Elena and Caroline: A Holiday Romance

Chapter 2: Plane ride

As they took their seats and looked out the window, Elena and Caroline felt as though all their troubles had faded away to nothing. The plane was packed full of hundreds of tourists who were going the same way as them. They felt like they were leaving everything behind, even the whole world, but they didn't care; this was what they wanted and nothing was going to stop them. It was just the two of them..... Or so they thought.

*****
"This is crazy!" Caroline screamed like an awestruck girl at a band concert.
Elena remained seated, trying to remain mature and keep things casual, but what the hey she thought to herself:
"I know!" Elena shared in Caroline's excitement.

Other passengers stared at them like they were silly little kids, but their judgement wasn't about to rain on their parade. Not by a long shot.
Suddenly the plane started vibrating, humming to life as the ignition was going like a lit fire in a fireplace; they'd be taking off soon. Freedom awaited the both of them.

"Did you remember to pack our make-up?" Caroline as doing her usual last minute interrogation-inspection.
"Yes." Elena replied.
"All our swim suits, bathing suits?" Caroline continued.
"Yes."
"All of ou..."
"Yes Caroline, yes, I remembered whatever it is." Elena said raising her head that she had relaxed peacefully down against the back of her seat.

Caroline gave a hand gesture to lighten the mood between them, she sat back too and watched with joy like Elena was a baby as she had eyes shut, she was exhausted and needed a few minutes to take a nap. Elena with her eye shut that way had no possible way of noticing the man donning a suit that was making his way down the aisle towards the far back of the plane to take his seat, Caroline was far too busy staring out the window and admiring the view to notice either, had she and they both would have freaked at the familiar face that had once walked into Elena's life.
Elijah.

*****
It feels comforting, knowing that I can just sit back and relax in before taking off on a flight, but something just slipped my mind. Was it that so much time had passed that I couldn't believe what I'd all but briefly seen in passing by or was it that I think I just saw Elena Gilbert with her best friend Caroline Forbes on this very same flight as me?

Stretching my neck out of my row, I peeked down the other five rows and saw a head with long dark-brown hair stretching all the way down; same hair as Elena Gilbert. It's a peculiar thing; normally when this much time has passed, you'll think that they only remind you of that person, but we're not like those people, we're vampires. I should recognise her face in an instant, after seeing one or two other faces exactly like he over the centuries of my long life, but this time I couldn't make it out. If I am right, of course, it has been twenty years since last I set eyes upon her alluring face of familiarity and ever lasting beauty.

That thought will have to wait for the moment. The plane begins to thrum and rock as it drives and angles itself facing out towards the clear path and the sky that awaits it from above, I fasten my seat belt and lie myself back in my chair as the plane rockets itself across the ground like a roller coaster cart, next thing before I know it...the sky's the limit.

*****
I always used to think that a holiday was in its own way, simply some wild excuse to try to escape from everything that was infuriating you in life; of course I still believe that, but at the same time, maybe it's also a chance to try and clear your head from everything and be your own person.
Other tourists are all just asleep or reading: many are older people than me and Caroline, some are dressed in suits; perhaps they're not here for the sunshine and to enjoy the summertime. It's weird, feeling isolated; by that I mean how many of these people twenty years ago could have been just like Caroline and I now: going away to have a great time. That must feel love forever ago for them.

For a moment, I exit my seat for Caroline.
"I have to use the bathroom." Caroline moves a couple of rows down from us until she freezes at three rows behind from where we're seated; where the toilet is, fortunately it's not engaged, and she gets in right away. I just realise that I need to go now as well, I get up and go before a line begins to build its way up.
Coming to a stop, the bathroom is locked and I amuse myself by rolling my eyes, scanning the rows and crowds of other tourists that are enjoying the extravagant flight, my eyes continue to slide sideways until they freeze to a stop at a couple of rows further from where I'm standing right now. At first glance, all I can see is a dark suit and a ring on the mans index finger with a lapis lazuli blue jewel fixed into the very hem of the gold circle; a vampire, that's for sure, except there's something more, I want to find out who it is.
  Taking one light step at a time forward, I move inch by inch away from the bathroom and try to look closer at who the figure dressed in the suit is. Another tourist gets up and crosses my path before I can get a closer look, the tourist steps from side to side at the same time as me, prohibiting me from moving anymore, I stand still and move aside for him, instead of just walking away he takes a few seconds admiring me, his face remains a bright smile so I roll my eyes and pretend that it's just like a storm that'll blow over soon. He leaves me alone.
   My first intention, immediately afterwards is to carry on with my inspection of the man that's sitting a few rows from where I'm waiting, but I guess that seeing another vampire is the last thing that I want right now; my holiday with my best friend so t turn out so normal with another vampire in the picture. That may thigh prove to be short lived: the man emerges from his seat; I don't believe what I'm seeing, only when he brings his gaze to meet mine do I begin to accept what's going on.
"Tell me this is a dream." I whisper to myself.

There no point in trying to be quiet around another vampire; he can hear me from here.

"You're not dreaming, Elena. I assure you, this is very real." he replies.

Elijah. To think of all the possible people that I know what are the odds of me running into a familiar face? Let alone, what are the odds of me running into him?

This is definitely no dream. There's no denying that now.