Crossing the Line Only Takes 22 Hours In A Van

I should have known combining any five teenagers, let alone Kimberly Burrell, Katherina Charles, Tony Griffin, Derek Lawson, and Joe Watkins, and a barely chaperoned school trip to New York would result in some major mishaps. Did I say mishaps? I meant catastrophes. 1

It all started when Principle Applen announced the trip to New York at the staff meeting. He passed around the chaparone sign up sheet around the Mathison High School Teacher's Lounge. As soon as he did, I noticed that even though the teachers would get paid to go to New York in the summer, apparently, you can't pay a teacher enough money to go somewhere with a bunch of high-schoolers.2

When the sign-up sheet reached me I was forced to sign up because no one else had. Also, it was like an unwritten law that since I was a councelor, I had to sign up to go on the trip. If I was completly honest, I wasn't to pleased that I would have to be alone with a bunch of teenagers and Principle Applen in New York.3

Soon, the trip was announced to the entire student body. I could here the moans from the hallway as they were being told about it at their homeroom. However, there were names on the sign-up sheet that the students had passed around. I didn't want to look nosy so I didn't look at the names. I assumed that it would be one group of friends who signed up. 4

The first meeting for the people that were going to New York commenced the next afternoon right after school. I walked into the gym, where the meeting was being held, and almost walked right back out of it because of the people who sat in the bleachers.5

Kimberly Burrell was sitting in the bottom bleacher with a very plastic smile on. Katherina Charles sat next to Kimberly glaring at her. Tony Griffin sat next to Katherina. He was kind of staring off into space. Derek Lawson sat next to Tony and looked very uncomfortable. Finally, Joe Watkins with his signature goth look was sitting on the end. In front of them all Principle Applen had obviously forced the five to sit next to each other.6

"Ah... Mrs. Shawnee. Welcome. You're just in time. Have a seat please." Mr. Applen commented. I smiled very weakly as I realized that these would be the people I would have to spend a whole week with. It was much worse when I realized we would be in New York. 7

"First off, I want to know why you want to go to New York this summer. Kimberly Why do you want to go?" Mr. Applen asked. As soon as she heard the question, Kimberley stood up.8

"I thought it would be a good learning oppertunity. There is so much that you can learn from a ver big city." She answered. The other four students groaned. 9

I heard one whisper "Its bad enough that she goes to our school. Now we have to spend a week with Queen of the Nerds?"10

"Alright, next lets hear from Katherina. Why are you going to New York?" Mr. Applen asked. 11

This time however, Katherina stayed seated as she answered "I don't know. I had nothing better to do." 12

When asked the same question Derek replied "Well, I figured that I would meet more people than if I hung out in a grocery store."13

"I've wanted to go to New York ever since I was a little child. Its always been my dream to see the big city." Tony said very monotoned.14

"My parents are making me go. They say it'll be a good cultural experience that I can put on my resume when I get a job." Joe said.15

Mr. Applen looked at me and I tried to think of another excuse other than I had to.16

"Um... I really like the nightlife that New York offers." I quickly said. I immediatly wished that I could take it back. Of course, I couldn't erase what I had said. The students were laughing at me and Mr. Applen just stared at me. 17

"Anyway, back to the subject. Since the school board is paying for this, the only money you have to bring is for souviners and for four meals. We will be taking a van because the school board says that we aren't allowed to take a plane so bring stuff to do. Its a 22 hour road trip. I know this seems very sudden but we leave in exactly one month. Have fun preparing. You are dissmissed." Mr. Applen exlained.18

"Wait. Do we have an itinerary?" Kimberly asked.19

"Well, if you must know, I don't know what we're going to be doing. I know that there's going to be some fun involved. We might be forced to go to an art museum but other than that, I'm open to suggestions." Mr. Applen said. As soon as the five students realized that there was almost no learning involved they all shouted. Kimberly shouted because she was very dissapointed. The rest of the high schoolers were just excited. Even if none of their other friends were going along. 20

After the celebration the students filed out of the gym and Mr. Applen followed suit. I stayed awhile to get my bearings. I couldn't believe that I was going to New York in one month with a bunch of high schoolers.21

There wasn't another meeting of the people going to New York until two weeks later. It also happened to be the last day of school. I actually was looking foward to going to New York with the students.22

"This meeting will be a little more structured than our other one. We'll go over the stuff that should be brought to New York, a little about our itinerary, and the dreaded rules." Mr. Applen explained. I could feel the energy being sucked right out of the room as Mr. Applen said this. The students were getting more and more bored by the second. 23

"First off a packing list. We will be gone for nine days in all, bring all the clothes you need to last that long. I'm not taking anyone to the dry cleaners. Next, you can obviously bring some spending money. Also, bring stuff to do. I'm talking cell phones, iPods, handheld video games, whatever will keep you occupied for the bus ride. However, the one rule I have with that it keep it legal folks." Mr. Applen said. I heard a sigh come from all of the guys in the group. Apparently so did Mr. Applen because he said "Oh come on, at least I'm letting you bring the technology. What other school trip will you not be in trouble if you are talking on your cell phone." There were a few nods in aggreement and a few people said "well that is true."24

"Now lets continue with the itinerary. We're going to leave this school at June 16 at 10:00 A.M. That will put us at our hotel at 8:00 A.M. on June 17... central time of course. That will be 7:00 their time. So I think we'll get settled in our rooms for awhile. Then, by the school's order, we have to check out some 'educational hotspots' in New York for the rest of the day. So I'm thinking that we'll tour one of those fancy art schools and then an art museum. Maybe another museum of some sort. I have actually booked us to tour a the office of an author for a magazine. For lunch and dinner that day, well and every day that we're there, we'll have some sort of ethnic food. I hear there's some good places up there. Well, anyway, the rest of the week we're free to do whatever the heck we want. I'm thinking that since there are five of you guys, you can each have a day to pick what we're going to do. So, it will be your job to research some cool places that we can hang out. By the way, there will be no complaining at all. The last day that we're in New York, I don't really know what we'll do. Of course we have a whole day in a van and a week in New York to figure that out." Mr. Applen explained. All of the students were getting pretty excited about the trip when they realized they only had to go through one day of education. 25

"The last thing I want to talk about. Well, not really want to talk about, I have to talk about, is the rules. I already mentioned one of them: no bringing or buying illegal stuff. The next rule is that girls are going to sleep in the girls' room and boys in the boys' room. However, I don't care what you do during the free time. No complaining about the places we go. Oh and on a related note, when it is your turn to pick the places, pick someplace appropriate for a bunch of teenagers. Other than that have fun." Mr. Applen said. The students started to get up because they thought they were done with the meeting. However, they realized that Mr. Applen was not moving so they all sat back dowm.26

"The last thing that you have to do before I let you go is to sign up for what day you want to pick the activities. Here's the sign up sheet and make sure you don't forget to at least think about what your activites are going to be between now and the time we leave." Mr. Applen said with a hint of questioning in his voice. I would be too because he was letting a bunch of teenagers loose in the big city. I still have no idea what he was thinking.27

The day that we left for New York went perfectly. Well, about as perfectly as a road trip could go. Everyone arrived on time, no one forgot anything, and the van didn't break down. I fell asleep for the first part of the trip, since I would have to drive during the night. Falling asleep was surprisingly easy for being in a van full of teenagers. Of course, they were all doing their own thing, listening to their iPods, playing video games, texting their significant others, or just daydreaming.28

There wasn't really any problem until about six hours into the trip. Well, I shouldn't say that. I mean, I was asleep for all of those except when we stopped for food, or a bathroom. When I was awake everything was peachy. Anyway, about six hours into the trip I was awoken by the moans of boredom that only people younger than 21 could produce. 29

"O.K. here's an idea. Why don't you guys switch your iPods." I suggested. There was some nods of agreement. Soon, everyone's name was in a hat. 30

"What? This is not fair. I'm supposed to listen to Kimberly's iPod? She probably has like Mozart on here or something." Joe complained. "Here Kimberly, have your iPod back." He continued.31

"No way. You agreed to listen to the iPod you got. Now, who knows maybe you will find something on there to listen to. Now listen to the iPod" I replied. Joe snatched the iPod back from Kimberly and shoved the earpieces into his ear. Immediatly I saw his expression change.32

"No way! You have this CD on your iPod? Its not even out for another month. I didn't know you liked My Chemical Romance." Joe said to Kimberly. 33

"Yeah, who doesn't like My Chemical Romance? I got the CD from my dad who apparently met them at his office. Its a long story." Kimberly replied quietly. The two of them continued to talk to each other even though Kimberly sat in the front of the 15 passenger van, and Joe sat in the back with all of the luggage.34

"Can we pull over so the kids can get re-situated?" I asked Mr. Applen.35

"O.K. We'll pull in at the next gas station. We'll eat there also." He replied.36

After a few minutes of shouting that kept me from sleeping, there was finally a gas station in sight. We pulled in and all of the students piled out. After a not-so-great supper, they all piled back into the van. There was a big change of arrangement. Joe was sitting behid the driver's seat, and Kimberly sat next to him. In the second row there was Tony, Katherina and Derek, respectively. The three of them had moved on to talking about places they wanted to visit, while Kimberly and Joe were still talking about music.37

A few hours later Mr. Applen announced "This is the last stop for tonight. Well, unless Mrs. Shawnee takes a few breaks. Go to the bathroom, get ready to sleep in the van. That means grab your pillows and blankets and what not." Everyone hurried to the bathroom first, then found their pillows and blankets and headed back into the van for a long night's sleep.38

"Have fun driving the night shift Mrs. Shawnee." Mr. Applen smirked.39

"O.K. Since I'm driving now, there will be no talking. I'm sure all of you are very tired. If you want, you can text each other or something but not talking." I explained. The three people in the second seat stayed up for awhile texting each other. This was short-lived, however, as Tony soon went to bed. Derek and Katherina stayed up at least until midnight texting each other. Eventually, they went to bed also.40

The people that lasted the longest, as far as converstions go, was Joe and Kimberly, of course. However, unlike Katherina, Derek, and Tony, Kimberly and Joe were writing each other notes. I must admit, it was good to see that writing hadn't been left in the Stone Ages. 41

It was only when I pulled into a gas station at about 4:00 in the morning when I noticed that Kimberly had fallen asleep on Joe's shoulder. However, Joe was still awake. He was just staring out the window. If I didn't see the gleam in his eye, I would've sworn he was asleep. I opened the door and he looked at me. He gave me a weak smile and then went back to staring out of the window.42

Finally, the sunrise came. With the sunrise, I saw the New York skyline. With the sunrise also came little movements that told me that the students were awake.43

Soon, but admitedly not soon enough, we pulled into the parking lot of the four star hotel. By this time everyone, including Joe, was awake. 44

"O.K. we're here. Wait here for a second while I go get the room keys." Mr. Applen said as he got out of the van. 45

A few minutes later, Mr. Applen came back to the van with a handful of keys in his hand.46

"Alright, Kimberly and Katherina your on the top floor in room 3010. Boys, you're in room 3012. Mrs. Shawnee your on the first floor, room 148. I'll be on the third floor room number 389." Mr. Applen explained. 47

Everyone hopped out of the van and grabbed their stuff in a rush to get to their rooms. As soon as all of the stuff was out the kids started to their rooms.48

"Wait, wait, wait. Where are you going? Be back at the van by 12:00 so we can go to the places we are assigned." Mr. Applen told them49

After the students got their stuff out of the van, I manuvered Mr. Applen's, and my stuff out of the van and I headed towards my room so I could sleep. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to leave horomonal teenagers in hotel rooms by themselves but I was so tired that I didn't care. From the looks of Mr. Applen, he didn't care much either.50

It seemed that as soon as I closed my door, I fell asleep on one of the giant beds that was in the room. Honestly, it was the softest and comfiest bed I've ever slept in. 51

I was awoken by loud banging on my door. I glanced at the alarm clock that was on the oak nighstand and saw that it was 12:15. I had overslept.I shot up from the comfortable bed that had only a few minutes ago been my safe haven. I quickly brushed my hair, checked in the mirror that I looked at least a little decent, and bolted out my door. 52

As soon as I reached our traveling van, I noticed everyone else waiting by it with a slight annoyed expression on their face. Mr. Applen was by far the most annoyed but he didn't say anything except "Alright let's get going."53

We drove 10 minutes through the hectic New York traffic and finally reached a building . It was clearly our destination, and clearly a museum. Compared to the tall buildings that surrounded it, the museum was very small, only 4 or 5 stories high. The outside of the building was brick and the big glass double doors beckoned onlookers into the museum. 54

We were soon greeted by our tour guide, Susan Thompson. She explained the rules of the museum (no food or drink in the museum, don't touch the artifacts, etc.) and then guided in the beckoning doors. 55

Here's where I make a confession. The whole tour, I didn't hear one word that Susan was saying. All I could pay attention to was the teenagers that I was supposed to be chaperoning. Somehow, I found them oddly fascinating. Watching them in a social environment was completely different than watching them at school. It's not like I stalk them or anything. I just found it interesting to watch how they reacted to different situations that they were put in. 56

By the end of the tour, I had learned more about high-schoolers in today's world than I had in all the years I spent at college. Then I realized something. I realized that if one of the two other guys were to start getting interested in Katherina, it would be extremly awkward for the other guy. As soon as that thought came to my mind, another quickly entered. If the Kimberly and Joe couple were to break up then there would be another extremly awkward situation. All of this terrible ficional drama made me realize that relationships could ruin a trip. All I could hope for is that nothing else in the relationships changed. 57

"The next museum we will visit will be quite a bit different. Instead of organization and history, we will be forced into a world of disorder... and art." Mr. Applen read off of the pamphlet, obviously improvising the first part. He was a quick thinker, and I thought that was kind of neat to see.58

Although it sounded less than exciting, I couldn't help grow excited at the fact that I would be able to do a little more teen-watching. 59

We arrived at the museum after another 20 minutes of traffic. The building we arrived at was so much different than the other museum we were just at. This building really did look like and art museum. The building itself was a work of art. The geometric shapes didn't seem to form any pattern and the paint job was splattered and it looked like a 5-year-old did it. But, somehow it made sense. Classic modern art.60

"On this tour we are free to do whatever we would like. The people who work here apparently encourage touching the art, photographs, and anything else that normal museums discourage. We will have no tour guide and we are free to run around until they close." Mr. Applen explained. It was perfect! Unknowingly, Mr. Applen had put the teenagers in a brand new environment that they would have to adapt to. The environment with no rules, I had always wondered about what would happen if this were to happen. 61

Quickly all of the students pushed and shoved their way out of the van, and rushed off to the inside of the museum. I had to formulate a game plan. The teens would be running around the museum and I wouldn't be able to catch them unless I were to look like I was stalking them. It would be tricky but I knew that I could pull it off. 62

As soon as I entered the first room, I was shocked to discover that it was completly dark. The room was filled with blacklights and all of the art was neon. It was pretty astounding actually. Apparently, the students thought the same way because they were all mesmerized by the way the art was glowing. 63

As the "tour" of the museum continued into such rooms as the abstract art room, and the statue room, even the styrofoam room, I noticed that the student interest was waning a little bit. They started going faster through the rooms. They were also goofing around a lot more. It seemed that they were discovering their limitaions on what they could and could not do. They wanted to know just how much stuff they could get away with before they got in trouble. Even Kimberly and Derek, who seemed to be the most law-abiding of the group, were involved in some pretty rambunctious activitiesbut I didn’t stop them. I probably should have but I wanted to watch them. 64

Soon, to the dismay of the students as well as me, the tour was over. We headed back to the van assuming that we would get the rest of the day off. I had the rest of the day off, but the students had an unexpected homework assignment to do. They were asked to write out what they had learned about the history of New York, and about art in an essay that would be sent back to the school board so they could see that the trip had educational value. 65

Of course, the students groaned but went right to work writing a few sentences about each of the museum while we were caught in the notorious gridlock traffic that was New York at 5 o’clock. It amazed me that even though the students had been so rambunctious in the art museum and so self-involved in the historical museum, that they had learned anything. It was honestly astounding how a teenager’s brain could function like that. 66

As the van pulled up to the hotel we were staying at, Mr. Applen turned to back seats of the students and said "Well today was fun. Hopefully, tomorrow will be more fun. Katherina, it was you're job to come up with what we will be doing tomorrow, so let's hear the plan."67

"Well, I was thinking that we could go shopping. After all, New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world. So, we're going to go down to one of the most famous shopping districts in New York and have fun. The plan is to leave here around 11:30 and go get some lunch at a wonderful sushi restaurant that I read about in my studies. Then we'll go shopping from around 2:00 to 5:00. At 5, we'll attempt to once-again navigate the insane New York traffic to go eat dinner. The rest of the day is yours Applen." Katherina explained quite confidently. 68

"Thank you, Katherina. Don't call me Applen either, while you're still in high school, it's Mr. Applen." Mr. Applen said. "O.K. kids, the rest of the night is yours and don't forget to be here at 11:30" Mr. Applen continued while looking at me in particular.69

Like the previous night, I got inside my room and was asleep before my head hit the pillow. However, unlike the previous night, I got up at 6:30. Instead of going back to sleep, or watching T.V. or something like that, I decided to go for a jog. I wasn't normally a "jogging" type. Somehow, New York had changed that. It made me realize how much of my life I actually wasted doing nothing at all. In New York, people can find something to do at any time of the day. I just wanted to feel alive, I guess. 70

I don't know why, but for some reason I thought that I would stick out as I was jogging. That wasn't the case at all. The only thing that the New Yorkers on the streets seemed to care about is getting to wherever it is that they were going. They were so intent on just getting to the place they were going, and what they were going to do when they got there, that they rarely even looked up from the ground, or whatever electronic device they had in their hand. Even the other joggers that I met on the way seemed to be going somewhere, even if it was in just a big circle, they were going somewhere and they were intent on getting there. 71

All of the people with their places-to-go-and-people-to-meet attitude kind of comforted me. It wasn't like I was from a small town, but the town that I lived in certainly wasn't as busy as New York. People would talk to you on the street, or at least nod, and that always made me feel uncomfortable. Call me paranoid, but I always felt that the only reason people ever even noticed another person on the street was because they wanted something from that person.72

I was halfway through my jog when I realized that I was people-watching again. It was becoming a habit and I was only then beginning to realize it. Realizing that I loved watching people and studying how they reacted in the real world made me glad that I had a job that used that ability. However, until that day, I never really realized that being a counselor could defiantly use the people-watching skills to my advantage. Getting to know society as a whole would help me help people, especially teenagers, figure out how to navigate it successfully.73

I returned from my jog with a renewed interest in life itself. I felt completely awake and ready to take on the world's mysteries. 74

"Ms. Shawnee, what are you doing up so early?" Asked Mr. Applen just as I was reaching for my room key. 75

"Oh, nothing. I was just taking a jog." I said as I turned around to face Mr. Applen.76

"Oh really. Why were you jogging?" Mr. Applen said as he moved closer to me.77

"I felt like running. I don't know." I replied as I turned back around to get in my room.78

However, as I slid my room key in and then opened my door, I noticed that Mr. Applen didn't take the hint that I wanted to be alone. In fact when I opened my door, he invited himself into my room. 79

"Mr. Applen, what are you doing?" I asked.80

"Ms. Shawnee, can I call you Vanessa?" Mr. Applen replied. "You can call me Steven."81

"Sure. What are you doing in my room?" I said.82

"I don't know. I was just thinking about how lonely I was getting all the way in my room. I don't think I can go back there alone." Steven said.83

"Well, right now I want to be alone so if you wouldn't mind, could you leave me alone?" I told him.84

"Oh. O.K. Well, if you would like to talk sometime, you know you can talk to me. I mean since we are the only two adults on this trip." Steven said as he got up and left my room.85

After Steven left, I took a shower and then went to sleep again for another two hours. However, before I fell asleep, I made sure to set my alarm.86

When it was finally time to load up, everyone showed up on time. However, there were a few of them who looked like they hadn't even gotten to sleep.87

"So, how did you sleep, everyone?" Steven asked. 88

There were some snickers that came from the back of the van that told me that I was right to assume that some of the teens didn't even get to sleep.89

"O.K. I'm going to take that snicker as a snicker that said all of you slept like rocks." Steven said. "And without further ado, we are going to eat sushi." He continued.90

I must say that once we finally got to the very upscale sushi restaurant, I was impressed. It was the kind of place where a person could pay $50.00 for a single meal. It made me glad that I wasn't paying for it. It also made me realize that I didn't make as much money as I thought I did.91

"So, I have pre-ordered everything and it should be ready for us. You guys have nothing to worry about." Katherina explained.92

Everyone eagerly exited the van and headed up to the door, with Katherina in the lead. She walked confidently up to the door, opened it, and stepped inside. The rest of us were eager, but for some reason we stopped at the door. All of a sudden, at the same time, all of us realized that none of us had ever experienced this kind of environment. We were scared.93

Katherina opened the door and asked us "what are you waiting for? This place is totally safe."94

With that little bit of encouragement, the rest of the group slowly made their way into the trendy restaurant. I have to admit that I was still scared out of my wits, but even more I was hungry because I hadn't eaten breakfast because I was so distracted I hadn't even thought about eating. 95

Once I was finally inside the trendy restaurant, our group was immediately escorted to our own little room. The table was short and there were no chairs, but I had been expecting that. I've watched television shows about how the young rich people go to these types of restaurants and eat on the floor because that's how it's done traditionally. 96

The food was already waiting for us on the table and it actually looked appetizing. I was expecting there to be some sort of weird fishy smell to go along with it, but it smelled normal.97

Maybe it was my extreme hunger, but the food was so much better than I expected. It was raw, and I was expecting that to bother me, but instead it made the food just that much better. It was defiantly more satisfying than I thought it would be. Overall, it was a good meal.98

"And now we shop." Said Katherina. As she got up to leave the room, the rest of us quickly followed suit, not wanting to be left behind. 99

We drove five minutes at the most, and I was glad it was a short trip because I was way past tired of being in vehicles. I just wanted to walk. 100

"O.K. here's $10 for each of you. I want to see what you can buy with this in a place like this. The person who gets the most extravagant thing gets to choose where we eat on the way back." Steven said and then continued with "be back here at this spot no later than 4:45 and we'll get going then. Please stay within a 5-block radius of this place. I really don't want to chase you guys all over New York. And stay with at least one other person."101

Everyone practically ran out of the van, grabbed their $10 bill and ran down the street. They started out together but I could tell that even within the first block, Joe and Kimberly had gone off on their own, and they were even holding hands. It made me wonder what has gone on between yesterday and today that made them so close. Was it possible that I was old-fashioned to even think that going from single to completely in love in two days wasn't possible, probable, or moral? I decided to just keep my business to myself and keep an open mind, which really didn't answer the question that I had just asked myself.