Forever Yours

chapter twenty-two

A flight from Portland to Washington D.C. is approximately seven hours and three minutes. Well through the airline we are taking at least. Dad insists on being two hours early to the airport so that we can check in, go through security, and all that jazz. It's a Wednesday, two days before Dad's premiere of his dinosaur at the Smithsonian. The trip was just supposed to be Dad and me, but now that he and Connie are dating, she and Joel get to come. While our parents still don't know about us, I'm excited to be going on my first trip with Joel, nonetheless.

It's a rainy morning here in Portland as Dad and I are packing the rest of our stuff. Our flight leaves at seven, so we are up bright and early, 4:30 A.M. to be exact. I'm tired; I don't think I have ever gotten up this early in my life. And I don't think I will ever again.

Our Uber finally comes, and we stop by Joel and Connie's house to pick them up. As we approach the airport dad says, "Who's excited?"

Connie whoops and hollers and it is so contagious that Joel and I whoop and holler too. We give each other a knowing look and smile. He is just as excited to be coming as I am.

We arrive at the airport, and it is complete madness. There's so many people coming in and going out. The holiday traveling craziness. We get up to the front desk and a guy next to us is complaining to the airline employee that he should not have to pay for his overweight bag. We make it through security, which takes forever, and head over to gate C7. We are there in plenty of time.

Connie and my dad take a seat in front of our gate, already deep in conversation about the trip. I tell them that Joel and I are going to get snacks and look at what the shops have, but they pretty much ignore us. So, we walk away and leave our carry-ons with them.

Joel takes my hand in his once we are out of their sight. I giggle and smile up at him. "I'm so happy you're coming. It's a weird situation, but it worked out perfectly. You know?"

"Yeah, I only wish we could share a room together," he replies and gives me a wink. I giggle again and agree with him. Dad got a suite for the four of us, but it has two bedrooms. Dad and I are in one and Connie and Joel in the other.

We go to one of the shops and get snacks. Joel gets a bag of sour patch kids, while I get a box of junior mints—our favorites. I also get a Vogue magazine with Harry Styles on the cover. We pay and leave. We aimlessly walk around the airport. Not wanting to go back to our parents where we have to pretend that we are not totally, completely in love.

We talk about college and how we are excited. Mia and I got into Gonzaga—yay— and so did Joel. He also got into USC, but he's choosing to come with us. We never want to be apart.

I look at the time and tell Joel that we should head back. But before that can happen, Joel pulls me in for a passionate kiss amongst the hustle and bustle of travelers. People probably giving us weird looks because we are in the middle of the busiest walkway. Whatever. I will not get to kiss Joel for a whole week. Well not in front of our parents at least. Maybe we can sneak a few here and there. So, I'm going to enjoy this moment.

We finally make it back right before we are told to enter the plane. Our group is first because Dad got all fancy and got us first class tickets. We get on the plane and take our seats, Joel and I on the right side, and Dad and Connie on the left. I ask for the window seat despite my fear of heights. My logical reasoning behind that is that we're so high up, it doesn't even feel real, so I have nothing to fear.

I tell Joel this and he tells me that that makes no sense. I shrug but he gives me the window seat. I like to look out and see that I am surrounded by clouds. Especially since we get a good look at the sunrise.

I don't mind being in the air, but that take off scares me. As we start to ascend, I grab on to Joel's hand for dear life and hope that I do not throw up from the sudden rise. He tells me that I'm hurting his hand, so I squeeze a little less, but only a little.