Very, Very, Very far away

Chapter Three

Today is the day.
Whoop-whoop!
I had all my things in my black suitcases, I was wearing my jeans, a black shirts and a camo sweater.
I'm so proud of myself of getting Dallas suspended.
Now he won't bother me on the trip!
Yay!(this time not sarcastic)
Yesterday night they told us to walk straight to class with all our stuff, then they'll take the presents, and then we'd be off on a school bus to the airport.

I'm a hallway away from class, and a familiar voice shocks me.
" hey Penny! Do you need help" Jeremy said.
Why was he being nice to me?
I literally only had my mini-backpack and a carry-on.
"No, I'm good." I Said.

We walked into class, and then they take the presents.

"Adeline Smith"
"Present"
"Ben Jones"
"Present."
"Cameron Brown"
"Here"
"David Sanders"
"Present"
"Dallas Davis"
" he's suspended! " I yelled as people stared at me.
"Okay. Hailey Williams?"
"Here"
"Jade Philips"
"Present"
"Jeremy Clark"
"Ici" he said.
The girls awed at his French accent.
"Klaus Green"
"Here"
"Martin Lee"
"Here"
"Martha Perez"
"Here"
"Nicholas Peterson"
"Here"
"Penny Miller"
"Present"
"Riley Martinez"
"Here"
"Spencer Collins"
"Here"
"Ugeen Adams"
"Here"
"Venessa Baker"
"Here"
"Zacharie Turner"

18 kids! One of the reasons they chose our class, is because we only have 18 kids, hence cheaper.
              
                       ***
We where on our way to the airport in the school bus.
They told us to sit with our flying buddies, witch was the person sitting next to you on the plane.

I had somehow forget who I was supposed to be with.

But, of course,
Jeremy didn't. He was my flying buddie. Crap.
I have to fly almost a full day with him? Sigh.
Now I'm in the god damn school bus, preparing myself for this boring flight.

I didn't go on my phone because I didn't want to waste the batteries.

"Penny, I need to ask you something" Said Jeremy, serious, yet out of the blue.
"Okay."I Said.
"You know me since we where kids and I....can you promise not to tell anyone?" He Said.
"I promise"
"I'm s-"
" okay kids, we are here! Grab your things and prepare to get on this plane!" Said Mr. Simmons, who was accompanied by two other volunteering adults.

I got up and grabbed my things, rushing straight to the door.

To my surprise, Jeremy wasn't following me.

We got to the airport and shortly after, we boarded the plane.
Well I did at least.

I got to our seats and chose the window seat. Oof, I'm scared if Jeremy is mad at me that I took it.
Oh well.

Later he rushed to our row, his head looked a little uneasy.
He sat down next to me without complaint, and buckled his belt.

Why so early?
I don't know.

Minutes later, there was the video on what to do in case of emergencies.
Jeremy seemed intense.

Then the plane was about to take off.

Jeremy squeezed his eyes shut as we started to lift off.
Something was wrong.

" you okay?" I asked.
He nodded slowly.

Then it hit me.
I remember when we where younger, we had to do a presentation on our fear.
Jeremy's was airplane crashes.

He saw a movie when he six, and even still it bothers him?

I didn't know what to do.

Without even thinking, I wrapped my hand around his, squeezing him tightly.

He looked at me, a hint of thank-you kind of way.
I smiled.
I placed my head on his shoulders.

All I could hear was his breathing increasing.

Maybe his ears where popping or something, but every once in a while he'd squeeze my hand.

That was probably why he was hanging around with me, so he could tell me about his nervousness.

Flight attendants walked up to us, telling us that we are above the clouds, and we can take our seatbelts off.

I turned my head to Jeremy.
He looked so childish, it was cute.
"You okay?" I asked once more.
"Yeah. I'm sorry" He Said, letting go of my hand.
" Jem. Common. You can tell me." I Said.
Jem was the nickname I gave him.
He smiled at me remembering his nickname.
"I thought you didn't like me anymore" He Said, tilting his head.

"I don't like the new you.
I like the old you" I said.
He smiled.
"Well butter my but and call me a biscuit" he said, remembering his old phrase.
I kissed him on the cheek.
Big mistake.

His cheeks flushed.

Did I do that to him?
"Sorry Jem,"
Then he kissed me on the forehead.
Is smiled.
I held his hand again.

Yessssssss! I just replaced Dallas Davis!

The same flight attendant came back.
" can I get you something?" She asked.
"I'll have water, how bout you pen?"Jem Said.
" hmmmmmm."
I said.
I've been on planes before, but I don't know if they have the same stuff as they did back then.
" apple juice?" I asked.
" coming right up" Said the flight attendant.
" what's up with you and apple juice?" He asked, mockingly.
" hey, don't make fun of me!" I said.
"I'm not Chérie." He said.
That last word.
He told me it before.
What does it mean?
Hmmmmmmnnnmm.
"Neither am I Chica"
I said smiling.
"Did you say I'm cute?" Asked Jem.
Oh crap.
" you speak Spanish?" I Said.
" no, but I do know Chica means Cutie." He Said.
The attendant gave us our drinks and left.

" est-ce-que c'est à cause de mon français ma Chérie? Sa te dérange? Bof, au quel point que j'aimerai juste parler cette langue pour t'avoir sur mon genou." He said.
There was that word again.
Chérie?
Hmmm.
"Why is that so hot?" I asked him, not aware of the words that just left my mouth.
" crap did I say that aloud?" I asked.
He smiled.
" bien sur Ma chérie! Tu trouve ça hot, hein? Bah, j'aime ça moi quand tu m'appelle Hot.
J'y parlerai le français tout le voyage si tu le veut" he said.
I heard the word Hot 2 tines, and im guessing he said something bad about it.
" oh shut up," I Said.
He smiled.
I looked out the window,
" do you want to see?" I asked the boy who was still holding my hand.

" no, thank you"

He huffed.
I -once again- kissed him on the cheek to reassure him.
His cheek was warm, feverish.
He turned to look at me.
" your special." He Said.
" the world needs more Pennys." He Said, trying to put his head on my shoulder. His soft chocolate hair brushed my cheek as he -uncomfortably-laid his head next to mine.
I shifted positions as he shit his head up.
I did a 90. Turn to the right.
He looked at me, confused.
I staked his and my pillows on my knees and patted it, signalling him to lay down.
He also turned an 90.
He gently pressed his head on the pillow stack.
I couldn't help but play with that chocolate hair of his.
He giggled a bit.
Man, I was for sure making him feel better.
I smiled.