Between The Lines

Flight

Her collar bone was the first thing he saw. They were more prominent than they were the last time he saw her. She was sleeping, her lips apart for a fraction of an inch. Since he knew how lightly she slept, he fought the urge to take his coat off and use it to cover her up.

He thanked the flight crew who brought him to his seat, the one next to the sleeping girl. She had an open magazine on her lap and her hands were hanging limply at her sides. Scrutinising her more closely, he could swear she gets thinner and thinner every time he sees her and the thought gave his heart a little pinch. Does this girl ever eat? He would stuff her face with food if he could have his way. He'd cook her a feast if only she'd let him.

Oh, the things he would do for her. If only she would let him. If only.

He felt annoyed and amused at the same time because he just came from her house where he was told very politely that she left hours ago. He didn't want to let her know he was coming for her because he was afraid she might find an excuse to avoid him. He thought he could use the drive to the airport to talk to her and get some answers, finally.

It's funny how the plane hasn't even taken off yet but here she was snoozing already. And he was looking forward to catching up with her. It was not fun missing her. He thought he had five or so hours of alone time with her where she won't have any escape but here she was avoiding him already...by sleeping. He shook his head in mixed amusement and disbelief.

He started setting up to getting some sleep himself. Might as well join her in dreamland, he thought.

His sleep was rudely interrupted about an hour later when he felt a gentle poke on his arm. When he removed his eye shield, he was welcomed by her face just inches away from him.

"Are you seriously going to sleep this flight away, coach?" She withdrew and leaned back on her seat, giving him his personal space back.

"Wow. Would you look at that, the snooze baby is awake."

"Yeah, I'm awake now and I can't go back to sleep so you can't either."

He adjusted his seat so he could sit up straight.

"I thought you were going to sleep on me the whole time." He said.

"It's your fault. I came early 'cause I knew you'd be here but you barely made the flight. I fell asleep waiting for you."

"Really?"

Did she really say that? Her unusual candour startled him.

But why didn't she tell me that she would be waiting for me? Well, I didn't tell her that I would be picking her up from her house either, did I?

Did they just lose precious hours they could've spent together because neither of them knew how to text or call the other?

Timing wasn't on their side. It never was.

"Sooo... how are you, coach? I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages."

"It feels that way, doesn't it?" He turned to her and his eyes landed on her collar bones again. He swore he'd feed her the first chance he gets. As it happens, he knew of a place in this country they're going to. "Hey you, come here for a second."

"What is it?"

"Just come here, alright?" She leaned towards him, once again closing the gap between their seats, and brought her ear closer to his mouth. Maybe she thought he was about to whisper something to her. He wasn't. Instead, he unwrapped the scarf around his neck and wound it on hers.