Forever.

Chapter 3: Wow

Claire's P.O.V. (3 days later)

I look down at the ground below me. The cars look like ants, and the world looks small. Right now, I am on the plane on my way to LAX and Braden doesn't know I'm coming.

His uncle and I arranged that it would be a surprise. His uncle, who told me to call him Derrick, told Braden that he was picking up a new player for the team.

I really hope he's surprised.

There's about another hour until the plane lands, and now it's really hitting me that I'm going to see Braden again.

I'm going to see Braden again.

Wow.

I'm going to see him. God, I hope he didn't turn into some stuck up basketball meat head. I also hope that he didn't get turned into something he's not. The boy who is passionate about what he loves, but also protecting what he loves, is the boy I love.

I just hope that doesn't change.

***one hour later***

The plane landed a few minutes ago and they are hooking it up to the ramp where you can get off.

My heart pounds and my palms sweat. Everyone stands up and grabs their bags from the overhead compartments, but not me. I checked my bags. I just want to get off of this plane and see Braden.

People finally start to get off of the plane. The process is slow, but it happens.

"Thank you." I say to the flight attendant as I sling my backpack over my shoulder.

I walk through the ramp, the warm air coming in. My heart pounds as I get closer to getting off of the plane. I can't hear anything because of my heartbeat in my ears. Small beads of sweat form on the back of my neck, and my hands shake.

I'm going to see him.

I finally make it out of the ramp thing and expect to see Braden standing there.

He isn't.

I look around at the crowd of unfamiliar faces, and not one of them matches Braden's. I look around some more and I still don't see Braden.

I take my phone off of airplane mode and a few seconds later, I have seven missed falls from Derrick. I press call and the dial tone sounds.

"Hello?" He asks.

"Hi Derrick, it's Claire." I say.

"Oh hi! Braden isn't there, right?" He asks.

"Not at the gate." I say.

"He said he didn't want to have to go through the trouble of going to the gate, he'll be at baggage claim." Derrick says.

"Okay. I guess I'll see you soon then." I say.

"Indeed. Call me if he isn't there." He says.

"Hey, before you go, can I ask you a quick question?" I ask.

"Yeah." He says.

"Has Braden been, I don't know, different lately?" I ask. I only want to know so I know how to act when I see him. Woah. That sounds weird to myself. When I see him.

"Um, yeah I guess. He's been really down ever since that interview. Do you know why?" He asks.

"A lot of things have happened since Braden and I started dating, and not all of them were good. Those questions kind of brought that back up, and I guess he hasn't thought about it in a while." I say.