Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 44: Gage

Monday, 5:13 A.M. PST

I have no idea why I stand working security at this airport right now, but a familiar curly-haired girl comes strolling down an elaborately decorated hallway, and it sends my heart into a fluttering frenzy. 

It’s Hayden. What is she doing here? 

“Gage! Gage-O! Gage-a-doodle-doo!” she sings out when she notices me standing here trying to figure out how to perform my job like an idiot. I don’t remember ever signing up for this shit… I’ve never been interested in Security work?  

The thought easily passes my mind once Hayden reaches me. She looks like an angel; I feel like I’m losing my breath just looking at her! 

“W-What are you doing here?” I ask, remembering that we’re in an airport all of a sudden. 

I turn around to face the terminal at which I stand security only to find that it resembles a bed section of Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Mattresses are displayed along the tacky, yet elaborately decorated hallway leading to the terminals. 

How didn’t I notice this before? And why are all the other people in this airport male? 

Hayden laughs. “Don’t be silly! I’m going to Pennsylvania!” she responds, motioning to the area behind me. Her demeanor changes for a moment, and it makes an odd feeling bubble up in my stomach. “Hey- don’t forget to tell Ty you saw me here!” she hisses. 

I wasn’t confused until now; I start to seriously question everything around me once an ocean of girls that suddenly appeared from thin air start to form in lines behind Hayden, and in other security lines. One by one, they’re shipped off with a pervy looking man, past security, and into the mattress-ridden terminals.

Panic rises in my chest as I start to process what is happening. 

“No-” I go to protest, turning back around to face Hayden only to find that she stands with a very… intimidating looking guy. Her eyes have blackened and bruised, and a single droplet of blood falls from a gash in her lip. 

What the fuck is going on?!

I try to protest again, but no voice escapes my mouth. No matter how much force I put into it- I can’t make a sound! I just watch as Hayden reaches into her purse to pull out a ticket. 

“You need to do your job, Gage,” the scary-looking dude beside her says. I swear to God Hayden’s lips were moving too; It was like his voice came from her lips!

Hayden hands me the ticket and brushes past me with the guy before I can do or say anything else. I can’t bring myself to watch her lead him to one of the beds. I clench my eyes shut, trying to scream, but failing. 

I’m completely dumbfounded, and when I open my eyes again- everything has disappeared. I’m just left standing here in a big empty room, holding onto this ticket. 

What the hell? 

I look down at the ticket, which suddenly grows heavy in my hand. I’m met with a phone though- no ticket at all! I look closer to find that it’s on my message thread with Hayden,  though the phone number reads unknown. 

Unknown: I love you Gage.

Unknown: I love you Gage. 

Unknown: I love you Gage. 

Unknown: I love you Gage.

Why are there so many duplicates? They dance around the screen like an old computer screensaver- It’s hard on the eyes!

Too… bright…

I clench my eyes shut, and open them to find only one message on my screen. I’m… in a dark room; I’m in my room, and I hold my phone in my hands. I’m laying down... Was I asleep? 

I let my eyes focus on the screen I somehow pulled up in my sleep only to find that Hayden really did text me a single message telling me she loves me. I don’t know why, but it infuriates me. Images of her with the scary dude from the airport are quick to flood my mind, and I find myself typing a response faster than my tired fingers should be able to move; Faster than the logic in my brain can move.

Me: This is fucking bullshit, 
Hayden. I’m over it.