Spotlight on Nobody

- 40 -

~ song: BS by Still Woozy ~

Not going to think about. Not going to think about it. Not going to think about it.

My phone burns in my palm, begging me to unlock it, to look at the petty picture posted mere hours ago.

Nope, nope, nope. Not looking. Not looking. Not looking.

The muscles in my hand twitch and shift on their own accord, slowly turning my phone towards my face, practically forcing me to unlock....

"Want something to drink?" Leo asks from across the cabin, interrupting my brutal internal struggle.

My hand jerks down as if I had been caught doing something wrong, releasing my phone into my lap.

"No, I'm fine," I sigh, focusing my attention out the window, staring at the open expanse of blue sky rushing past us. We're probably somewhere over Missouri, halfway through our flight to LAX.

It's my first time in a chartered plane – honestly, it's my first time flying anywhere without my long legs cramped by the person reclining in front of me in. I'm stretched out on the white leather couch, a tray of snacks sprawled on the table next to me, a flat-screen TV mounted on the front wall, playing Kill Bill on mute. The entire plane interior is blonde wood panels and soft cream fabric – a zen retreat in the sky. I've already checked out the bathroom, and let me tell you, it is nothing like a plane bathroom. Leo is standing towards the front of the plane, hunched over a minibar, pulling two bottled smoothies out of the minifridge.

He strides over to me and gently kisses my forehead before handing me a smoothie anyways.

"I'm sorry Nell," he apologies for the millionth time.

"Don't apologize Leo," I say with frustration not directed towards him, but rather myself. How come, no matter how hard I try, Ingrid is always able to pick away at me and make me feel like shit?

"I hate to see you like this," he says sadly, noting my obvious sulking all day.

"And I hate to be the girlfriend who is jealous of your ex," I admit. "I can't help it."

"It's not your fault," he soothes, laying down next to me on this ultra-spacious sofa in the sky. "Ingrid has a special talent for getting under people's skin."

"Oh, I've noticed," I chuckle. I stare at his side profile as he looks up at the ceiling of the cabin. Is it possible that his face has become even more perfect since we first met? I've memorized every contour a hundred times, yet each time I look at him, my heart swells in shock that he's mine. The strong slope of his nose, the spray of freckles over his marble skin, the gentle curve of his lips, the stray curls of his black hair – he was crafted from the stuff of dreams.

What the hell am I doing, letting Ingrid wriggle her way in between us? Nothing can get between us. I love Leo more than I thought it was humanly possible. I know what Ingrid feels for Leo isn't love, it's possession, it's ownership. Frankly, it's so obvious and pathetic, I'm embarrassed I fall for her act every time.

I lean over and kiss his cheek, feeling my dark mood release its grip and flit away into the sky that rushes past us. I can't guarantee that Ingrid won't get under my skin again – like Leo said, it's her unique talent – but I can learn how to bounce back and not let her ruin my entire day.

"What's first on the agenda when we land?" I ask, my lips still lingering on his cheek. I feel Leo's cheeks smile against my lips as he realizes my bad mood has withered away.

"The boys wanted to come over tonight, but I told them it was going to be just me and you." He snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.