~Jessica’s POV~
“Dang it!” I said, maybe a little too loudly, but I didn’t care. I dropped my sandwich in this dumb airport terminal.
I hate airports.
I’m at this stupid airport because my best friend, Stacy, suddenly got some rich guy, Trent, attached to her and he was willing to take her and anyone she wanted to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for the summer. I was that other person. At first I didn’t want to go, I had just got a new job at a magazine and I didn’t want to leave it just yet. I had explained that to Stacy but she still wouldn’t take no for an answer. She had cozied up to my boss and talked him into letting me email him all my articles. Lucky me. I guess.
I sat down next to Stacy and waited for her to quit applying mascara to her already gorgeous eyelashes. Seriously, Stacy is so beautiful.
She has long brown hair that was curled in gentle romantic waves. She had piercing green eyes that lit up when she was excited. Her glossy pink lips and bright white teeth were also show stoppers. Stacy had long, flawlessly, tan legs that she wasn’t scared to show off and always wore heels to give her the extra height that she needed. She was wearing a blue dress that showed off her legs and an orange bubble necklace to match. Her wedge shoes had 3 straps, crisscrossing on each side.
Stacy had been my best friend since third grade. Those were the days where light up sneakers were all the rad and taking your stuffed unicorn for show and tell was acceptable.
She turned to me and said, “What’s up girl?”
“I dropped my sandwich.”
“I’m sorry, are you going to buy another one?”
“No, don’t have enough money.”
“Just wait till Trent gets here. I’ll get him to buy you one.”
“Stacy that isn’t-“
I was about to finish my sentence when Trent ran up to Stacy and swooped her up in a romantic hug. Stacy was at first hesitant, then gave in.
“Hello darling” Trent said to her with a big grin.
Trent was handsome, not as beautiful as Stacy but, still good-looking. He had tan skin and dark-almost black- brown hair and matching colored eyes. He was beginning to grow a beard in hopes Stacy would comment on it.
Trent was wearing his usual business attire, black pantsuit with white dress shirt and no tie.
After the romantic and long hug was over, he then presented Stacy with a bouquet of purple and light blue flowers. This guy is such a kiss up.
“Thank You Trent.” Stacy said calmly.
“Anything for you, babe.”
“Anything? Well, Jess dropped her sandwich. Would you be so kind enough to buy her a new one?’’ Stacy said flirtatiously.
“Of course!” He turned to me. “Here you are Jessica.” He handed me two 20 dollar bills. And then returned to meet Stacy’s eyes.
“Thanks” I said quietly, knowing he wouldn’t hear me.
I walked to nearest Subway to buy my sandwich again. Trent had given me a lot of money so I realized I could buy an extra-large drink, bag of chips, my sandwich and a Twinkie for dessert.
What? I was hungry.
I sat down to eat my meal as I watched Trent and Stacy in their love fest.
Trent really, really, really likes Stacy. But, you already know that. I eat and wonder if Stacy likes him. I know she at least likes him a little bit otherwise I wouldn’t be going on this trip. But, Stacy doesn’t show a lot of emotion when it comes to her relationships. Maybe that’s why guys like her.
I finished my meal and sat down next to Stacy and began to hand back Trent’s change but he told me to keep it. So I did. I knew there was no use in arguing for Trent wanted to leave a good impression on Stacy.
Our flight was about to start boarding so, we picked up our stuff and walked to the gate. Trent told us about how beautiful the view is and how he used to live there with his grandmother when he was a boy.
“Oh, and one more thing. My cousin, Derek, will be staying with us. He is already there. This was the only summer we could spend together. I hope you don’t mind.”
Neither Stacy nor I minded. At all. Or even cared about whatever Trent was talking about. We just wanted to get to the gate in time.
I know you probably think that Stacy and I are complete jerks. But, we’re not.
Trent just gets in these phases where he doesn’t stop rambling on and on. You get used to it and just tune him out.
We got on the plane, first class tickets, and the nightmare began.
I sat next to Stacy who sat next to Trent. Trent made sure of that.
Whenever Stacy said anything about anything, Trent would light up and try to keep the conversation going.
Here’s is a little bit of how it went:
Stacy: Dang it’s cold!
Trent: You’re cold? Here, take my jacket.
Stacy: They don’t have diet Pepsi on the menu…
Trent: Don’t worry darling, I will get you that Pepsi. Excuse me flight attendant? (Yes, he called them that) Would you happen to have any diet Pepsi on this plane?
Stacy: Trent, it’s not that big of a deal…
Trent: But it is darling, flight attendant, do you?
Flight Attendant: I’m sorry sir but that item is not on our menu.
Trent: I know, but I would like to know if any of the staff would happen to have any?
Flight Attendant: I’m sorry sir, we are not permitted to give our personal drinks to the customers
Stacy: Thank you ma’am. It’s okay, we don’t need any. Trent, I’ll be fine.
Just a little taste of how my flight went. I turned to see how Trent was after the Pepsi episode. He was continually talking to Stacy. Then, Stacy did something I did NOT think she would do. Stacy used her super power.
She turned to Trent, and kissed him. On the lips.
It’s a pretty effective way to get people to shut up.
This kiss wasn’t the quick, stop-talking-for-10-min, kiss.
This was the long and slow, shut-up-for-the-rest-of-the-flight, kiss. She ended it and whispered while leaning her forehead onto his, “Trent, I think I’ll take a nap now.”
Let me tell you, it worked. Trent didn’t say another word and Stacy earned a mental high five from me.
I realized I wanted to excuse myself from an awkward situation but stayed long enough to see Stacy close her eyes to sleep and for Trent to gently touch his lips in awe.
Oh Stacy.
I left for the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I saw my baggy sweatshirt and my strawberry blonde pulled back hair. I looked at my blue bug eyes and my extremely pale skin. I have never once been pleased with the way I look, but I didn’t have the money to afford all the things Stacy could. Being a newbie journalist doesn’t give me a lot of extra cash for fancy clothes. I guess one day I’ll just get used to it.
I turned around facing the wall, and cried. This was all happening so fast. Ruby dying, mom petrified, getting a job, being whisked away to Mexico for the summer… How could I let myself do this? I’ve been so scared lately that I don’t know what to do. I gathered my thoughts together and turned back to the mirror. And I whispered slowly,
“This is it Jess, This is it.”
