Roles Reversed

14

I wandered down the hallway until I found the right door.

I knocked on room 207. I expected Leah to answer the door.

When the door finally opened, my heart stopped.

"You aren't Leah," I whispered.

"No, I am most certainly not."

*12 hours earlier*

"You're going to miss your plane!" Angie yelled.

"Coming!" I ran down the stairs. We had shipped all my furniture up last week, and all I had was my clothes.

Jay, Angie, Grace, Kiki, and myself all piled into Jays truck. My three suitcases were in the back.

My other friends were meeting is at the airport.

The drive was quiet for the most part. The radio played softly in the background but no one made a move to turn it off. As we passed through my hometown, I got a little upset.

No more spontaneous Grizzly games.

No more concerts on Mud Island.

No more trips to the zoo.

I would miss it here.

I grabbed Grace and Kiki's hands and held them the rest of the way to the airport. When we parked, they all piled out of the truck and got my luggage from the back.

I had been emailing Leah more frequently and she said my things had been delivered to the room and that she had set everything up for me. She was going to pick me up at the airport at 3:15 later today.

I hugged each of my friends tightly. Angie was trying not to cry.

"Come home soon, kiddo," Jay said as he wrapped his strong arms around me.

"I will," I promised.

I walked into the airport and down the huge corridor to my plane.

Little did I know who I was going to meet inside.

~

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking," the pilot said. I zoned out completely.

I was torn from my daze by a poke on my right arm.

"Excuse me, I think that's my seat," said a guy about my age.

He pointed to the one on my left, closest to the window. I was occupying the one in the middle.

"Oh, okay." I moved out into the isle. I was now very close to my new neighbor. He had eyes that were the most brilliant shade of blue.

"Thanks," he said gratefully. He brushed past me into his place by the window and I crawled in after him.

"Is Indianapolis your final stop?" He asked politely. It was a connection flight, Indy first then New York.

"No, I'm headed to New York. You?" I responded.

"I'm actually flying to New York too. Are you on the 2:05 plane?"

"Yeah, I am," I smiled.

I extended my hand. "I'm Sasha," I said.

"Garret. What's a pretty thing like you headed to New York for? Modeling gig?" He asked playfully.

I felt my cheeks heat up. "College actually," I admitted.

"If you say you go to Burkes I will freak out," Garrett said.

"Oh my gosh! I am! That school is so small, this is crazy," I said happily.