Mixed blood

Chapter 13 : A deadly shot

As they stepped onto the plane, Luana shot William a withering look. "I still can't believe we're not flying on the private jet."

William shrugged, "And risk being alone with you at thirty thousand feet? No, thanks."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please, I'd ignore you the entire flight."

They found their seats, settling into the middle of the row. Just as she was about to snap her seatbelt on, the announcement crackled over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please buckle your seatbelts as we prepare for takeoff."

Luana immediately fumbled for the belt, snapping it into place with a bit more urgency than necessary. William raised an eyebrow, watching her with mild amusement as she double-checked the clasp.

"You're acting like we're about to crash," he said with a grin, buckling his own seatbelt more casually.

"I just don't like takeoffs, alright?"

The engines roared to life, and as the plane began to speed down the runway, Luana's hands gripped the armrests, her knuckles turning white. Her eyes screwed shut, and she muttered through clenched teeth, "Lo odio. Lo odio tanto... Dios mío, cuídame, por favor."

(I hate it. I hate it so much... God, please take care of me.)

William stifled a laugh. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious," she hissed, still gripping the seat like her life depended on it. "What's funny?"

"Nothing. I just didn't peg you for the type to be scared of a little turbulence."

"I'm not scared of turbulence," she retorted, eyes still clamped shut. "It's the taking off part!"

"So, you're scared of flying?" His smirk widened, clearly enjoying this new piece of information.

"Can you just stop talking?" She snapped, her nails practically digging into the seat.

With that, he leaned in, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Don't worry, honey bun. I'm right here if you need to hold my hand."

Her eyes snapped open, glaring at him. "I'd rather get struck by lightning than hold your hand."

"Suit yourself."

---

Settling into her seat, Luana tried to pass the time by reading. She managed a few pages before the words started to blur together, and the story lost its appeal.

Closing the book with a sigh, she glanced over at William, who seemed entirely unbothered, earbuds in, his eyes glued to whatever was on his screen.

Curious, she leaned over slightly, realizing that whatever he was watching looked mind-numbingly boring.

Without warning, she reached over and tugged one of his earbuds out.

"What are you doing?" he whispered, irritated.

"What's so interesting?" she asked with an innocent smile, inspecting the screen.

"Mind your own business," he muttered, pulling the earbud back.

"Oh, but you are my business, dear," she replied sweetly.

He shot her a warning look, clearly on the verge of losing patience. "Seriously, Luana. Go back to reading."

"Don't be such a grouch," she said, shrugging and popping the earbud into her ear. "I'll just watch quietly with you."

He gave her a skeptical look, then turned his gaze back to the screen. "Fine. But don't interrupt."