Here it is the next chapter.

"Stella, where does the plane leave?" Stella put her hand on her lap and looked at Athina's boarding pass.

"The plane leaves at gate B 15 in one hour. I suppose we make our way there." Athina took the last sip of her cup and got up. The airport was much crowed and it took them a long time to reach the gate.

"I can't go any further." Stella said standing in front of the security check.

"Stella I really don't want to go."

"You have to, my dear." Stella hugged her niece for the last time and kissed her head. Athina felt a piece of her heart being ripped apart. The kiss burned a mark in her heart and like so often this week tears rolled down her cheeks.

"You'll do fine!" Stella brushed away Athina's tears.

"Do you know the drill?" She nodded. Stella gave her the boarding pass and closed one button at her jacket. She turned around and entered the line. Stella waved her a last time and left the area. Athina knew that Stella wanted to make it easier for her, but it was the first time in weeks that she felt the decision settled. The lady at the security check asked for her boarding pass and passport. Stella had told her to show her Greek passport for emigration but also for checks in New York.

"Goin' home?" She just shrugged her shoulders and put her shoes and jacket in a plastic box. Another lady waved her through the metallic gate. It didn't beep. She put on her shoes and jacket and looked for her gate. When she found it her flight was already written on the sign. Since it was in the middle of the week and it wasn't holyday time there were a lot of business men starring into their laptops and phones. She sat on a chair at the wall. Fifteen minutes later the boarding began. Most of the other passengers tried to get on the plane as quickly as possible and building a line at the entrance. The people setting in the back of the plane were asked to board first, but almost nobody obeyed. She stayed seated until there were only a few people left. One of the flight attendances stepped up to her and asked her.

"Are you boarding the plane?" She nodded and got up. It was her one last desperate hope to stay in New York with her aunt.

The flight wasn't very relaxing for Athina, because she was very sad and had to fight with the tears. In Greece it was 3 am and pitches black. Thessaloniki was clouded and only a light glimmer was seen through the clouds. The airport of Thessaloniki was much smaller than JFK. Therefore it was easier to find the luggage. She pulled her suitcase off the luggage belt and headed for the exit. In the arrival hall there were only a few people. One of them was holding a sign with her name on it. The man was in his fifties and a bit taller than her. She stepped up to him and tried to suppress a yawn.

"Kosta Papakota?"

"Yes, you must be Athina Bonasera," he answered in Greek. They shook hands.

"Welcome to Thessaloniki." He took her suitcase and gave her the possibility to look around. The shops in the airport were oddly familiar to her. Kosta noticed that and waited for her instead of heading for the exit.

"Have you been here before?" She nodded.

"I went from Thessaloniki to New York four years ago." She hurried up to keep track with him. From what she had noticed until now she thought of him as a friendly person. Outside the weather was warmer than expected, but at least it wasn't raining. The car of Kosta was a very old and rusty Toyota. The sound of the door was very loud and almost made her jump. They both got in and he started the engine. On the way to the city she stayed silent and had trouble staying awake. After very long 30 minutes Kosta parked his car in the street in front of a small house.

"This is my home. I have prepared a small room under the roof. I hope you'll like it." He turned off the engine and got Athina's suitcase out of the trunk. When they entered the house she couldn't stop yawning.

"Do you want something to eat or do you want to go to bed now?"

"If you don't mind, I'm really tired." She followed him up the narrow staircase to the upper floor. From the hallway there were two doors leading to other rooms. He pointed to the right door.

"This is your room. The other is mine and the bathroom is downstairs; the blue door on the left. Do you want me to bring you anything?" She shook her head.

"No thank you, I'm fine." He opened the door to her room and put the suitcase in front of the wardrobe. After that he wished her a good night and left. The room was very small, but everything was there; a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair under the window. The curtains were closed to block the view from the street. Suddenly she realized how tired she was and she opened her suitcase to get a pajama. Her phone was lying next to her suitcase. It had fallen out of her pocket. She remembered Stella and sent her aunt a quick text. 'I'm fine and the flight went well. Kosta's nice. Athi.' After she had changed her phone signaled the income of a text. 'I'm happy for you. You'll do fine. Stella.' Athina got in the bed and cuddled under the duvet. She felt warm and safe being in Greece again, but a small part of her still felt sad not being in New York with Stella. A few seconds later she was fast asleep.

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