Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 14

Over packing has to be another specialty of mine. It's only 2 duffle bags. Because I don't travel often, I don't own a suitcase, but each carry on is filled to the brim. One of them I could barely close. The other is not too far behind.

It's been a few years since I've flown, so I'm a bit anxious. Naturally. The unknown has a tendency to make me nervous, and this week is going to be full of them. Along with the fact that I'm pretty much disappearing without telling anyone. When Milo gets home and doesn't find me, he'll call. I have until then to come up with a story so believable that he won't question it.

The guilt is already faintly there. I haven't lied yet, but I will. I feel bad having to keep a secret this big from my brother and my friends, but I owe it to Hugh. And to myself to see where this goes.

By this, I mean following my dreams. Not anything else. That's the only reason I'm dropping everything and tagging along on this trip. Right now, I'm alone as I check in. Hugh informed me yesterday that this would be the only part where we had to be separate. He would go through with security, but on the plane, we'd be sitting right next to each other.

I thought about how they were able to do that last minute, but I imagine being a celebrity has its perks. I just hope no one was already sitting in that seat.

Once I get my flight tags, I look at the ticket on my phone to see what gate I need to be at. It's 116. I look around for any indication on which direction I should go in. There's a sign above me just to the left that tells me my gate is a good distance away. I have an hour before the time it says the plane will be boarded, so I'm not in too much of a rush, but I'd rather get there early than miss the flight entirely. That would be a nightmare.

Hugh paid for my ticket. I would hate for it to go to waste, and then I'd feel even more guilty about it. I have this thing about being in debt to someone. It's not just about the money. I don't like taking and not giving something in return. I don't know how I'll repay him for this, but I'm sure I'll eventually think of something.

Placing my bags on a foldable luggage cart, because there's no way I'd make it to gate 116 lifting two carry ons, I'm grateful for Milo investing in it. He travels more than I do for work. Of course, he has a suitcase. A really big one with no wheels because he's sometimes away for weeks at a time. It's too much for this trip, or else I would've borrowed that too.

After I have each duffle situated, I take a hold of the handle and start heading to the gate. It doesn't take me as long as I thought it would. When I get there, I double check the screen right next to it to assure that this is still where I'm supposed to be. The information is the same as on my ticket, so I take a free seat close to it to verify any changes. They usually make an announcement, but there's been times when they're so busy, they forget to. At least, this is all based off of my previous experience flying.

The last plane I was on was when I came to live with Milo. That was three years ago. Thinking about it puts me in low spirits. I don't want to remember why I had to come to Wharton. I'm content leaving that exactly where I left it.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts when I catch sight of a tall figure in a black, trench coat approaching this gate. Seeing Hugh in it makes me smile. Does he think he's being mysterious? I'll admit, he looks better this time around because he's not wearing a matching mask. His striking features refined with age are hard to miss. I know I'm not the only who notices.

Other passengers learn who he is as quick as I did. Those who came together turn to each other and start whispering. No one has stood up yet to ask him for a picture or autograph, but I know if they did, he would happily do what they want. I'm sure Jerry is a bit of a deterrent though.