Dennis Reed sat rigid in the back of the car, his hands forming tight fists against his thighs as he fought to control his rapidly beating heart. "Deep breathes Dennis. You'll be alright. Don't freak out... don't freak out." He had been repeating the mantra to himself for the entirety of the car ride, something the driver had noticed early on. If Dennis had been paying any attention to the man driving the car, he would have seen his eyes flicking back every so often to stare at the boy muttering in the back seat. But Dennis didn't notice, he was too busy trying to calm himself and get ready for arriving at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Why on earth he had let his mother talk him into actually going on this trip was beyond him. She had said it would do him good, help him to gain confidence and so on. Perhaps that was true, but at that moment Dennis would have preferred being safely at home in his room, watching television or playing a video game. Sure, he appreciated that the opportunity. After all he had been picked out of thousands of teenagers from all over the country, but that still didn't hide the fact that he was much more comfortable in an environment he knew.
Suddenly, much sooner than Dennis would have liked, the car pulled up beside the dreaded first hotel. The doors of the cars in front of his opened, their passengers getting out and walking over to where Erik, the big head of the whole trip, was standing with his son. Dennis was only slightly behind the other contestants, a moment of hesitation making him pause before opening his door. With a grunt his driver pointed him towards Erik and Cassius, and Dennis, with his head down and shoulders up walked over and joined the back of the group. Dennis caught the end of Erik's speech and immediately began hyperventilating again as he struggled to remember what room he was in and who he was with. "It's alright Dennis, just follow the group. It'll be fine." He told himself under his breath as he followed the group into the hotel.
Hazel's excitement was obvious. She was finding it hard to sit still in the car and ever so often she would spout some random piece of information about a country she was set to visit with the vacation. The car's driver, a lovely middle-aged woman, nodded and smiled as Hazel rambled on, "I've never even left the country before." Hazel said, not even aware that this was the fifth time she had stated the fact. The kind driver just nodded and smiled, knowing that the young girl would undoubtedly be excited. For Hazel, this was the trip of a lifetime. Given her parents' income, she and her family had never travelled overseas. Most likely she would have had to wait until after she'd got a decent job and saved. So, understandably this was the opportunity of a lifetime.
"Here we go love." The driver said as they pulled up outside the Four Seasons. "Go on over to Mr Segovia, he'll let you know what's happening. Have a wonderful time Hun." She added, pointed towards Erik Segovia and his son. Hazel thanked her and jumped out of the car. Smoothing her skirt down, Hazel gazed around at the other contestants and fell into step with them as they made their way towards Erik Segovia and his son. "Hello, travellers! My name is Erik Segovia- and this is my son, Cassius Segovia. He will be joining you on this trip." Mr Segovia pointed to his son. "This hotel will be your home for the next two days. I trust you know your room-mates? Everyone will make their way to the hotel rooms and you will have some- how do you say it- 'chill-out' time. Get to know your room-mates, and figure out where you are all sleeping. Tomorrow is a big day, and we will all meet on floor 51's meeting room... Now go, my children. Please make your way up to floor 52."
Hazel turned towards the Four Seasons entrance and, with another spike of excitement, stepped through the entrance doors with the other members of their group. She glanced around at the other contestants, recalling most of their names. While they had all met previously at the party, she still had only first impressions to go on. Most of the contestants she thought she could get on reasonably well with. She caught sight of a boy at the back of the group, his shoulder's hunched as he followed them all. She couldn't quite remember his name, Daniel, Dillon, Dean, Dennis? She mentally shrugged, she'd learn his name in time. For now all she could remember was that the boy had stood by himself for much of the welcoming party.