CowChop Video Contest

6

Today is the day. My flight is at at 10:30 tonight and I have so much to do. I grab a towel from the hall closet and hop in the shower. The Lumineers playing in the background as I ran my soapy fingers through my newly blonde hair. A million and one thoughts were running through my head- my body was rigid and tense, I tried to block them out and relax but couldn't. What if this goes horribly wrong? I'll have to buy a ticket home if I embarrass myself, I can not and will not stay for two whole months of awkwardness. What if things don't go how I imagined them?  I don't think I- My thoughts were cut short by music pausing and my ringtone filling the bathroom. I stretch my arm from the warmth of the curtain for my phone, stepping as far away from the shower head as I could.
"Hello?" I answer, hoping the water wasn't too loud.
"Hey Hun, I was just calling to see when you were leaving, I was wondering if we could grab lunch, I miss you!" My mom asked hopefully.
"Yeah that sounds good, I don't know If I can be out long, I have a bunch to do today."
"I can go with, I don't have anything to do today."  I let out a small laugh as she invites herself.
"Okay, I'll text you when I get out of the shower. Love you."
"Love you too!" She hangs up and I begin to speed up my shower. I sing along and rinse out my hair, completely forgetting about my worries.

***

My mom picked me up, we ran some errands, grabbed Taco bell, and she wanted to treat me to a manicure. We were sitting side by side picking out colors. She stops and just looks at me.
"After you told me about this whole thing, I thought it was a scam- but, I looked them up and they talked about the contest and you. They seem like really nice people... cute too,"  She smiled. "I didn't let your dad see the videos though." She let out a small giggle and went back to looking through colors.
"Good Lord, mom. I'm going to meet the guys who have made me laugh the last couple years, nothing else." I rolled my eyes and grinned right back.
"So you don't think they're cute?" She raised her eyebrows at me.
"Oh I never said that." We both started laughing and took our colors back to the nail tech and my mom leaned in very close to me.
"Have fun, but I'm not ready to be a grandma." I gasped a little and looked over to see her looking very amused with herself.

***

It's almost 8:15 and Cayla and I are putting the last bit of stuff in my suitcase. I dwindled it down to two bigger bags, a backpack, and my purse. It seems like a lot but I will be somewhere I've never been with people I've never met for two months- I've got to be prepared. I didn't feel as nervous anymore, my mom and Cayla talked me down a bit and reassured me.
"Almost ready? You have to be there kind of early."  Cayla asked flopping down on my bed.
"Yeah I think so, I'm just about done with my makeup, can you ask Jeff to carry my bags down to the car, pleaseeee." I beg as I swipe on a bit of mascara. I know I'll be on a plane for a few hours but I still want to be presentable when I get there.
"No, I'll just take down the two big ones if and start the car if you wanna grab the other two." Cayla grunted rolling off the bed.
"Alright I'll be down in a few minutes." I shot her a smile through the mirror and started packing my makeup and putting it back in my backpack. I slipped on my Birkenstocks and looked in the mirror. I had two thick french braids, leggings, a lacy crop top, and a thin cardigan over it. I picked up my bags and headed out to meet Cayla at the car. We talked and laughed on the way and when we finally arrived at the airport she wished me good luck, hugged me, and threatened to 'kick my ass' if I didn't call her when I landed. And with that, I grabbed all my bags and was on my Cali.

***

    It had almost been a five hour flight, so it was pretty uneventful; I watched a few episodes of this and that, took a few cat naps, and periodically texted Brett about pickup and just general plans- a whole lot of nothing. I'm currently standing in the luggage pick-up with my headphones in, searching for my bags. Myself and the rest of my flight have been waiting for what seemed like forever, nothing has been put on the conveyors yet. I kept searching as I called Cayla. It rang and rang until she finally answered.
"Yes?" She answered very bluntly following it up with a yawn.
"Hey I was just calling to say I made it and I'm just waiting on luggage. This airport is creepy this early in the morning." I said, finally seeing the luggage belt start to move.
"Okay good, why did they fly you out so late anyway?" Cayla remarked sounding a little more awake than before.
"I'm not too sure, I guess it was just eas- AHH" My scream caused me to cut my sentence short. My knees buckling out from under me and colliding hard onto the cement floors. I hear Cayla worriedly asking if I'm alright and what happened. I spin around to see a tall, skinny man with buzzed black hair letting out a huge belly laugh.
"DEAD LEG" he shouted. It was Jakob, he was the one sent to pick me up. Once I regained myself, I joined in on the laughter and shakily stood up.
"I'm sorry but I had a wide open shot." He said with a giant grin plastered across his face. 
My face flooded with embarrassment as Jakob apologized and picked up my things for me.
"I don't think that was a nice way to greet someone." I giggle trying to hide the fact that my knees are throbbing.
"You won't ever forget it though." He stated matter of factly.
I don't think I'll forget much from this trip...