Blood in the Water

Home Sweet Home

       We went through security—well, they did. I couldn't pass through the detectors, so I had to be patted down instead. It wasn't ideal, but it was whatever. Connor pulled me back from security and pushed me through the rest of the way, continuously apologizing. It wasn't his fault. He offered both Lydia and me Starbucks, and we both accepted, though I wasn't sure how much I could drink. He got me an iced oat milk shaken espresso and Lydia a caramel macchiato. It felt so good to have something other than water, but Connor still made me drink water frequently, practically putting the straw in my mouth every two seconds. We waited for a while, but eventually, it was finally time to board the plane again.

I got to go early with Connor so I could get on successfully. He put our luggage in the compartment. He picked me up and handed the flight attendants my wheelchair and then he sat me down on his lap. People started boarding the plane. I melted against his chest.

"We've got this Lyssa," Connor whispered.
"I know," I whispered back.
"I'm tired babe," I said again.
"Ok I'll put you in your seat, you can sleep on the way home," Connor said.

     He sat me down in the chair next to him while everyone else was boarding. Drew shifted past me to sit down. Lydia high-fived me for some random reason and then they sat down behind us. She didn't know how to act around the new me yet.

Once the whole plane was boarded, it took off. I was less observant and worried this time because it wasn't my biggest concern right now. I remembered that I probably looked crazy because I had just gotten out of the hospital, my hair and eye bags were very noticeable. I took my computer out of my bag and set it on Connors's lap, handing him an AirPod. I turned on "Grey's Anatomy" and Connor rolled his eyes because he hated that show. I just laughed, laying my head on his shoulder.

"You know it helped you save my life, so don't dis it too hard."
" You're right beautiful girl," he smiled.

Watching it reminded me of the hospital which is bizarre because I love this show. Is it possible the attack ruined it for me? I was able to finish five episodes before we had to close the computer for landing. I set it back in my bag. I held Connor's hand. I felt guilty not talking to Drew, but he was really quiet.

"How's The Walking Dead?"
"Pretty good," he replied.

He seemed a little off so I'm assuming he's just a little shaken up still.

We landed and the flight attendants brought my wheelchair back to us and Connor placed me in it. We got all of our stuff and exited the plane. I was relieved the traveling was almost over because it's draining constantly being moved around. We waited by the exit, talking about the plans for when we got home. I didn't want him to leave me so we decided that we were going to convince our moms to let him spend the night at my house for the next couple nights, to let me settle in. I knew after a couple of nights, it could turn into a couple of months.

"I need to go home and get a little bit of stuff together and then I'll come over and stay there for a while," he said.
"Caroline will want to come to say hi to you too. She thinks of you as a little sister and I'm sure she's been worried about you too."
"Oh yeah, I bet, I can't wait to see her."

Caroline is Connor's older sister who is the sweetest girl ever.

The rest of the group arrived so Connor, Cate, my mom, and I got into our car. Connor picked me up and put me in the seat next to him. I was really tired so I put a pillow against the window next to Connor and laid across him. He held me in his arms while I fell asleep. It was so comfortable and I could've stayed there forever. When I woke he was lightly shaking me and whispering "Alyssa." I sat up and he got out of the car to go pack his stuff for my house later. I couldn't bear to see him leave even if it was for twenty minutes.