why not?

chapter 28: this is it then, eh?

Having sent most of our stuff my mail and via Dad, we don't have much luggage to take to the airport. Mandy, Alex, Ryan and Jessica see me off, as well as some of Mum's friends.

Ryan insists on helping with the bags.

"I'm a man, and men help ladies in distress" he explains. I smile fondly at him. Seeing this, I believe Alex helped too.

Once we reached the terminal, I finally had to face goodbye.

"Skype and e-mail Mandy" I hug her tightly, my best friend, "Don't forget me"

"I should say that to you!" Mandy has tears in her eyes, "Visit soon, please?"

"Of course!" I cry as I turn to Alex. It's been strange between us, with him liking me and me liking Tristain, so I decide to give him a parting kiss.

It's a small one, and for the first time I feel his slightly chapped, soft lips on mine and I feel a sad pang in my heart, knowing that I'm leaving this chapter of my life behind.

Alex looks shocked, as does Tristain when I look at him. Hmm. I'd get a lot of crap for that soon! Ryan gives me a typical man hug, and Jessica kisses both cheeks. I had already done all my farewells at school, so this is it.

Just as I turn my back to them, I catch a look of total sadness on Mandy's face and hurt on Alex's. Jessica looks a bit upset and Ryan just smiles encouragingly at me. He's so nice!

Then I board the plane.

Tristain sits next to me, being so kind as to not say a word but just holding my hand. Hot tears spill down my cheeks as flashbacks of all the fun I've had with this life in America plays through my head, like a slow motion, flickering film.

Mum reaches across the isle and wipes my tears away.

"It'll be fine, darling" she assures me. "Everything will be fine"

Tristain kisses my salted cheeks, and has the audacity to stick his tongue out and lick me! In an airplane! A pbulic place!

"Oi!" I scold. "Mum is right there! She's watching" I realise with horror as I turn around to a grinning Mum. Oh good lord. I'll never hear the end of it.

"I don't care" Tristain retorts, kissing my full on the lips. My eyes widen with panic. Mum, look away! My face heats up and I push Tristain away gently, hiding myself from Mum's mocking face. 

"Awww, my little Lila's growing up!" Mum coos. Bloody hell.

"No Mum, shut up!" I gasp, "Stop talking so loudly! Everyone can hear you!"

She eventually stops the teasing and watches the small telly attached to the seat in front of her, putting on big earphones. Tristain and I watch Avatar the Last Airbender together, my favourite show. He teases me about it as first, but quiets down as we go into it.

We don't do any snogging because I'm emotionally distraught and Tristain is being nice and not pushing me into anything. 

I'm both excited and terrified of going back home. What if I'm not British enough? If people think of me as an outsider? Will everything be the same as I left it? Will my friends still like me?! MY MATES MIGHT NOT WANT ME ANYMORE!

That very thought sends me into panic. Oh god, I dread going home now!

I wake up groggily. The plane has arrived and I know we're home. People start exiting the gates and once we're outside, Tristain hails for a cab to take us home. I look around to the sky and I'm so happy and sad. British air. I'm home again!

Sorry for all these short, pointless chapters guys. I'm suffering writers block for this particular story. I promise it'll get better from here!