On Christmas Eve I had a gathering at my place. I convinced everyone to do a gift exchange of sorts. My gifts to everyone were portraits. I’d made a point to take some good pictures with each of them individually and some as a group. I gave everyone a photo of us as a group, one with just me and them, and one of just themselves. I’d worked so hard. Allie laughed so hard and snorted when she saw the pic of me and her I drew. Our faces were permanently held in positions that suggested we should be in a mental hospital.
Christmas day was peaceful and quiet. I didn’t intrude on Allie and Ridge’s family time no matter how much they insisted so I had a small dinner with Tristen in his room.
Finally on January 7th we had to go back to school. In Basic Survival we learned how to make a shelter. Not very helpful, seeing as I’d been making the same exact little huts in my backyard with Ridge and Allie since I was probably six…
It was in piloting that I got the news of a lifetime.
“Today you will find out which plane you will be on and who will be your crew.” said our instructor, Mr. Abbott. “We have distributed you to ensure that each team’s members added up to the same strength. There will be twelve members aboard each plane. Two pilots and ten crew members.”
He read through the first two teams and neither Tristen nor I were listed. I knew that Tristen had made it on a flight but I knew some people had to be in the second round of planes.
After eight people Tristen’s name was called. His happiness only showed for a moment though. I could see him looking at me with confusion and concern. Then next two were called, Corey Appleton and Tasic Maze. I closed my eyes and gripped the edge of my seat, breathing becoming difficult. Only one more spot left. 37 of us left to pick from. The 36 to be left behind.
“And Auroriana Peyton.” finished Mr. Abbott. I nearly jumped out of my seat. Instead I breathed out and completely deflated, the only think keeping me up being my chair. We spent the rest of the hour working on planning a flight simulation to prepare us soon.
I waited till my piloting class was abandoned before I picked up my bag and headed out. The moment I stepped out the door two hands grabbed me by my hips and lifted me in the air, spinning me in a hug. When they set me down they rested their forehead on mine. I looked up, my eyes meeting Tristan’s.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect,” he whispered.
“Are you talking about our group we’ve been assigned?” I asked quietly, a smile breaking softly across my face.
“Let’s go with that,” he whispered with his half smile. He lifted his fore head off mine but his hands stayed on my waist. He clasped one of my hands in his and it felt like home. I stood on my tiptoes and gently kissed his cheek. I felt heat creep up in my face but his smile reassured me. His other hand found mine.
“I know it’s a little bit early, but would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Valentine’s dance?” he asked me with an incredibly good British accent.
“Why, it would be my privilege!” I responded knowing my accent sounded more Australian than British. I pulled him forward with both my hands.
“I think this calls for a celebratory uber fattening piece of cake,” I said.
I texted Allie that I needed to tell her something important again and this time she was over in a heartbeat. I closed the door behind her and when she saw the look on my face she immediately became serious.
“Which is first?” I asked, “The good or bad news?”
“Bad.” she sighed like she knew exactly what I was going to say.
“I’m going to be on one of the first planes discovering Novelta.” I said, her face crumpling. “Hey, hey, hey. I won’t be gone forever. Tristen and I are on the same plane and we’ll look after each other.” she sighed, but smiled sadly.
“I knew this was happening I just didn’t want to acknowledge it. You better come back in one piece. Speaking of, next time you see Tristen, send him my way. I have some words of warning for him.” I laughed. “He’s actually coming in about five minutes.”
“Good.” she said looking smug like what she was going to say to him was going to be awful but totally best friendish.
“By the way,” I said, “Tristen asked me to the Valentine’s dance!” Allie squealed and smiled.
“Now I have twice as much to say. Look after Rory and don’t you dare try and get in her pants.” I laughed dismissively, though I was slightly terrified that she would scare him away.
“We have to go to the first floor and have custom made dresses. I don’t want anyone else there with the same dress as me.” I said. That was the one thing that I got paranoid about.
“I’m going to go for emerald green.” I said.
“That will totally bring out your eyes!” she said excitedly. “Sometime next week?”
“It’s a date.” I laughed. Just then Tristen knocked on my door.
