Lights, Cameras, Maze Runner! (completed)

eleven (part two)

We and I drive to the airport in silence. The place is overflowing with people. Between checking my luggage, getting my boarding pass, getting Thomas a gate pass, going through security and walking to my gate, we've killed almost an hour and a half of time.

"Well, love, your flight boards in exactly five minutes," Thomas says as we sit in two chairs at the gate. "We made it just in time."

I sigh. "I guess we did. Fate must really want me to go home and not stay here."

He chuckles, putting an arm around my shoulder. "I guess so, unfortunately."

I sit up in my chair, wanting to continue the conversation we were having last night. "Thomas, when am I going to see you again?"

He looks a little shocked at my seriousness. "Is next week okay? I can fly out to Vermont from London a week from today if you want. I have to see my family, though."

I shake my head. "Thomas, you can't put your life on hold for me!"

He nods, taking my hands in his. "Yes, I can! I want to! What we have is special. I'm not gonna let it go. And don't try arguing with me, because you're not gonna win."

I smile, accepting my defeat. "Okay. We'll figure it out."

"Now boarding flight 1143, to Vermont!" the announcer yells into the microphone. "First class, you're up first!"

I laugh. "I guess I have some time to chill. I'm not first class."

Thomas stands up. "Actually, you are. I upgraded your ticket."

I look down at my boarding pass, and I wonder how I didn't see that I'm first class on this flight. "Why?"

"Because I wanted to. You deserve a nice, comfortable flight home. Accept my gift, please."

The other first class flyers are assembling themselves in a line, waiting to board.

I look up at Thomas. "Let's get into line." We stand in line, holding hands in silence. When we get up to the announcer, she scans my boarding pass and gives me the thumbs-up so I can board the plane. Thomas and I step off to the side.

"This is it," I say, giving him one last hug before I go home.

"Love, listen to me," he says seriously, looking down at me. "I want to say thank you for everything. You've become not only my best friend but girlfriend down here in Louisiana, and you've made me smile more than anyone else. I care for you so deeply. I love seeing you every day, and I'll see you soon."

"Thomas, you've done so much for me. You were there when I needed you most, and I feel invincible whenever I'm around you. I feel like nothing can ever hurt me. In you, I see my love and my closest friend. I can't wait until I see you again." I look down at my clothes, and realize I'm still wearing his hoodie. I start to take it off, but he reaches his hand out and stops me.

"Love, keep it. I want you to have something to remember me by."

I smile up at him. "Thank you." I reach into my backpack and pull out a pink headband. "I know it's not much, but this is the only thing I can give you to remember me by."

He takes the headband and laughs. "You've given me a lifetime of happiness in one month, Kelsey. I can remember you by that. Go. You have a flight to catch."

I kiss him one last time and turn towards the gate. As I walk through, I pause and turn back to Thomas. I'm not done talking to him just yet.

"Tom?" I say.

He's still standing at the gate entrance, his hands in his pocket. "Yes?"

"One day, you're gonna be a superstar actor, filming movies all over the globe, with fans like Leonardo DiCaprio. You'll look at Louisiana as just some place you filmed at in the early part of your career. But you want to know what I'll always look at this place as?"