From Europe, With Love... and Hate

Chapter 3: Planes and Pains part 2

(Ella's POV)

"Okay let's get back to our hunks, you remember what to do? A lot of little touching, laughing, smiling, the whole shabang?" Serena just got done teaching me all the little pointers she had gathered throughout her experience...reading Cosmo that is.

"Yeah, I think so..."

"No! You know so! Get ready cause we are going back now." How is she so sure this will work! I am freaking out right now. She looped her arm through mine as we walked back to our seats. I was sweating bullets and she was practically pulling me with her. I can't flirt with a cute guy! Agh!!

"Ella, calm down, you are fine!" She said through gritted teeth. I started thinking about how after this flight, I may never see him again, so why does it even matter? I started to relax as we practically marched back to our seats with a step of victory.

As I was making my way to my seat, I began to feel the nerves again.

"Oh no you don't, not again!" Serena said and practically pushed me towards my seat. Mark was just standing up as we got there and I tripped over him and fell onto Jack who was standing to let me through.

"Oh god, i'm so sorry!" I said as I tried to get up but kept falling back down. What the fuck is wrong with my balance!? This is so embarrassing!

"Hey, it's okay, it happens." He said with a small smile that showed a dimple he had on his left cheek. I was grasping his shirt and it was pulled a little down and I could see that his tattoo wrapped around his shoulder, down to his chest....his very nice, and strong chest. Damn it! Snap out of it, Ella! Pull your shit together! His arms wrapped around my waist to help steady me as I finally managed to get up. They felt so strong and it felt good having them there, but he eventually let go as I got to my seat. I turned around just in time to see Serena smirking. But so were Olive and Amelia. Why is everyone watching!? My cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet red.

"Still, I am really sorry..." Ugh what was I supposed to do? Oh right smile. I smiled a big smile and released his shirt, smoothing my hand over it. His breathing stopped for a moment before he stuttered something under his breath.

"What was that?" I asked him. He just looked at me, smiled and shook his head.

"Ladies first ..." He said and let me through to my seat.

"Thank you, you are so sweet." I said with a smile. I walked to my seat by the window and sat down. He followed me and sat down next to me and turned toward me.

"So where is it that you guys are all headed to?" He asked, making conversation. He was so cute and attentive.

"Well, we are going to..."

"What's it to you, simpletons, where we are headed?" Cameron butted in...again.

"Cameron, why don't you shut up and stop bugging people who are just trying to make a horrible plane ride a little more endurable." Serena yelled at Cameron. She hadn't gone to her seat yet and her and Henry were standing in the aisle, watching us. He looked at her and was about to open his mouth and spew out one of his stupid little retorts when I stopped him.

"Just mind your own business, Cameron." I said, a bit exasperated. He let out a loud huff but resigned to sit back in his seat. 1-0 Ella! Serena looked at me and smiled, then her and Henry went back to their seats. Where did Tanner and Mark go? I look around the plane really quick and saw them in the back talking to another flight attendant. Why does Mark do that when he likes Serena? Oh well I just need to worry about the man next to me at the moment.

"Sorry about him. He doesn't really know how to act around people...especially strong and attractive people." I say with a tone that was hopefully understood as sexy and flirty.

"Why exactly are you friends with him, if you don't mind me asking?" He asked softly, with a small smile.

"I'm not his friend, I can barely stand him." I practically yell, exasperated. I was very frustrated and he could probably tell.

"If I can be honest," Jack began, "I don't think someone as pretty and smart as you needs a friend or 'not friend' like him." He was leaning closer and next thing I knew, he was reaching for my hand. The moment was ruined when I heard a scoff coming from across the aisle...

"Can I help you with something?" Jack asked, turning to the scoffer, which just so happened to be Cameron. His voice was cool and collected but you could sense an edgy and primitive undertone. Cameron just looked at him then put headphones in and went back to his stupid book. "I am sorry you have to deal with him."

"It's okay." I said, touched by the way he stood up for me.

"No it's not, that guy is the biggest asshole I have ever met." He said. I don't know why, but I just sort of nodded in agreement. "I mean, it's not like I know him but he is arrogant and vain and seems like he thinks he rules the world."

His ranting off on Cameron was bothering me now. It's probably just because I know Cameron better than Jack. It really was bothering me but I didn't know exactly what to say.

"Yeah, so where are you from exactly?" I asked, hopeful of a new topic.

"Nebraska, where men learn to be considerate of a woman's feelings, unlike that asshole over there. Seriously though, how can someone be so rude?!" He continued to rant.

"He may seem like an arrogant ass, and he is one most of the time, but he is also very smart...when he's not being sexist, and can be very considerate and kind......rarely but still. He doesn't need some stranger bagging on him like this, that's my job." I chided him. "You say you were raised right but you are not showing that..." He stared at me dumbfounded. Great, I just ruined whatever chances I ever had with this hunk and now I am also a hypocrite.

"I'm sorry...I thought you didn't like him." He said in a very confused tone.

"Well... I don't, but I still have known him for a longer time than I have known you and that leaves me somewhat loyal to him." I quickly made up. Truthfully I have no idea why I said that, or stood up for Cameron. My eyes wandered over to where Cameron was sitting and I saw that he was looking at us. We made quick eye contact and then we both looked away. I felt a blush rise in my face and I turned my attention back to Jack. He better not have heard what I said, his ego doesn't need any more of a boost.

"Look, Ella, here is my number and email. Our flight is almost over but I want to continue whatever we have because I feel like it is going somewhere. I really hope that one day you'll know me well enough to stick up for me like you just stood up for him," He was still holding my hand but it felt wrong somehow. His hand was bulky and sweaty and I just really wanted him to let go. I smiled, however, and took the paper he was handing me.

"I think that would be great..." I said with a smile. Wow, I just completely lied through my teeth. What is wrong with me?! A few seconds ago I was ready to jump him in front of everyone but now, well now I wanted nothing more than to get away from him. AND I was defending Cameron?! What the hell? Maybe I have low blood pressure from the plane ride. I wonder what Serena would think about this if she knew what just happened, and are Mark and Tanner still back there talking to the dummies with big boobs? I turn around, hoping to send a help signal to Serena...

And saw her making out with Henry! Oh my god...how could she do this! I look around, almost everyone else in our group was sleeping except for Cameron, Tanner, Mark and I, oh and of course Ms.Lip Lock herself. Oh my god I hope Mark didn't see. This would absolutely crush him. That girl has some major explaining to do and with only 30 minutes left of the flight how am I going to get her to separate from that beef cake?

I had some free time so...why not lol