Trying Hard to Ignore You

Truth

I stand in the airport in Denver, watching snow fall outside.

Everything outside is white, and it's incredible.

I tilt my head to the side.

It falls so peacefully.

I put my hand to the window and then pull it away, and there's a ring of condensation where my hand was.

"Do you want to go outside?"

I look over at Spencer,

He hasn't said a word to me since I woke up and he sat as far from me as he could on the plane.

I hesitate, looking out at the snow, and then I nod.

He walks off.

I follow him, holding my carry on.

He goes to the elevator and takes it down to the first floor. I follow him.

We walk outside and he goes out onto the sidewalk, putting his head back.

It's freezing out here and every time I breathe out, my breath shows in front of me.

I crouch down, grabbing a handful of snow.

It's freezing and soft.

I stand there, looking around.

It's so white.

After a couple of minutes, my arms are folded and I'm shivering. He looks at me.

"Don't you have a coat?"

"In the belly of the plane." I say, my teeth chattering.

He pulls his coat off and puts it around my shoulders.

Ashton never did that. He would tell me to get a coat and if I didn't or I forgot it in the car, he would let me sit there and freeze.

I thought guys gave girls their coats in the movies.

But I stand here, his jacket around my shoulders, and watch as he shoves his hands in his pockets, goosebumps on his arms.

"Here." I hand him his jacket. "Let's go inside."

He doesn't take the jacket, he just walks past me.

"Put it on or you will get sick." He says.

I put it on and walk inside, sticking my arms in the sleeves.

We go upstairs to the gate and sit down.

He stays silent. I start to take off his jacket and give it to him, but he secures it around me, shaking his head.

I give up and sit there in his jacket, waiting.

After nearly two hours of sitting in silence, they start boarding.

I stand up and just walk to the gate, getting on the plane.

He sits far from me again.

***

We touch down in Florida. And it was crazy to watch the snow get less and less until it just wasn't there anymore.

Everyone gets up and crams off the plane, and I join the flow.

When I get off, Ethan and Kendall are waiting.

I'm exhausted and frustrated.

I find myself looking around for Spencer.

I walk over to my brother.

"Hi kid." He says sadly. He pulls me into his arms.

I sigh, hugging him back. He pulls away and I hug Kendall.