Maiya Shaw- and the Fortune Cookie

4.

My jaw was nearly on the floor and I was staring at Gabriel.

'Umm-' I began, but he cut me off.

'I know what you're thinking, May. I know what I'm getting myself into. You think I haven't thought about this? This isn't some rash, impulsive decision. Firstly, my parents couldn't care less what I do with my life, so don't worry about that. I can drop out of college. You know I have never been all that much inclined towards the pursuit of a degree or whatever anyway.'

'Yeah but-'

'I'll find an apartment there and live, don't worry about me', he continued as though he hadn't heard me. 'Besides, this isn't all for you. Those guys will have noticed me by now as well. I think its got something to do with driving a knife into their thighs... that kind of thing usually gets a person's attention. I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't in danger now, almost as much as you. It's safer for me to leave too.'

'But...' I was flustered. 'Ticket cost?' I said, for lack of a better protest.

'Oh come on', he laughed. 'I have a credit card too, May. Enough with all this now, seriously. We have more important things to discuss.'

I was silent for a few moments. 'But why?' I said finally.

By way of answer, he just looked at me.

Of course. I knew why. Everybody knew why. He had never made a secret of his feelings, though he never spoke about them. It was just in the way he went about his life. Putting me first. Always looking out for me. Always selfless. This whole scene was an accurate demonstration, albeit the most dramatic one so far.

This was one of those few things in life I didn't know what to do about. All I could do was accept the way things were, and yet, I could never fully accept them.

'I feel guilty', I muttered, half to myself.

'Oh May', he laughed again. 'You feel guilty for all sorts of things, and none of them make sense. Snap out of it now, come on.'

I did.

'Okay', I said, getting up. 'So we have to get to the airport. Let's plan'.

'Now you're talking.'

'Disguises. Minimal luggage. Wait a second, shouldn't we call the police!?'

'Why?' he frowned.

'Security? I dunno. If we explain the situation to them, won't they help? Maybe escort us till the airport?'

He thought about it. 'I don't think it will be as simple as that. Firstly they will ask a lot of questions. Then there is the small matter of it attracting a bit of attention. I'm not quite sure, though.'

We both sat silent for a few moments, thinking about it.

'I think it's better to drop the idea', I said. We'll be wasting time. I guess we'll be fine if our disguises are good enough.'

'I don't know, May. Neither of us is a make up artist.'

'We'll leave only after it gets completely dark. And we'll not take the bus, we'll call for a cab. There won't be any walking around or waiting on stops.'

'Okay', he said slowly. 'I suppose that makes sense.'

'Alright then, you go get your stuff. Then let's get packing and disguising.'

*****

An hour later, I had on more makeup than I had ever had on in my entire life, having used a few tutorials to alter my features a bit. Thicker eyebrows, bigger lips. I didn't sport any red lipstick or anything too striking, though. I was supposed to stand out as less as possible.