A.N: Just before I begin, I'd like to point out to some people (cough, cough, georgia and taylah, cough) that I wrote this entire thing with a wrist brace on because of incredibly painful severe RSI. So be grateful and never complain again hehe :)
LUKE’S POV
“Come on guys, bags out and inside,” Brock directed our tired troops, taking charge. I stood at the boot, passing bags to their appropriate owners before shutting it and sending the taxi on its way. We all hurried inside to avoid getting run over and headed to check in.
“Why did we have to get a 6 o’clock flight again?” Taylah yawned, shuffling forward a little in line.
“Because we’re grateful for the opportunity, which means we don’t complain,” Tyrone recitated our new catchphrase. Taylah just rolled her eyes and hoisted her bag onto the moving belt to be weighed.
“Hey,” I caught Maeve’s arm as she went to move forward. “Are you alright? You’re really quiet.”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she nodded. She definitely looked kinda pale, and she’d barely spoken all morning. “I’m just not really feeling well. I think I just need some sleep.” She gave me a small smile and went up to the counter.
“Just through to gate14,” the lady behind the desk said, pointing at a set of big metal doors. I thanked her and followed the others through to an area with a few gates, a heap of chairs, a row of food stands and a few little shops.
We dumped our stuff near gate 14 and split up into smaller groups to walk around. I followed the girls over to the food with Tyrone. The girls headed straight for McDonalds, cool with me, who doesn’t love a good old Maccas breakfast? We all ordered and I paid for all of us, directing them all back to the gate to eat.
The others had gone with slightly healthier options of nutritious looking muffins and toasted sandwiches.
“I’m gonna grab a magazine,” Mitchel announced after we’d finished eating. “Anyone want anything?”
“I’ll come with you,” Tay jumped up and fixed her baggy jumper. “I want the new Dolly.”
“Can you grab some gum and stuff,” Christian asked, looking up at them. Mitch nodded and the two of them set off.
Brock had his earphones in, his head bobbing slightly along to whatever he was listening to. Georgia was curled up on one of the chairs, using Christian’s jumper as a pillow. Christian and Tyrone were both on their phones, probably on twitter. Maeve was sitting on the floor with her head against the chair behind her, still strangely silent.
I pulled out my own phone, logging onto twitter.
Howelly123 Get ready Sydney, we’re coming your way ;)
“Sustenance all around!” Mitchel declared, dropping a pile of chewing gum, lollies and chips in the middle of our makeshift circle. We cheered and pounced on it, pocketing it quickly. “Apparently we should be able to start boarding in about 20 minutes.”
In a second, Maeve was on her feet and walking away. We all kind of just sat there for a moment, caught by surprise.
“Maeve!” Taylah called after her. “Where are you going?” She looked back briefly and broke into a run, rounding a corner out of sight.
“What the hell is up with her today?” Georgia said incredulously.
“I don’t know,” Mitchel shook his head, looking at the spot where she’d disappeared. “Did she say anything to you Luke?”
I didn’t answer, I was busy thinking.
“Luke,” Tyrone said next to me, waving a hand in front of my face that barely registered. “Luke!”
“The plane,” I said suddenly, wanting to hit myself for not thinking of it earlier. The others all looked at me blankly. “Her parents died in a freaking plane crash!”
I got up and ran after her, leaving them all sitting there. I did a lap of the whole area, about to go back through to the check in area when I saw a flash of colour go past me on my right. I backtracked and found her, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed in a little alcove. She looked up as I approached.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her voice breaking a little.
“No, I’m sorry,” I pulled her into my arms. She hugged me back tightly. “I’m so sorry Maeve. I should have – I didn’t think.”
I pulled away gently and led her over to the small bench seat nearby. She leant her head on my shoulder, taking deep, steadying breaths.
“I’m scared Luke,” she almost whispered. “I haven’t been on a plane for years. Every time I even think of a plane, I get this horrible feeling in my stomach, like I’m going to literally be sick.” I turned her to face me, putting my hands on her shoulders.
“If you can’t do this, then we’ll stay here,” I said simply and she looked confused. “I’m not going to leave you here alone.”
“Luke, don’t be stupid,” she started to protest but I cut her off.
“No, I’m not being stupid,” I said stubbornly. “Besides, I won’t be able to have any fun with you in a different state by yourself. If you don’t go, I don’t go.”
“Stupid, noble Luke,” she sighed, trying to glare at me. “Well, I want you within arm grabbing distance at all times.”
“Wait so you’ll come?” I asked in disbelief. She nodded once, her lips pressed tightly together. “Only if you’re absolutely sure – okay, okay. In that case, we should probably go. We’ve got a plane to catch.”
I pulled her to her feet and we hurried back to the gate where Brock was waiting with our boarding passes. He handed them over and we all walked on together in silence. It wasn’t till he was already in his seat and I looked down at my ticket that I noticed it had his name on it, but it was also the seat next to Maeve’s. I caught his eye and mouthed a ‘thank you’ and he just smiled and nodded.
“You sure you’re ready to do this?” I asked her as I sat down.
“No, not at all,” she shook her head, gripping my hand tightly. “They just need to get this thing in the air, then I might consider breathing.” I just chuckled and squeezed her fingers back.
“Let the fun begin.”
