The Last One | Project Fear

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

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"That was the wildest plane ride of my life," I say as I crawl into the passenger seat of Tanner's car along the curb of the airport in Nevada.

Tanner closes the door and buckles himself in, as he had gotten out to help me with my bags, and tilts his head at me. "How was it wild?" he questions.

I pull the black surgical mask I've been wearing since I entered the airport back in New York off of my face, fold it up, and stick in the pocket of my black denim shorts. "It was so empty," I explain, reaching for my crossbody bag and opening it up. I pull out my concealer, pressed powder, blending sponge, and travel-size powder brush. I twist the tube of concealer and flick open the pressed powder, using the mirror that accompanies it as I apply the wand over blemishes on my chin. "Like, I've never been on a plane that was that empty and quiet. And you can't even hear things to begin with because the engine is so goddamn loud. But this was just silent."

"How many other people were on the flight?" Tanner asks as he pulls out of the airport and onto the road.

I dab the sponge over the product, blending it into the skin. "Maybe six other people," I tell him. "It's honestly insane. Even purchasing a plane ticket was different. They wanted proof that this was work related. That's why the network got involved."

"We're living in some unprecedented times," Tanner agrees as I dust the powder over my chin. Once I'm satisfied with how it looks, I put all of my products away. "So, how was your semester? You know, aside from the obvious."

"Honestly?" I begin, settling into my seat. "I didn't mind it totally. Of course, I miss the campus aspect of being with my friends and spending time in the lounge. But I got so much more done with staying home."

"Really?" Tanner asks. "I would have thought you would have been more distracted."

"Yeah, I thought so, too," I agree. "I just made it a point to do my schoolwork. I mean, that's never been an issue for me, but still. I used to sit at my desk to write creatively as well as academically, but since I began doing school from home, I dedicated it to only being used for school. So, in the mornings, if I'm not using Zoom for a class, I still go over and sit in the desk and work on everything I can. I was getting done with work weeks ahead. It was honestly great, I had so much more time to do other things."

"Other things like what—sit inside?" Tanner teases.

I roll my eyes and shake my head. "No," I say in reply. "My mom and I have been walking a lot. Not just the neighborhood, but other places, too. Not so much the trails. We'll just drive to another town, park on one of the streets, and start walking."

"I guess there are worse ways to spend extra time," Tanner muses.

"And you?" I ask him. "How have you been spending lockdown?"