The airport is a weird place. It's not always happy, but it's not always sad. It's either one, or both. When you visit an airport, you may think you're feeling nothing, but there will always be an emotion behind your actions, and this time, for me, it's definitely that slight in between feeling. The feeling where you don't know whether you should be crying for happiness because you're about to live your dream with your best friend, or if you're crying because you are leaving behind your family, your friends, and your childhood, and all the memories you once had here. Technically you're not leaving all of that behind, but you are for sure moving away from it, so those emotions still flood through you, leaving you somewhat emotionless, yet the feelings are still there.
I wake up out of my thoughts as my sister nudges my arm will her elbow. I turn to face her when i am greeted by her phone screen, my face plastered on it with some stupid filter on it that makes me look like a cranky old grandpa.
"wow i will not miss this" I say, earning a playful smack at my head by my mum who happened to hear my smart remark. I rubbed my cheek then looking back at the phone screen, smirking at the camera, and pulling a weird face which made my filtered image look even uglier.
"wow sis, I can barely tell the difference, this filter really brings out your eyes." Natalie spits out before ending the snapchat video and adding some writing over the top.
"So Taiya, promise me you will look after yourself properly, make good food choices and also promise me that you will go to sleep early every night, and not stay up late watching whatever it is that you watch, do you understand?"
"Yes, mum, I'm 19 soon, I can—"
"No Tay I'm not joking."
"Mum I know. I promise to do all those things. I'll be fine."
"Just because you're nearly 19, doesn't mean you know what you're doing you know." My sister smirks, trying to keep down the burst of laughter she is about to let out. She can barely talk properly when she continues on with her sassy comments. "Trust you Tay, you'll call up 000 instead of 911 and-"
"Natalie thats enough." My mum glares, as Nat turns back on her phone, and playfully rolls her eyes.
"Elena, you too. I don't want to see snapchats or photos of you two staying awake till 2am" My mum replies back, this time looking over at Elena, with a promising emotion in her eyes.
"Of course Karlee, I promise we will not stay up late. Don't worry, I'll be the mum of the house." Elena smirks kicking my shin, as a slight giggle leaves her mouth.
"Oh shut it you!" I snap back, kicking her back.
"Both you girls have an amazing time, and be sure to keep texting us and keeping us up to date, we need weekly facetime calls!" Karlee blurts out, this time being Elena's mum.
Oh yeah, our mums have the same name, coincidence right?!
"Of course mum, I know i can't get away from you that easily" Elena playfully rolls her eyes.
"Flight 297 now boarding"
The words echo in my ears a few times before my brain sends the message to my legs to stand up. My legs turn shaky, and my breathing goes uneasy. I know once i'm on the plane I will feel slightly better, but these next few "goodbye's" will be the hardest yet.
I pick up my lap top bag, my handbag, and the mocha I am still drinking, and follow through to gate 14.
I turn to my mum and give her the tightest hug as Elena does the same with her mum. We simultaneously let go, as my mum whispers into my ear.
"I love you Taiya, have fun, and make memories. I miss you already and i haven't even let go"
A tear falls down her face as we both basically force ourselves to laugh. I need to try smile, it will make this process a little easier I think. I let go and place a light kiss on her cheek, then turn to my sister, already feeling the tears well up in my eyes.
I slowly drop my bags and my coffee and grab my sister into a hug. Tears rush down my cheeks as the realisation clocks in, and I understand that this is the last hug i will give her for a while, a long while. She returns the hug tightly and i can hear her begin to sob also. My heart begins to ache as i pull away and hold her head in my hands, staring into her glossy tear filled eyes.
"Nat, don't be too hard on mum and dad. Facetime me every day! I don't even care if it is just for 1 minute. Also, I'm going to come back for your graduation and formal, so make sure you know stuff early. Don't be a brat. Keep annoying Zeke for me, because I'm going to miss that headass of a brother. Good luck with grade 12, you will do amazing. I'm only a phone call away."
I pulled her back into a tight hug before giving her a massive sloppy kiss on the cheek.
"EWW" she screeched, grabbing my top and wiping her cheek. "I will call you every day, and yeah, Im gonna make Zeke take me out on adventures without you, HA!" She smirked. "I'm going to miss you so much Tay, i love you."
I lifted my thumb to her cheek and wiped away her tears. "Don't cry Nat, I'll be home soon, or you'll be here. I love you so much more."
I bent down and lifted my bags back up, slinging the hand bag over my shoulder, and the lap top bag on the other. I gave Nat, mum, and Karlee one more hug each before me and Elena set off towards the gate that was awaiting us.
I could still feel the slight sting in my eyes, and the dried tears that were now stained on my cheeks. My heart was racing, and the thought of leaving properly kicked in.
It's not leaving. You will be back soon. I say to myself, steadying my breath.
But what if I don't come back to live? What if I find a new life in LA.
I shake my head removing the thoughts from my mind, as the flight hostess scans my ticket.
"Row 25 seats B & C." She smiles, "I believe there might be a spare seat next to you."
"Thankyou!" Elena chimes, happily taking the tickets back off her.
We follow through the tunnel, and end soon end up only metres away from the plane when Elena stops.
"What?" I question, slightly confused.
She slowly turns to me, with the biggest grin on her face I have ever seen. It's so contagious I begin to smile myself. She takes a step back and holds my empty hand.
"Next stop, LA."
YOU ARE READING
After Him..
Fanfiction*sequel to him* The band got bigger. The tours were longer. The fandom grew. The interviews went for longer. The space between us, was gradually growing... and there was nothing I could do to change it. Rankings: #132 in "him" #372 in new york
