Change is good, unless it isn't

Chapter 15

The whole flight Dinah either pretends to read or pretends to sleep against Normani's shoulder. She doesn't talk—she doesn't want to talk. It'd be too hard to make small talk when something heavy, so emotional is on her mind. And thankfully, Normani doesn't try to make her. She just holds Dinah's hand for reassurance and either sleeps or looks out the window until they get there.

As they wait to exit the plane, Normani squeezes her hand just a little tighter as they finally manage to step into the terminal. They were only staying one full day so neither packed anything more than what could fit in their carryon bags. They walked past through the airport, past the luggage carousals, and straight outside.

Normani lightly bounces up and down on the balls of her feet to try to keep herself warm as they wait for a cab.

"What made you pick Nebraska anyway?"

Dinah visibly startles. It was the first time either had spoken since they left home and she was so wrapped in thought that she had almost forgotten what Normani's voice sounded like. Her cheeks turn a little pink from the cold wind and she gives a little shrug. "If you're going to run away, you might as well run away to a place no one will think to look."

It makes sense, but Normani's eyebrows still raise the tiniest bit in curiosity. "What were you running from?"

Dinah looks over at her. She knows she can trust Normani with anything; she'll never be judged or condemned. But this is just another story she'd rather not have to explain right now. It would bring out too many emotions—more than she's already feeling—and she doesn't want that right now. She licks her lips and glances to the cab that pulls up beside them out of the corner of her eye. "People."

Normani lets the cabbie take her bag without argument as she stands in a confused silence. What the hell does that even mean? People.

Surely no one was trying to find her and hurt her.

Right?

...

The next morning the bright sun peeks through the blinds and pulls Normani awake. She quietly slips from the bed and puts on some slacks and a button up. Running her hand through sleep-mused curls to tame them, she looks in the mirror. This trip isn't even about her—hasn't brought up anything meaningful or painful to her—and yet it's still taken its toll. Dark circles garnish her eyes from staying up most of the night just in case Dinah woke up and needed her. She never would've known otherwise; Dinah would've been too polite to wake her. She's still working on getting Dinah to ask for whatever she needs, but clearly there's still a long way to go.

She clenches her eyes shut in hopes that when she opens them she'll somehow look more rested.

No such luck.

She gives Dinah one last look to make sure she's still sleeping as she slips out the door.

When she gets back, Dinah is just starting to stir. Her hand lazily roams over the sheets searching for Normani. As soon as she realizes she's alone, her eyes pop open. She languidly smiles as she watches Normani walk over and set two small cups of coffee on the nightstand between the beds.

"I got it downstairs so it isn't very good. At least it was free I guess." She puts one knee and hand on the bed to steady herself as she bends down to kiss Dinah's forehead. "Sleep good?"

Dinah heavily blinks, grin still in place. "Very well, thanks."

Normani gives a soft grin. "Me too." She walks backward to sit on the edge of the other bed and takes a sip of the lukewarm coffee. "What are we doing today?"

Dinah throws the blanket back off her legs and carefully drops the bear in one of the bags between the beds. Stifling a yawn, she sits up and swings her legs to hang off the side of the bed. "I would like to make two or three different stops...if that's alright?"