I heard a knock at my door and hesitantly got up, not wanting to get up from the couch I had been glued to for so long. "Hey guys." I greeted, opening the door to see Everly, Ashleigh, Drew and Paisley, who I think was crying because of her stained cheeks. "Oh my god Pais," I started, pulling her into a hug, "It's not like I'll never see you guys again." I then led everyone to the kitchen and made us our favorite hot cocoa; a little bit of peppermint and a lot of whip cream. Everyone sat around the table staring at me which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. "Wh-Why are you guys looking at me like that?" I choked. They all looked at each other when Drew piped up, "We'll just miss you that's all. But there is one thing you haven't yet told me." I looked at him confused, "And what's that?"
"Why are you leaving? And hell, nothing else in here is even packed away!" I looked around at the girls as they opened their mouths in shock. "Shit," I mumbled, "I'm sorry. I-I thought I told you." He shook his head and looked down at his feet fumbling on the carpeting. "I- uhm. It's my mom..." I sighed, tears welling up in my eyes. He walked towards me carefully and set his hands on my shoulders. "What about her?" He swallowed, lifting my chin up for my eyes to meet his. "Sh- Well. A couple months ago she-" I stopped when Everly ran up to me and engulfed me in a hug. "It's okay Cass, take deep breaths." She rubbed my back as I tried to get the words out. "She was dia-" You can do this Cassidy. Just breathe. "Diagnosed with cancer. She's making me go to Colorado with my Aunt so I don't have to see her get worse. But she doesn't understand. I need her. If I lost her too.. I don't know what I'd do." Drew looked at me in disbelief and led me to the couch to calm down. "Shh, shh Cass. It's okay." Ashleigh put on the Vow and we all just sat there. All of us not saying anything. just sitting there in a comfortable silence.
"Mom. Mom? It-it's time for me to go. You sure you'll be okay?" I whispered, sneaking up to her bed. Slowly opening her eyes she smiled at me, "I'm sure I will honey. Be safe." A tear slid down my cheek as she murmured those last few words. "I love you mom." "I love you too Cass. See you soon." I gave her a last quick kiss on the forehead and walked out the door. "I-I'm never coming back." I whispered, quiet enough for no one to hear. "What Cass?" Ashleigh asked, coming from behind me. "Oh no-nothing." I stepped into the front seat of Drew's car and headed off to the airport.
I sat in my seat patiently waiting for the loudspeaker to announce my flight. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I pulled out my phone to check the time; 8:22. I sighed and shoved my phone back in my pocket when I heard, "Now boarding Flight 28 for Denver, Colorado." I took a deep breath and reluctantly got out of my seat and headed for Gate 28. "This is it," I whispered. 'Goodbye to everything I know. Hello to discovering everything new." I gave a small smile to the lady as I handed her my ticket. As she directed me to my seat, it was then that I knew. This is actually happening. As I walked down the plane's aisle I took in my surroundings since this is my first time on a plane. There were little kids screaming, a couple in the back corner doing god knows what and then there was the person seated next to me; a dark haired girl who looked around my age.
"Hi." She squeaked, pushing her long hair out of her face. "Oh, hi." I smiled slightly back. "Everyone please buckle your seatbelts and turn off all electrical devices. We are taking off shortly." I heard the flight attendant say. "Well, looks like we are about to spend the next 30 hours together," She smiled. "It would probably be a lot easier if you knew my name though. I'm Ava." "I'm Cassidy," I laughed, my nerves calming down a bit. "What brings you to Colorado?" She tucked her hair behind her ear and said, "I'm staying with my dad. I go back and forth from my mom and dad every few months." "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I ask--," I started. "Oh no, don't worry about it. My sister is there so I get to see her. And my parents are both happy now, and that's all I could ever want," She interrupted. "What's bringing you to Colorado?"
"Oh, I-I'm going to live with my aunt," I sighed, wiping any tears threatening to fall. Not wanting to make me cry she changed the subject, "Oh well I think you'll love it. The ski resorts, the atmosphere, and the boys aren't too bad either." She winked. "Yeah well boys don't exactly run me down and ask for my number. My friend Paisley back home usually got all the boys' attention. I mean don't get me wrong, I try! But I've come to terms with the fact I won't get a boyfriend, for a while at least." I laughed a little at the end to minimize the seriousness. "Come find me when you're there. I'll help you, basically all my friends down there are guys so I think you'll have a good chance of meeting one you like." She smiled, tapping my knee encouringly. "I just might take you up on that," I smiled back. "What are they like?"
"Well Josh is a prankster, always trying to mess with you. Nick, ah he's just the sweetest person you will ever meet. Um, oh! You know those bad boys you hear about in books? The one who ends up having a really sensitive side?" I nodded. "Well that's Ben, and Ryan... he's the smart one. Always coming up with new things for us to do. And yeah, that's them." She nodded, confirming her thoughts. "I saw you blush a little when you said Nick... is there something going on there?" I wiggled my eyebrows and she laughed. "NO no. But I'm not saying I'd be against it if something did happen."
Both of us laughing, I looked out the window beside me and noticed how dark it was and yawned. "Tired?" She asked, wiping her eye with the palm of her hand. "Um, yeah. I just--," Yawning again she pulled out our shared footstool so I could relax. "Take a nap," She laughed. "You need it. See you when you wake up." She smiled and pulled out her blanket, getting ready to sleep as well.
I woke up to the sound of screaming from the back of the plane. I unbuckled my seatbelt as fast as I could and ran to get help. I opened the doors to the pilot and yelled for any nearby person. "HELP! HELP! There's a lady in the back of the plane that's hurt!" And within the blink of an eye 2 flight attendants were back there with first aid kits and water. I walked up behind them and peeked through to see what was going on. "Uggghhhhhhhhhhh!" I heard someone yell. "Take deep breaths," I heard someone else say. What is going on? I scooted my way to the front and noticed the lady was in labor. "Is- is there a doctor on the plane?" I yelled. "Hello? Anyone?" Seeing no one rush over to give her aid, I stepped in. "I was there with my aunt when my cousin was born so I think I can help." One of the flight attendants took my arm and pulled me towards the lady. "Great! We could really use your help. When I saw go, you breathe okay?" The lady shook he head as I breathed with her and squeezed her hand. "Go!" She held my hand so tight I could see it turning a purplish red color. After helping her breathe a few times, it was done. Her baby came out beautifully and it was honestly the most amazing thing I had ever witnessed. The lady took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes with admiration. "Thank you so much. But I didn't get your name?" I smiled slightly, wiping the sweat from my forehead and let out a breath of relief, "I'm Cassidy. How about you?" She smiled, wrapping her baby up in a blanket, "I'm Kylie. And this," She paused, wiping her baby's hair from its eyes. "Is the beautiful baby boy you helped me deliver." She handed him to me carefully and I admired his beauty. Blushing immensely I smiled, "And what's this little guys name going to be?" She sighed and thought for a second. "Benjamin," She clapped. "I've always loved that name."
"And what a great name that is." Standing up I sighed, "I wish you guys the best. I hope I see you guys around." I smiled and walked back to my seat ready to tell Ava all about it. Knowing her she'd still be sleeping.
