Page 1 of Icebound Attraction

1

Emily

“Shit!” I exclaim when I see the message on my phone. “Mom! Mom! They've just canceled my flight!”

My heart races as I frantically scan the United airline app to figure out what's going on.

With my flight leaving in four hours, I was ready to hit the road for the airport.

My mother's voice echoes in the hallway, coupled with rapid footsteps in my direction.

“It says something about problems on scheduled flights.”

“Shit,” sighs my mother in turn.

She grabs her laptop and tries, like me, to figure out what we should do next. But the Internet isn't cooperative, and my app's chatbot only tells me to talk to the airport staff.

“The only solution is to go,” announces Mom, shrugging her shoulders.

“You're probably right.”

I close my slightly overstuffed suitcase, grab my hand luggage and my bag. I place it by the door to put on my jacket and shoes.

My father comes running to say goodbye. He's been sulking for days because his baby is leaving the nest to go to university. Honestly, I can't help but smile at his scowl. Even so, he pulls me into his big arms and holds me unusually close.

“Dad! Dad! I'm having trouble breathing,” I say in a choked voice.

Reluctantly, he lets go and starts carrying my luggage to the car.

I was right to say goodbye to my sisters this afternoon. Goodbyes are definitely not my thing, and it saves us any more tears in the rush of the situation.

I follow my father to the car, where my mother is already waiting. He looks at me sadly - as he often does these days - and I place a big kiss on his cheek.

“I love you, Dad.”

He just grunts the same thing and shuffles back to the veranda, where he stops and looks at us longingly. My mother is already sitting in the driver's seat and starts the car. I climb in and look out of the window. I take one last look at our house, and a mixture of fear, excitement and anticipation settles over me. Texas has always been my home and I love it here, but it's time to start a new chapter in my life.

I wave to my father, and as we drive off, all previous feelings are replaced by overwhelming curiosity. I'm finally going to study journalism at university - and in the Big Apple! I wonder if it'll be like the movies.

Sex, booze and parties...

I shake my head. I'd rather not think about it. Sure, I've got nothing against partying or getting drunk, but it's absolutely not my objective. I want to concentrate on my studies and get good grades, not hang around like an alcoholic corpse in the bed of a guy whose first name I won't remember.

I imagine walking across campus and being greeted by my classmates. How I'll work diligently in class and fall into bed at night, satisfied. Inevitably, the corners of my mouth turn up. I can't wait!

When we finally arrive at the airport, a message appears on my cell phone informing me that I've been transferred to a flight for tomorrow afternoon - with a two-hour layover in Washington.

Great.

We make our way to the counter. On the notice board, several canceled flights are flashing. So, I'm not the only one. Before I can even open my mouth, my mother takes the lead. I think I'll always be her little girl... Patiently, I stand back and let her do her thing.

“My daughter's flight today has been canceled. She has another one tomorrow afternoon. Is there a hotel room for her in this case? Does the airline pay for it or not?” she asks the counter clerk, slightly stressed.

“Yes, ma'am. Everything is taken care of. Your daughter can go to this hotel.”

The young woman from the airline hands us a document stating that the night is offered to me in an establishment not far from the airport, and all the other details are noted on it.

I turn to my mother, whose eyes shine with a suspicious moisture. From now on, she has to leave me, and I must go on alone. We hug each other and both fight back tears.

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