Page 63 of Stephan

Newcastle University was all right, nothingstuck out to me. I got a chance to speak to an early childhoodlearning teacher and I wasn’t blown away. I figured if I was goingto move away and follow Stephan to a university, it needed to beamazing or at least great enough to get me excited.

Today, Stephan and I were going to go lookaround Newcastle. “Where are you taking me first?”

“I thought we’d go check out the beaches andthen maybe the shops?”

“Sounds good.”

Stephan drove toward where the beach was. Igazed out the window looking at the houses and the town. There wasa range of homes, but most of the ones we drove by were like theones I lived in from my childhood, I didn’t think it looked like agood neighborhood.

I groaned as I realized how I sounded—like asnob. Stephan and Reed Creek with its clean streets and well-kepthouses was brushing off on me and raising my expectations. Before Imoved to Reed Creek I would have been happy with Newcastle, but nowI couldn’t help but compare it.

Turning eighteen had given me options Ididn’t have before. I could move anywhere I wanted and didn’t needa guardian. I was classed as a young adult. I could sign my ownnotes and make my own decisions. I didn’t have to stay where Ididn’t want to anymore. I had choices and I could finally be theone to choose which way I went. I think those two reasons were whyI was being so picky. The university and town would be where Ilived for the next four years. I wanted to love it.

Stephan took us to two different beaches andagain I didn’t think they were any better than the ones in Sydneyor Reed Creek. The shops weren’t any better either.

We tried the nightlife and even though Ihadn’t been out much I hated it. Brand and the rest of the securityintervened twice and in the end Stephan and I both went back to thehotel on the same page. Newcastle University was out.

Chapter Sixteen

Jade

Stephan had booked flights for us to the GoldCoast for a week after our disaster in Newcastle and I was hopingfor better in Labrador the Gold Coast. Derick was coming with us tothe Gold Coast and I was happy. Stephan and Derick were close and Iknew neither wanted to live far from each other.

I’d never been on a plane before and wassuper nervous. Derick wasn’t making it any better.

“Sis, planes are safe, well unless you get acrazy on it who wants to kill everyone, but what are the chances ofthat?”

“Oh my God, I’m going to die, my luck sucks.”I turned and walked toward an airport exit.

Derick laughed and followed. “This flight isonly a couple of hours. If we crash Stephan would look out for you.He’d even put the oxygen mask on you first, though you’re supposedto do yourself first. They always show you—”

Stephan whacked his brother behind the head.“Shut it, idiot.” He turned to me pulling me close. “Don’t listento him, little bit, he’s just being an arse.”

I still wasn’t convinced and planted my feetinto the airport carpet. They called first class again for ourflight and I frantically looked around.

Stephan sighed and almost picked me up todrag me to the gate. “I’m not driving over twelve hours, so get outyour ticket now, Jade.”

At the use of my name I knew Stephan meantbusiness. Groaning, I shuffled my feet and gave my tickets to theflight attendant. She scanned it, and glancing behind me I sawBrand, Royce, David, Owen, Rex, and the two new guys, but Icouldn’t remember their names.

I walked through the checkpoint with Stephanand Derick following behind me. Our seats were at the front and alot bigger and spacious than I thought. Glancing behind me Igroaned and for once was grateful to Stephan for his money. Theseats behind were smaller and I stood and looked further back tosee in the very back they were crammed in like sardines.

I sat back in my seat and grabbed Stephan’shand. “Thank you.”

Stephan brought our joined hands up andkissed mine. “For what?”

“This. Everything. I appreciate what you dofor me. I want you to know. So thank you. I’m super glad right nowI’m not sitting back there with all the other sardines crammed inthe plane.”

I debated for a moment if I should tell him Ilove him, but I didn’t want him to think I loved him for his money.I didn’t. As much as I would hate it I’d still love him if we werestuck back with all the squished people flying.

Stephan leaned over and kissed me helping domy seatbelt. “I love you too.”

I hadn’t said those words but if Stephanthought that’s what I said I’d let him.

The flight attendant came and stood at thefront of the plane and explained the safety plans. I watchedterrified, scared to miss anything. I barely felt the plane movingI was so focused on the pretty blonde.

When the flight attendant was done the pilotcame over the intercom. I clenched Stephan’s hand tight as theplane picked up speed while my other hand had a death grip on thechair arm. The whole plane seemed to shake as it lifted off theground and I thought for a moment that I was going to die.

“I love you,” I croaked out before I sank myface into Stephan’s shoulder. I did something I hadn’t done in manyyears, if ever, I prayed. “Dear God, let me live. Please let melive. Please, God.” My ears popped and closed my eyes.

---