72
Valentina
This morning only made Will and JJ more worried. Places around the country were reaching two feet of snow, and on top of that, the snow here started picking up on the drive to the airport.
We make it inside to see thousands of people sleeping on the floors or trying to find another route home. You’d think that would deter me from leaving, but I just can’t stay here.
“My flights are still going, so I’m still going,” I tell them when we reach my terminal.
“Why are you so adamant about going home during all this?” Will asks while scanning the area, watching more and more frustrated people try to get home.
I shrug. “I guess I just feel that what’s meant to happen will happen.”
His eyes move back to mine. “So it’s not to see him?”
“No,” I say adamantly. “That’s something I almost don’t want.”
“Almost.” Of course, he catches the word I hoped he wouldn’t.
“Will,” I warn weakly. I don’t want to think about Huxley right now, so I’m not going to. No matter how much my mind tells me to figure everything out.
Will pulls me into a hug. “I want updates.” He squeezes me tighter. “And if you aren’t home by a certain time, I’m calling the FBI to find you.”
I roll my eyes. “You can’t just call the FBI.”
“I know some people there, so I can.”
I pull back quickly. “You know people at the FBI?”
“Not important.”
What—
JJ pulls me into a hug, cutting off my confusing train of thoughts that was about to take off. “Seriously. Updates,” he tells me in a stern voice.
I nod. “I will. I promise.”
He nods back as someone calls my plane over the intercom. I pull in a deep breath and look up at them. “I’m gonna be okay. I always am.”
“Updates,” they say together. I give them both a thumbs-up, then turn to get on my plane.
This time around, my trip is split up into two flights. The first one from New York to Denver is so incredibly smooth that I almost forgot about the snowstorm that was raging across the country.
As soon as the plane lands at Denver International, I check my flight to Seattle again. With everything still good to go, I get to my next terminal and find a comfortable place to sit for the next few hours before takeoff.
I send a message to Will and JJ that I’ve landed, and they both text back immediately, asking how the flight went. When they are both assured I’m okay, my mind works on its own, clicking out of their messages and into Huxley’s.
Letting out a deep breath, I scroll to where I stopped earlier and keep reading.
Huxley: You trust him. And you should.
Huxley: I don’t know why I got so worked up about you trusting me.
Huxley: I guess most people don’t trust me.
Huxley: Or maybe I just don’t think I deserve your trust.
Huxley: Not just trust. Your trust.
My messages quickly shift as a new text comes through.
Huxley: Please tell me you aren’t flying back today.
What?
I frown deeply as I start typing back.
Valentina: I thought you wanted me home?
Huxley: Valentina, this weather is insane. You shouldn’t be flying.
Valentina: Well, I’m already in Denver waiting for my next flight.
Huxley: Don’t get on the plane.
Valentina: I’m not staying here unless my flight gets canceled.
Huxley: Don’t get on the plane, Valentina.
Valentina: I’m getting on the plane, Huxley.
Huxley: Why can’t you just understand that I don’t want anything bad to happen to you?
Valentina: Nothing bad is going to happen to me.
I stare at my phone and wait for his reply, but nothing comes through.
An announcement for my plane sounds through the terminal, so I gather my bag and head for my gate.
As soon as I’m seated, I notice how few people are on this flight.
The rest of them must have canceled their own flights. Too late to turn back now.
I sink back in my seat and pull my phone up to turn it off. Before I can, another message comes through.
Huxley: Please be okay.
I bite my tongue and quickly wipe away the tear that escapes.
Valentina: I’ll be home soon. Wait for me at the airport.
I send another message to Will and JJ letting them know I’m leaving, then turn off my phone. My eyes move to my window to try to take my mind off being home soon.
Right now, I wish the flight attendant from my first flight would show up and give me a cup of whatever that was, just so I don’t have to think anymore. Thankfully, the flight is going well.
So well that my eyes drift closed. Maybe some sleep will ease my mind.
My body jolts forward, my hands bracing on the seat in front of me. I glance at another passenger in the row across from me, fear building in their eyes as the plane shakes again. I fumble with my seat belt, pulling it tighter.
I’m dreaming. That’s what this is, I’m dreaming. I must be. I gently pinch my arm. And it hurts. So I’m not dreaming. Fuck what is happening right now?
Everything starts rattling around us, the lights strobing out above. And then the plane just drops. At least, that’s what it feels like. The air masks come down, sending more fear through me. I work quickly to get it on, then grip the armrest.
Someone starts screaming toward the front of the plane.
I glance back at the flight attendants who are in their makeshift seats, but all they can do is watch us.
My head turns back when I hear a man reciting the Bible, and the plane shakes harder.
I close my eyes, pictures of Will and JJ filling my mind.
Birdie and Ava pop up, too. Hell, even Collin makes an appearance.
But then my mind focuses on Huxley.
All our good memories flood my brain as the air in my lungs becomes harder to breathe.
More screaming.
More shaking.
And then, nothing.