Fireworks 1 and 2

Jungle: Chapter Forty-Six

    On a plane. Again. At least it was first class seating. Mia didn't know if she'd ever get used to constant flights. Tank beside her, silent. He hadn't expressed any opinions about the fact that they were meeting Drake in D.C. Whenever he was around her, it was rare that he expressed opinions at all.

    For the duration of the entire flight, she was nervous. She kept balling her hands into fists in the front pocket of her red October's Very Own hoodie, peering out of plane's window. On one hand, she was anxious to see him and on the other, she dreaded seeing him. She had no idea what to expect from him. Would he be cordial with her, sweet with her? Or would he be cold and distant? The way he'd sounded on the phone gave the indication that he would be cold and distant, and she didn't know if she could handle that from him on a consistent basis.

    The plane landed and started to taxi on the runway. She lowered a pair of black shades over her eyes and checked her hair, which was pulled up into a curly topknot. For the entire flight, Tank hadn't napped or slept one wink. Sometimes she wondered if he ever slept at all.

    When an announcement informed passengers that they could get off of the plane, Tank collected their carry-on luggage and waited for her to lead the way.

    She expected for Drake to have a car pulled up to the airport Arrivals entrances, but instead he was waiting for them at the gate. He also had a pair of dark shades over his eyes. There was also a hat pulled down low over his eyes. Dressed in jeans and a simple navy blue button-down shirt, he scribbled out an autograph for a fan and flashed his pearly whites at her.

    Mia slowed her steps while watching him. She didn't know the next time she'd see that smile again, so she wanted to treasure this moment.

    Behind her, Tank cleared his throat.

    Drake raised his head and looked towards them. His smile faltered, then disappeared altogether.

    Mia approached him hesitantly. "Hi."

    "Hi." He turned to Tank. "Everything go well?"

    Tank nodded. "No complications."

    "Good." He lowered his eyes back to Mia. "You've got a busy day ahead of you. Most people would think that changing up just one act and adding some background vocals for a concert isn't a big deal. But they'd be wrong. Adding you to the 'Soul Cry' performance changes up several things; the track used for the song, for one. Now we need to use one without your recorded voice on the audio. Out of everything, that's probably the easiest change to make. Beyond that, there are also stage lighting changes that need to be made. You need gear to perform in. We have to have your named added to the bill and the promotional events. There were no other rooms available in the hotel we're staying in here, but for the other tour stops, my assistant is working on getting rooms reserved for you." He started walking, heading towards the baggage claim area.

    Screwing her face into an expression of confusion, she trailed behind him. "Rooms reserved? I can't just stay with you?"

    "This is your first tour. You should get to experience it as if you're on your own. Your own artist."

    She grabbed him by the wrist.

    He stopped, turned, and looked at her.

    "That's not why you want me to have my own room."

    "This is not the right time or place for this," he chastised softly, glancing around them. "This is an airport. Press or fans could crowd around us at any given moment. In an airport, it's best to get in and get out. We can talk about this later."