Solving Riley

❄Chapter 15

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

-Winston Churchill

Riley's POV

Christmas went away like fire. Here we were, mom and I, at the airport going back to New York. With me were my box of memories. Aunt Susan made arrangements for us to travel back by air. It was totally pointless but partly I was glad that there would be no unsophisticated kids to irritate me here. I closed my eyes and let it all absorb. These few days were the best days of my year. They almost felt unreal. I didn't want to leave. If I had it in my hands, I wouldn't have ever left Boston. But every good thing does come to an end. That's the rule- you have to move on. I don't lie. When my best friend hugged me for the last time, I cried. I didn't know when I could see her again. Missing was an understatement. How do you feel when a part of your body is given back to you only to be taken away again?

"Now shut up. You have to call me at least every alternate day alright?" she hit my arm casually, out of her undying love for me obviously.

"If I don't, don't be the one to hold up the ego. You can always call first."

She came near me and whispered "And don't screw my cousin. Isn't that indirectly incest? You and I are almost sisters." When I made a horrible face, she wiggled her eyebrows but let it go.

"Iiley...I'll miss you. I wish I could give you a good-bye gift. Do you want to take Charles with you?" Lily asked with such an innocent face that my heart melted. Then I looked at that lizard sticking it's tongue out. Thank u, next.

After waiting for almost three hours at the departure waiting area, sitting near the charging station so that at least my phone benefits from the delay, our flight finally arrived. After finding my seat and loading our hand baggage, I finally let out a sigh. I watched anything that was in the two-metre radius of my seat. No sign of kids. Bless the lord, hallelujah. Fifteen minutes after the flight took off, I suddenly had an urge to pee. On my way to the washroom, I spotted kids three rows behind of mine. The row behind were not one nor two, but an entire clique of them cheekily smiling at me. Who did they think I was? A museum statue showing its boobs? I sauntered my way to the washroom, thinking about what I'll do to them if they make any move.

After I was done with my business, I tiptoed in the small passage in my way back to return safely. Just when I thought there wasn't anything wrong, suddenly, a kid appeared in front of me wearing that goofy scary movie ghost mask. It didn't actually scare me but being clumsy, I couldn't control myself. Even while falling, I didn't miss to show the finger to the kid. I went two steps behind when I collided with the air hostess who was offering a drink to an old lady.

For a moment I wished there was someone who came running to save me and pick me up in his arms. But trust me, when you fall on the airplane floor with orange juice on your face and body, it fucking tastily hurts.

***

New York hadn't changed a bit. Why was I talking like I was away for years? It sure felt like years though. While struggling to put on an extra coat, we stood in the line freezing, waiting for the cabs when we saw Aunt Susan approaching us in her car with a little too big grin. Was I the only one thinking that something was fishy?

"You are a life saver Thank you so much!" I bent towards her and kissed her cheeks before loading our bags in the car.

"Well lucky for you the meeting got over early. Now hop in quickly. I have good news."