𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 - 𝐁.𝐄

eight - wanderlust

•
billie.
•

july 21st.

a soft, gentle shake on my elbow stirs me from the depths of sleep, and i slowly blink my eyes open to find my mom nudging me awake. i'd been completely passed out. my was head resting awkwardly on the pull-out tray table in front of me, using its hard, plastic surface as a makeshift pillow. the hum of the plane's engines fills the background, a constant reminder of the miles we've traveled while i was lost in the oblivion and labyrinth of my dreams that i can't even remember.

i could feel the exhaustion weighing on me the moment we took off, and now, as i sit back up, the tray table squeaks slightly while my mom gently folds it away for me.

my hand instinctively moves to the back of my neck, fingers kneading into the sore muscles, trying to ease the dull ache that settled there from the awkward position i've been in for what feels like an eternity—six hours, to be exact. no wonder i feel like i've been hit by a truck. the idea of anyone besides my family witnessing me in such a state is enough to make me shudder. god forbid someone noticed me and took a picture.

as we wait at the baggage carousel, i let out a long, drawn-out yawn. my body still craved the sleep that was cut far too short. my backpack hangs heavily over both shoulders, the weight too much for me to even think about carrying it with just one arm. i let my hand rest lazily on the handle of my carry-on, my fingers barely gripping it as my eyes struggle to stay open, feeling gritty and crusty from the interrupted sleep. all i want is to collapse into a bed somewhere, anywhere, and just sleep for days.

it's like four in the morning here, and the world outside the airport is shrouded in a thick, dewy fog that clings to the windows and automatic doors like a damp blanket. the air feels heavy, almost oppressive, and i can hear finneas muttering something about how he's already ordered an uber, and it should be here in about ten minutes. his voice is low, almost a murmur, blending into the quiet, early-morning atmosphere that seems to seep into everything.

with the last of my fading energy, i scan the conveyer belt, my eyes searching for the familiar shape of my all-black suitcase. i see my mom effortlessly grab hers, and then claudia snatches hers as well. a moment later, i spot mine, inching closer, right beside my dad's. before i can even reach for it, he's already pulling it off the belt for me, his movements smooth and practiced. "thanks," i mumble, my voice thick with sleep as i take the suitcase from him, my free hand barely gripping the handle.

" 'course," he replies softly, his tone carrying that gentle warmth that's always so comforting. we stand together, waiting for finneas to collect his bag, the minutes dragging by in a haze of exhaustion and anticipation.

finally, we make our way outside, piling into the uber that's waiting for us. the driver confirmed to us that it would be $200 for the ride—three hours on the road in a range rover big enough to accommodate all of us and our mountain of luggage.

by the time we finally reach our destination, i was completely and utterly jet lagged. the mask i was wearing at the airport now crumpled in my hand. my eyeglasses that i don't even need and were more for show were shoved deep into my backpack.

i slept tor two hours during the ride, the gentle swaying of the car lulling me into a fitful slumber. i spent the last hour staring out the window, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue.

the scenery outside is breathtaking in its simplicity—the trees are a vibrant, almost impossibly bright green. their leaves fill the world with a lushness i'm not used to seeing back in the city. the northern summer landscape feels like something out of a dream, a vivid contrast to the concrete and patches of grass i'm so accustomed to, and for a brief moment, i allow myself to get lost in the beauty of it all, even as my body screams for more sleep.