Tour the way: Book 2

The Perfect Guy

It was the day we were dreading. It was time for me to return to the states. I had said my goodbyes to everyone and passed all my hugs.

"This seems familiar." Avi said.

"The only difference is that I'm the one getting on the plane this time" I chuckled. "Oh, how the tables have turned" I said trying to lighten the mood, but it was no use.

"You would think we'd be a little better at this by now." he told me and pulled me close.

"Actually, its quite the opposite." I said leaning into his chest. "The longer I know you, the harder it is to go separate ways." I told him sliding my hands to his back. The two of us were practically slow dancing at this point. Truthfully, I really couldn't feel anything or anyone around us. I could stay like this forever. It was as if the two of us were suspended in an endless void.

"These goodbyes never really get any easier do they?" he asked sadly resting his chin on my head.

"I thought we agreed these aren't 'goodbyes'." I told him pulling away from his embrace. I placed my hands on my hips. He laughed at my attempt to be intimidating and moved a piece of my hair from my face. "Don't you laugh at me." I said trying to hide my own laughter.

"I can't help it." he smiled. We fell silent and smiled at each other.

"Love, I meant what I said." I started. "You know, when we were in your hotel room." I said taking his hands in my own.

"I know." he replied kissing my fingertips. "I can't believe I ever thought any different." He slowly lowered my hands and he pulled me in for one more kiss. In that moment I could feel my toes curling in my boots. "Erica?" he began after pulling away. I looked up at him almost in a love drunk daze. Just then, we heard an announcement over the speakers.

"6:30 flight to U.S will be boarding in 10 minutes." we heard a female voice say in several different languages. I looked back at him expecting him to say something but he leaned closer to my ear.

"What is it Avi?" I asked. He paused.

"You had better get going." he pulled me close and whispered sweetly to me. He kissed me on the forehead one more time.

"I'll call you as soon as I can." I whispered back.

"See you later alligator." he told me.

"In a while crocodile." I replied back just before turning to walk down a hallway. I looked to Avi who smiled at me. I couldn't help myself. I had to be in his arms just a little bit longer. I ran back to him and jumped into his arms and kissed him one last time. "I'm going to miss you like the desert misses the rain" I said pulling away from our kiss. Avi smiled at me from ear to ear and I saw tears welling up inside his eyes. He pressed his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and took in this fleeting moment. I reluctantly pulled away and made my way to the plane. I had made it to the plane and found my seat. I was sitting by the window and watched my friends by a large window of the airport. I smiled at them as Kirstin held up a sign that read "We'll miss you". The time I spent in Europe was exciting, bright and at times, a little challenging, but I couldn't wait to get home. I could only imagine what kind of questions Lena would ask. I grinned at the thought.

Lena's POV

I couldn't wait for Erica to get back. We had some serious Netflix marathon time to catch up on.

"What time does her flight come in? " Jack asked sitting next to me. He had insisted on coming with me to pick up Erica. It was the middle of the night and the airport was was almost empty I cold practically hear the air molecules crashing into each other.

"3 am." I told him. I yawned.

"You tired? You can lean on my shoulder if you want." Jack offered as he scratched his head.

"I'm fine." I told him. Truthfully, I was exhausted. I woke up in the middle of the night to go wait for my friend in the middle of an airport. How could I not be? My dark brown hair was in a messy bun and I was sporting sweat pants and a hoodie. I knew Erica would have a field day with picking on me for it later. Jack, on the other hand, was as plucky as a kid in a candy store. He had on Jeans with black and blue shirt that was covered by a black jacket. It was as if he did this every day.

"I know Erica probably can't wait to get home." he said trying to break the silence. I nodded my head trying to stay awake. Through all the fatigue that was running rampant through my body right now, there was something in the back of my mind, but I was glad to be with him. I knew there would always be a history with him and Erica, but I think I can learn to get past it. Things were finally starting to look up. I was sure of it.

"Guys." we heard from a distance. We looked up simultaneously only to see Alex waving. "Did I miss her already" he asked.

"Nope. We've been waiting for about 45 minutes." I explained.

"Sheesh. Why does her flight have to come in so late? Early? I don't know it's the middle of the night." he said yawning.

"Dude, you didn't have to come." Jack said punching him playfully in the arm.

"Sure I did. If I didn't, Erica would never let me hear the end of it." We all laughed.

"That's Erica for you. She always does what she wants." Jack said smiling.

"If you guys are gonna talk crap about me, at least let me be here to defend myself." we heard a voice say from behind us. All of us turned at the same time to see Erica standing there smiling with her things in hand. Our faces lit up at the sight of her. She looked so tired from her flight but the same time, she was absolutely glowing. We ran up to her and gave her a huge group hug that almost knocked her down. Jack picked her up and spun her around causing her to drop her things.

"There's she is." he said through a childlike smile.

"Jack, let me down!" she told him. He ignored her request and kept her in the air. "You're such a goof"

"Alright Jack, that's enough." I said. Jack looked over at me and saw the look on my face. I realized what I was doing and quickly fixed my facial expression before our friends could see the silent exchange I had just had with my boyfriend. I felt a slight twinge of regret and embarrassment.

"Um, you're probably exhausted from your trip." I said trying to forget what just happened.

"Kind of. There was this obnoxious couple that sat in front of me that kept leaning their seats back into my personal space." She explained. Alex picked up her things for her and we made our way to the parking lot. He and Erica were engaged in conversation while Jack and I walked silently behind them. He looked down at me with a blank face and I did the same to him. He tried to reach for my hand but I resisted and put my hands in my pocket and rushed to catch up with our friends.

"Erica, 3 words." I began cheerfully. "Bruno Mars. Details." I said trying to hide any sign of a rift in my mind.

"Oh yeah. I guess I do owe you guys the story behind that day." she said.

"You guess?" Alex asked astonished at my words. "As if this an everyday thing for you" he said sarcastically. Erica playfully punched his arm.

"Well, that's a story for another day." she said smugly.

"Awww!" we both said as if we were children. We laughed loud enough to hear it echoing throughout the halls. I looked back at Jack who was silent.