalena and I took our first step inside, we saw the ostentatious, burnished wood floors covered in alluring throw rugs which were under the erect curtains bloating like mist on the ceiling windows that faced a twilight.

"This is truly the start of an amazing adventure this summer!" assured Kale.

"Yes, it is! Thanks for taking me with you." agreed Kalena.

Makana happily took us over to her master bedroom and showed us around.

"This is a picture of my mother who I wasn't able to see at all in my life. Or even remember." sighed Makana.

Unfortunately, Makana couldn't remember her mother at a very young age. She got very sick and passed away in a speed of light.

We stayed beside her to comfort her.

"How about a tour around your mansion?" I quickly asked, trying to change the topic.

"Sure, I would love to!" Kalena replied, trying to hide her sad face.