One Long Flight 💙

Doubts

Aisling reached out for Chris's hand as he drove them to his mother's house for his upcoming birthday party. He moved his hand away, acting distracted by his hair. "You've been distant all morning, Chris. This whole week, actually."

He shrugged nonchalantly, "I haven't noticed any change in my behavior."

Aisling let out an exasperated sigh, "Don't lie to me, Chris."

He scoffed, "As if you haven't been acting secretive yourself. Disappearing without explanation. We promised not to lie to each other, remember?"

She nodded, frustration evident in her expression. "I haven't lied, Chris. And keeping secrets or planning surprises is not the same as lying. Can't you trust me?"

He retorted, "I don't know. Do we really know each other as well as we thought?"

"You're the one who wanted us to move in together right away. I wanted to wait and take it slow. Are you having second thoughts about us living together?"

He parked the car, sighing heavily. "I don't know."

As she watched him enter the house without her, Aisling attempted to calm herself. She wanted to cry, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. He had been avoiding her all week, and the behavior had escalated that morning. With a few deep breaths, she got out of the car and made her way inside the house.

Scott, who was waiting for her, spoke up, "I saw Chris go in without you. He seems really upset."

She nodded, "We both are. He's regretting me moving in."

Scott shook his head, placing a hand on her shoulder, "He doesn't regret it, Aisling."

She shrugged, pushing his hand away, "He said so, Scott."

Scott groaned softly, following her as she walked away, "He didn't mean it like that."

Still feeling frustrated, she found herself greeted by Tara and her family, offering a half-hearted smile. Aisling then entered the kitchen, finding Lisa with Carly and Shanna. "Can I help with anything?"

Lisa smiled kindly, "We're all set. Where's Chris?"

Aisling shrugged, "He came in before me." She noticed Scott entering behind her.

"He's probably in his room. Let me show you," Scott offered.

As she followed him, Aisling half-smiled at Tara's family, then entered Chris's room. She closed the door behind her and turned to face him. She could tell he was upset, his eyes darkened with emotion. "Babe?" She closed the door softly, drawing his attention. His expression was tense as he turned to face her, his agitation palpable.

She stepped closer, trying to comfort him, but he evaded her touch. "Chris, honey. What's wrong? What are you worried about?" She reached out to him, but he seemed to pull away both physically and emotionally.

"I don't know. I've realized we might not know each other as well as I thought. You've been disappearing constantly, and you won't tell me where you've been. I know you're not with Scott."

With a sigh, Aisling said, "No, I haven't been with Scott. But I promise you, I'm not doing anything wrong. Can't you trust me and give me the benefit of the doubt?"

Chris's response was dismissive as he mumbled, "I don't know."

His words hit her hard, and she had to watch him walk away again. As she exited the room, she found the living room filled with more people, most of them strangers to her. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and unable to locate Chris, Aisling was relieved when Tom approached her.

She let out a frustrated groan as she followed Tom to a corner of the living room near the piano. "Ugh, Tom. Chris is freaking out because I haven't been able to tell him about where I've been going."

Tom sighed, rubbing her arm reassuringly. "It'll all be okay once you perform."

Aisling groaned, "I'm too nervous now. What if I mess it up?"

"You won't," Tom reassured her.

"Are you sure?"

Just then, Chris approached them, followed closely by Shanna. "What's going on here?"

He gestured to Tom, his tone accusing, "Hiding away in the corner with him?"

Shanna chimed in with a scoff, "I saw her with him at the coffee shop a few weeks ago, laughing and talking."

Tom stepped between them, exclaiming, "It's not like that!"

Aisling nudged Tom aside, her frustration bubbling over. "Seriously, Chris? Tom is a friend. He's been helping me with something."

Chris crossed his arms defensively, "Or he's helping himself to you."

"Hey!" Tom protested, stepping forward.

Aisling nudged Tom away again, her voice rising, "No, Chris! Screw you! I love you, you idiot!"

"Aisling, wait." Ignoring Scott's pleas for her to come back, Aisling stormed out of the house, finding herself pacing in front of the entrance. Scott followed her outside, urging her to return. "Aisling, come back inside."

She shook her head, her frustration evident. "No. He doesn't trust me, Scott. This was a big mistake. I shouldn't have moved in with him. I shouldn't have come to Boston."

Scott grabbed her shoulders gently, making her pause. "Look at me." Waiting until she met his gaze, he continued, "He's being stupid. Show him how wrong he is. Now."

With a sigh, Aisling nodded. "Alright, you're right." She gathered her resolve and went back into the house, ignoring Chris's presence and the curious glances from others. She sat down at the piano, her gaze fixed on the keys. Tom's encouraging nod spurred her on, and she took a deep breath before singing and playing "Your Song" by Elton John, aware that Chris was watching her from the corner of her eye. 

🎵 I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in the words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world🎵

"Aisling, that was..."

Aisling stood up from the piano, positioning herself in front of Chris. "Amazing? Beautiful? Well, I learned it for you. Tom was teaching me how to play. That's it. Happy birthday, Chris. I'm going home." She directed a pointed look at Shanna, "I'd appreciate it if you kept your nose out of my relationship."

Chris reached out to grab her arm as she tried to leave, "Aisling, wait. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, pulling her arm away from his grasp, "No. I'm leaving."