CHAPTER 2: PICKING UP

Chapter 2: Picking Up

The sound of her phone's persistent ring invaded Crystal Ann's peaceful slumber, dragging her out of a dream she had no recollection of. Still half-asleep, she let out a groggy groan, groping blindly on the nightstand for her phone. Her fingers found the device, and she squinted at the screen, the word "Magnus" glowing against the dim light of the room. For a second, her sleep-addled brain couldn't make sense of it, but then her eyes snapped open wide.

"Shit!" she whispered, her heart racing as panic settled in. She pressed the green button to answer the call, bringing the phone to her ear. "Hello! Magnus?" she stammered, trying to compose herself despite still being tangled in her bed sheets.

"Hey, Aunt Cryst, it's me," Magnus said, his voice calm and patient on the other end of the line. "I'm at the airport. Just landed and waiting at the exit."

Crystal Ann sat bolt upright, the grogginess evaporating as reality hit her. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "I overslept, and I totally forgot your flight was this early. Can you wait for me? I'll be there in thirty minutes. I swear!"

There was a brief pause before Magnus replied with his usual easygoing tone, "No worries, Aunt Cryst. I'll wait here."

The call ended, and Crystal Ann sprang into action. She threw the phone down on the bed and darted toward her closet, yanking out the first clothes she could find. Her mind was racing almost as fast as her heart. How could I have forgotten? She mentally berated herself while pulling on her jeans. Of all the things to forget, it had to be picking up Magnus!

As she hurried around her bedroom, stuffing her phone and keys into her bag, she muttered aloud, "I should've set an alarm. His flight landed was at 9:30 a.m., and today's Sunday. I just assumed it would be a lazy day since I'm off work, and now look at this!" She checked the time on her phone and winced. It was already past 10.

Fully dressed and ready to bolt out the door, she paused, glancing toward the room next to hers. She hurried over, rapping her knuckles loudly on the door. "Sofie!" she called out, knocking again until the door creaked open. Standing there, bleary-eyed and disheveled, was her teenage daughter, wearing pink pajamas and rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"What is it, Mom?" Sofie asked, her voice hoarse from sleep.

"I have to go pick up Magnus from the airport," Crystal Ann explained hurriedly. "Get up and make breakfast, okay? We'll eat together when we get back."

Sofie yawned but nodded, too tired to protest. "Okay, okay, I'll get started. Just drive safe," she mumbled before shutting the door and presumably heading back to bed.

Crystal Ann darted down the stairs, nearly tripping in her rush to get to the car. Her mind was a whirlwind of worry and embarrassment. She had always prided herself on being punctual and organized, but oversleeping today threw everything off. By the time she was behind the wheel of her blue minivan, she was already strategizing how to make up for lost time. She reached into her bag, fumbling for her phone again and quickly dialing Magnus.

"Hey, I'm on my way," she blurted as soon as he answered. "I'll be there in about fifteen minutes, okay? Wait for me in the parking lot."

"Got it," Magnus replied, his tone unfazed by her flustered state. He hung up, and Crystal Ann pressed the gas, navigating her way through the morning traffic.

At the airport, Magnus stood near the exit, looking around the busy terminal. It had been years since his last visit to San France City, and everything felt both familiar and different. The airport was bustling with people—some excitedly greeting loved ones, others staring at their phones, waiting for their rides. Magnus adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder and stepped out into the sunlight, heading toward the parking lot where his aunt had told him to wait.

He found a yellow waiting shed near the entrance and decided to wait there. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he answered it quickly when he saw it was Crystal Ann again.

"Where are you?" she asked. Her voice was filled with the familiar anxiety he remembered from years ago when he used to spend summers at her place.

"I'm by the parking lot entrance look for a blue minivan," she continued, magnus was scanning the area. "I see your minivan." Magnus replied.

"Great. I'll pull up," she said, and moments later, the blue vehicle rolled into view.

Magnus approached the car, noticing his aunt's face through the open window. Her dark hair was slightly disheveled, but she still managed to flash him a smile. "Put your bags in the back," she called out, "and hop in the front."

He tossed his luggage in the backseat, then slid into the front, closing the door behind him. The car lurched forward as Crystal Ann navigated out of the parking lot.

"Sorry again," she said, her voice full of apology as she merged into traffic. "I forgot to set my alarm. This weekend has been such a mess with work and everything. Are you hungry?"

"I had a snack at the airport," Magnus reassured her, leaning back in his seat. "No need to worry."

"We'll eat when we get home," Crystal Ann replied. "I told Sofie to start on breakfast. She's probably still asleep though, knowing her."

Magnus smiled at the mention of his cousin. "How's Sofie doing?"

"Oh, you know, teenage stuff," Crystal Ann laughed, eyes still fixed on the road. "She's growing up so fast, but she's a good kid. We've been doing fine."

The conversation drifted for a few moments as they made their way into the heart of the city. San France City was much larger than Magnus remembered. Skyscrapers loomed overhead, their glass windows gleaming in the late morning sunlight. Crowds of people moved along the streets, going about their weekend business. The city seemed alive, pulsating with energy.

Crystal Ann noticed his interest in the surroundings. "It's changed a lot, hasn't it?" she said with a smile. "The city keeps growing. Next time you're free, I'll take you around. We'll check out the sights. Maybe grab some coffee at the old spots."

Magnus nodded, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him. "I'd like that."

As they drove deeper into the city, the buildings grew taller, and the streets became busier. They passed bustling cafes, small boutiques, and towering offices, the kind of places that made you feel like the world was in constant motion. Magnus watched the city unfold outside the window, his thoughts wandering back to the last time he was here, years ago.

The minivan finally pulled into a quieter street, lined with small shops and residential buildings. Crystal Ann turned into a narrow alley beside a three-story building with a sign that read "Ann's Café". The café shop was closed, its glass windows dark and the chairs inside stacked up.

"We're home," Crystal Ann announced, parking the car beside a pole that had a sign warning against unauthorized parking. Magnus unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out, grabbing his bags from the backseat.

Together, they walked down the narrow alleyway to a red door at the back of the building. Crystal Ann unlocked it, and they stepped inside.

The ground floor was dark, but Crystal Ann led Magnus upstairs to the living area. The space was cozy, with a comfortable couch in the corner and a small dining table by the window. It was homey, the kind of place that made you feel instantly welcome.