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"Luca!" Mom exclaimed, rushing over to scoop him up in her arms. "Where were you, my love? You made us sick!" "Mommy, I was at the gift store!" Lucas said nonchalantly, oblivious to the fact that his actions had jeopardized their flight. Grandma mentioned that the next flight would be departing in approximately thirty minutes. Mom's face lit up with joy. "Alright, let's get moving!" she declared.

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It was the crack of dawn—4 a.m. The Brown family vacation was about to begin, with their departure just a few hours away. "Rise and shine!" Mom cheerfully exclaims while gently waking Jaylah. Jaylah lets out a sigh, "Just give me five more minutes." Mom leaves the room, knowing that arguing won't get Jaylah out of bed any faster. A notification sound interrupts Jaylah's

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Mom took charge and swiped the room key; this was their last shot. The room turned out to be quite underwhelming, not at all like a fancy suite they had hoped for after seeing the hotel from the outside. It was small, with just two beds and one pull-out couch. "Looks like someone's sleeping in the bathtub," Dad remarked. They brought their bags up to the room and everyone unpacked. "Wanna go explore?" Lucas asked Adrian. Adrian agreed, and they left to see what "Palm Breeze" had to offer. Grandma and Dad tagged along to ensure no children would go missing. This left Mom and Jaylah as the only two in the room.

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A seizure suddenly struck an elderly woman, causing a wave of confusion among the passengers. Reacting quickly, three flight attendants hurried to aid the woman in distress. Jaylah glanced over, only able to witness the woman's intense shaking through the cracks of the seats. "This is concerning," Grandma remarked, clearly awakened by the commotion. The pilot addressed the passengers,"Ladies and gentleman, a fellow passenger is currently experiencing a medical emergency. If anyone can provide medical assistance, please proceed to Row 23. Thank you for the assistance. Unfortunately, nobody on board had the expertise or knowledge to offer any help. "She must be dead," Adrian whispered to Jaylah, who snapped back, irritated, "Keep quiet, don't say that." The pilot's voice boomed through the speakers, announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be making an emergency landing at Richmond National Airport.

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Jaylah breaks the silence, "You know, none of this would have happened if you hadn't-" "ENOUGH!" Mom shouts, "Do you have any idea how much time, effort, and money I've put into this trip, huh? Your father and I have been saving for this trip for years, YEARS! I can't even begin to tell you! This entire trip, you've been relentlessly whining about going back home just to attend yet another party, as if there aren't already dozens of them happening every year. Some kids can only dream about going on a vacation, but you, you're the most ungrateful brat I've ever seen." Jaylah matches her energy by screaming back, "I never wanted to come! Leaving me at home would have prevented all of this from happening.

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Mom is crying as she speaks to the lady who checks the boarding passes. The woman promptly reached out to airport security for assistance in locating him, and a public announcement was also made. "Attention, everyone! We have an urgent situation on our hands. We're informing you that a young boy, named Lucas Brown, is currently missing. He was last seen at Gate 34. Lucas is 7 years old, approximately 46 inches tall, weighs around 75 pounds, and has dark curly hair. He was last seen wearing a red zip-up hoodie, black Nike sweatpants, and white sneakers. If you have any information regarding Lucas's whereabouts or if you have found him, please reach out to airport security immediately. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated."

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Mom said in stern, unwelcoming tone. "I came to apologize." "Nice joke." "No, really, I feel terrible. I've realized how awful I've been acting. You're right, you put in a lot of effort for this trip, and I'd rather be at some silly party." Mom glanced around, considering whether or not she should accept. "Thank you, Jaylah; I appreciate that you've come to terms with yourself. Let's embrace the full potential of this trip, shall we? "Mom said with a gentle smile. "We shall." Jaylah smiled. It was a beautiful scene, the two of them holding hands as they strolled down to the beach to watch the sunset. A truly heartwarming mother-daughter moment.

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They landed at Richmond Airport in just ten minutes. EMS quickly attended to the woman and guided her off the plane. Despite expectations, the whole process was actually quite smooth. They were back in the air again in just thirty minutes. Jaylah was understandably upset, thinking that this incident would be the final straw and they would have to go home.

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This is yourno problem, not mine." "I'm ashamed to call you my daughter." Mom said sternly. Jaylah was left speechless, her jaw practically hitting the floor. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make the most of this vacation and enjoy my time at the beach." With that, Mom stormed out of the room.

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concentration as her phone lights up with a FaceTime call from Ayla, her best friend. Jaylah quickly brushes her hair to ensure she looks presentable before answering the call. *Click* Jaylah answers the call. "Hey girl! Enjoy your party tonight!" Jaylah says. "Oh I will, I'm so sad you won't be able to make it; it's going to be such a fun time! But, you're literally going to the Bahamas!" *Click* Jaylah hangs up in frustration. Once again, she's faced with the disappointment of not being able to attend the most epic party of the year, instead a reminder of her family vacation.

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She hands her the red heart shaped bag with pink polka-dots bag, bursting at the seems with needles and thread. Time seems to pass slowly, and Jaylah manages to doze off despite the uncomfortable metal chairs. When she wakes up, she realizes that it's probably time for boarding to begin. "Hey Dad, are we gonna board soon?" "Not yet, sweetie; we still have around thirty minutes." "Ugh." Jaylah sighs, searching through her bag for her phone only to discover that it's out of battery. "Charger, anyone?" Jaylah inquired, but received head shakes in response as as all of the chargers were left in the checked bags. "I'm going to loose it."

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"Hey Jay Jay, wake up! We're gonna miss our flight!" Lucas exclaimed. "Lucas! Where on earth were you?" Jaylah exclaimed. "I was at the gift shop that I wanted to see!" Lucas exclaimed. "We looked there and couldn't find you." "Maybe you didn't search hard enough then, sissy. So, when's the flight?" Lucas asked. "Lucas, it's been two hours; we missed the flight because we were searching for you." "Aw, that sucks." Jaylah stood up to wake everyone up. "Rise and shine, folks," she said with a touch of sass, gently rousing everyone from their slumber. "What?" Adrian groaned, his eyes still adjusting. "Hey Luca! Where have you been, buddy?" Dad exclaimed with excitement. "I was at the gift shop, Dad!" Luca exclaimed with a burst of enthusiasm. Mom returned from the bathroom at that moment.

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"So?" Mom inquired. "Did you find him?" "Does it look like we did?" Jaylah answers sneakily. Mom responds sternly, "Don't you dare get smart with me now; your little brother is missing." Mom's words put Jaylah in her place. "Ugh, can we just go home?" Jaylah wined, "we've already missed the flight," Jaylah complained. "We won't be departing this airport until Lucas is located," Dad firmly stated. Jaylah made her way over to a nearby chair and sunk down into it. "This vacation is going to be a total nightmare, and it hasn't even started yet," she mused silently.

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"Well, there goes our souvenir money," Jaylah grumbled. "You've lost it anyway because of your poor attitude," Mom said firmly. Jaylah couldn't help but roll her eyes yet again, feeling like she was stuck in a never-ending cycle of constant eye rolling. The drive to the resort took around two hours, but the stunning palm trees, vibrant plants, and fascinating animals was a great source entertainment. Jaylah hadn't let out a single complaint.

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After a considerable amount of time passed, hope was finally lost. A couple was spotted nearby by Mom. Shortly after, a massive van splattered with the name "Palm Breeze", the name of their resort, arrived to collect them; this was their only hope. "Hey!" Mom yelled at them as they were getting into their van. "Can we hitch a ride with you? We're going to the same resort, and our Uber is a no-show." Neither of them said a word, but the man rubbed his thumb against his pointer and middle finger, signaling money. Mom gave them $50 to come along.

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After searching every nook and cranny for over an hour, there was still no sign of Lucas. They had combed through gift stores, food courts, bathrooms, restaurants, lounges, and gates, but he remained lost. "Should we give Mom a call and check if they've made any progress?" Adrian inquired. "Don't you think they would have called us if they did? Let's use our brains." Jaylah replied.

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After what felt like an eternity of gazing at the wall in front of her, Jaylah glances at her watch, eagerly anticipating the moment to board. "Hey mom, it's time to..." She's suddenly interrupted by an announcement blaring over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen of Flight 129, Delta Airlines for services to the Bahamas, we regret to inform you that this flight has been delayed by two hours. Thank you for your cooperation, we apologize for any inconvenience. "Well, luckily we don't have to check in until six!" Mom says, dripping with annoyance and sarcasm. Jaylah appears filled with enthusiasm, on the verge of leaping from her chair. "Wait a sec, I've got an idea," she says smiling. "How about... and just hear me out...we stay home!"

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At last, the Brown family had arrived in the Bahamas. It was 3 p.m. when they exited the plane. Surprisingly, mom had splurged on V.I.P. lounge access, even though they only spent a mere fifteen minutes there. Going through customs was a breeze since the line wasn't too lengthy. "Alright everyone, the driver will be here shortly to whisk us away to the resort!" Mom said. Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with an unexpected burst of excitement. Despite the exhaustion of the day, he couldn't help but express his joy with exuberant shouts and energetic jumps.

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Everyone in the family had dozed off into a chair aswell. except mom, who took a quick trip to the bathroom. Jaylah was in a deep sleep when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.

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Finally, they had reached the resort, putting an end to the anticipation. The anticipation heightened as the large van neared the entrance. A flashy golden sign proudly displayed the name Palm Breeze. The name of the resort was a perfect match, as the palm trees surrounding the sign were swaying gracefully in the breeze. The van glides through the gate, revealing the underwhelming resort. It was quite disappointing, to say the least. "Palm Breeze" appeared quite different from the pictures on their website.

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However, that wasn't the case. "Jay, would you like some snacks?" Mom asked. Jaylah chose to ignore her, causing a mix of hurt and anger to wash over Mom's face. She couldn't help but feel hurt by Jaylah's disregard and frustrated by her lack of gratitude. The remainder of the flight proceeded without incident, except for the yells of an obnoxious toddler seated directly behind Jaylah, this only served to worsen her already irritated mood.

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It was time to board, and Lucas was kept close by. They quickly boarded the plane, without any issues or missing children. To their surprise, the whole family was seated near eachother. Mom, Adrian, and Dad in one row, and Grandma, Lucas, and Jaylah in the row across. The pilot began the usual announcement, but everyone quickly tuned out the blaring voice over the speakers. The flight took off without a hitch. "Mommy, how long?" Lucas asked. "Around two hours, dear." Mom responded.

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Jaylah found herself in a shabby hotel room, lost in her own thoughts. After some contemplation, she came to a sudden realization. "She's right," Jaylah thought to herself. "Is all this fuss really worth it for a party that probably won't be that amazing? I've definitely been acting spoiled." With determination, she made up her mind to join her mom at the beach and offer her sincere apology. "Mom, wait for up!" Jaylah called out, a few steps behind her. "What is it?"

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Jaylah impulsively takes a risk and opens the door of the moving car. Jaylah couldn't believe how much self-restraint she had as she resisted the urge to leap out of the car. Lost in thought, she momentarily overlooked the fact that the car door was still wide open. "Marissa Brown, what on earth do you think you're doing?!?!" Mom yells loudly. Jaylah slams the door shut, "Can't I just stay home? I really don't feel like going on this dumb vacation," Jaylah complained. "Enough already! We're going to a resort in the Bahamas. Talk about being ungrateful." Jaylah can't help but roll her eyes, knowing this vacation is going to be a disaster.

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Mom needed a break, and more importantly, she needed to keep a distance from Jaylah. Grandma had made the arrangements for them. Of course, the room was not ready. After what felt like an eternity, the tension between Mom and Jaylah was boiling over. After thirty minutes, Grandma cheerfully announced, "The room is ready!" Mom walked into the rundown lobby, which had seen better days with just a couch and a broken coffee table. A look of disgust crossed Mom's face. They huffed and puffed their way up five flights of stairs since there was no elevator.

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Mom paces anxiously, a clear sign of her anxiousness. "So, can we finally head home?" Jaylah says with a smile. "Time and place," Adrian says. Mom completely ignores her over-the-top remark. "Alright, let's start searching," Grandma says with enthusiasm. Dad declares, "Let's divide and conquer. Adrian, Jaylah, and Grandma, you guys stick together. Mom and I will team up." They exchange nods of agreement before going their separate ways. Jaylah, Adrian, and Grandma search the shops while Mom and Dad search the common areas. "It's all your fault, don't you see?" Adrian accuses Jaylah. "How can you say that? How is any of this my fault?" "Well, you were the last one who spoke to him, and you've been expressing doubts about this trip from the beginning, and you-" "Can you please just be quiet and concentrate on finding our missing little brother?" Jaylah interjected. Grandma appeared exhausted and unable t

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Ten minutes had gone by, "Is the driver supposed to be here soon?" Dad asked. "Well, that's what my Lift app says," Mom replied. After waiting an additional half hour, their driver remained frustratingly absent. "I'm going to go find a bench. My knees aren't in the best shape," Grandma said before she waddled over to a nearby bench. "Can't you just order another one?" Adrian inquired of Mom. "I pre-ordered it because there's no service out here," she replied. "What are we supposed to do now?" Jaylah complained. "Just wait, it'll show up," Dad added.

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The Brown family had quite the eventful vacation, with unexpected twists and turns. They made sure to keep busy with many excursions, trying to keep out of Palm Breeze. Surprisingly, they ended up having a blast! Lucas didn't feel like he was missing out on anything, and Jaylah didn't have a single complaint. Unfortunately for Ayla but fortunately for Jaylah, Ayla's party had to be canceled due to her catching the flu. Despite the craziness, everything turned out fine in the end. It was definitely an Insane Vacay.

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The entire family, including Grandma, is gathered outside of the car. "Let's hit the road!" Dad is bursting with enthusiasm and energy, while everyone else is still half asleep. Adrian helps Dad in loading all the luggage into the trunk. There's a total of four large suitcases and three smaller suitcases. The car engine roars to life, as they propel out of the driveway and onto the road. As the car cruises down the dimly lit road, Jaylah spots Ayla's house up ahead.

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The family arrives at the airport and breezes through security without any issues. "Oh, can I check out the gift shop?" Lucas asks excitedly, gesturing towards a vibrant gift shop filled with an array of candies and souvenirs. Dad responds, "Not at the moment, buddy; our priority is reaching the gate." Lucas' expression turns from a smile into a frown. The family reaches Gate 34 precisely one hour and thirty-one minutes prior to the start of the boarding process. "Now, we wait," Mom remarks. "Could you hand me my sewing kit dear?" "Grandma whispers to Jaylah.

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The hotel was so run down it could definitely pass as a motel. Without a doubt, Palm Breeze was definitely not a resort. Disappointment was evident on the faces of every passenger. "Dang, we totally got scammed," Adrian said with a sigh. Jaylah suggested, "Welp this just wasn't ment to be, so let's just turn back round' and catch the next flight back to Philly." Mom was extremely angry, to say the least. She's furious about how much time and effort she invested in this vacation, only for it to completely backfire. Additionally, she's been enduring Jaylah's non-stop, bombarding complaints about wanting to go home just to attend some teenage party. Mom had reached her limit. She makes a sudden move towards Jaylah, aiming to give her a smack. She would have connected it, but Dad quickly intervened, not wanting to involve strangers in their car. Jaylah wore a look of disbelief, as if she hadn't been testin

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The joke doesn't seem to be landing well with anyone. Mom slams her magazine down on the floor, "Jaylah, we discussed this previously in the car, enough. This is your last warning." "I'm just sharing some ideas." Jaylah says with a smug tone, Time seemed to crawl by, leaving Jaylah with nothing to do but watch the strangers passing by. At long last, their group was called to board, ending what felt like an endless wait. There were a multitude of people in their boarding group, and the line seemed to stretch on forever. Lucas stood next to Jaylah, tugging at the drawstring on her sweatpants. "Jaylah," he complained. "can we go to the gift shop, please?" "Lucas, can't you see we're boarding?

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The plane had convenient TVs that descended from the seats in front of them. Jaylah was grateful for this, as she had no other source of entertainment. She decided to watch her absolute favorite movie, Mean Girls. Grandma had dozed off once more, sparing Jaylah from enduring her relentless questioning throughout the entire flight. She had been captivated in the movie for about thirty minutes when a piercing shriek erupted a few rows behind her.

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We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." The sounds of boos, sighs, and shrieks from the still seizing woman could be heard after this announcement had been made. "What's this like the 3rd mishap we've had already? And we haven't even landed yet? I mean it's as clear as day that this vacation was just not meant to happen. So let's go home." Jaylah suggested. "You know what? I'm starting to agree with her," Dad said. Mom quickly interjected, "No, no, no, you two need to cut it out. I couldn't care less about any more inconveniences we may encounter. We're headed to the Bahamas, whether you like it or not." Dad gave Jaylah a shrug, as if to say, "Well, I gave it my best shot."

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You should have asked to go when we were waiting around for hours." Lucas pouts, a common reaction when he doesn't get his way. "Alright, everyone, have your boarding passes ready! We're up next!" Dad exclaims with a contagious enthusiasm, as if he must've had a refreshing nap. As everyone starts searching their bags for their boarding passes, Grandma catches a glimpse of worry on mom's face. "What's the matter?" she inquires. "Where's Lucas?!" Mom exclaims with panic filling her voice. The family searches their surroundings, hoping to find him nearby. Unfortunately, Adrian is nowhere to be found.

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