Beneath the Surface

The Stranger From The Plane

Early in the morning, my parents drop me off at the airport. I feel nervous about the trip as I get ready to board the plane.

"We'll miss you, sweetie," my mom says, hugging me tightly.

"Me too, Mom."

"You'll be fine without us, right?" my dad asks, joining in the hug.

"Yes, Dad, I will," I answer, trying to reassure them.

After saying goodbye to my parents, I get on the plane and sit by the window seat.

"Won't this plane take off already?" I mutter to myself.

"How can it leave without me?"

As I glance towards a voice, I see a girl smiling at me. "Natalie!?"

I quickly squint my eyes to look again, and she's still there, her smile bright as always, her skin glowing, and I can even catch a hint of her perfume. As I smile back and almost go in for a hug, I realise it's some random girl I've never met. The smile fades from my face, and I quickly move away, apologising.

"It's okay," the girl says, smiling kindly.

Feeling embarrassed, I consider requesting to change seats. I nearly hugged someone I didn't know, and the thought of sitting next to them on a 3 to 4-hour flight unnerves me. But then I start to wonder why I saw Natalie in her. The words "how can it leave without me" echo in my mind. I take a deep breath and pretend nothing happened.

The plane takes off, and during the entire flight to Chicago, I'm fast asleep. When the plane is almost landing, I open my eyes and look out the window. I glance to the other side, and the girl I almost hugged is also fast asleep. Finally, the plane lands, and I'm relieved to get out and away from the girl I just embarrassed myself in front of. We all disembark and go our separate ways.

Arriving at Boston University, I take a cab to my campus accommodation. Upon reaching my room, I'm greeted by a lady who's supposed to assist me with settling in. We engage in conversation as she helps me get acquainted with my room. It's not a mutual conversation because she asks questions that I have no choice but to answer. After the exchange, I decide to freshen up and take a shower.

Coming out of the shower, there's a knock on the door. I open it and to my surprise, it's the stranger from the plane.

"You?" I exclaim, puzzled.

"Oh, hey," she says, "are you my roommate?"

"I guess," I reply in a low tone.

Great, I think to myself. They had to assign a roommate I had already embarrassed myself in front of.

As she settles in, I get dressed and sit on my bed to read.

"You love reading," she says, smiling curiously.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Amari," she adds.

"Yes, I do," I answer, returning to my book.

"You haven't told me your name," she remarks.

"Oh, my bad. My name's Samara."

"Alright, Samara, nice to meet you," she says, smiling warmly.

"You too," I reply, still slightly guarded.

I don't know if she's noticed, but I keep giving her an attitude, trying not to engage with her, even though she continues to ask questions.

I find myself spending the entire weekend locked in my room, attempting to keep up with Amari, who, in some mysterious way, seems to channel the essence of Natalie. The atmosphere between us is a mix of curiosity and hesitation, an unspoken understanding of the uncanny connection that brought us together.

Saturday morning brings me the cheerful sound of Amari's voice. "Good morning, roomie! Ready for an adventurous day?" Her enthusiasm echoes through the room.

"Sure," I reply, not fully convinced but intrigued by Amari's infectious energy.

We decide to explore the campus together, Amari leading the way with an almost uncanny resemblance to Natalie. As we stroll through the campus gardens, Amari initiates a conversation about our interests and hobbies.

"So, Samara, besides reading, what else do you enjoy doing?" Amari asks, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

I hesitate for a moment before responding, "I like photography and hiking."

"Wow, that's awesome! We should totally go on a photo-hike sometime," Amari suggests with genuine excitement.

The weekend continues with a blend of shared activities and moments of solitude. I retreat into my world of books, finding solace in the familiar pages, while Amari brings a lively energy to the room, connecting with people on the floor and inviting them to impromptu gatherings.

Late Saturday evening, as I'm engrossed in a novel, Amari bursts into the room, full of excitement. "Guess what? There's a movie night in the common area! Let's go, it'll be so much fun!"

I hesitate, not accustomed to such spontaneous plans, but decide to step out of my comfort zone. The two of us join our fellow students for a night filled with laughter, popcorn, and a sense of camaraderie.

Sunday morning brings a surprise as Amari suggests a yoga session to start the day. "It's a great way to rejuvenate the mind and body," she explains.

I reluctantly agree, finding myself surprisingly relaxed by the end of the session. As we return to our room, Amari's upbeat spirit persists.

"You know, Samara, I feel like we're going to have an amazing time together," Amari says, her eyes sparkling with optimism.

I can't deny the strange connection I feel with Amari, reminiscent of the inexplicable bond I had once thought belonged to Natalie. The weekend turns into a whirlwind of shared experiences, transforming my initial reservations into a budding friendship.

As Sunday evening approaches, Amari suggests a cosy dinner in our room. "Let's order some food and just chill," she proposes.

Amidst the aroma of takeout and the warmth of our shared laughter, I realise that my weekend, which began with uncertainty, has evolved into a mosaic of unexpected connections. As we reflect on the past two days, Amari's smile holds a familiarity that echoes Natalie's, yet with a unique charm of its own.

The weekend's events leave me contemplating the intricate tapestry of relationships and the serendipitous nature of connections. Little do I know that this weekend marks the beginning of a journey filled with twists and turns, bringing to light the mysteries that entwine my fate with Amari's.