Atlas Black

Chapter 2

L L A N A M O R O Z O V A

It was challenging trying to spot my bags. I'm not sure if I'm glad I traveled heavy or not. But a girls got to be ready for any sort of occasions. Just in case. Even though I doubt I'll be making friends anytime soon.

The plane landed shortly a half hour ago and I sprinted out trying to find a public restroom as I emptied my bladder out, vomited out everything from my stomach as the weariness and reality hit me hard like a mother-fucking truck. Never coming to the conclusion how I not once actually used to the bathroom on the airplane. Too busy worrying and letting my social anxiety over ride my senses.

Peering at my phone, my eyes blurred and my head spinning around in dizzying circles, I place my hand to steady myself for support on the sink counters as I concentrate harder. Trying to make it out who's left me over a million missed calls.

My vision comes to focus and I can clearly manage to make out the name on my screen. Mom. Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. She's going to be absolutely furious with me and worried. This is what nearly 12 hours of flight exhaustion can do to you.

I dial back my mom, placing the phone on the my heart awaiting for the lecture to come. After the first ring she picks up on the other end of line and I suck in a breath physically preparing myself.

"Liliana Morozova I have been absolutely worried senseless that something had happened to you! Why on earth have you not been picking up my calls, I've left over a hundred missed calls which none have been answered which there better be a good explanation for. Care to elaborate why?"

My mothers voice booms on the line, her thick Russian accent making it all the more intimidating. I knew I was in for hell when she called be my full name. Liliana. No one calls me that since my mother always liked going by Llana, and that's what I like to go by. Especially since the most excruciating of events of my life, the passing of my father, internally and externally make my chest sore and my heart ache as if it were bleeding, a hole implanted right in the center of the organ.

Besides my father, the only other person I know who calls me by full name sometimes, is Atlas. Sorely stating the obvious as it's plainly clear by looking at my e-mail, but nevertheless still going by my forename than the name I clearly told him I go by. Although the sting hurts, it's filled with as many happy moments as the bad. Balancing out the pain with joy.

"ne ignoriruy menya yunaya ledi." (Stop ignoring me young lady). I snap out of my trance when the sound of my mother brings me back to the present.

"Sorry mama, I've just completely forgotten when I landed and I know it's my fault that I probably scared you into thinking the worst possible scenarios. I promise it won't happen again. Just please don't book me a flight back to Russia because you think I'm in some sort of danger. I can promise you I'm very well capable of managing here by myself." Rushing out the words, my mother sighs.

"Dorogoya, you know you can't ask me to not feel frightened for your safety. Ever since your father.."

"-I know, I know. I understand just. It's hard thinking about him because I miss him everyday. I just hate he was taking too soon from us." I gulp nervously.

"Ya tozhe, detka, ya tozhe.. well I should let you go now. I'll speak to you later, and next time you better answer your phone before I make sure to book you a flight straight back home where I know you're safe!" I roll my eyes. It's the same old story.
(Me too, baby, me too)

"I willl, Mama. Love you, sending you lots of love and kisses here from The United States... khhhhh zkhhhh.. I can't hear you mama... kkkh kzhhhhh... the lines breaking... khzjkk.. up... kzkkkkzj...talk later!" Pressing on the end button, I let out out a sigh of relief.