Taking Off

Chapter 5

"What time's your flight leaving?" Lindy asked, as Tia parked the car.

"In about an hour, so we should hurry," Tia replied, turning the car off then getting out. She walked to the boot and started taking her bags out. Lindy and Eliza walked around to help her.

"Do you want to go inside, then?" Eliza asked, once all the bags were taken out.

"Yeah, I have to meet with this Figg ... lady," she said, her words trailing off, as she noticed both Lindy and Eliza's eyes grow larger than tennis balls. "What is it?"

She needn't have asked. As she turned around, parking right behind them was a slick, black hummer, with windows tinted as black as the night sky. Her eyes grew, but she quickly turned sceptical. It couldn't he him, could it? He wouldn't be that obnoxious. Who was she kidding? Of course he would. And so, she wasn't surprised when, once parked, out of the door, being opened by a stocky chauffeur, Elijah Jones climbed out. She rolled her eyes and turned back to her friends.

"I didn't know he travels by hummer," Eliza whispered, clearly impressed. Tia was about to say something but before she could, she heard his footsteps coming closer.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi! How's it going?" Lindy asked, cheerfully. Tia groaned.

"Not bad," he replied, not missing the groan. "Are we going inside, then?" he asked.

Tia spoke up, without turning around. "I don't know what you're doing, but we're going inside." With that, she took up her bags and walked toward the elevator. Eliza and Lindy followed, with one last awkward glance at Elijah.

Elijah stared after her. Her attitude was deplorable. He really wanted to know why she despised him so much. The only reason he didn't like her was because of the way she treated him. But he had never done anything to her, right? Right. He hadn't. She just had issues. That was it. He turned back to his chauffeur, carrying all of his bags.

"Let's go inside then," he said to him and followed the girls to the elevator, which, to Tia's dismay, he reached before the doors could close.

-

The group of students couldn't be missed as they walked into the airport. It was a group of approximately ten high school students. Tia guessed the old lady was Mrs. Figg. She walked up to her and introduced herself.

"Hello. I assume you're Mrs. Figg," Tia said, politely.

"Oh yes. Are you from Westminster?" Figg asked. She looked fairly old but fit and healthy. Her figure was slim and petite, her greying hair was in a loose bun and she had a very friendly smile that Tia couldn't help but reciprocate.

"That's correct. I'm Tia and this is Elijah," she replied, pointing at Elijah behind her.

"Perfect. I think you're the last ones," Figg said, ticking their names off the list. "Give me your bags so I can check them in," she said. Tia and Elijah eyed her.

"Um, aren't we supposed to do that?" Elijah asked.

"No, I can do it. Unless you'd rather do it. There's a long line," she informed. Tia shrugged.

"Okay. Here you go," she said, handing Figg the bags. Elijah did the same, albeit reluctantly.

"Thank you. You can just wait here with the other students. We'll all going on together once I check your bags in," she informed. Tia nodded, smiling and Figg left them. She turned back to Eliza and Lindy, leaving Elijah standing alone behind her.

"Seems like a nice enough group of people," she observed.

"You mean 'good-looking' group of people. Look at all these guys. Gorgeous. You're going to have a blast," Lindy giggled.

"We're leaving you in capable hands," Eliza chuckled in agreement. Tia laughed alongside them.

"We should get going then," Eliza said, looking a little melancholy.

"I'm going to miss you guys so much," Tia smiled, hugging them both. "I'll call as soon as I get there, k?"

"We'll be waiting," Lindy replied.

"Try to not have too much fun," Eliza joked. Tia laughed.

"Seriously, though, enjoy the heck out of this trip and take as many pictures as possible!" Lindy added. Tia nodded.

"I will, don't worry!" she laughed.

Behind her, Elijah stood, checking his phone. None of his friends had even offered to see him off. Alex texted 'hey have a good time down under see you when you get back' that morning and that was it. No other contact at all. So, Tia hugging and laughing with her friends just worsened his mood. He thought about introducing himself to the other students, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to keep up a conversation. He really hated small talk.

"Okay. Bye then," Lindy said, as she and Eliza walked toward the doors. They waved one more time at the door and then disappeared behind it.

"Finally," he said, annoyed. "Thought they'd never leave."

"What have you got against my friends?" she snapped.

"Nothing, actually. They're better than you. It was just nauseating to watch your farewell," he replied, pretending to gag.

"At least I have friends," she retorted. That cut deep, she could tell from the way his eyes darted around when she'd said it. She sighed. "Listen, okay. I know we both hate each other. That's not going to change. But we promised Principal Andrews that we'd try to act civilised. I'm willing to do that if you are," she said. He looked back at her.

"Fine," he agreed, after a moment's hesitation.

At long last, Figg reappeared and the group made their way to the ticket lady. Elijah pushed in front of Tia, who pushed him back, both clearly forgetting their agreement to act polite. Tia was not looking forward to this plane trip and neither was the boy walking in front her. How they would survive the fourteen-hour plane ride sitting beside one another, nobody knew.