My Valentine

Twenty-Nine

Nightingale Phillips

The thing about travelling by air was that once you took off, you were entering unfamiliar territory. That meant that whatever resources you were accustomed to having on land, you no longer had that luxury. If the unexpected occurred in a plane, you wouldn't be sure of the outcome. It was kind of like being in surgery if you ask me.

I'd gotten a window seat and was looking out at the world beneath me, I mused at how small everything on earth actually was. Being among buildings like than something or someone else, but in reality, at the end of the day, one thing was just as small as the next.

Every now and then, the plane would encounter small bumps and I'd try to mask the small yelps I made. The last thing I needed was for the person who sat next to me to find an excuse to speak to me. It wasn't my first time travelling, but I certainly didn't do a ton of it, so being amongst the clouds still freaked me out a little.

I snuggled deeper into my jumper and tried to pay attention to the movie I was watching on my tablet. Maybe I should have chosen music instead, but at least I would have something to physically focus on.  If I didn't have that, then I would have to think about him and how it felt to have him beside me. The electricity still crackled between us and the the tiny strands of hair on my neck stood at attention.

A few seats behind us, Tammy and her new boyfriend, Berry, sat next to each other, holding hands, whispering and giggling about something I obviously couldn't hear.

I'd tried getting their attention so many times since we boarded and settled into the plane, but those two were in another world - a world I was sure belonged to only them.

I'd heard the news three days ago and honestly, I was expecting the it. I mean, the girl rebelled against her mom big time for him. The least Bartholomew could do was date her.

Sly had the window opposite to mine. I'm pretty sure Marshall had noticed him staring at him by now, but the older man was definitely doing a great job at ignoring Sly's stares that seemed like daggers at times.

He still kept questioning me about my relationship with Marshall and I tried my best to keep the details vague and minimal. There were certain things that I just didn't feel comfortable telling someone like Sly.

He'd given me no reason not to trust him, but I still had my doubts about his character.

There were just so many things I didn't know about him - things he didn't want to share with us. If someone is secretive,  I felt the need to be secretive around them as well. Call it 'playground rules'.

An air hostess came to offer some peanuts and drinks. I was forced to take my earphones out to ask for some water and fruits.

Taking advantage of my distraction, Marshall grabbed hold of the cord, ripping the earphone out of my other ear. He then proceeded to tear the buds off and threw them in his drink.

He left my mouth hanging wide open.

"Are you insane?" I whispered harshly.

People were still wide awake and would have noticed him. They'd easily question why he had the ability to destroy my property. No teacher had the right  to do that. Then again, maybe I was just being paranoid as usual.

Secondly, how could he ruin my earphones like that?

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

He set his drink down and scowled back at me.

"I'm your boyfriend, Nightengale."

I scoffed, "Incorrect. You're Lisa's baby daddy and husband. Also, you're nothing but my teacher, Mr. Valentine. "