Biology||Josh Richards

5.6

SORRY ITS BEEN SO LONG BUT IM DONE WITH SCHOOL

I never thought a plane ride would last so long.

It was barely sunrise the next day when we had arrived in Sydney, Australia and I already knew that I would suffer harshly from jet lag.

Everything felt unreal and abnormal. The driving on the opposite side of the road, the accents, the heat, and just everything.

Josh would love it here.

A part of me wishes I didn't leave knowing I would have to miss so much but it's hard not to be thankful when you're in such a beautiful place.

We had rented a hotel room that pays by the weeks, I guess it was better than paying by nights.

When we arrive to the hotel, the first thing I do is drop my suitcase and shut the blinds, I don't even think about checking the sheets or anything before sliding under the covers and shutting my eyes.

***

The days have flown by fast, I'll already be leaving in two weeks which means I need to gather a plan.

I decide to text Avani about the situation and she helps me gather the date, time, and how we are going to do it. But what am I supposed to get him? Flowers? Definitely not. Jewelry? Maybe.

Or something that'll remind him of us.

***

We've been calling everyday since I left no matter where we were, it was almost as if I was addicted.

I leave in four days and I can't begin to fathom how happy I am to see him again, especially under such exciting circumstances.

***

My mom and I sat in the airport on uncomfortable metal benches while waiting for the flight, it was January 29th meaning that I could sleep all day tomorrow then continue to go through with the plan the next day.

Just before the overhead speaker went off, I received a call.

"Hey, baby." Josh said across the line, he had cheer in his voice.

I smile, "hey, what's up?"

"I'm excited for you to get back, only 4 more days!" 1 day. It sounds like he's squealing.

"Me too, listen I gotta go- uh, my mom and I are about to enter the restaurant we're at." I lie, "it's late there, you should probably get to sleep."

"Oh. Okay, night."

"Goodnight."

I hang up, the guilt suddenly riding the brim of my insides.

Once we board the plan, I'm seated a couple rows away from her. I'm sat next to a woman with long greasy black hair dressed in a long brown dress. She reeks of gasoline and cigarette smoke.

My headphones cover my ears throughout most of the ride until we landed at our usual airport sweaty and exhausted.

I take long deep breathes as I wait for the Uber to arrive. I can't even explain how excited I am to change and shower then finally, sleep.

We stand outside in the dark of the night leaning against suitcases when the Uber car arrives at the curb.

The man driving was silent, thank god.

It's past midnight when we arrive home and it's safe to say it was a massive relief as I went straight to the shower.

I need to think about my plan to surprise Josh while also letting him believe I'm not even back in the country. If he finds out it might become another shit show that I don't want to be prepared for.

Laying in my own bed feels like a luxury, not that the home back on vacation wasn't nice, it just... wasn't the same. Nothing was.

It was somewhat hard not to get used to some place drastically different from here. The roads, food sources, addresses. But it was nice at least.

I decide to let Avani know that I've landed and made it home safely before drifting off into a much needed sleep.

I wake up in the evening to ten texts from Avani all about trying to figure out how the plan will fall into place. We decide we will get decorations and supplies today then talk about it tonight.

She picks me up at dinner and we head to convenience stores for things such as plastic cups, plates, and utensils. We decide to only invite our friends so that he's not overwhelmed.

"So... how was it? Any cute boys I should be aware of?" Avani asks as we push the cart through the snack isle.

I laugh, "I think you forget sometimes that I have a legitimate boyfriend. But yes, it was very good."

"I do too but you aren't doing harm by thinking other people are attractive."

As she finishes the sentence, I think back to Josh and how things went with his last girlfriend. "Yeah I know, I just feel like I'm betraying him in some sort of way. I mean, I'm already lying to him about being in a whole different country."

"Yes, you're right-"

Her sentence is cut off when she shoves me behind a box that's advertising for Cheeto puffs. "What the hell?"

Avani starts speaking, just not to me. "Hey! What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be staying the night at Ants?"

Oh god he's here.

"Uh, yes. Avani," he clears his throat, "why so peppy?"

"Just, uh. y'a know, feeling good that tomorrow's a special day," I can almost hear the lie in her voice.

"Oh, well I just stopped by to pick up some ice cream and popcorn." He eyes the chip rack, "so, uh, yeah.
Thanks, bye."

She moves out of the way, he grabs a bag of cheddar popcorn and scurries down the isle past me without looking back.

He didn't see me.