Circumstantial

Chapter 15

Last night, after three beers, I came to the conclusion that I'm just slightly infatuated with Sarah. No big deal, right? I'm not in love with her or anything serious. It's because I haven't had my sexual needs satisfied in so long and she's around me a lot. It's only natural to feel attracted to her. Once this contract is over, I'll hook up with Pam and get this out of my system. Heck, I'm so desperate, even Alicia is back on my menu. So that's the logical explanation I've chosen to believe.

I slept like a log, rushed with the packing this morning, and didn't feel awkward about seeing Sarah. Until she showed up at my door with her hair open, casually dressed in skinnies and a blouse, smelling like vanilla. Now I'm a wreck again. Oh hell... Here we go.

Most of the trip is uneventful. Sarah hired an Uber to drop us off at the airport. She has two suitcases. She insists that one is basically for her sister's over the top wedding dress and a few gifts. It's a short two hour flight, but she hasn't had breakfast yet, so she orders an overpriced coffee and choc-chip muffin. She seems like she's in a good mood, although I notice that she's making an effort at keeping herself distracted. First, she scrolls through Instagram for an hour, randomly clicking on likes, then she spends the next hour flipping through a travel magazine. I, on the other hand, stare out the window, watching as we ascend above the clouds. I'm a bit apprehensive about meeting her family. Adding to the fact that I'd be lying to all of them about being in a relationship with her is kinda stressful enough, plus I've just come to terms with the realisation that I'm falling for her. I don't know how to handle the whole situation. I feel like a teenager again. I can barely look at her when she talks, and pointedly keep my responses curt. When the plane begins it's decent over the city of Cape Town, she finally confronts me about my 'off' behaviour.

"Is everything alright?" She asks.

"Yeah," I reply.

"Okay..." she thinks for a while, then asks, "Did I do something? Did something happen?"

Duh. Cupid stabbed me in the balls with his cursed arrow.

"No," I mutter, staring out the little window. The city below is bustling with activity. I can see vehicles and people moving about like tiny toys.

"Michael," I feel her fingers touch my arm.

I turn to look at her. Her eyes are filled with empathy.

"You're nervous about meeting my family, I get that. You're going to be living with strangers for the next few days and it isn't an ideal situation with our big lie. I understand, but it'll work out and it'll be over soon," she says, staring into my eyes intently. It's as if she's trying to console herself into believing those words.

"Yeah, I guess," I reply. She bites her lower lip anxiously and does something unexpected. She places her hand over mine. My skin tingles.

"You coming means a lot to me, seriously. I don't feel like I have to face them alone. Going back home, I have this knot in my stomach. I'm freaking out inside, trust me. It's a big deal for me too," she says sincerely, her eyes giving away her fear. It's the first time she's openly admitting her feelings. Why does she have this irrational phobia of going back home? Is it really just because of her dead Dad, or is it something more?

"They're your family, Sarah. You belong there with them. There's no reason for you to feel like an outcast," I reassure her.