A Fresh Start

Big Girls Don't Cry

The day had arrived! I had pulled through the week and now I was rewarded with long-anticipated freedom... even if it was only for a week. Currently, I was on a plane next to Sebastion sitting straight as a ramrod to contain my urge to lean against him. In my defense, we had gotten up at the crack of dawn to catch the flight, even for a morning person it was extreme.

I knew it'd be worth it though, assuming Ben and Sebastion lived through their initial introduction to Anna, we were going to hit Florida's greatest spots as a big group. I also wanted to visit my parents' grave, I knew that I was in need of closure if I planned to completely move on. Blocking out what happened wasn't working, I'd even thought about asking Gloria to set me up with a therapist. I hoped that after this trip I'd finally be able to close this chapter of my life.

I jumped a little when the ding from the seatbelt sign sounded, I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that at this point it must mean that we were heading down. As I expected the pilot's voice announced our impending arrival a moment later. I nudged a sleeping Sebastion to alert him to the new development, laughing when he hit his head on the window as he awoke. He playfully glared at me and leaned over to discreetly pinch my thigh. I felt myself take a sharp intake of breath and from the smile on Sebastion's face, it was loud enough for him to hear.

"I win," he whispered as the pilot's voice shut off. I felt an involuntary shudder run down my back when his warm breath washed against the side of my face. He seemed to recognize the effect he had on me as he pulled back and chuckled. I glared at him and leaned in closer,

"Now let's not pretend that I don't have an effect on you Sebastion," I said, purposely brushing my lips across the side of his face. I felt a wave of satisfaction as I felt him stiffen, gosh I sure loved winning.

As we exited the plane the familiar humidity that Jaxonville Florida was known for washed over me. I looked back to see the boys squirming a little at the air, I laughed at their antics.

"What's wrong boys? Can't take the heat?" Ben and Sebastion gave me matching looks of outrage.

"No, it's the water hanging in the air that's the problem," Ben exclaimed, waving his arms as if to prove his point. All he did was grab the attention of lots of travelers.

"Says the boy from Portland Oregon," I retorted as we walked into the air-conditioned airport.   

"She's got you there man," said Sebastion, as we walked through the terminal. 

My laughter was cut off by the ringing of my phone. I checked it to see an unknown number, god it seemed that the telemarketers were really targeting me lately. 

"Who is it?" Asked Ben excitedly. 

"Probably a telemarketer," I said, glaring down at my phone screen.

"Oh, I love to mess with those people, answer it!" I rolled my eyes at him but answered the call, mostly to get both him and the phone to shut up. When I answered the call all I could hear was deep breathing on the other line.

"Hello?" I said into the phone. I received no response, just the sound of breathing. I rolled my eyes and hung up. "Prank call," I said to the boys who were looking at me questioningly, they nodded in response and we continued walking to the shuttle.

When we got to the hotel I felt on edge, I couldn't help but feel like something was off, I think that stupid call made me paranoid. I dismissed the thought and started unpacking my things so we could go meet up with Anna.

Ten minutes later Ben Sebastion and I boarded a bus and were on our way to Anna's house. Even I had to admit that the bus was sweltering, I noticed Ben and Sebastion practically panting in the seats next to me. Thankfully the bus ride from the hotel wasn't long, I was thankful when I started to see the familiar landmarks that told me we were nearing Anna's house. Memories flooded my mind of all the times I'd ridden this bus in the past, my life was so much simpler back then, I had my parents, my big house, and my best friend living a bus ride away. I still couldn't get over the fact that the perfect life that I had was built by my parents' lies and deceit.