I don't think it would have been half so bad if the numbers on our tickets hadn't indicated that our seats were located directly across from his. That's not just bad luck, that's destiny giving me a good, swift kick in the freakin' ass. My hoodie and jeans suddenly felt very inadequate as I felt Tommy's eyes follow my progress upon taking my seat. Even his gaze made me feel dirty—invaded somehow. But I did what I had learned to do best over the past three months. I kept quiet. Sadie, on the other hand, didn't just jump onto the bandwagon, she drove the thing straight into a friggin' wall. Talk about a train wreck just waiting to happen.
"If it isn't Little Tommy Q?" Sadie stated sarcastically as she threw me an incredibly dirty look for stealing the window seat again. Sorry girlfriend, but I didn't want anything to do with Tom Quincy right at the moment, and I needed her to understand that.
"Don't start, Sadie." Tommy commanded—interrupting her just as she was about to open her mouth up to speak again. Sadie looked at him as if she were highly insulted. Oh, she was going to be really really hard to deal with now!
"Vous estes un abruti enorme, Tom Quincy (You are one large asshole, Tom Quincy!)" Sadie grumbled as Tommy threw her a blank, disgusted look.
"Je Parle francais que vous savez (I do speak French, you know)!" Tommy fired back at her as I just sat there miserably. Maybe they had forgotten I was here. Maybe they had forgotten I was in utter pain right now because my heart suddenly felt way way too big for my chest all of a sudden as if it were trying to squeeze itself up into my esophagus—choking me. I gagged as the plane lifted off. I needed to get away from him! Why did it hurt so bad?
"If you two are done speaking in that mysterious mumble jumble of mixed up words, could you please find me one of those bags they put on planes for people who get sick." I asked desperately as Sadie looked over at me in horror.
"Not on my brand new shoes, you don't!" She cried before digging into the pocket on the seat in front of her for a bag. It was Tommy that finally handed me one, and I didn't even look at him as I took it before facing my window resolutely—taking in deep, calming breaths to keep myself from losing the Snickers bar I had ate earlier for lunch. Jesus, I felt like I was meditating.
"This is all your fault." Sadie roared at Tommy as I just took in yet another deep, calming breath. Tommy sighed before hitting the back of the seat in front of him with his fist—apologizing profusely when the woman sitting in it looked behind her in startled surprise. Way to go, macho man!
"Where did you run off to anyway, Hercules?' Sadie asked as Tommy stared out his own window in irritation. I could feel bile building up in the back of my throat as they bickered.
"I've been in Montana—seeing to a funeral of one of my family members. Now I'm on my way to Paris to meet with you guys." Tommy stated unexpectantly, and I gasped inwardly as his words registered in my brain. Oh, I was definitely sick now!
"Well, more like on my way to meet with Jude." Tommy continued as he turned to face me. I still couldn't look at him. "Darius has me doing some public relations on your number one album before returning to G Majors. I'm sorry I've been gone so long, Jude. But I am highly impressed at your album's success. I'm proud of you, girl." He proclaimed as Sadie suddenly punched him in the side of the arm. I could hear her knuckles connect with the leather of his jacket, and I cringed.
"She's doing fine with Kwest as her producer. There's no reason for you to come back." Sadie cried out as I just felt my stomach do a very sickening, inelegant somersault.
"Isn't there?" Tommy asked as I stood up suddenly when the seat belt sign instantaneously 'dinged' off. I couldn't stand it anymore.
"Just stop it, both of you!" I shouted as I searched frantically for the nearest bathroom—stumbling toward it bitterly before introducing myself again to the candy bar I had eaten earlier. This was no time to turn weak. Sadie had been bad enough. What was Fate trying to do? Kill me. Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror, I cringed at the sight that met me—the pale skin, the dark circles that encompassed my eyes. I was hurting. Walking out of the bathroom, I marched stoically back to my seat—catching only a smidgeon of conversation between Sadie and Tommy as I neared them. Tommy looked angry as he flicked a finger pointedly at Sadie.
"Grow up Sadie. You keep repeating this whole 'baby sister' thing so much it makes my head hurt. I wonder how'd it make you feel if you woke up and realized she now acts older than you do." Tommy pointed out as I winced when Sadie grew quiet. That was never good. Leaning over to pick up my carry on from off the floor where I had laid it under my seat, I waved at them both before continuing on toward an empty pair of seats at the back of the plane.
"Au revoir (goodbye), see you two in France." I stated calmly over my shoulder as I went. My headphones just became a very precious commodity.
