Author's Note: Totally random idea that came into my head one day. Lauren thank you so much for putting up with my back and forth ideas lol. Enjoy.
Serena packed her bags as her eyes scaled her room. She was leaving the Upper East Side to travel to London and Paris, to study fashion with Blair. She was advised not to take the year off from college, but this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Serena let out a deep sigh as she packed her life into that suitcase. Endless clothes and memories made the time fly. She had to catch her flight soon. She sat on her bed waiting for Dan to stop over so they could say goodbye. He was the hardest goodbye she'd say before she left for her trip. They promised to write each other, set aside days to visit, and keep in touch, but 2 years was alot.
"Hey." Dan said as he rubbed his eyes.
"You seem tired?" Serena replied as she got off the bed.
"I tried to sleep a little bit before I take you to the airport." Dan yawned. "Blair will meet you in London?"
"Yea she got a later flight." Serena replied as she fit her shirt. She felt Dan starring at her. "Its hard to say goodbye to you Dan, knowing its impossible to stay in touch." Serena pouted her lips as her eyes sank into a gaze.
"Then don't think like that. We not like those couples that just give up. We're over that." Dan grabbed Serena's hand and looked into her eyes. She couldn't look back at him though.
He picked up her chin and gave her a long kiss. She started to take her jacket off and take the ribbon out of her hair but Dan stopped her. "As much as I want you right now, I know I won't be able to stop once we start."
Serena look at him with pissed off eyes. She got up and grabbed her bags. This was no way to say goodbye.
Dan loaded up the car with Serena's bags. The cab ride was silent until they hit the airport. They talked about certain arrangements they had made to see each other. The wait felt as if it took forever for her flight to be called. She didn't want to leave but the wait in silence was killing her. The attendant finally called her flight.
"Dan I can't go." Serena wrapped her arms around him.
"We drove all the way out here, your going." Dan tried to make her laugh. "Besides, I'd hate myself if I made you stay." He kissed her forehead.
He took her to the terminal and watched her hand her ticket in. She ran back and hugged him. She needed that last hug before she left. Dan bit his lip and he watched her go off. As the plane took off, he felt an ache in his heart.
Serena put her head against the seat and wiped her eyes. She rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window. The clouds put her mind at ease.
"So you got the window seat?" A male voice said as he put his bag into the over head compartment.
"Excuse me?" Serena looked up.
"Oh I'm sorry. Just friendly conversation and I never get the window seat on a plane. The plane god must not like me."
Serena just nodded her head. In her mind she thought great, she got stuck with a weirdo on a long flight.
"I'm Seth by the way. I'm the rambling fool of the plane." He put out his hand for her to shake.
"I'm Serena." She responded as she grabbed his hand.
"Sorry that I weirded you out, its just my mind is all over the place." Seth replied as he sat down. He nervously shook his hand.
"Afraid of flying?" Serena questioned.
"No. I'm just going to visit my family to tell them I've be re-stationed. My girlfriend even broke up with me over it."
Serena sighed. She felt stupid for asking that question. She probably brought up all old things he didn't want to think about. She bit her lip and turned towards him.
"Well, just be honest. Don't start lying now incase..."
"In case I die?" Seth turned his face away from Serena and put on his headphones.
Serena avoided talking to him the rest of the flight. She didn't want to say anything stupid again. She felt that she sounded bitchy. She flipped through the same magazine about five times. She kept looking in Seth's direction to see if he was looking back. She waited for him to just blow up on her. Saying how she was depressing him or that she didn't understand his pain. If he did lash out she wouldn't say a word. He deserved too, after everything he's seen in war.
"Seth over hear!" An older woman waved her hand in the air. A smile stretched across her face.
"Hi mom." Seth hugged her as he got off the plane.
"Where's your girlfriend? Don't tell me you got cold feet about us meeting her, you alway bail out." Elaine hit his shoulder.
Serena ran up behind Seth. "There you are baby. Sorry I took so long had to freshen up." She wrapped wrapped her arm into his as he gave her this deep look.
"Mom, this is Serena, my girlfriend." Seth kissed Serena's hand.
"Well its a pleasure. I'll go get the car so we can talk." Elaine walked away.
"Why did you do that?" Seth let go off her hand.
"Because I felt bad."
"What every guy wants to hear. Makes them feel like an ass." Seth snapped.
"No. I don't want you going off having your parents judging you or making you feel like your choice doesn't matter. Your very brave." Serena hugged him.
Seth couldn't reply. Then quickly made a story of how they met and dates they went on. Seth didn't enjoy lying, he also didn't enjoy his parents doubtful comments. He'd play along with this charade until he went back to war. After then Serena would never see these people again.
