Begin Again

CHAPTER 7

I wake up when I hear the announcement that we are reaching Gatwick Airport in 10 minutes. I actually slept. I didn't think I would. I look out the window. It's a sunny day. Something that is really weird for London because in the summer it was raining almost every day. I check my watch but the time this indicates home.

"Excuse me."

"Yes. How can I help you?"

The cheerful flight attendant replies to me.

"Can you tell me what time it is?"

"It is 11 o'clock."

"Thank you."

I say to the flight attendant and she smiles at me before leaving.

I am so excited that I am going back. Even though, all those people that I met won't be here it doesn't matter. I loved that place. And I am sure that I can make new friends. Real ones. I am following my brother's advice.

When we land, I get out of the plane and after I pick up my baggage I am walking towards the exit. There is supposed to be someone waiting for me there. A car from school. As I am walking, I notice a man holding a piece of paper with my name and I go towards him.

"Hello."

I say to him. He seems... young. Young enough to be working.

"Hello. Are you Anne Thomson?"

"That's me."

"Nice to meet you Anne. I am Joe."

He says to me as he shakes my hand.

"Nice meeting you Joe."

"Come on. The van is waiting for us."

I follow him outside and he takes my baggage cart.

He seems like he is 18 or something. He seems very interesting. Maybe his glasses make me feel that. His light brown hair gets messed up from the wind as soon as we get outside. I am a bit cold and I put on a sweater that I had around my waist.

"Here we are."

He says as soon as we reach a silver van and he starts putting my suitcases in the back.

"Are you seriously going to drive that?"

"What? "

He says and he laughs.

"I mean... How old are you? I thought you get your driver's license after 18 in the UK."

"First things first I am seventeen. Secondly, we have a driver. Here he comes."

He says pointing to a middle-aged man that is running towards us.

"I am so sorry Mr. Campbell. I went to get a coffee but there was a huge line."

"It's fine Mr. Smith. This is our passenger for today. Miss Anne Thompson."

He says to him and the driver turns to greet me.

"Nice to meet you Miss Thompson. I am Mr. Smith."

"Nice to meet you."

I say to Mr. Smith and he smiles as he shakes my hand.

"Shall we go? We have quite a journey ahead of us."

Joe says and I get in the van, sitting on a seat by the window.

I wake up and we are still on the road. I turn around and Joe is sleeping too. With his mouth open. I would probably take a photo of him if I knew him. I do that with almost everyone I know.