Ethereal

Assholes

We were on the plane, about one hour into the flight.

Me, Coven, Blake, Maya, and Derek were sat in the same 'booth'. There was thankfully enough space for us to stay in the same area, plus an extra seat. I was sat by the window, Maya next to me and Blake across from me. The Italians were in a booth two places down, close enough to jump and come over if anything were to happen but far enough to not be able to eavesdrop as long as we talked silently.

"Ana, honestly, I don't think this is a good idea. I don't have a good feeling about it," Maya muttered to me nervously. Derek nodded in agreement.

"Maya, it'll be fine. Don't worry too much. Keep your head high. Don't get comfortable. Be alert, even when we are staying there. We will buy a residence nearby theirs, and it'll be set up by the end of the week before you know it." I told her with a reassuring smile, though she couldn't see it.

My mask was on again. I refused to take it off, and if somebody stared at me a moment too long I flipped them the bird and looked away.

Especially if it's Emilio.

He's been staring at me, giving me confused looks or frowning every chance he could get. I'm not sure if he recognizes me, because if he did he'd probably start yelling -- or if he just realized I look familiar to him. Either way, it was a dangerous game to play to be around him. 

Somebody plopped into the empty seat that was in our booth. Speak of the devil.

"Hey," Emilio said. His was still wrapped up, and he limped everywhere he went in effort to ease the pain of the gunshot by shifting his weight on his left side -- but he still winced as he sat, and still clutched onto his stomach as he leaned forward towards me.

I looked at him, but stayed silent.

"I have a question for you."

I crossed my arms. When he heaved a sigh, I motioned for him to continue, and he complied.

"Why did you come back for me?"

My eyes widened in shock for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"You came back for something in the house. Or rather, somebody."

I snorted in response. "So what, you think I was going back for you? Must I remind you, you are nothing but my business partner -- and your death wouldn't put me in an inconvenience in any way whatsoever."

"You're lying," he smirked. 

"I am not lying, and I advise you not to accuse me of such things again," I shot back defensively.

"You start fiddling with that ring on your finger when you lie."

I looked down at my hands to see that I was, indeed, subconsciously twisting a ring around my finger. I knew this was my tell, and I was always aware of it and stopped myself when I lied -- but I was completely in a different mindset today, and my brain was everywhere so I didn't even notice. I stopped and crossed my arms once more.

"And why, pray tell, is that an indicator that I am being dishonest with you? Can't a girl just fidget?"

"I know it's an indicator because you did it when you said you were fine earlier -- when you were, in fact, not fine. You did it when you told your little friends you weren't hurting anywhere, and you did it when you told us you'd be pleased to come to Italy with us. It's something my sister did --" I stiffed a bit but relaxed myself before it became obvious, yet the act did not go unnoticed by him as he smiled, " -- when she lied too. You wouldn't know anything about her though, right?"