The ride to Sydney was very long and tiring. Shirley felt like puking, the airline food wasn't very good either. Ms. Strattmen thought it was good, but that was because SHE was in first class.

After they had passed customs. Ms. Strattmen told them to wait. "Ugh! What's keeping Strattmen?" Shirley muttered.

"Strattmen is probably talking to the person that was suppose to pick us up over a coffee or something." Bo smiled as Shirley struggled with her 2 suitcases.

"You girls should be light packers like us guys." Bart said.

"Why don't you give us a hand?" Alicia said sweetly.

"Why not?" Bo said as he picked up one of Alicia's suitcases.

"What? No help for me?" Shirley asked

"Alicia has four suitcases, now everyone has 2 suitcases. Bart has one of Alicia's."

"Wow. There's Strattmen! With a women, and one hot guy." alicia said dreamily.

Bo rolled his eyes and started walking towards Strattmen, leaving Alicia and Shirley with their heavy luggage.

"Girls and Boys, this is Ms. Lila Donavan, and her nephew Chris Ballantyne. We will be frequently accompanied by them during our trip"

Chris Ballantyne had blue eyes, and chestnut brown hair, with broad shoulders, and a fine, chiseled chin. He was gorgeous, in Shirley's opinion. Chris smiled at her and said, "Hey, I'm chris, and you are?"

"Shirley. Shirley Holmes." Shirley stammered, a deep blush ascending on her face.

"Please to meet you, need a hand with your luggage?" Shirley nodded, and Chris took a suitcase, and both of them walked out the door, leaving Alicia who stared open-mouthed at them.

"We'll be staying at Red Inn." Ms. Strattmen said.

"Isn't that obvious?" Chris whispered loudly in Shirley's ear. Shirley giggled, and Bo looked resentingly at Chris. A worker met them at the door, and showed them their rooms. Ms. Strattmen them alone, parting with the words. "Remember that tonight is the formal dinner, please wear your best clothing. Please be at the dining room at 7:00 sharp. There will be a few other students from other private schools around North America there also."

"Shirley, clothes are an essential part of my life. Don't ask questions." Alicia said primly.

Shirley rolled her eyes, as Alicia unpacked her cosmetics. Shirley closed her closet, because she was finished. While Alicia opened yet ANOTHER suitcase. "Look Shirl, what do you think about Chris Ballantyne" Alicia asked curiously.

"Why do you ask" Shirley said nervously.

"Well, I just wanted to know. He's so hot!" Alicia said dreamily, "And do you love that name? Ballantyne, Ballantne. It has such a ring to it! I love that name!"

Shirley did think that Ballantyne was a nice name. (The name Ballantyne was pronounced Bal-lan-tine) She also thought he was hot, but she didn't want Alicia to know she liked him. She could tell that Alicia knew though. "Umm, ummm, I think we should get ready for that dinner." Shirley muttered.

"I guess so, what should I wear?" Alicia asked

Shirley was relieved that the whole escapade was over, the two girls started to get ready.

Shirley nervously waited to be seated. She hoped that she would sit in a table with either Chris, Bo, Alicia, or Bart. A young man lead her to her table. ALL RIGHT! Bo was seated at the table, with a whole group of strangers. Shirley sat down, and Bo looked at her. "Hey, you look great." Bo said softly. Shirley blushed, she was wearing a short, silk, pastel blue dress with wide-spagetti straps. The dress went well with her light brown hair, which was put up in a loose french twist. The dress tinted her eyes a true forget-me-not blue. During the whole meal, Shirley was absent-minded. The meal was good, but she just had something else on her mind. A few table away, Bart was deep in conversation with another guy. Probably talking about UFO, shirley thought with a smile. Meanwhile, Alicia was flirting with Chris. Shirley felt a dull anger flow through her, Alicia KNEW Shirley liked Chris. How could she? Flirt with him?

By that time, Bo knew something was wrong with Shirley, she was flushed red, and her eyebrows were knit together in fury. "What's wrong?" Bo asked

"Nothing." Shirley replied

"something's wrong." Bo said softly

"It's none of your buisness!" Shirley said, a hint of anger in her voice. Bo frowned, "Shirley, I'm suppose to be your best friend, you can tell me." Bo followed Shirley's glance, his eyes landed on Chris. Shirley got up, and hurried out the door. Bo hurried after her, "Shirley! Wait!" Bo called. In front of him, he saw Shirley slow to a stop. He slowed up beside her, and his jaw dropped in horror. In front of him, a women was lying in a pool of blood.