The President's Daughter

Chapter Six

"So are you going to inform me more about you?"
Nick seems to be extremely talkative will eating.
"Nope," I say while gagging at the disgusting beef curry I'm forcing myself to eat. Nick grins at my expression.
"You know you have to learn to eat food that doesn't always come from great chefs?" Nick asks.
I roll my eyes. "Obviously."
"Well, you're not doing a good job," Nick replies.
"Thanks," I say sarcastically.
There is a short pause as we both continue eating our food.
"So, when are you going to trust me?" Nick asks.
"When I've known you for a little while longer," I answer.
"What? A day? Half a week? What are you imposing here Alex?"
"A month," I respond deeply.
"Seriously?" Nick asks. "A month?"
"Yes, a month."
Our conversation is disturbed by a stewardess who collects our trays. I try to avoid eye contact while Nick smiles and says thank you.
"How long does it take you to make friends?" Nick asks out of the blue.
I gape at him. "What?"
"I'm curious."
I sigh. "A few months."
"So, it's going to take you a few months to become friends with me?"
"If I become friends with you," I mutter.
Nick continues as if he didn't hear my comment. "Why don't you fast track it a bit by learning to trust me?"
"Whatever," I agree. "Um... twenty eight days."
Nick rolls his eyes. "Oh come on."
"It's not exactly a month, is it?" I retort.
"But it's close enough to a month to be considered a month."
"A fortnight?"
"You can do better than that."
"I'm tired."
"That's just a false excuse."
I pause to gather my thoughts. The fact is, is that I already trust Nick, but I don't want to admit it.
"A week?" I offer.
Nick leans in closer to me.
"You can still do better than that," he whispers in a way that makes me hypnotised. "If you tell me more about you and I tell you more about me. Or do you already trust me?"
I sigh. "I already trust you."
Nick grins. "Thought so."
"As a friend," I ensure.
There is a moment of comfortable silence as I lean against the window. I look outside and see nothing but darkness... beautiful darkness.
"So, tell me then," Nick says with curiousity.
"Tomorrow," I yawn.
"How about you tell me now?" Nick persists.
"Tomorrow," I insist.
"Why?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'm just curious to know why not now?"
"Tomorrow."
"We aren't going to do anything else on this plane."
"You know what the answer to that will be... tomorrow."
Nick sighs. "Fine, I give up."
I switch my television on and browse through the movies available.
"All this is junk," I comment.
"Yup," Nick agrees. "Which is a reason for you to entertain me."
"By doing what?" I ask, despite knowing what Nick is getting at.
"Telling me about yourself."
I pause.
"Tomorrow," I answer.
"Why?" Nick asks.
"Not this again," I breathe.
"No seriously, why?"
I sigh. "Because I can't be bothered telling stories at the moment."
"Is that what your father says when he's tired, but he needs to make a snap decision?" Nick asks with a smirk, probably knowing he's going to win this debate. "Does your father say, oh I can't be bothered passing laws and stuff at the moment because I'm tired?"
"No, because I am physically tired and he is emotionally tired," I retort.
Nick rolls his eyes. "Meaning?"
"I can't physically talk for half an hour," I lie.
Nick calls my bluff. "Really?"
I exhale deeply and don't answer his question.
"No, I really am tired," I yawn.
Nick doesn't say anything to this. We sit in a few minutes of comfortable silence, the most silence I've had since coming to the airport.
"You know your attitude changes dramatically when you're... tired?" Nick asks.
"Whose attitude doesn't change when their tired?" I retort.
"But I... like you more laid back," Nick says. "I like the real you rather than you being fake with politeness and manners and all that jazz."
I laugh. "And that coming from someone like you? You're starting to tire too, I can see it in your eyes."
Nick yawns.
"I guess you're right," he says.
"How long have we been on this stinking flight for?" I ask.
"Dunno," Nick says. He gestures towards my watch. "You're the timekeeper."
"Well your timekeeper forgot when she boarded the plane," I say with a smirk. "Anyway, I'm sleeping now."
I push my seat back as far as it would go, however, I'm still in a sitting position.
"This is so uncomfortable," I sigh.
"I know," Nick agrees. "Lean on me if you like."
"No," I say without hesitation.
"Why not?" Nick challenges.
"I'd rather be uncomfortable," I murmur.
Nick says nothing after that, probably expecting me to go to sleep. However, the discomfort of economy class seats keeps me awake. I sigh.
"Nick," I say.
"Yes?" he asks.
"Can I lean on your shoulder?" I query.
"That's what I asked you to do in the first place," he laughs.
"Whatever," I breathe.
I lean on Nick's shoulder and reposition myself. Immediately, I feel more comfortable.
"Come on Alex. How's that comfortable?"
Nick moves me so my head is in his lap.
"Don't feel awkward around me," he says.
"Thanks," I murmur.
"No problem."
I fall asleep to the silent drowning of the plane's engines...