The Unveiling - Modern Magic: Book 1

Chapter 23

---------------------------------

Chapter 23 - Traveling

I spent the rest of Sunday planning, making lists, and packing. More than once I had to completely rearrange my luggage when I realized I had forgotten one thing or another. I had very rarely ever been outside the country, and never for three months. Thankfully my passport hadn't expired, so that was one challenge I didn't have to worry about. The weather in Vancouver would still be a little chilly this time of year, but it would warm quickly as the summer got into full swing. I packed clothing appropriate for that change, and I was able to get everything into one luggage bag and my backpack for a carry-on.

The rest of my preparations for the trip involved forwarding my mail to my parents and writing a check for next month's rent. I had two other checks written for the last two months that I would give to my parents to mail in for me when the time was appropriate. It was Monday morning, extremely early. I had to be at the airport three hours before my late morning flight. The plan was to drive to my parents' house, leave my car there for the summer, and my mom would drive me to the airport. I had texted Diana the flight details, and said I would love to see her before my flight, but I knew her interview was that afternoon, so she might not be able to come.

When I reached my parents' house, my dad had already gone in to work. It was a rough reminder of exactly why I was being rushed off to the Pacific Northwest, but I would have liked to say goodbye. The drive to the airport was uneventful and mostly quiet. My mom and I talked about my plan for the layover in Montreal and double-checked that I had my grandfather's cell phone number. I smiled and went through the details again. Having her act like your stereotypical Mom was a bit reassuring despite the circumstances.

Logan International Airport wasn't overly busy this early on a Monday morning. Most travelers wouldn't leave until later in the day, or had already returned for work. No airport is ever empty during its hours of operation, but I was glad for the lack of a crowd for getting through security. Walking into the terminal, I headed for the Canada Air kiosk to check my bag. Standing to the side, was Diana. She was dressed in a modest, professional looking red buttoned-down shirt and a black knee-length skirt. So, in short, she looked the perfect balance of professional and amazing.

"You came." Two words, but I could feel the relief and happiness pouring from me. I smiled and crossed to her, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. She returned the hug, a little awkwardly due to the backpack on my back.

"I would never have missed it." Her voice was a little uncertain, but I wasn't paying close attention. I was too happy that she was there to see me off. I hadn't fully realized how worried I was that I wouldn't be able to see her before leaving, and our last face-to-face conversation would have been the terrible one from Saturday night.

"I'm glad. And you look perfect. If they don't give you the internship, they're nuts." I said as we slowly pulled away, my hands still resting lightly on her hips.

Diana blushed, smiling just a little. "I'm pretty nervous. I don't want to disappoint your dad since he pulled the strings to get me the opportunity."

I pushed all my own nervousness and my worries aside and just let myself be a reassurance for her. "You'll do great. It'll be easy right? They'll mostly be asking about your experience, your classes, and probably your own research and hopes for the future. That's way easier than talking about yourself right?" I tried to reference back to our conversation in the car before dinner.

Diana smiled a little again and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. You probably need to get going. I just..." She hesitated, seeming to be working something out in her head. "I just wanted you to know that I love you." Part of me found an odd incongruity between her tone and her words, but I was so happy to hear her say them for the first time since Saturday night, I ignored that part.