Unlike most of the other students, when that last bell rang, Sumiko took her time getting all her things together.
"That was a great presentation Miss Osaka." commented Mrs. Berstein as she got her own things together.
"Thank you ma'am." Sumiko said politely as she zipped up her back pack.
"Have a nice summer dear."
"Same to you." the blonde said before leaving.
The empty hallways seemed like a ghost town and it unnerved the teen so she quickly exited the school and walked to the parking lot where the Sophomores parked where her car was. Even though Sumiko could afford the most luxurious cars, she prefer to get something that wouldn't stand out as much so she ended up by a 4 door Volkswagen that was beige colored. She drove home, which was several minutes away.
Sumiko's family was very wealthy so she lived in a high-priced gated community. Her home was a big mansion. It was just a darn shame it was empty most of the time, except for the paid live in servants. Her own parents were rarely there even on her birthday and holidays. They made it for Sumiko's 16th, but only because they had her "Coming of Age" Ball. She hardly knew her parents. The only thing she knew about them was their careers. Her father was a highly successful and world famous architect and her mother had her own editorial shoe line. Sumiko was expected to follow in a similar career route in the arts, something she still wasn't sure yet, even though she loved taking pictures.
When Sumiko pulled up to the front gate, she got out of the car and tapped in the security code before rushing back to her car and driving through the gates when they opened up. She parked the car in a huge garage before getting out and going inside the house on the side door.
"Hello Sumi! How was your last day at school?" asked the family housekeeper, a very friend middle age woman named Tess.
"It was good. I am going to get ready for that camping trip with my friends." Sumiko replied with a genuine smile.
"Sure thing sweetie. I am finishing a picnic basket too. Nothing too fancy I assure you. But it'll still be top quality. How does PB&J sound?"
"Great, as long as nothing exotic goes into it, hehe." laughed Sumiko before going to her room, which was up on the 2nd floor of the 3 floor house.
It didn't take her long to pack her things, which wasn't that much. She always packed a spare outfit just in case. Coming downstairs, she heard her cell phone go off in her pocket. Pulling it out, she got a text message from her mother.
You're father and I are traveling to Carmel now to check on that new loft he's building. Just letting you know dear. Have a nice summer.
Sumiko sighed. She had secretly hoped that after traveling to Hawaii to see her grandparents that they would be coming back for a summer break. Wishful thinking it seemed. Trying to push sad thoughts aside, she went back to the kitchen where Tess was and helped her finish the sandwiches before putting all the other things in there. Tess was smart enough not to ask what brought about Sumiko's down demeanor and wished she could be more of a comfort to her. Tess had been more of a mother figure to Sumiko than her own real mother.
"You have a good time Sumi okay?"
"Yes ma'am. Bye." Sumiko said before heading back to her car and leaving.
She was ready to see her friends.