8.

Kira's POV (Friday)

I finally told Kian that I would be living with them soon. I think he was a little surprised by the news though. I just hope he welcomes me with warmth and kindness. I spent the rest of my afternoon packing my clothes and some stuff I'd need. I managed to fit everything in one suitcase and 2 backpacks. In one, I packed my books and stationery; in the other, I packed my cosmetics and toiletries.

I took my luggage downstairs and found my grandparents huddled; grandma has been crying, again. She straightens up when she sees me enter the living room, a painful smile on her lips.

"Gran," I say as I kneel down beside her. "You promised me you wouldn't cry anymore," my voice threatens to crack. My vision becomes blurry as my eyes begin to sting. I sniff to keep my tears from falling, but they fall nevertheless. She wipes her eyes and lets go of my grandpa.

"You are the only thing we have left from your parents," she looks at grandpa and sighs painfully, "our children." I pull them into a group hug and squeeze my eyes to make my vision clearer.

"Come on, let's go," grandpa says with a huff as he gets up. We walk out and put my luggage in the boot. The drive to the airport was filled with grandma reminding me what to do, what not to do. What to say, what not to say and how to behave around the new family.

When we arrive at the airport, grandpa helps with my suitcase while I carry my smaller bags on either shoulders. I take my passport and other documents out and show the receptionist. While she's busy doing her stuff, I take a look around the chaotic place. People are coming into the airport, others leaving the airport. We're all starting a journey either way.

"Here you go, ma'am," the receptionist hands me back my stuff as well as a ticket. "Your flight's in 20 minutes. You may wait in the lounge for the announcement in the meantime." I thank her and turn to go back to my grandparents.

"In 20," I smile at my grandpa. He doesn't seem as affected as grandma. I know he is also sad that I'm going, but he's not letting that affect him as much.

"Your phone's a 100% charged?" he asks me.

"Yepp," I chuckle. He is always worried about my phone's battery being flat whenever I go out, be it with friends or them. He says there'll be a time when a situation arises and I can't call him because my phone died. To him, my phone's either a 100%, or I don't go out at all.

We go and sit in the lounge and talk about random stuff while we wait. I have to admit, I am a little anxious about leaving them alone. I know that they can manage on their own, but the fact that I wont be there to see to it that the windows are locked or that the lights are off worries me.

Megan, my cousin, comes around with her parents very often, so they wont lack anything. Megan is like my sister. When she heard I was moving, she cried at first but then got over it and planned a sleepover at our place. She moved in for three days and we spent all our time together; from the morning when we went to school to the evening when we slept on the same bed. I'll surely miss her like crazy.

"Attention, please. Can all the passengers of flight MaBA2491A please head to the eastern entrance. Thank you," a female voice on the intercom announces. My heart rate speeds up as I slowly get up. My grandparents also get up as the lounge starts to fill in with people heading to the eastern door.

"This is it," grandma tells me as I give her a hug. "I'll miss you," she whispers in my ear.

"Me too," I whisper. I pull back and turn to my grandpa. "I'm gonna miss you, pops." He ruffles my hair as we pull apart.

"Enjoy your trip, baby girl. Call me when you land, okay?" he tells me. I nod and sling one backpack over my shoulder. I put the other one on my suitcase and pull my suitcase behind me. I wave one last time at them before joining the line. I copy what everyone else is doing; we put our suitcases with our names on onto the rotating belt and walk under the scanner with our smaller bags. I hand the petite air hostess, who looks to be round about my age, my ticket and she wraps a black strip of paper around my wrist.

"It's for your class. You're in business, pretty face," she smiles as she explains. "People try funny things these days," she sighs playfully as she shows me my seat.

"Can I explain the procedure to you?" she asks as she leads me to my seat. I nod as I take the window seat.

"I will be your flight attendant. I will ensure the safety and comfort of the passenger while aboard. If you experience anything you aren't comfortable with, do inform me. I'll try my best to make you feel more comfortable and enjoy your flight. The menu will be handed out as soon as everyone is seated and we'll come around and take your orders; all three meals, uhmm" she chuckles as she rubs her forehead.

"Thank you," I chuckle lightly and she looks relieved. "I have a question though," I smile at her. She nods her head. "Did you have to memorize that?" Her cheeks turn red and she giggles.

"Yepp. And I'll have to repeat that to 9 more passengers," she rolls her eyes teasingly as she smiles.

"There are only ten people in business?"

"No, no. There are a lot. It's just that each flight attendant has to see to at least 10 people. I should get going," she winks as she makes her way back. I look around and see more flight attendants with passengers. This should be fun. I take out a book; The Fault In Our Stars, and start reading while I wait.

"John Green fan, huh?" a male voice speaks besides me. I look up and meet blue eyes. I blink a few times before recalling what he said.

"Yeah, sort of," I say as I turn to look at the cover.

"I'm a fan of his works myself," he says as he gets up and puts his bag in the compartment above us. He gestures for my bags as well, but I only give him the one with my toiletries. I want to keep the one with my books by me.

"Which books have you read?" I ask him as he sits down. He pulls a bag similar to mine, except that his is black and orange while mine is green and blue, from under the seat. He opens his bag and shows me Paper Towns.

"I'm not really a fan of reading, but I like this one. So far, only these two that I've read. You?"

"I've lost count of which books I've read. This is my all-time favourite, though."

"You wanna tell me more about it?" he asks as he raises an eyebrow. I usually wouldn't talk to strangers on board, but he seems to be a chatty person so what options do I have left?

"Well, it's about a 16-year-old with cancer that has spread to her lungs. She attends a cancer patient support group at her mother's insistence. At first she hesitates because she feels like it has done her nothing. She thinks attending the support group could be the worst part of her life, until at a particular support meeting, Hazel meets a 17-year-old boy named Augustus Waters, whose osteosarcoma caused him to lose his right leg, and was replaced with a prosthetic one," I pause for effect as I watch him digest the information.

"Fast-forward, Hazel and Augustus strike a bond immediately and agree to read each other's favorite novels. Augustus gives Hazel 'The Price of Dawn', and Hazel recommends 'An Imperial Affliction', a novel written by Peter Van Houten, who lives in Amsterdam. It's about a cancer-stricken girl named Anna.

After Augustus finishes reading her book, he is frustrated upon learning that the novel ends abruptly without a conclusion. Hazel explains the novel's author had retreated following the novel's publication and has not been heard from since," I search for his eyes to meet mine, but his gaze is fixed on my lips and I can't help purse them. I am starting to feel uncomfortable, slowly but surely.

"I'm sorry, please continue," he says. This time his eyes don't leave mine.

"More fast-forwarding, Hazel learns that Augustus was writing a sequel to 'An Imperial Affliction'. He says getting hurt in this world is inevitable, but we do get to choose whom we allow to hurt us, and that he is happy with his choice, and hopes she likes her choice too. The book closes with Hazel stating that she is happy with her choice," I conclude, proudly. He just stares at me for a solid 30 seconds and I giggle.

"Never in my life would I have explained that book like that," he says, still in shock.

"Well, tell me about," I point to the book he is holding, "Paper Towns." He looks at the book in his hand and clears his throat as he closes his eyes briefly.

"The novel focuses on the narrator and protagonist Quentin Jacobsen and his neighbor Margo Roth Spiegelman. A month before their high school graduation, Margo appears at Quentin's bedroom window. She has devised an eleven-part plan of vengeance on a group of people she feels have hurt her during her time at high school; these people include Lacey, Jase, and Becca. Margo needs an accomplice and a car to help her complete the tasks, and tries to get Quentin to help her accomplish it," he raises his eyebrows and I nod for him to continue.

"This and that happen, and Quentin realizes the image he had of her was as fake as the one that she had been emitting to everyone else, and becomes furious at her for wasting his time. Margo argues that Quentin saved her for egotistical reasons; he wanted to be a knight in shining armor who saved the troubled girl. Ultimately, Quentin accepts it was unfair for him to expect Margo to live up to his perfect image of her.

After their deep conversation, Margo decides to go to New York City and asks Quentin to accompany her. Quentin wants to stay with her, but understands his home life and responsibilities prevents him from doing so. Nevertheless, Margo promises to Quentin that she will keep contact with him," he winks as he concludes. I smile as I mock salute him.

This is going to be an interesting flight, I think to myself.

"I think so too," he says, looking at me. My head snaps back up as I realise I must've thought out loud. I offer him a smile as the flight attendants tell us to fasten our seatbelts. The plane drives a short distance before taking off, and I can't help feeling worried.

He rests his hand on mine and I look at him, but he's looking at the ceiling. I look out the window and smile at the view outside. If only I could reach my phone to take a picture.

After ten minutes, the same flight attendant I had earlier comes to us. "What would you like to have now?" she asks as she ignores the guy next to me making faces at her.

"I think I'll have muesli with oranges," I say.

"And you, Dylan?" she smiles sarcastically at him. He grins widely and blows her a kiss. I guess I'm caught between a romance thing.

"Anything you have, sis," he wriggles his eyebrows. She sighs as she writes on her paper.

"I'm sorry, you guys are siblings?" I can't help but confirm.

"Unfortunately. This little thing here is my little brother. Don't let him get too comfortable with you; he'll drive you insane," she gives Dylan an ugly look.

"I seriously fail to understand how you have kept a girl down for this long."

Phew! He has a girlfriend. Could this get any better? I just hope he's not planning on cheating on her with someone onboard. I hope.

"All the same, Lyha. I guess you just have to be as awesome as me," he smirks. "What's your name?" They both look at me expectantly.

"Kira," I quickly say, wondering if I should add my middle and last name as well.

"Excuse me Kira," Lyha waves as she continues to other passengers.

"How old are you?" Dylan continues asking me.

"17, you?"

"18. What are you gonna do in Manhattan?"

"I'm visiting a friend," I say. I don't know how else to say it. "Yourself?"

"We're moving there. Our parents already moved there, but I didn't because I wanted to stay with Lyha while she finishes her employment contract and sign off at the company's branch in Manhattan."

Dylan and I talked about his family for the rest of the hour.

---

I open my eyes and feel a strained muscle in my neck. I am rested on a shoulder. Dylan's. I shift my eyes and notice that his head is rested on mine. He pauses the little screen in front of him and looks at me, smiling.

"How was the Dylan luxury shoulder?" he teases. I chuckle as I shake my head and sip on some water.

"Comfortable enough," I rub my neck. I look around and notice that a few people are still awake. The sun is slowly rising and giving an incredible view: the greyish sky looks bliss with a tinted orange color laid across it, as if paint was just thrown across the sky and set to dry without adding perfect touches. It's giving off a certain atmosphere that a couple would love.

"You didn't sleep at all, did you?"

"Nope. I don't sleep on planes. It's not my thing."

"What are we watching?" I ask as I lean on his shoulder again.

"Flushed Away," he beams as he hands me a set of an ear piece. "Some good things about these ear pieces is that we get to keep them, they are really loud

and they can be used on phones via Bluetooth."

"How many do you have?" I look at him warily.

"This will be my...14th."

I am not really a fan of animated movies, but Flushed Away is pretty funny. I like Roddy's house. And Rita's sassy attitude. As I watch the movie, I can't help think of Dylan's character; he comes off as a stuck up guy, but he's really nice.

Too early to tell, I know. But I can say the same about Lyha; when I first saw her, I was expecting some bratty attitude thrown my way, but looking at her now, she's really helpful. She and Dylan are twins but so different. Well, according to Dylan's word, of course.

"Good morning, ladies and gentleman. These are your captains speaking," a male voice comes through the speakers. "We will be landing in the metropolitan Saint Paul International Airport within 45 minutes. Please do use this time to freshen yourselves; let's wash our faces and brush our teeth. We don't want our lovers to kiss-" laughter fills the air as I laugh too. A sharp sound, almost like the microphone was grabbed from the captain fills the intercom.

"I apologize on behalf of my partner," a female voice says. She sounds like she has had enough and will jump off this plane any chance she gets.

Passengers start going to the restrooms. After that, Dylan and I go as well. I brush my teeth and wash my face. I moisturize my hands and face with the fragranced lotion.

"Smells great, doesn't it?" Lyha asks me.

"Can't I keep it?" I deadpan. Her eyes widen at my request, making me laugh. "I'm just kidding," I say, "but seriously, can I?" When we step out, Dylan's also coming out from the males'.

"What are we laughing at?" he asks.

"Your existence," Lyha says as she pulls me by her side.

"So matured, sis," he says as he shakes the water from his hands off in her face. I cover my face to keep myself from laughing. Dylan beams at her shocked face.

"Why do we have towels if you wont use them?" she scolds. "Kira dearest, please go take your seat," she gently pats my shoulder. "Move asshole!" she shoves Dylan, making him pout playfully.

"Everyone should please fasten their seatbelts," a flight attendant informs us. I watch as she goes to the front and takes her seat next to the one in front of Lyha.

I close my eyes and wait for the plane to land. An image from Final Destination 1's plane scene comes across my mind and I open my eyes. Damn Megan and her making me watch such movies.

"You fine?" Dylan asks me.

"Yeah, I am," I lie. I am so scared of what happened. I know I'm just paranoid but- "Shit," I say through gritted teeth as I look at my index finger. How did I prick myself? Oh no, I'm just paranoid. We will all land safely. I wish, now more than ever, to just go to Mrs Grand's house. At least there I'll be-

"How did that happen?" Dylan's voice is full of concern.

"I don't know," I say, somewhat out of breath. I suck on my index finger and try to think positively. Nothing will happen to this plane. We will all land safely. The plane won't explode and we will not all burn to death.

"What's on your mind?" Dylan asks me as he takes my hand in his. I try to pull away because my finger is still bleeding. I'll bleed to death. No, I don't have haemophilia.

"Tell me something sweet," I ask Dylan as he holds my hand and looks at the ceiling. He chuckles lightly as he looks at my pleading eyes.

"Do you want to exchange cute things about each other?" he asks. I nod as I lean onto his shoulder and his head rests on mine.

"I feel so happy just spending time with you," he whispers.

"I love the way you smell," I whisper with my eyes closed.

"You look so cute when you laugh."

"I don't know what I would do without you on this plane."

"My heart began a journey the first time I looked into your eyes."

Why is he saying that when Lyha said he somewhat has a girlfriend that would be probably waiting for him? But I push that thought out of my mind and think positively.

"I'll think of you when you're away and smile to myself."

"People will most probably think you're crazy."

"I think it's worth it," I look into his eyes. "You have a pretty face," I blurt out. He creases his eyebrows and chuckles, his chest vibrating. Right now would be a great time for the ground to swallow me.

"If only you'd see yourself in my eyes, you'd get to see the way I saw you," his voice sounds tender, emotive as he looks into my eyes.