always and forever

⎡ 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕟𝕖 ⎦

   The rambunctious blaring of the small alarm clock jarred me out of my peaceful sleep and I jolted up, smashing the snooze button as hard as I possibly could. The alarm clock was rude, so very, very rude. From the middle of the most wonderful dream, I was brought sharply into focus. After the initial anger passed, my frustrations at this inanimate clock who would never grant me the courtesy of an apology, I breathed long and slow. There was a reason I set the clock to this time... this terrible rude and early time. However, the thought as to why didn't really kick in at 2 am. 

    "Kennedi," a voice called from the kitchen, "you can't keep snoozing your alarm!" I snorted, pushing a pillow back over my head just as the alarm went off again. Slowly and reluctantly, I uncover my face before remembering to slam the alarm clock before it's incessant ringing continued. I blink, close my eyes, and blink again. I sat up, dragging my feet off the bed, and rubbing my knuckles onto my eyes. I stretched my arms above my head and yawned. I watched my legs dangle above the off-white polyester carpet before trudging out of the bedroom into the kitchen where Bryn was sipping a coffee. Handing me a freshly brewed hot chocolate, Bryn hummed in amusement. "Buenos días, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?" I sighed, nodding my thanks to Bryn for the drink.

   "You know me," I smiled half heartedly, setting the drink down, "I love travelling." Bryn cocked her left eyebrow. 

    "Dios mio," she let out a gentle yet also exasperated sigh, "you know what I mean. I know the date of your anniversary is coming up and of all the places you decided to visit, you wanted to see Germany. Germany, Kens. Germany, the land of the place all your history notes are on, Germany the land of opportunities, Germany the land of the place where the guy who broke your heart lives." I smiled at her before getting up to get some bread. 

     "It's not like he'll be waiting for me at the airport," I laughed gently, "besides," I added wistfully, "he's probably too busy travelling the world." Bryn sighed, taking the bread out of my hands.

     "Okay, well I worry about you," Bryn nudged me in a way a sister would, "also I worry about you because you'd probably rip your finger off while getting the bread into the toaster," she added, catching my frown at her for taking the bread.

    "I would not," I protested. She stopped to look up at me, "I'd burn my finger."

    "I don't see how that's any better. Besides, that's not the only reason I'm here." Bryn spread the avocado over the toast and sprinkled tomato on top as if it were cake decorations. There was a joy in how she did it, as if for a moment she was happily absorbed by a feeling of love that played in her subtle smile and soft gaze. Then she brought it over, hers and mine, the breakfast that became a part of the rhythm of our lives together. 

    "I know," I mumbled around a mouthful of toast, "there's some torture method you've come up with in my last couple of hours of being in London," Bryn slapped me gently, frowning.

    "No, you promised I could take you shopping!" Catching my expression and my mouth opening she cut me off, "you need a whole new wardrobe! You can't seriously expect to parade yourself around the streets of Berlin and Munich and Frankfort in your gym wear." Upon my silence Bryn let out a gasp of horror.

     "I love my gym wear," I protested weakly, "it's comfortable and practical!" Gasping in incoherent breaths, Bryn pressured me to hurry. As the thought finally dawned on me that I wouldn't get out of this situation, I sighed, walking into the bathroom to shower leaving a still shell-shocked Bryn behind me.

    The airport was a cocoon of steel, the walls so elegantly curved and wrapping around to create this inner space. And the beams supported so many windows, let in so much light, that in the daytime it is as bright as any summers day. At this early hour the airport is as serene as it ever is. The people move with ease, quiet rivers of humanity freshly roused from their slumber. The floors are clean and white, reflecting the early rays and the manmade light the same.They flowed from the check-in desks to the cafe's and through the gates, each one of them heading for a destination of their own making. Bryn smiled, her hands tugging along her suitcases which I had tried to tell her that she wouldn't need them. We made our way to the checkout station, yawning and fidgeting with our tickets the whole way. Sneaking a glance at me, Bryn nudged me.

     "Estás bien?" She whispered. I smiled gratefully and nodded although I knew in a couple hours I wouldn't be. "Everything will be fine," she whispered, gently moving us up the line. I nodded listlessly. The beginning of our trips were always the time I would zone out most. I stared at the black-framed wall clock for the ninth time this hour, scrutinising the second hand, which seemed to linger an extra minute at every passing second. I took my gaze off of the clock, silently vowing to not look at it once more until absolutely necessary.

     "Good morning," a lady greeted us, knocking me out of my daydreams, "where are you heading today?" she asked, taking our passports.

    "Germany with Berlin Tegel Airport as our first destination," I replied. She smiled.

     "You're going over there for the most perfect time of the year!" she gushed, "there is no better time to go!" I smiled sadly as I took back my passport along with Bryn. The nostalgia came fast, the memories of a boy whose dreams were to travel.

     "I know."