Chapter 2
Flight
I spent the evening getting my things together. It was surprising how far things could spread, even after only staying a few weeks. I had been applying to colleges around the area. If I didn't get in there I was going to try Seattle. Embry was expecting me to be ready to fly home by tomorrow, what an idiot. I hated short notice.
I fell asleep on the couch. I was just waking when I heard two voices arguing.
'I can't let you do that.'
'And why not?' Ahh, the second voice growled.
'It's an invasion of her privacy.' Oh, Tom was an idiot. He really was thick. Numpty.
'She's my girlfriend.' he exclaimed, exasperated.
'She's my friend and my guest.'
'Tough, deal with it.' I was almost fully awake now and I was starting to get up.
'Cathy?' Embry said, hearing me get up.
'Embry.' I squeaked and ran to him, into his arms.
And I saw Tom's face.
Oh crap.
I think Carrey was right.
'I've missed you so much.' he said quietly. I knew he didn't like to admit weakness and this tiny scrap of feeling made me so proud of him.
'Me too.'
'Love you,' he said even quieter.
'I love you too. So what was all this commotion about?' I asked as we untangled so we just had our arms around each others waists.
'Your friend here wouldn't let me finish your packing.'
'I just wasn't comfortable with him going through your things.' wow, what a over protective prat.
'Tom, it's fine. He packed the rest of my things from home. Embry ignore Tom, he means well. Now I will go finish getting my things together and you two will try and get along for five minutes while I do.' and I let go of Embry and left the two of them staring. Embry and Tom had met once before and that had been just as bad. I loved Tom, he was like my brother, but if I had to make the choice I would stick with Embry. It hurt to think of it but I did wonder if one day I would have to make it.
I dreaded saying goodbye to Tom. He would hug me too tight and probably say something stupid. I had no other choice but to endure it. Embry got the cases into the taxi and came in to say bye to Tom. Tom and Embry shook hands while I attempted to maintain a distance. I failed.
'Thanks for having me, Tom.'
'It's my pleasure. So when will I see you guys again?'
'I don't know. I was looking at a college in Seattle and we're away until next year so I'm not sure.'
'Seattle? Huh, you never mentioned. So you're away a whole month?'
'That's if we don't miss our flight. We have to go.' he stepped to my side and embraced me. I thought I felt him smell my hair and I heard Embry crack his knuckles and was on the verge of a growl when Tom let me go.
'Bye.' I said, retreating.
'Goodbye.' Embry said, slinging one arm over my shoulder and walking with me to the taxi.
'Are you ok?' I asked him, worried.
'No. I'm mad at Tom.'
'Ok. Want to talk about it?'
'Not really. If he does it again…'
'He won't. I'll talk to him about it at some point. Anyway time for some briefing.' We began to board the plane. I couldn't help but get excited.
'Briefing?' he asked, raising an eyebrow and looking irresistible. It's a good thing I have some restraint. I snapped back to the subject at hand.
'My family.'
'Ok, so my mother. She's a Radiographer, she wanted me to be a doctor and I was the favourite until I ran off to America with a stranger to study music. My father died when I was 10.'
'I'm sorry.'
'My brother is 13 and the favourite. He's top of the year and is hoping to enter a career in entomology. My sister is 15 and hated me because I outshone her. She has been drinking and sleeping around but she hates herself for it. She has no aspiration but to get away.'
'So talk about bugs, cancer and single friends?'
'No, not cancer. My father died of cancer and because it's partially hereditary we almost lost my sister to it about a year ago. It killed my mother, as it's her specialist area and she couldn't cure him. But everything else. I'm going to give you the grand tour and show you the gems that other tourists miss.' by this point the plane was taxiing. I was glad that he didn't judge me for my family. I suppose his family weren't the most normal either.