Somebody

The Reunion

Chapter 9

"We are about to begin our descent Miss Grant."

"Thanks Paul," I mumbled, the seaweed face mask restricting the movement of my mouth.

I could feel the air hostess (I think her name was Gretel) begin to wipe the revitalising green muck off my face as my private jet began to plummet back to the ground.

"Gretchen, the captain needs you."

"Excuse me for a minute, Miss Grant."

Oh so her name was Gretchen. Gretel, Gretchen, what's the difference?

I tried to concentrate on the cool sensation of the cucumber slices resting over my closed eyelids and the herbal smell of Chinese incense burning in the background.

But it was useless. I was still thinking of Caleb.

It wasn't my fault - he left me practically hanging back at my house. We were having such a great time before Naomi interrupted us. I haven't even been able to look at vanilla and coconut ice cream the same way.

Everywhere I looked were pieces of him that brought the memory back like a sharp stab in my chest, the dull blade twisting and turning every time his name was on my mind.

But it was Christmas Day and I refused to spend it pining over Caleb. Sure, it had been weeks since the last time I had seen him and at the time, he confessed to both Naomi and I that he found the idea of dating or loving me repulsive.

But I was not going to think about him at all on my holiday. Like I had for the past two weeks.

No thoughts about his adorably shy smile or his sparkling green eyes. Or his coppery-brown locks of hair or his soft pink lips...

No. The next week was going to be about family and family only.

I was lucky to even fit this whole trip in my hectic schedule but Naomi, being the amazing person she is, had managed it.

I was only home for the rest of the year and catching the first flight back to California on New Year's.

Of course I was ecstatic to see my family after almost a year apart but I was also terrified to face my sister after our last phone call.

I could only hope that we would make up with each other during my brief stay.

I was startled out of my reverie by a gentle and polite voice. Gretel. I mean, Gretchen.

"I apologise for my absence Miss Grant. Now, where were we?"

I was being offered fresh hand-picked strawberries just when a scratchy voice came through the intercom.

"We have now landed. Please wait to remove your seat belts."

I looked outside the small circular window to the familiar snowy plains of home. A wave of nausea washed over me and I find myself struggling for breath. The sight of my hometown brought back thoughts and memories that I had always hoped would stay in my hometown.

"Welcome to Wisconsin and have a safe and happy holiday."

***

"Riley!" My mother's screech could be heard from the other side of the small airport.

"Mum! I'm trying to stay undercover here," I hissed in irritation as she pulled me in for a big bear hug.

Taking whiffs of her familiar floral perfume made me feel instantly better after the whole paparazzi debacle I had dealt with when I exited my plane.