Up in the air

We had our bags all set. Matilda and I stood outside my house, patiently waiting for Mr. Robert, who was meant to take us to the airport where we would join the others.

I was dressed in casual attire: simple blue shorts and a pink crop top. Matilda wore a short purple dress. It was 4:02 pm by the time Mr. Robert arrived. After bidding my mom farewell, Matilda and I boarded the car, and we drove off.

The journey to the airport was a smooth thirty-minute ride with minimal traffic. Matilda couldn't contain her excitement for the concert. "We are finally going to live out our biggest dream," she squealed with excitement while scrolling through videos of Blackpink's stage performances on her phone.

It felt incredible to see my best friend so happy, and even better, we were experiencing this moment together. I was certain she would talk about this for a very long time.

We arrived at the airport at 4:35 pm. We dragged our bags with us. I first spotted Ethan at the waiting area, and my face tightened into a frown, especially when he grinned at me. So annoying.

By his side stood Owen, who didn't bother sparing us a glance. He had his headphones on and sat with his arms folded, probably listening to music as I noticed him constantly nodding from time to time.

"Hey!" Matilda waved at Ethan before running over to him. For some reason, they had become close, not extremely close, but close enough to have decent conversations. Besides, they had the same energy and overall vibe, so it wasn't unexpected. Matilda had gotten over the little crush she had on Ethan. Even though she openly admitted he was cute, she knew he was more of a player who couldn't stick to a girl, plus she had a thing for that Mark guy – one she was still hiding from me but was pretty obvious.

I made my way over to them, my eyes scanning the rest of the crowd, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Just as I was about to voice my observation, Matilda beat me to it.

"Where's Jake?" Her question was directed at both Ethan and Owen.

"He's coming later; he has some things to settle at home first." Ethan responded.

"Oh," I muttered, causing both their gazes to shift in my direction.

"Don't worry too much; he's coming for the main event," Ethan said in a low voice, his right hand placed on my shoulder, but it had a hint of a mocking tone to it, as if he were teasing me.

"I am not worried," I retorted, pushing his arm off, before glaring at him. I used my hand to brush back a few loose strands of my hair. My hair was up in a ponytail, as usual.

"Sure," he replied, and Matilda tried hard to contain her laughter.

"Stop teasing her," she defended me, trying to be a good best friend, but I wasn't buying her act. I glared at her before rolling my eyes, and that's when she burst out laughing. So annoying!

The airport was less crowded than I had expected. It had been a while since I had traveled by plane, so it took me a while to adjust.

Mr. Robert returned after parking the car; he stood behind me, holding his luggage, while Ethan and Matilda were too lost in their conversation to notice anyone.

"How many girls have you really dated?" Matilda asked Ethan. Her chin rested on her arm as she focused on him.

"I don't know, but who's counting?" He said with so much confidence, a smug look on his face, and I couldn't help but cringe. Matilda, on the other hand, stared in awe at his statement.

"Do you like them older or younger?" She asked again.

Ethan bit his bottom lip, lost in thought before responding. "The older, the more experienced, you know what I mean?" He winked at her. God help me, I swear I could puke.

"Don't tell me you've..." Matilda's eyes widened.

"Wait, you haven't? Not even once?" She shook her head in response.

"How sad, maybe we could make some plans and change that," he leaned in closer to her, grinning from ear to ear.

That's when I'd had enough. "It's time to go," I pulled Matilda by the arm, helping her get to her feet and moving her away from Ethan. She could be smart and extremely dumb at the same time.

We stamped our documents, and the next minute, we were on the plane, boarding first class for the first time as he had promised.

"What are you doing?" I asked Matilda, who took her seat beside Ethan, as I had expected us to be together. I mean, that's the whole point.

"This is my seat number," she responded bluntly, but upon noticing me glaring back at her, she shifted her gaze to Ethan, then back at me before adding, "Don't worry so much; you can trust me."

"It's not you. It's him I don't trust," I said, shifting my gaze to Ethan. "Don't try any nonsense with her; I will be watching you two."

Ethan raised his hand in the air in a surrender mode, the side of his lips curled up into a smirk which only further irritated me. "You need to smile more if you guys get along."

"Shut up!" I interjected, not waiting for his reply, before walking over to where I was meant to sit. I gently took my seat, and a sigh escaped my lips when I pulled the chair backward. My legs were stretched out, and my back was completely relaxed, giving in to my comfy space. I gently closed my eyes, wanting to drift off, even though the plane hadn't taken off yet. That was until I felt a presence beside me, causing me to open my eyes.

Owen sat quietly by my side, his headphones still on his head, and his quiet, neutral expression written on his face. Great, of all people to be my partner.

As the plane was about to take off, I had to go back into the normal sitting position and fasten my seatbelt as instructed by the flight attendant.

Halfway through the flight, I glanced over at Ethan and Matilda. They both shared laughter, seemingly having a wonderful time. Their happiness was contagious and nothing to be worried about, but I couldn't help but feel a bit envious, especially since I was stuck with Mr. Grumpy Pants here, who seemed to be in a phase of mood swings.

I glanced back at the screen in front of me, engrossed in the movie playing before me. The plot was a thrilling adventure, a welcome distraction for the time spent in the air. My attention occasionally shifted from the movie to the beautiful scenery visible through the window When I heard a familiar sound. 'Hit you with the duh duh duh.'

It was a Blackpink song, one of my favorites... I glanced back at Owen, and my eyes widened when I realized the song he had been listening to all this while was one of Blackpink's songs.