Plumb Goes Abroad: Chapter 1

  Plumb had to admit that her high school life was a bit strange, but that was over and done with now. Now, she was graduated. She was an adult now, or at least, she would be in a few months. The question now was what to do with her summer. She wanted to get a job, but that was proving to be harder than she realized. 
  "That's because you take Sugar with you everywhere." Plumb's mother remarked when she noticed her daughter had received another rejection email, "Most people don't want a snake in their business."
   "But it was a zoo." Plumb protested and Sugar wrapped herself tighter around Plumb's waist, "I thought for sure they would be okay with it. Plus, the animals seemed like they liked me."
  "A zoo can't have animals roaming around the place. I think you need to make that snake stay in a tank just like the rest of her kind."
  "Sugar has never been in a tank before. I don't think she'd like it." 
  Sugar hissed in both agreement and as a means of threat.
  "Don't you threaten me, snake. I'll fry you up faster than you can say-" Plumb's mother was interrupted by a knock on the door, "Don't you think this conversation is over. I'll be putting you straight." She opened the door and was delighted to find one of her many sisters, "Yu! What are you doing here girl? Oh, and you brought your baby girl. How you doing, girly?" 
  "How's it been, Tea?" Yu answered as she nudged her daughter forward a bit, "Say hello, Salak."
  "Hello, Aunty." Salak managed to squeak out.
  "Hello, my dear, I hope you are doing alright. Now, you two get in here, have something to eat, and tell me what you want."
  Just like Missus Tea had predicted her sister wanted something, but she wanted to bring it up till the girls were busy doing whatever it was that young women do now to speak.
  "Salak is a cutie, but she's shier than a shadow." Yu said with a sigh, "She's talented with makeup, but if she can't get near someone, how is she going to put it on them? I decided it was time I did something rash."
  "Story of your life."
  "Right back at you. I'm going to take her with me as FS's makeup artist. I know if it's for me, she'll do here best."
  "I agree."
  "But I don't want to throw her completely into the deep in. At least, not without a spotter."
  "I don't think you are matching the right terms there."
  "Swimmers have spotters too."
  "Do they?"
  "They must."
  "Let's get back to your point. Which you've have yet to make."
  "I want to borrow your daughter over the summer."
  "For what?"
  "Salak always does much better when Plumb's around. Plus, Plumb is also great at makeup."
  "All our kids are thanks to Ai."
  "My girl is not going to follow in her footsteps."
  "My girl surprises me every day, so she might. I mean apparently she's working with a boy band now."
  "Thank you, sis. You always were the cool one."
  "This still hinges on Plumb's opinion though. She might not want to work backstage."
  "Oh, and I probably should mention that we will be working overseas."
  "The more reason for her to go. Plumb!"
  "Yes, mama?" Plumb stuck her head out of her room where she and Salak were dressing Sugar up. 
  "You're still looking for a job, right?" Her mother asked while eyeing her Yu, "Cause I found you a well-paying job."
  Yu shook her head and laughed a little before saying, "That's right, hun. You want to travel the world working for me?"
  "Sounds like fun, but..." Plumb adjusted her glasses, "Only if Sugar can come."

Chapter 2