Page 45 of Aftershock

We stayed like that, our grips unwavering as neither of us dared to pull away. I rotated my head to the side and looked out the window. Clouds littered the sky and the ground was nowhere in sight. My troubles seemed so far away, but when we landed, everything would shift back into perspective.

“What do you think we would be doing right now if we hadn't met at the airport?” Lexi asked, staring intensely at our hands.

“Well, I’d be on the way to my dad’s funeral, but instead of being here, I’d be on my original flight, probably surrounded by stinky feet and crying babies,” I chuckled.

“Autumn,” she laughed, poking me with her elbow. “Seriously, if we hadn't met, what do you think would be different right now?”

I sighed. So much would be different, more than I was able to conjure into words. “If I hadn't met you, I never would’ve dealt with any of the pain or resentment I held onto for so long. Meeting you gave me the courage I needed to express how I was feeling. You had the answers I was searching for.” Squeezing her hand gently, I realized this gesture had become somewhat of an unspoken language between the two of us. “Maybe it was you I was really searching for,” I added.

She leaned in close and then nestled her head between my neck and shoulder.

“And I’d be here on this flight, stressing over what everyone would think about my new music video and feeling like I would l never be a good role model. Everything I have ever done has been put under a magnifying glass, even my mistakes. You helped me see that my past is not something I should try and hide. I may slip up sometimes, and I know I’m not perfect, but that doesn't mean I'm not worthy of happiness.”

“I have never met anyone so deserving of a happy ending.”

“You.”

“No, Lexi. You.”

“What about both of us?”

“Yeah.” I let her words sink in. We were both worthy of good things that no amount of shitty childhood trauma or past mistakes could take away. “Both of us.”

“Thank you, Autumn. You know for walking into the same bathroom as me right before an earthquake,” she chuckled. “I’m glad I met you.”

Smirking at her while pushing my hair behind my ear, I asked, “So does that mean I can have your number then?”

“Dude,” she laughed as she hit my arm. Not a second later, a loud ding rang through the air as the fasten seat belt sign came on. “I think we are about to land,” Lexi said as she leaned over to buckle her seatbelt.

“Yeah.”

“You ready to go to your dad’s funeral?”

“As much as I can be.”

The Descent

The plane started to descend rapidly. The engine whirred, and the sides of the plane began to shake. The picture that seemed so far away came back into view as we got closer and closer to the ground. It wasn’t long until the plane jostled as we landed roughly with a thud. Looking down at my phone, I saw that it was 2:19 p.m., which meant people would be arriving for the viewing of the casket right about now. I unbuckled my seatbelt and kneeled down to retrieve the bag out from underneath the seat. We slowed to a halt as Ashley and Lilly made their way over to the doors to begin unlocking them. Brian and Andrew stood as well and immediately started unloading suitcases. Even Macy appeared from around back, typing away on her phone. I watched as she popped a Bluetooth speaker into her ear and started to make several phone calls. Everyone moved like a well-oiled machine. I walked over to the sofa in the lounge and sat down to put on my sneakers. I cringed at the idea of wearing Converse to my dad’s funeral, but I didn’t have any other choice. Besides, what could he do about it? At least Lexi had let me borrow a dress so I wouldn't stand out too much.

“So, I guess this is it, huh?” Lexi asked while sitting down next to me.

“It doesn't have to be.”

“Lexi, we are ready now,” Andrew said while he and Brian stood next to the exit door.

“Hotel check-in is at 4:00 p.m., but if we get there earlier, I can figure out a way to push it up,” Macy said while still looking down at her phone.

Lexi and I stood up and walked over to the exit. It was finally time to go our separate ways…again. The two of us walked down the stairs of the plane, and I couldn’t tell if it was just my imagination playing tricks on me, but it seemed like Lexi was moving slower than usual. Before I turned to leave, I waved at Lilly and Ashley.

“It was nice meeting both of you. Thanks for all your help.”

“Don't worry; I think we'll see each other again soon,” Ashley winked before retreating into the main cabin of the plane.

God, I hope she's right.

“It was nice meeting you too, Autumn,” Lilly said cordially.

Yeah, I definitely offended her with all of my jokes.

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