J.A.C.I.E.'s World (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 21

Jack and I had to leave relatively early in the morning to start the drive back to the airport. It wasn't as early as getting up to help around the ranch, though. Fran had made us a final goodbye breakfast and went all out with it. We had freshly squeezed juice, warm coffee, eggs, bacon, and even home baked bread. It really was a treat.

There was still an unspoken tension in the house, though. My mom decided not to make an appearance before Jack and I left. She was hiding away, trying to make me feel guilty. Usually, I would have at least gone upstairs and said goodbye through the door. But, this time, I really couldn't be bothered. Jack and I stepped into the car without as much as hearing her walk upstairs.

I tried to take in my surroundings as well as I possibly could as we were driving down the long empty roads. Although I had only spent four summers and this extra week there, I really wanted to remember the way the air seemed so clean, the hills rolled on forever, and the trees brightened up the world. Even though it wasn't home, it was still a memory I wanted to keep. I knew I was never going to be coming back.

Jack glanced over at me and put his hand on my leg. "You okay?"

I nodded and tried pushing away the piece of hair that just refused to stay behind my ear. "Yeah."

He squeezed my leg reassuringly and turned his attention back to the road.

The ride remained relatively quiet the entire way to the airport. There wasn't much to talk about and it was much too early in the day to be singing along with the music Jack was playing from his phone. Luckily, we were also able to exist with each other in complete silence. It actually felt good after such a hectic week.

I don't know why, but it felt like a finality when the airport came into view. Well, I knew why. I knew what I was going to have to do. But I didn't know why it affected me so much. I didn't want it to affect me so much. This was exactly why it had been going on for so long. I just couldn't let go easily. But it was time to find some kind of closure.

After returning the car, we entered the terminal. It was buzzing with activity, a great way to prepare us for life in LA again. We were quite literally thrown in the deep end as we navigated around crowds and long lines. People were moving about hurriedly, dragging their luggage, and queuing up at all the different check-in counters. The atmosphere was charged with journeys beginning and ending.

We moved through the familiar routine of checking-in our bag and the security check. Jack's actions were much more mechanical and efficient than mine. But he was always there, waiting for me to catch up. Once past all the queues, his hand always found mine as we walked around until our departure time. It was a silent reassurance that he was still there.

We eventually found a couple of uncomfortable airport chairs to sit in until our flight would start boarding. Jack had his arm casually draped around my shoulders as we were both trying to pass the time. Unfortunately, a metal armrest prevented me from leaning into him.

"So, what's the plan when we get back home?" I asked, a playful glint in my eyes.

He grinned, considering my question. "Well... we'll head back to our place first..."

"Yeah? And what will we do there?"

"Unpack... make some more room for you in the closet... maybe take off some clothes while we're at it..."

I gasped jokingly, "excuse me, I don't believe in sex before marriage!"

"Good thing we're married, then," he smirked mischievously.

"Seriously, though," I forced the conversation back to a more serious tone, "we should start moving my stuff in. I've gotta be out of my place in a week."