Run Away With Me

Chapter 27 (Katherine)

My nerves are all over the place. Looking at my checklist, I see that I'm not nearly done packing. I sigh, and grab the things I'm missing. I fold them neatly and shove into my already full suitcase. I check the time. 10:28. That sends a bit of panic through me and I try to go faster. I need to be to the airport by 11, at the latest. My flight leaves at 12:25.

"Kat, you almost ready?" Hannah pokes her head in.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm almost ready." I look at my list again. Hannah puts her hands on my shoulders.

"Katherine, if you forget anything, we can just send it to you. It won't be the end of the world. It'll just be an excuse to come see you," she says with a wink. I take a deep breath and offer a small smile. She zipped up my suitcase, and set on the ground.

"C'mon, we're leaving before you realize what you've forgotten." I roll my eyes, but grab my other suitcases and follow her. My dad's waiting by the car, and he takes the suitcases from me and puts them in the trunk. I take one last look at the house, and Hannah catches me staring.

"You know you'll be back. Don't think this is an excuse to never visit." The look on her face is so stern that I burst into laughter. A smile breaks out on her own face. She pulls me into a tight hug.

"I promise I'll come visit." Hannah pulls away to give me another look.

"I'm serious. No funny business." I give her a mock scowl.

"I wouldn't dare." The moment passes and we both get into the car. Dad turns to look at me. He doesn't say anything, just smiles. He turns back to the front and begins to pull out. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I'm actually doing this, I can't believe it. Well, I can, it's just a little surreal.

The drive to the airport is a short one. Or maybe it just seems that way because my mind is occupied. I build scenarios in my head of what'll be like when I arrive. Long, elaborate story lines of slow motion running before a joyous reunion.

"We're here!" Dad startles me out of my daze, and outside my window I see the airport. My heart rate spikes, and my stomach decides to do some flips. Whether this is due to excitement or dread, I can't tell yet.

My dad, miraculously, finds a parking spot, and they both accompany me inside. My feeble attempts to prevent this do nothing to dissuade them. Though I would never admit it openly, I'm grateful for their presence. It's kinda like a baby blanket. It's far too small to be of any practical use now, but you still love it. It makes you smile when you see it, and for some inexplicable reason, you feel better when it's there.

Hannah and my dad help me get into the security line, and (thankfully) they let them accompany me to the gate. There's still about 20 minutes until they're supposed to start boarding my flight, so we grab some lunch. We sit and eat next to the gate, passing meaningless conversation between us. They begin boarding first class, and we stand up. I'm in boarding group 5.

"All right. Well, I guess this is it. Um, I love you. I'll miss you. Have fun." My dad looks so awkward standing there. I shake my head a bit.

"I love you too, Dad." I give him a hug, and relish the feeling of his arms around me. There's something about dad hugs. Now, I'm not talking about biological father's. I'm talking about dad's. Sometimes they can be the most awkward people on the planet. Sometimes they don't say much, don't express their feelings through words. And maybe they're busy a lot. But at the end of the day, when you're wrapped in their arms? There is no room for doubt. You just know that they love you. And somehow, you know that it's going to be okay.

Against my will, a tear escapes my eye. He pulls away after a few more seconds, and I'm surprised to see tears in his eyes too.

"That's all very sweet, but they're on group 3 and I want to be able to say goodbye too!" My dad and I laugh, and Hannah pulls me into a hug of her own. It's bone-crushing at first, but she relinquishes after a bit, settling for a more traditional embrace. She smells like strawberries and . . . sunshine? Yes, she smells like sunshine. Don't ask me how, she just does.

"Now, what're you going to do each week?" I roll my eyes.

"I'll call once a week, video chat as many of those times as I can." Hannah nods.

"And you'll be coming home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, correct?" I sigh.

"I think you guys should visit me for Thanksgiving, but I'll be home for Christmas." Hannah nods. They announce group 5, and I grab my carry-on. I get in line.

"Make sure you bring that hot boyfriend of yours!" I laugh through the blush taking over my face. I wave, and hand the lady my ticket. After storing my carry-on, I take my seat. I smile to myself.

Because I'm really doing this.