Rick rolled out of bed and hit the alarm clock. He showered and put on a comfy, red sweatshirt that read 'Midfielder' over a plain, dark grey, t-shirt that hugged his muscles quite nicely. He wore a pair of loose, faded jeans and black sneakers. Nothing too fancy. The flight was going to be long and he was dressing comfortable. As far as Rick knew there was no one to impress. Sure, he wanted to make friends, but hopefully his clothes wouldn't be the only impression they remembered. 

He grabbed his iPod, phone, keys, wallet, and luggage as he walked through his house. He went through a checklist in his head to see if he remembered everything. He got to the end of it and seemed to have everything. If there was anything that he had forgotton it would surely be for sale somewhere in the city if it was a necessity. There was a note from his mother on the fridge. She had already left for her one of two jobs that she worked since Rick's father had left them. The warned him to be careful and not get taken advantage of, not to show off too much, make friends, and the she loved him. The last part was obvious. Rick had never doubted his mother's love and she had always had enough to replace the missing parent in his life.

Rick started up his pick-up truck and headed to the airport. He prayed as he drove there that it wouldn't die. Ever since he had totaled his car last summer, he had been driving the 'ole rust bucket' as he liked to call it. It wasn't much but it got him from point A to point B. Even better, he still had his license and a vehicle, which was more than he expected after taking out that farmer's fence.

Rick pulled up to the airport and parked his truck in long-term storage. He was fairly sure nothing would happen to it because honestly who would want it. He walked into the terminal and through all the security measures. He didn't mind too much the pat-downs and x-rays. Social media had ruined and sense of privacy that the previous generations had enjoyed. He had grown up under this scrutiny and so it didn't bother him much. He placidly strolled through security and to the gate his flight would leave from. He sat with his headphones in and waited for his flight to be called. When it was, he produced his ticket and walked to the back of the plane where his seat was. He saw a few familiar faces from school as he walked by, but none recognized him. [i] Or rather,[/i] he thought to himself [i]no one cared to recognize me. What have I gotten myself into. I have no friends on this trip and I'm not going to make any. I'll just enjoy myself when I can and shut myself in my room during the down time.[/i]

The flight was fairly uneventful and Rick promptly went to asleep before he could even pull up the playlist that he had made specifically for the flight. Next thing he knew the blessedly quiet, still, and altogether boring gentleman that had sat next to him on the flight was gently tapping his shoulder. Rick was the third to last one off the plane and after a bit of looking around the terminal, found the "Teen-Stress Relief" counter. He signed in and exited the terminal. He briefly considered walking because it was so beautiful and he wanted to see some of the city, but decided against it since he had no idea where the hotel was other than an address.

Rick hailed a cab and put his luggage in the back. The cabbie knew very little English so Rick just handed him the address and hoped that the driver knew the city well. During the ride Rick was plastered to the window taking in all the sights of the city. Even though most of what he saw was poverty it still fascinated him. He saw a few young boys play soccer in the street and secretly hoped there would be an opportunity to play a match against some his own age while he was here. 

The cab pulled up to the, what Rick hoped, hotel. Rick paid the cabbie and carried his stuff indoors. It was indeed the hotel. He pulled out his key which said [i]1[/i] and unlocked his door. He noticed a girl in the living area as he walked in his room. Someone had already claimed one of three beds. Rick put his luggage next to a vacant one, layed on the bed, and stretched out. He had been cramped so long. All in all, he was just happy that he made it and that he was here. Rick hoped that it would be a trip worth remembering.