Page 97 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“And then you,” she uttered with her lips puckered. Her eyes wandered until she broke into a full smile.

“Fuck you smiling so hard for, Choc?”

“You tell me, first, then I’ll tell you.”

I dipped my head, shaking it from one side to the other. My smile was so fucking big, the sides of my lips were beginning to crack. Whatever voodoo she’d put on my ass was strong and wasn’t letting up.

“Come on. We have to get back up front or the plane will never take off.”

She started behind me, baffled by my declaration.

“Why not?”

“Because…” I paused as we crossed into the cockpit. “No one will be up here to get it off the ground.”

“Chemis– Chemistry. Yo– you’re– Wait.”

Eden was lost for words, stuttering like a kid with a speech impediment.

“Sit there and grab a headset.”

She sat down where she’d been instructed and grabbed the headset.

“You chose water.”

I was instantly taken back to the conversation we’d had some time ago.

“Because I have arms and legs, not wings. But, I never said I couldn’t fly.”

“You’re full of surprises, Mister.”

That smile returned, stopping my heart momentarily.

“Would you have it any other way?”

She shook her head from side to side.

“Good. Now, settle down and put on the headset. Tour the beauty of the state of Huffington, shall we?”

“Yes. Please.”

I began the pre-flight checklist as she adjusted.

“Checklist complete,” I confirmed, speaking into the headset. Daniel was on the receiving end, waiting for my signal.

“Childers 3082, cleared for takeoff,” Daniel responded.

“Staff, prepare for takeoff,” I warned everyone onboard. “Choc, keep your eyes open. You don’t want to miss the views as we ascend.”

The plane started down the runway, and slowly, the nose tipped toward the sky. Our speed increased and so did our altitude as the wheels lifted from the ground.

“Wheels up.”

We continued to climb until we neared the clouds. Once we’d reached the designated height, I was able to relinquish control.

“How are you, Eden?”

I turned around, watching her cheeks peak and her thumb rise.

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