We both smile at each other, but I can't stop my thoughts from going all over the place. My smile slowly fades and Austin tilts his head to the side, studying me, "What's wrong?" He asks.
I sigh, "I just can't stop thinking about what it's going to be like when we get home." I say.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, school is going to be a lot different now… Three of our classmates are gone. And the ones that survived like us are going to be changed. How are the other kids at school going to treat us, you know?" I ask.
"Well, it's going to be tough on everyone when they find out who… didn't make it. But I don't think they will really treat us any different. Sure, when we get back they might stare at us, they might come over to us and say there happy we're alive even though we've hardly even spoken to them, and then in a couple months it will be pushed to the back of their minds." He says.
"You really think so?" I ask.
He nods, "Yeah. And I know what you're thinking…"
"What?" I ask him, confused.
"You think that because we weren't even friends before the crash that things are going to go back to that. But they aren't Ally. I don't care what anyone thinks of us, you're the only girl I want to be with and I hope that you feel that way too." He says. It's weird that he knew how I was thinking, but maybe I'm just easy to read.
"I believe you." I tell him.
He takes my hand in his and kisses it softly, "Good."
"I'm flying home tomorrow…" I say.
"I have to stay here another week." He says.
I sigh, "So we're going to be separated again." I say.
"We've dealt with it many other times, I think we'll live." He says and smiles.
"That is true." I reply, returning a smile.
Two weeks later…
I wait impatiently in my living room with Trish, eyeing the door. She rolls her eyes at me and grabs a handful of chips from the bag lying on the coffee table, "He's going to be here soon, but it's going to feel like forever if you keep staring out there like that." She points out.
The day I came back, I went straight to her house. It was an emotional reunion. But I'm glad that I had to be apart from her for two months, because it's a lot better than her being on that plane too, and there being a possibility of losing her.
She told me school had skipped a lot of school when she found out about the crash, and waited for news about me, she never gave up hope. But seeing how school has been out for the summer, we don't really know how the other kids reacted to the deaths of Thomas, Stacy and Caroline. But it starts back next week, and I'm sort of nervous, but I know that I will have Blake and Sophia by my side and that makes me feel better.
Austin was released from the hospital last night and flew in this morning. He promised he would come to my house right after, because I haven't seen him in two weeks. It's been hard, but knowing that he's okay and I will see him again helped me get through it, plus he called me almost every night.
I hear a door slam outside and jump up, "See, I told you if you didn't pay attention…" Sophia starts but I ignore her and walk over to the front door. He's on crouches for his leg. The bite wound still needs time to heal.
I open the door for him and hug him instantly, almost knocking him off balance. He moans slightly, because I forgot about his ribs and hugged him too tight. I jump back from him, "I'm sorry." I say.
"It's fine, get back here." He says.
I hug him again, softly this time and guide him into my house. My father is sitting at the table, waiting for Austin's parents to walk in. They are apparently having coffee together, because Austin and I decided to tell them that we are more than just friends.
He and I go in the living room with Trish after I said hi to his parents. Trish walks up to us and looks him up and down, "Looking, uh, beat up." She says.
"Trish." I say and shoot her a dirty look.
Austin laughs, "I know. You're looking…" He says and raises an eyebrow.
"Don't even." She says, causing the three of us to laugh.
I help him sit down on the couch and cuddle up against his side. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses me on the forehead, "It's good to be home." He says.
"I think I've always been home…" I say.
"Which would be where?" He asks.
"Anytime I was in your arms." I say. He smiles big, and so do I.
"That was pretty cheesy, but really sweet." Trish says.
We both turn to her and I give her another dirty look. She puts her hands up in surrender, "Jeez, tough crowd." She says as she gets up and walks into kitchen.
After a few hours, my father and Austin's parents come into the living room. My father sits down on the chair and Austin's parents stand in the doorway, "We should get going." They say.
Austin nods and I help him up and hand him his crutches, "I'll call you tonight?" He says and kisses me on the cheek.
"Yes." I say and walk them to the door.
I wave goodbye as they get in their cars and go back inside. Trish walks back into the room, "I should get going so I'll see you tomorrow." She says and then leaves.
I sit down across from my father and wait for him to speak, "They seem like a nice family." He says.
"I'm glad you think that way." I say.
"I'm glad you're home safe, and happy." He says.
"So am I." I say.
Author's Note:
Okay so there are only one or two chapters left after this! Hope you're still enjoying it.
I didn't realize i can't post links so, if anyone wants to know how to find Mayday on the publishing website. It's lu lu . com, type in Mayday and the info about the book will sound like this but their names are Anna and Blake. There's a different ending in that book than on here.
Anywho, thanks for reading! Love you guys.