Reasons Why (Jeremy Shada Fan Fiction)

Chapter 15: Dream

I pace around the kitchen. Looking at my phone, then flipping it over to look at the case. I had formed that habit quite easily in these past few days. Every time I saw it, something was different about it. Like the hoodie he bought me the first day we met. I had almost put that shirt on this morning, but something told me not to. A voice that called to me when I was happy. Never when I was in deep thought thinking about what was.

I look out the window for the twentieth time and see the SUV pull up. I yell goodbye to my parents and go outside. It was weird to see all this snow in a place that is considered to be very warm in the summer. Then again, it was like this too in Philly. Hot sticky summers gave way to freezing, bleak winter nights. A passenger door opens and Lucy climbs out. The seat is moved so I can get in the back with Jeremy. Today he’s flying out to Boise to visit some relatives.

 It worked out because Stacy’s flight from Sacramento was due to land just after his plane departed. I was thankful for that. It gave me a chance to give him a kiss goodbye. Something I had always wanted to do. Not to mention play with the media a little. I climb into the back and sit down beside Jeremy. I pull the seatbelt across me and get comfortable. He wraps an arm around my shoulders. I look down at my phone, 7 a.m., flight takes off in two hours. Why does he have to travel so much? He nudges me.

“What?” I whisper.

“You’re kind of laying on my leg.” He gestures to the seat. I glance down and scoot over, giving him feeling back in his leg. The LAX Airport sign flashes by and we enter the traveler lot. His parents get out and go to the back of the car to get the bags. Josh and Zack get out to help them. Lucy climbs out and then moves the seat so Jeremy and I can get out. I climb out and wait.

Mr. Shada hands everyone their suitcases and carry-ons before he pulls the hatch back down. As they pull the bags over their heads, I look down at my North Face. I un-zip it an tug down my shirt. It had ridden up on the way here and had been bugging me. When I had been deciding on what to wear this morning, I kept finding myself pulling the hoodie t-shirt off my racks. But, every time I put it back. I finally settled on a gray three-quarter t-shirt with a number nine on it.

Once they have themselves ready, we walk over to the small bus station that would take us to the entrance. We get there right when a small bus pulls up. The hustle and bustle of the airport is all too familiar. Memories of days spent flying cross country for long weekends out here during my last six months in Philly. “See you when you depart?” I turn towards Jeremy.

“Yup, just need to get through security.” He smiles. I follow some other people over to the area where you can see people off. I look out the large window, watching the commercial planes take off. As one takes off, I get a funny feeling in my stomach that I always get during take-off and landing. I didn’t understand why I got it just by watching.

After standing there for a while, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I spin around and look for the person that tapped me. My eyes flash around. There’s no one behind me. I turn back around and come face to face with Jeremy. “Boo.”

“Aaah!” I scream softly. “You scared me!” I punch him in the arm.

“Ow, sorry.” He rubs his arm.

“Wait. That hurt?”

“A little. Have you been, like, pumping iron?” He drops his hand back to his side.

“No,” I giggle, “Just running. I don’t work any muscles besides my legs.”

“Oh, yeah. You’ve run past my house before. Do you do that on purpose?”

“No, running past there has always been a part of my regular route.” I tuck some hair behind my ear while he nods. “Are you boarding?” I ask.