Keeping Us Apart

Life Underground (3)

"Attention passengers. We are now arriving in Brisbane, Australia. The local time is one p.m. Have a great rest of your day and thank you for flying with us." The plane gives a jolt as the wheels touch down on the hot tarmac and so does my stomach. I can't believe the day is finally here. I have been waiting for what feels like months. Since the fight with my mom she hasn't spoken a word to me and tensions were really mounting.

In no time the plane finishes taxiing and the passengers begin to grab their luggage and file off the plane. Once I've got my carry on safely in my hand I follow the crowd of people off of the plane and into the airport. The afternoon sun pours through the windows and illuminates the huge place. It's packed, everyone bustling about their business, and I just spend a moment looking around before calling Joel. As soon as I step out into the pick up area I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Hudson!" My brother's voice rings out.

I whip around and come face to face with Joel, a grin spreading across my face as I drop my bag and pull him into a hug. He laughs and his arms hold me tight, but only for a moment because he snatches me up by the shoulders and smiles.

"You got taller."

"Shut up," I say with a laugh. "You got tanner. More tan?" For the first time in a year I'm looking up into Joel's deep brown eyes. He looks exactly like I remember. Same long hair, same board shorts and tank top. Same Joel. I scoop up my bag again and he leads the way out into the parking lot then to his car. He's driven the exact same thing since I've known him, a cherry red 1969 Dodge Charger he affectionately calls Cherry. His baby. He puts my bag in the trunk for me, or what he calls the boot, (I've never understood his slang) and opens my door, letting me get buckled before he shuts the door and climbs in on his side.

The engine purrs to life underneath us and I roll the window down. There's a slight breeze and it brings in the familiar smell of the ocean as we drive, the scent further confirming to me I made the right decision. Whatever apprehensions I had before completely dissolved like salt in the ocean water around us.

The ride back to his flat doesn't take long, and soon he steers Cherry into the parking lot of a luxury high rise building. Impressive. The building stretches fifty stories tall, completely matte black and gold on the outside. The lawns are all immaculately manicured, flowers in every color of the rainbow lining the sidewalks and planted around a huge fountain etched in more black granite and gold.

"You've certainly traded up since the last time," I say with a smile.

"Well, figured it's about time I moved. You'll love it here." Tell me something I don't know.

"Cmon, sis, the guys are dying to meet you." Together we pile out of the car and Joel grabs my bag. "Oh, and your stuff should all be here tomorrow." Thank goodness. I pull open the shiny glass doors and prop it open with the toe of my shoe long enough for my brother to walk through behind me, then let it swing gently shut as my eyes take in the richly decorated lobby. The floor is the same black granite as the outside, even the front desk is matching. Expensive looking paintings decorate the place in a minimalist way, but it looks so chic I'm almost afraid to touch anything.

Gold elevators swiftly and quietly lift us up to Joel's floor. As we're waiting, Joel looks over at me and grins.

"Ready to meet your boss?"

"What?" I raise a brow.

"Ahren's here, and so is the rest of the band." Oh, that's what he must've meant by guys. Duh. Great, looks like I'll be spending lots of time with my new boss. The lift comes to a smooth stop on the fortieth floor and the doors swoosh open, revealing a hallway with a single door at the end of it. The hallway is gold and black flecked tile, a minor yet still striking difference to the outside, and the door is shiny black wood with a golden doorknob and lettering.  The door reads #40.