My Big Break

Chapter 8

"Are you ready yet?" My mom says, already in the car. "You're going to make us late for our flight"

"I'm coming, I'm just making sure I'm not forgetting anything. I'm going to be there a while." I say as I glance around my room one more time. I'm almost sure that I've packed everything, I just want to say good bye. It sounds stupid, but this is my home, the place where I grew up. And now I'm leaving it.

Finally satisfied, I grab my carry-on for the flight and my purse then head out of the door. I look down the street, remembering the thing I saw last night. Everything seems normal, I probably just imagined whatever it was.

• • •

As we walk to our gate, a familiar face greets us.

"Hey Lexi. What are you doing here?" I ask, surprised that she is here, considering that it's 4:45 in the morning.

"Why wouldn't I be here? My best friend is leaving for California, I couldn't not say goodbye."

"You know you're going to be there in a little bit less than a week too, right?"

She laughs a little, with a smile lighting up her face. "Well, yes. But I still have to go a week without you! I don't know if I can handle it."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," I joke with a grin.

All passengers of flight 34 please make your way to the desk to be boarded. Thank you. (I haven't been on a plane in a while, and I know this isn't too close to what they actually say, but please bear with me c:)

"I guess this is goodbye," I glance at Alexa's face to see her unhappy expression, "for now, at least." I say, trying to lighten up the mood. Lexi sees me staring at her and smirks.

"You can't get away from me that easily, Grande. I'll be there in a week to keep you out of trouble. Or to join in your shenanigans."

I laugh and say goodbye one last time. This is the first time we've been apart, usually we see each other at least once a week. I grab my purse and carry-on, hug Alexa one last time, and run after my mom onto the plane.

I glance back to find that Alexa already left the airport. I scan the room to make sure when someone catches my eye. A man, probably in his late forties with shaggy brown hair and a poorly shaved beard. He's wearing dark denim jeans along with a black T-shirt and a bag slung over his shoulder. His shoes are untied and he looks as if he just rolled out of bed, along with everyone else in the airport, since it is 4:45 in the morning. And he's staring right at me. I shudder, suddenly feeling chills. Then, with one last look, he turns and walks away.

"Ariana, are you coming?" my mom questions.

"Uh, yeah." I say, glancing over my shoulder once more to find no one staring at me. I quickly push him out of my mind, thinking of him as nothing more than a tired man at the airport. My dreams are finally coming true. Right?

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And there's chapter 8. Sorry I haven't updated very much, I know I said I would more, but then I had serious writter's block. I still don't have a very good plan of where I'm going with the plot, but I have a vague idea. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and look forward for more frequent updates. I have a couple of other fiction stories that I may or may not post in the future, but I plan to finish this one before even considering any of those.

Don't forget to vote and comment on who you think the mysterious man is. :)

-Em