It's only us. (ON HOLD)

14

i was awoken by diego shaking my shoulder softly, as i realized we landed. i lifted my head up slowly as i sae the runway in the window.

"how long was i out..?" i asked,"i messed up my hair didn't i..?"

"you look great niara, alright." he said," let me move some curls." he moved some curls around before he gave me a thumbs up.

"all good?" i asked.

"all good.." he responded.

i smiled softly as i started to fold up the blanket and put the pillow in my lap before i rubbed my eyes.

"so, looking at it, the hotel is twenty minutes from here, and we can get the rental car." he said softly," but i know you did just wake up, and that's probably a lot to comprehend right now, so i'll worry about that."

"i'm tracking." i said drowsily," promise.."

"it's alright, i'll handle it." he added," just sit still and look pretty."

considering how kind he was it seemed to be like a setup, as if this was a stupid mind game. but I decided to pay no mind to it and just kept going on with my day.

we stepped off the plane as he and i both made our way to the baggage claim, holding small talk as a way to pass the time.

¨so if we think about it, theres ramen places right around the corner." he said softly," so if you think about it, we can just go get some food before go to the hotel."

"right." i said," yet, theres no sole purpose to eating ramen at.. 8:28 am"

"Its not 8:2- oh."

"Time goes elsewhere diego, obviously you didnt capture that."

he rolled his eyes at me as he looked for our bags on the the carousel.

i admired him as he grabbed my bag. for some reason my eyes darted to the tattoo on his arm, the tattoo he told me about a little bit ago. when did he get that?

"uh earth to niara, hello?" he said, waving his hand in my face.

"what?" i said," sorry, what's up."

"we gotta go" he said," you coming?"

"in which way?" fuck. i slammed my hands to my mouth quickly as i realized my mistake. i grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.

"oh-"

.
.

i say comfortably in the passenger seat, as diego drives carefully, navigating our surroundings.

my head propped up against the windowsill as i watched the scenery fly past me.

"let's go to california one day niara.."

"you know you can't leave for too long mom." i chuckled.

"i know.. but i at least wanna go once, before i die."

"yea, i know, and you've got a long life ahead of you.." i said softly, holding her hand.

"yea.."