The Melody Of Us

Hello, skyfall!

I take my seat next to the window and pop a chewing gum inside my mouth. Dad sits down beside me and I scowl at him.
"What?" He asks.
"If it wasn't for you ruining my senior year, I would've been hanging out with Heather and Ray right now." I bark.
"We're not having this conversation again."
"Yes, we are. You're stuck with me for the next eight hours or so. Deal with my cranky behavior. That's exactly what you get for forcing me into this shit."
"Language."
"As if I care."
"Liana."
"Don't 'Liana' me, dad. Why are you buying the bull she's trying to sell, huh? We both know equally well that she doesn't want anything to do with us. Then why are we wasting everything that we have so casually?"

The air hostess gives out all the instructions and details of the flight. Things that I've grown to know by heart.

"Look, Liana. I know you don't like her –"
"Like? Stop underestimating my vehement feelings for that woman. And those must be perceived in a highly negative manner. The chart buster would hit the point after the maxima if I get to rate how much I despise her."
"You will have to live with your mother for the next whole year." He states blankly.
"And I will be digging a hell hole for myself."
"Liana."
"I said, don't 'Liana' me, dad. I don't need another reason to add on to the list of the things that have started to damage my physical as well mental well being."
"Fine. Just, stay out of any sort of dramatic trouble and we'll be good."
"Uh huh. I don't go seeking dramatic trouble. It finds its way back to me."
"As clear as it might be."
"Whatever."

I stick my ear phones inside my ears to save them from the air pressure I strongly dislike. Suffice to say, the feeling of numb ears and a loss of audibility sucks to the core.
Why hello, skyfall!

I've never been so pissed. It has doubled my hatred for that woman. God forbid, I end up clawing her eyes out.

Sigh.

I switch my phone into the airplane mode, activate the data connection and open YouTube. Let's face it, Gabriel Stone can help me calm down right now.

I play his brand new interview, which has an eye pleasing thumbnail, just by the way.
As soon as the video starts, dad nudges me with his elbow and I groan rather too audibly.
All the more reasons to despise the fact that the boat of my life is sailing in possibly the worst direction.

"What do you want?" I ask, frowning. He stares at me blankly and pulls out my ear phones. "Hey, dad! Stop it right now! Pulling out my ear phones without my consent is nothing more than a felony!"
"Shut up." He states and I narrow my eyes at him.
"No, I won't shut up. Hand me back my ear phones and we're at peace."
"I won't take your word for it. You're my own flesh and blood and I know from where you got the traits of being an obstinate junky."
"You did not just call me an obstinate junky." I state, my voice filled with annoyance.
"Well, I did. So, here we will call for a deal. I'll give you your ear phones and you'll promise me that you'll not make a scene in London."
"That's so not happening."
"Then bid a solemn goodbye to your ear phones."
"Dad."
"Don't 'dad' me, Liana." He imitates my voice in the most disgusting way possible and I almost choke on my spit.
"Okay. Mr. Justin Matthias Hall, please hand over my ear phones right now." He gapes at me threateningly and it would be an absolute lie when I say that I wasn't intimidated.
"Forget about them. You're not getting them back any time soon." He looks away and starts a conversation with Hazel, who had been quite quiet since we got started on this journey.

I huff and cross my arms in front of my chest.
Great.
Now, everyone has made it their life's mission to ruin the only appreciable and desirable things in my life.
Just great.
***

Dad is snoring.
Like, literally.
And my ear phones are hanging loose from the pocket of his jeans. What would happen if I pull the strings out?

I'll get my ear phones back!!

I look around and find Hazel in a deep slumber as well.
Yes, amazing!

All I need is a second's fluid movement and I'll have my belongings back under my possession.

Yipeeee!!

I slowly edge my fingers towards my dad's pocket and hook my forefinger around the loop.

Okay. Slow. Very slow. Bristle.

I pull the loop and one of the two plugs falls out.

Semi victory!

I steal a glance at dad, who has his head plopped at the side. I suck in a breath and pull further, my eyes not wavering from his face.

Jesus Christ, I'm acting like an eight year old kid who's trying to steal her chocolate that had been hidden by her dad.

Sigh.

The connecting plug falls out and I breathe out a sigh of relief.
One more.
Just one more.

I take a deep breath in and without even thinking for a millisecond, I pull it out.
I get my ear phones, alright.
But, I am bombarded with this buy one get one free offer as well.
Dads eyes flutter open and he looks around.
As soon as his gaze fixes on mine, he narrows his eyes at me. I copy his expression and we both stare at each other like this for the next five minutes or so.
Tired of the staring contest, I decide to break the ice.

"Go back to sleep. I was having a great time in solitude." I say.
"Honey, you're the one to wake me up. Suffer."
"Dad."
"Liana."
"Urghhh!"
His eyes travel towards my hands and then to the ear phones.

Well, shit.

He scowls at me and snatches away the strings from heaven.
"My ear phones!"
"Shut it. You're not getting them back."
"What did I ever do to you?" I whine and he grins. I hate my dad.
"You decided to not cooperate with me."
"What do you mean?"
"Say that you'll give your mother a chance to explain everything and I will hand your ear phones back to you. That's my word for it."
"Change the deal. You know I'll never do that."
"So, my dearest daughter. Bid a farewell to your ear –"
"Fine!"
"Come again?"
"Fine, I'll let her speak. Happy? Now give me my ear phones!"
"Uh, I'm so happy!"
"You're behaving like a kid. Grow up."
"Look who's talking." I snatch the ear phones and smile contently.
***

"Liana." Hazel mutters, nudging my side with her elbow.
"Yeah?" I turn to face her and gape at her, shell shocked. Trust me when I say this, she was as green as Shrek.
"I think I'm gonna get sick." She gulps and I sit straight up.

Shit, I should've known. Hazel has acrophobia. It was inevitable for her to get sick. And I was so in over my head that I didn't even give a second's thought to my sister. What a terrible person I am!

"Hold on a sec." I unbuckle my seat belt and dive inside my carry-on bag. I fish out my medicine box and look for the tablets. I always keep them for emergencies. This is not the first time she's claiming to throw up.

Finally, the shiny surface makes contact with my fingers and I pull it out.
Grabbing the water bottle, I push the tablet towards her almost trembling hands. She's gone greener, if that's even possible.
She takes it and mutters a quick thanks before swallowing the magical thing.
I pat her back and pull her hair between my hands. She gives out a sigh of relief and closes her eyes.
Her silky blonde hair shine in the afternoon sun. I start braiding them; an activity I'd always enjoyed.
Dad is snoring beside me and I roll my eyes.
Seriously? How can you sleep in the middle of the day?!

I ask Hazel to take some rest and she obliges. Smart brain, after all.
"Thanks." She says and I smack her on her forearm.
"You thank me once again and I'll kill you with my scrutinizing gaze."
"I trust you."

We start laughing.
***