Boundless

soarin', flyin'

Avery

Over those two long weeks, Avery found a meek little studio apartment in Mount Airy, was able to tour it, and sign the necessary documents all virtually. They didn't want to make the trip twice. Once they flew out there, they didn't plan on coming back for anything. Not even if their mother begged.

They didn't ship any of their possessions to their new apartment because all they had were two pieces of checked luggage and their backpack, which they carried on with them. When their father was alive, they had to move what felt like every few months. As soon as they were settling down, they had to pack up and leave again. It was one thing to be a military brat, but it was another thing entirely when you're on the run from people you promised to pay back but didn't.

Resting their head against the flat pillow on her seat, Avery closes their eyes in deep thought. Avery's momma was of the school of thought that a degree didn't guarantee someone a job. Avery themself agreed with that, but they acknowledged the value of learning from some of the most prevalent people in their industry and learning alongside others with the same aspirations as them.

They are quite nervous though. Most people went straight to college after graduating high school whereas they went straight into the workforce with no intent to go to college. From what the advisor told them over email, they have to not only take their major courses but also a core curriculum alongside all other students at the university. Avery doesn't understand why they needs to take math, natural science, social science, and writing classes to be a jewelry-maker but this university is giving them a pretty decent scholarship for being a non-traditional student.

They open their eyes, deep amber irises resembling fire in the light of the setting sun. Frustration crumpling their sun-kissed face, they sigh once more. Settling back into their chair, they think that they might as well get some –

"Hello," greets a man that stands taller than their father did. His dark brown eyes glance down at them when they don't respond. His eyes linger for a moment before they focus on the overhead storage. They take this time to look at him.

The man is young, perhaps their age, give or take. His face is free of wrinkles but he has subtle laugh lines. He has a Roman nose that leads without a bump to a full mouth, which houses well cared for teeth. Without casting her a second glance, he plops down into the seat next to her, slings a neck pillow atop his broad shoulders, and after the plane takes off, falls right to sleep. They want to follow suit but with every strike of turbulence, his warm thigh would be flush against theirs. They aren't sure if it had merely been the physical contact or something else, but the man manages to effortlessly make their senses come alive in a way that unsettles them.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer."

Startled, their gaze clashes with his. Red tints their cheeks and they force themself to hold his gaze. If their mother had ever taught them anything, it was to keep their head up in the face of adversity, at least, when Beatrice wasn't the opposition. Avery struggles to hold his gaze when all they want to do is let it drop to the mouth that's curved into a sensuous but light-hearted grin. They mumble their apologies and rips their eyes from his.

Their cheeks continue to burn long after the sun has gone down. Philadelphia is still five hours away. Careful to not touch him, they shift uncomfortably in their seat. The right side of their face burns. Doubting the cause but chancing a glance anyway, they peek over at the man next to them. His eyes are indeed on them.