Rolly Polly

Chapter 9

{Harper}

After two hours of bickering back and forth, we decided to settle on a movie to watch. For some reason unknown to either of us, Caden had a dual headphone jack and we decided that we would use it to watch a movie together. Our choice was the latest Star Trek film. With our headphones in and my blanket draped over both of us, we got comfortable and waited for the movie to start. 

I was wholly concentrating on the movie, completely unaware of anything that was happening around me when I felt something touch my leg, shocking me from my daze. My head whipped to the side to see that it was Caden's leg that had touched me. Seeing that I was staring at him, he turned his head to look down at me and smile quickly before turning his attention back to the screen ahead of him.  Deciding it wasn't a big deal, I turned my attention back to the screen and left my leg where it was, pressed firmly against his. 

Eventually the movie came to an end. I pulled my headphones out of my ears and turned to ask Caden what he thought of the film. But when I looked over at him, I saw that his head was tilted back and he was passed out. His green eyes obscured by his eye lids with surprisingly dark lashes that fanned out fully and for what seemed like miles on his cheek bones. His sharp jaw and lean nose giving models a run for their money. There are traces of stubble along that jaw of his, but not enough to hurt if I were to touch it. Which I will not do of course. 

I see that his headphones are still in his ears and decide that that can't possibly be comfortable? I reach over and gently pluck the piece from his ear and let it dangle on his chest. Getting to the other ear piece is going to take a little more effort on my part. 

I glance around the plane and take in the scene. The majority of the windows are closed, creating a dark and calming aura. Especially with reading lights that are turned on and scattered around the plane. There are families chatting quietly with each other and others that are passed out just as Caden is. Speaking of Caden, I look around him to see the lady on the other side of him asleep with a blue neck pillow. That neck pillow looks rather enticing about now. All I have is the blanket on our laps and the sweatshirt in my backpack. I look back at Caden and see that the headphone is still in his ear. Carefully, just like last time, I pull the bud from his ear. Now that both parts are out, I unplug them from the armrest and wrap them around my hand to keep them from being tangled. Once wrapped, I tuck them into the top pocket of his backpack. I sit up again to readjust my seatbelt and Caden's head has fallen to the side, falling on me. If I were to fall asleep now, then if, well, when he wakes up, I'll be the first thing that he sees. 

The thought of someone seeing me asleep is a terrible thought, but right now I am too tired to really care. My eyes burn from exhaustion at the lack of sleep that I got last night from all my nerves. However, while I had been consumed with the movie that was playing, my heart had calmed down to a decent rate, just enough for me to be ready to fall asleep at any moment. 

I lean down again, this time to unzip my own backpack. I carefully pull out my sweatshirt, careful not to bring my laptop cord with it. It was the same grey sweatshirt that I had bought last summer when I went to Seaside with my best friend Aubrey. I smile at the memory for a moment and ball it up to create a makeshift pillow. Placing it between me and the cold airplane wall, I lean my head against it. 

I wish that I could cover myself with my blanket, but it would be a crime to take it away from Caden right now. And so, I shift in the stiff airplane seat and drift off to sleep. 

*****

I have no idea how much time has passed, but as my eyes begin to drift open and my mind starts to register my surroundings again, I feel a weight on my chest. Not a metaphorical weight, but a literal weight, and it was heavy. 

I open my eyes completely and see that I am facing the aisle, my back against the window. The woman who is sitting in the aisle seat of our row looks over and smiles at me, so I return the smile as I go to stretch. However, I can't seem to move my arm?

Once I look down I realize that Caden is the weight that I am feeling on my chest. He looks like he toppled over sideways, but upon closer inspection, his left arm somehow made is around my back. His other arm is lying across my waist, just chilling. What even? How did that even happen? Instantly I am torn between waking him up and just letting him sleep. 

If I wake him up then I run the risk of being cold because our joined body warmth will be gone. But if I let him sleep then I am giving everyone the wrong impression. 

I'll let him sleep for a little bit longer.