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The stretch of awkward silence between this man and I went on for what seemed like years, before he reached down and pulled me into a rather
stiff embrace.
It was sort of like receiving a hug from that one strange uncle you barely knew-- in fact-- this wasn't very different at all.
I felt his hair tickle my face, just before I caught a whiff of menthol upon his person.
Had he been smoking.. on the plane?
Choosing wisely not to question him, I waited for him to relinquish me before I reached out to grab his rolling suitcase.
"Niet, niet."
He furrowed his brow before catching me gently across the chest.
I swallowed thickly, immediately stepping back to allow him access to his belongings.
"Do you really think I would... let you, you small girl, push this around?"
I watched in silence as he plucked his heavy suitcases from the belt with ease, heaving them onto the wheels before fastening them swiftly.

He was much taller now: it was the first thing I'd noticed.
Where he was once lanky and awkward, he'd solidified and grown more muscular: veins protruded from labored arms that peeked out from rolled-up hoodie sleeves.
He was still quite lean, just.. stronger.
I hadn't quite gotten a good look at his face; but from what I'd seen, his jaw and cheek bones had hollowed out quite dramatically.
Not quite in the male model way, but in a way I couldn't dare to explain..

"That coffee didn't justify you," I heard him say in amusement, his slightly broken English forcing me out of my thoughts.
I looked up, bewildered, to realize that I'd been staring shamelessly at the man before me.
Thankfully, he showed me a mercy I greatly appreciated.
"Well, what are we waiting for, in the middle of the airport? Let's go. Come."
I felt him slip his arm into mine, nudging me with his elbow playfully as he led me out into the parking lot.

My dark-blue BMW awaited us near the entrance, the telltale Princess Peach air freshener signifying my ownership.
After setting his belongings down near the trunk, he stood in front of me for a fleeting moment before casually pulling the keys out of my palm.

"Passenger seat, little girl."
I blinked, my eyes wide and my lips parted in confusion.
For the first time; I caught a decent glimpse of his gaunt, yet handsome face as he smirked.

"I'm driving."

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