As the Texas Airlines jet made its ascent above Dallas, one of the many towns in Texas where I lived for eighteen years, I looked down at the streets and buildings below and then out in the borders of the city. How perfect-- and how perfectly calm everything looked up from above.
It was a gorgeous day; a billowy cotton candy clouds hung in the bright blue sky as if suspended by invisible thread. At this speed, the air practically cradled the plane. I loosened the grip on the chair I'd been clutching when the plane took off. Leaning back in my seat, I held up my ring on my hand, the glinting rays refracted, spraying across my lap and the seat back in front of me. Justin had pulled it from his pocket at graduation, saying that he'd gotten it as a reminder not to forget him. As if I ever could. I smiled to myself, remembering our last few moments together.
My parents and baby sister had been there to set me off. I said my goodbyes, kissing Lilah on top of her fuzzy blonde head, wondering how many words she would learn before I saw her again. It was everything I could do not to cry, but mom was bawling enough for the both of us as we parted ways at the entrance to the security line. Even Dad looked like he was moments away from bursting up.
"See you later Kiddo, call us when you land".
"ALLIE!" It happened all the time, thinking I'd heard my voice when in reality, it was only a stranger yelling somewhere across a crowded room. And yet, it sounded like... but of course, it couldn't be. My mind was playing tricks on me. His voice, but then this time it was unmistakable.
"AYE BEANPOLE!" I craned my neck, looking for him.
I grabbed my rolling suitcase and began to worm my way to him. He was waiting for me at the entrance of security.
"Young Man, I cannot let you through here without a boarding pass and an ID." Said the security worker.
"It's okay Sir". I grabbed Justin by the hand, walking over to an empty ticketing counter. My mind reeling.
"I can't believe your here." I said, my eyes already starting to mist. He looked at me, and I could tell he was wondering if I meant it in a good way or a bad way. I'd grown used to the idea that it might be months before I'd see him again.
"I thought for a sec that maybe I shouldn't have come, that you didn't want to see me". He said sarcastically.
"Are you crazy?" I scolded, wrapping my arms around his neck as he lifted me toward him in a bear hug. I held his cheeks In my hands and pulled his face towards mine.
"Crazy? Yeah a little, but that's because of you". He laughed after he set me down after our kiss.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on the plane?"
"I thought I'd see you first. My dad seems really enlightened about the whole art thing."
"That's great!"
"I've been drawling a ton since I've been cooped up at home with no football practice and he thinks I should give it ago. So, I changed my mind about colleges, I'm going to a community college. Things are kind of working out for you right?"
"Kind of working out? Are you kidding? This is better than we could have hoped for!" I expected Justin to seem as gleeful about this news as I was but this happiness seemed more measured.
"Flight two-twenty-three to Los Angles boarding in thirty minutes at Gate C4". Said the announcer over the intercom. Justin and I both stared at one another for a moment, knowing our time was running out. Once again, I longed for the pause button on the remote control of life. The lump forming at the back of my throat was acutely painful.
"Well, I guess this is it". Justin gently squeezed my hand.
"I dont want to leave you. Say the word and I'll stay." I put my arm around his neck and leaned for another kiss.
"You're getting on that plane and that is the right thing for you to do".
"How do you know?"
"Trust me, I do".
"What if you're wrong?"
"Remember what your mom told you?" He said with a sigh. "Why she and your dad split up?"
"Because she still needed to follow her dreams".
"Exactly." Justin brushed my hair from my forehead and kissed it gently.
"So I need to do this now so we don't break up later?"
"Yep, that's exactly why."
"That seems ass-backward."
"Nonetheless..."
"When will I see you again? My parents can't afford to fly me home on the holidays."
"I wish I knew, Allie. But the minute I find a way, I will visit". He said hoarsely, pulling me into him for one last kiss. He practically suffocated me with a hug, but I didn't care. I never wanted to let go. "You'd better go, Beanpole". He said, holding me even more tightly. "You'll miss your flight. I love you. Oh! And here..." he dug into the front pocket of his jeans pulling out a chain.
"In case you don't want to wear your ring on your finger anymore. I figured this may happen since there will be tons of hot guys roaming around." He said sarcastically.
"That'll never happen".
Ding. The seatbelt sign switched off. I brushed a tear from my cheek and blew my nose with the napkins, then looked down at the ring on my hand. After everything we'd been through together, would time, space, and separate lives prove to be more than we could conquer? I felt like my entire senior year had been an emotional battle, and I still wasn't sure wether I had lost or I had won.
I felt scary to be hurtling toward the unknown, but Justin was right. I needed to do it on my own. As a flight attendant walked down the aisle handing out headphones, I lifted the chain around my neck, tucking it away, inside my shirt where I could feel it close to my skin. The plane kicked into full speed taking me father away from home and toward my new life in California. Here we go, this is it.
Published: 4/4/17
Word count: 1084
Last updated: 3/19/17
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Tenacity {COMPLETED}
Random••• After everything we'd been through together, would time, space, and separate lives prove to be more than we could conquer? {COMPLETED}
