Nice to meet you

Chapter One

My reflection stares back at me from the plane window, and I grimace at the tired eyes that watch mine, well, because they are mine. It's been a long past few days, but I'm seriously ready to just move on with my life.

"Everyone please remain seated and secure your seat belts, the captain is about to begin the landing. For everyone coming home to Brighton, welcome home! And for all you new comers, I hope you enjoy your time here."

I smile at the flight attendant, glance down at my already-buckled seat belt, then start to prepare myself to get off the flight once it's landed.

Stepping into the Brighton Airport, it isn't much different then LAX. Even with just a quick glance around I can see Starbucks to my left, and a sign stating that baggage claim is to my right. I shift from foot to foot, switching the shoulder that my backpack sits on before deciding that my luggage might take a few minutes to unload from the plane, and that coffee is necessary.

Okay, when I say coffee, I actually mean just a drink, I'm allergic to actual coffee. My favorite drink is that dragon fruit refresher thing, I think that's what it's called. The barista taking my order looks half dead as she makes my drink, and it makes me wonder what I look like. Taking out my phone I open the camera and turn it around, admiring myself. I don't look quite as bad as I thought I did in the plane window, my hair's kinda all over the place, but mostly contained in it's bun, but my eyes just look dull, like there's no fight left in me anymore. There's not really a good way to fix that, and I grimace at my reflection before noticing someone over my shoulder watching me. I glance over my left shoulder at the tall boy. His brown hair sits curly on top of his head, and he's dressed in a sweater and jeans, not casual but not nice, somehow it suits him. He meets my eyes almost immediately and I smile at him just as I hear the barista call my name. I grab my drink and on the way out feeling the boy's eyes still on me, throw a wink in his direction. I giggle to myself as I walk towards baggage claim.

The bags are circling around the carriage, and I quickly see mine, grabbing it with one hand while trying to not drop my drink with the other. Grabbing the handle of my suitcase I walk towards the airports exit, starting to feel slightly claustrophobic with all the people in here.

Outside the airport cars line the street and I quickly glance around before pulling my phone out of my back pocket and sending a quick message,

Where are you? 

And the reply comes quickly enough that I don't worry.

Just pulled in. Red car, I'm standing outside with a hawaiian shirt on

I turn and walk to the left, thinking I have fifty fifty percent odds of walking in the right direction, and sure enough I see a little red car, and a tall blond standing outside it, wearing a Hawaiian shirt. I laugh as I approach the car.

"This isn't Florida! You can't dress like that, Clay." I laugh as I reach out and pull him into a hug.

"Hey Jo, I missed you." Clay pulls back and our matching green eyes meet. He gives me a smile before grabbing my bag and tucking it into his trunk. 

"So how's life with George?" I ask as we drive. Clay moved to Brighton eight months ago to be with his boyfriend, and I haven't seen him since then.

"It's been amazing, Jo. I really love him. I've, uh, I've actually been thinking about proposing to him." My jaw hangs open and Clay nervously glances from the road to me, side eyeing me.

"No shit!" I grin at Clay and the nervous expression slides off his face.

"So you're not mad?"

"Why the fuck would I be mad? Seriously, if you're in love, then why would you wait?" A breathy chuckle from Clay.