Finding You

Chapter 25

This chapter is dedicated to @letshoneybun!

IMPORTANT author's note at the end of this chapter. Enjoy Chapter 25 my lovelies!

...

"You're fucking joking. When did you even decide this?"

Sophie's voice blares through the phone into my ear. She sounds like she could rip my head off.

"I booked the ticket yesterday. I just had to. I haven't been that way in almost a year, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity," I reply.

"So you refuse to visit your family for a whole year no matter who tries to convince you, and then all of a sudden you want to do it willingly? How does that work?"

"I don't know why, I- I can't even explain it, I just need to do this. I need to stop being afraid and just go for it."

"I get that, Ally, I really do but we have plans for your birthday tomorrow. Remy booked us for a fucking spa day tomorrow and there is no way I'm going through that without you. It's bad enough you managed to get me to agree to this shit," Sophie sighs heavily, grumbling silent profanities to herself.

"Get Liv to take my spot, so you're not alone with Remy at least. I'll message her right now. She's only leaving for Great Barrington on Wednesday and she loves that kind of stuff. I'm sure she'd love to take my spot."

"And what about the clubbing? Nathan, Seb and Kris. I already told them about the plans for tomorrow night," Sophie complains, and I grow increasingly impatient.

If I don't check my bags in now, I won't be allowed on the plane. I need to wrap this up.

"Message them and tell them it's been posponed until I get back. I promise when I get back, the first thing we can do is celebrate, all on me. Sound good?"

Another sigh escapes Sophie's lips. "Fine. You better message me when you land. I love you, be safe."

"I love you too, and I will. Enjoy dance today, I'll call you later."

The minute I hang up, I go into Liv's chat explaining tomorrow's spa dilemma to her before switching off my phone. Liv was already aware of my flight to LA; she was the one who agreed with me when I suggested the idea. My family, however, is completely oblivious to the spontaneous arrangement.

I stick my phone in the main compartment of my bag before dragging my legs hastily to the check-in lines of JFK, yawing with every step. Luckily, the line isn't too long so I'm able to check-in my luggage within 10 minutes, and immediately I find my boarding gates.

Within half an hour, I'm boarding the airplane, shivering as I climb the metal steps to get through the door. Mornings are always the coldest times of Fall in New York. Who chooses their flight for Monday at 10 in the morning? Not one of my finest moments, clearly.

I slowly make my way down the left aisle, navigating where my seat is located. Sighing with relief that I found my seat without a hassle, I scoot into the window seat and lay my head against the headrest, closing my eyes.

It's been a solid 2 days of broken sleep now. Every night as I lay in my bed trying to get some sleep, the memory of Justin and I at Beth's 16th pops into my brain, followed by a trip down the rabbithole until BOOM, the phone call that shattered me all those months ago. It's a constant battle I face between my heart and my well-being.

And so, here I am: Boarding a plane to finally face my demons. To face the place that makes me shiver at all the terrible memories here. I need to be stronger; I want to be.