Hearts entwined, forbidden love ( Book 5 of Floyrince)

24

When you said we will be going to Philly I thought you meant the two of us, why are they tagging along, Luka asked.

I looked at Ethan and Jay. My parents thought it'd be a great idea if the four of us all went together, cousin bonding they said.

Parents happened, I said. We were on the jet. I had issues with travelling on air, if it was up to me we would have taken a road trip to Philly but beggars can't be choosers.

Don't act like we aren't here you punks, we made a deal when we get to Philly every one goes their own way when the parents call, make an excuse for each other, Ethan said from the seat behind us.

And it's a sweet deal, I love you guys but spending five days with you, I would murder you before nightfall Jay said, he was behind us too.

Dude, I said.

And why did they book us a family stay,it has three rooms too, when we get there I'm not sharing Ethan said.

I'm not sharing either, Jay said.

Wait, if we don't share they would be forced to share and then they'll start fighting, Ethan said.

We are good, we are roomies, we can share a room, I said.

A room yes but a bed, Jay said.

We can share, right Luka, I asked.

As long as it's not these two I'm good Luka said.

See, we are good and why are you two having rooms, don't you have somewhere to go, I asked.

We will be out all night, all day, come back to sleep and go out again, Jay said.

You will be together I asked.

Yes, Jay knows how to party and have a ball, Ethan said.

And Ethan is a good wingman Jay said.

You two disgust me, I said.

You are disgusting, Jay said.

You are the disgusting one, I said.

I want to sleep, stop talking Luka said.

When we stopped talking, the silence pressed in, and suddenly, my nerves kicked into overdrive. My palms felt clammy, and the thought that I was thousands of feet in the air, with nothing solid beneath me, gripped my mind.

I tried to focus on anything but that—anything to stop the panic from creeping in. My eyes darted around the plane, and I tried to focus on the hum of the engine, but it wasn’t helping. I needed a distraction, so I started counting, just like my therapist taught me. Deep breaths then let it out, repeat until you feel better. I counted with each breath.

One Mississippi… two Mississippi… three Missi—

Are you okay? Luka's voice cut through the fog of my thoughts.

I didn’t answer right away, just kept my eyes squeezed shut, hoping the panic would pass. But Luka’s voice was grounding, pulling me back from the edge a little. I could feel him looking at me, probably wondering what was going on.

He’s scared of flying, Ethan chimed in . I could hear the sympathy in his voice, but it didn’t make me feel any less embarrassed.

Dad holds his hand whenever we fly. Since you’re the one sitting next to him, maybe… hold his hand? Ethan said.

I opened my eyes just a crack and glanced at Luka, feeling my face heat up. Great. Now he knew my ridiculous secret. I was freaking out like a kid who needed someone to hold his hand.