14So they're old enough that Matt can drive
Essentials
"Mimi, you can't really need all this stuff."
The girl in question gave one swift kick to her bulging pink suitcase to finally get it through the van's door. "I've only packed the essentials."
Sora frowned and readjusted the straps to her reasonably-sized red backpack. "We'll only be gone for the weekend. What could you possibly have packed?"
"Just clothes!" Mimi assured. "A few snacks, a camera, Joe's allergy medicine, portable DVD player, electric grill, portable generator for the electric grill, two blenders—"
"Alright, alright! I think you're missing the entire point of camping." Sora took off her backpack and set it in her lap as she got in the van beside Mimi's suitcase. She patted her bag. "Look, all that's in here is a couple sets of clothes and a sleeping bag. Camping is about getting back to the basics so you can really appreciate your surroundings."
"Well if I bring a generator it'll be a part of my surroundings."
Sora sighed. "So you'd rather sit around appreciating your blenders than the people you're with?"
"Everyone in the van before Matt's dad figures out we took it!" Tai yelled from the doorway to the Ishida's apartment building as a parade of Digidestined followed him out.
"You didn't tell him?" TK asked his brother who simply shrugged.
"I did; he just happened to be listening to that Happy Buffalo tape again. What can I say, I have bad timing."
Everyone began piling into the car. Tai stole shotgun before anyone had a chance to argue, Matt climbed into the driver's seat, TK and Kari took the back followed by Izzy, and Mimi squeezed in beside Sora. This left Joe to stand alone and stare at the giant, slightly fuzzy suitcase that occupied an entire seat.
"Mimi, does that bag not fit in the trunk?" Joe asked.
She crossed her arms. "Why do you assume it's mine?"
"Your name is embroidered on the side… and it smells like grapefruits."
Matt wrinkled his nose. "Grapefruits have their own scent?"
"They smell like Florida!" Kari said.
"How would you even know that?" Tai asked.
"My bag only has essentials in it!" Mimi defended and leaned forward so she could see Joe over the massive suitcase. "Can't you sit on it or something?"
Joe's jaw dropped in a cartoonish manner. "Do you even know how many safety laws that would violate? Every passenger must sit in a seat with a seatbelt, facing forward and causing minimal disruption for the driver!"
"I don't think you sitting on a fluffy suitcase would disrupt my driving," Matt said with a slight smirk creeping into his amused smile.
"Not helping," Joe muttered as Sora turned to face Mimi.
"This is what I was talking about. Don't you think spending time with your friends is more important than bringing all your stuff? It only takes away from the experience."
Mimi frowned. "But what if we're not prepared for something? What if we need a blender?"
"Then we'll tough it out or go on a journey to find one."
Mimi looked around at her friends, all (more or less) patiently waiting to embark on their latest adventure. They'd been planning this trip for weeks, and she didn't want to spoil it by focusing on her electronics or making her stuff more important than her friends. Maybe having Joe there was more important than bringing her collection of champagne pink to fandango pink lip glosses.
"Alright, let me unpack," Mimi said and climbed out of the van to go pull her bag out, "But, uh, I'll need a little help."
"With?" Sora asked.
"Getting this suitcase out. I've spent all day making it fit through the door."
Eight sets of hands, a few kicks, and one pair of broken glasses later, Mimi was able to unpack her suitcase and make room for what really mattered.
Thanks for reading :)