Welcome To The Media (Dylmas AU)

4. A Whole New World

Dylan's pov

//

I was empty of emotion as my plane came in for a fast landing, the ground coming closer at an alarming pace. I bit my lip, watching water droplets race from one end of the window to the other, bracing myself for landing.

When the wheels of the plane finally collided with the runway, my scattered emotions came spiraling up, as if the rough landing awoke them inside of me. Relief, excitement, nerves--hundreds of emotions flashed through me, and my heart pounded loudly.

When the plane finally rolled to a stop, I slipped on my Mets cap and got to my feet, Emma following suit. We grabbed our carry-ons, and stepped into the aisle sluggishly, as per the flight attendant's instructions. I shot a polite smile at her as I exited the plane, and I noticed a light pink blush dust her cheeks.

The long exit-hallway was quiet, few murmurs in the air. Though it was nearing noon here in Louisiana, the occupants of the plane were weighted with tiredness, myself and Emma included. I never liked sleeping on planes, and though the flight from New Jersey wasn't too bad, jet lag still took a toll on my body.

As we neared the exit, loud voices and angry shouting breached the silence of the chamber. Emma stepped out before myself, blocking my view of most of the airport. My eyes blinked at the brightness surrounding her blonde head, and I followed closely behind her, my eyes squinted shut.

The first thing I noticed about the airport was that the "natural" light I had thought I'd seen, was anything but.

In fact, it wasn't solid light at all, but flashes of cameras illuminating my view.

"There he is!" Someone shouted in front of me, and heads turned in my direction. I looked behind me, only meeting the confused looks of other passengers. Foot steps thundered in the airport, and suddenly Emma and I were surrounded, before I even had time to blink.

Voices laced over other voices, and I vaguely made out my name and parts of questions.

Holy shit.

This was all for me.

My eyes were wide, like an innocent child. The group closed in on all sides and I looked around wildly. What was this?

Emma's soft hand gripped my arm, instantly calming my racing heart, though I was still overwhelmed. She started pushing people out of our way, and I think I heard shouts of airport security behind us, trying to organize the crowd.

"Dylan! Over here! Here!" I heard over and over again, and my head spun wildly around. I was so lost, so overwhelmed, and without Emma's warm hand pulling me forward, I had no doubt I'd be eaten by the crowd around us.

We kept going, and a security guard had appeared in front of us, helping to make a path. We half walked, half jogged through the airport, until we stood outside in the pouring rain. Emma pulled us to a waiting taxi, shoving me in (of course I face planted) and giving a grand wave before following me in. The door slammed shut, and the taxi suddenly felt too quite in contrast to the noise outside.

"Emma, our luggage--" I started, eyes still wide.

"I'll call and have them send it to our hotel. I didn't realize there'd be so many..." she trailed, basically talking to herself. I stayed silent, slightly scared, slightly agitated she hadn't warned me.

"What happened back there?" I questioned as the cab pulled out of the airport into traffic.

The rain drummed incessantly on the roof of the car, and Emma's breathing was shallow, her eyes concentrated. Her backpack was laying at her feet, and her fingers tapped on her thighs.