Queenpin Of Wales

Chapter 7

I shouldn't be awake right now. My dad drove me up to the airport at 4 am. My bags were checked in and I went through security with no problems. Usually, when I'm travelling, I wear relaxing clothes so going through security is easier to put everything back on. I wore black sweatpants, a grey hoodie and black slides with socks. It was easy to put my slides on than tie-up laces in the lineup. I sat at the airport for an hour. I wish I could fall asleep but I didn't want to miss my flight. I can't miss it. I can't miss spending time with Catherine.

I twitched my legs as I sat hunched over in the gate. I never get comfortable on airplanes. The feeling as the plane takes off and your body jerks with acceleration. It feels like your stomach lifts to your throat. It isn't a happy feeling. We boarded the plane. The motion sickness in my body started to fade. Knowing once I go into that plane all of my stress will disappear seeing Catherine.

My flight was 4 hours. It was shorter than flying to Miami. Obviously, it was way nicer. I knew I had a 1-hour layover in Toronto. I had 2 books for this occasion. I'm almost finished with The Body by Stephen King right now. It was the book that Stand By Me was based on. And the book I'm starting in my layover is They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera. One I was quite excited to read and the other I just saw on Booktok and want to give it a go. We boarded shortly after my twitchy leg calmed down. My family never went on big trips. We went to Arizona once when I was 13. My grandparents had a house down there. They were snowbirds. They'd travel down in the cold months and come back when it warmed up. They had to sell that house a couple of years ago. They couldn't afford two houses. Hell, no one can afford their house nowadays. That was the only time I boarded a plane. Before Miami I mean, I boarded with my family at that time. When you go alone it's more nerve-racking. The long boardwalk down the ramp leading to the plane felt like I was walking a mile. All the other passengers had no problem rushing through me. They were excited to go to their destination. I was also, though, I was nervous at the same time. Not over being in New York and with Catherine alone again.

Okay, so maybe I was nervous about that. I always overthink. And it's never good. What if Catherine doesn't like my dress? What if she got us separate rooms? Separate beds? What if I scared her away on the yacht? What if she doesn't accept no this time? No. She will. I know she will. I think. I've only known her for a short time and I haven't seen other sides of her quite yet. I haven't seen her upset or angry. She's been sweet and loving this entire time. I love it, but everyone shows their true colours sooner than later.

I was finally able to use my phone. My best friend Libby snapped me on Snapchat about 50 times. Asking when I left and when I will be back. She was away at university. She was the first person in my province to go to Oxford. Full-ride scholarship. She's studying to be a writer. My dream job. I applied to Oxford as well but neither I nor my parents could afford tuition. I had the hoodie and the letter to prove I was accepted. But not the cash. It broke me. Libby and I were meant to be writers. Graduating together. Writing books. She'd write horror novels and I would write anything I'd think of. Romance, Drama, Thriller. Anything.

My mom texted me too about the same amount, my dad sent me one text. Saying to stay safe and that he loved me. I was very surprised to see the next text. I've been texting Catherine casually before my flight. We facetimed for a bit too. We talked last night before I went to bed. Catherine spoke about how thrilled she is about seeing me. I said the same thing. So naturally, she texted me.

From Cat:

Good morning darling, make sure to text me when you land in JFK. One of my guys will pick you up and bring you to our hotel. Hope you got more sleep after our little chat last nite <3

From Myla:

Lol, more sleep? Why are we partying all night?

I didn't know what she was meaning. Like will I lose sleep tonight? What does she have in mind? I wanted to ask what type of party it is, I knew it was an all-white party but is it a nightclub? Or a formal event?