Chapter Two
I really didn’t intend to put this on my blog, but I thought you guys might want to know what happens next. So, here it is.
Back to College
Chapter 2
“So, what do you plan to do?” Annette’s grandmother asked. A week had passed since the funeral, and it was about time for Annette to decide what to do next.
Annette knew the question would come some time or another, yet still she didn’t have an answer, and she definitely couldn’t be on vacation forever. “I guess we have to sell the house, and everything.” She sighed and stared into the living room fireplace; there was a lot of work to do.
“You know, me and your grandfather will take care of that. But what are you going to do? Will you be okay back at the college? Do you need a break to refresh and restart?”
“Yeah, maybe. But I really need to be back to work. They don’t expect me back anytime soon, but I’m running low on funds.”
“What about your inheritance?”
“It’s not much after the funeral and burial, and this house won’t sell for much on this market.” Living was no longer for fun, but for survival.
“If you need money, you can always borrow from us.”
“Thank you, but I really don’t need to be any more in debt.”
“I understand.” Her grandmother rose from her chair, and, after a pause, said. “Well, I guess I’d better get dinner ready. Tell me if you decide anything.”
Annette watched as her grandmother left the room; if only life wasn’t so complicated. What if her parents hadn’t died? She would be happily at her shared apartment and home, looking forward to another two more happy years at her college in New York. She would be able to call up her mother anytime, maybe even for just a chat. Oh, for those days to come back. For this nightmare to end; for her to awake and find her parents still with her. But this had happened and was leaving her in such a despairing place.
She reached into her pocket for her phone and swiped to the page she had now stared at for hours. The airport had only one flight a week to New York, her destination, without any layovers and that was the next day at 3:00 p.m. The next one was a week from then.
“I wonder if I could manage that?” Annette mused. “Packing in one night. I think I could do that.” Then she called to her grandmother. “I think I am going to book this flight for tomorrow. If it is okay with you.”
“Whatever you like, dear.” Her grandmother yelled back.
Annette tapped the simple button and completed her checkout. Now it was time for packing.
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Annette looked around her. Hundreds of people were there, blocking her way. She was already late.
“Excuse me, ma’am, do you know where terminal eight is?” She asked a lady beside her, but she didn’t appear to have heard her. As Annette bustled through the crowds, she searched for terminal eight. She didn’t realize how a terminal could be so hard to find. When she finally managed to reach it, after doubling back twice, she suddenly realized she hadn’t even printed her ticket. What was she to do? They were already embarking. She glanced at her watch; she had less than seven minutes.
Raving her mind for a mental image of where the ticket printing booth was, she rushed through the long airport. Annette approached the ticket printing; six people were waiting. She let out a sigh and took her place in the seemingly slow line. Her eyes kept flicking back to her watch, as the time ticked off. Then it reached her turn, only for her to forget how to work the machine. When she had printed the ticket, she was one minute late.
Annette practically ran to her terminal. She was really late. She hadn’t even checked out her luggage. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She didn’t have enough money for another plane ticket. Annette reached the terminal and swallowed; she was just in time to watch her plane take off. Foolish tears threatened in her eyes, although she knew that crying would do absolutely nothing besides make a scene.
A roaring irritation erupted through her. This wasn’t fair. This was not how life was supposed to be. Annette suddenly turned sharply around, hiding her angry, hot tears from the terminal worker. With large tears blinding her eyesight, she rushed straight forward. Directly into somebody. But Annette couldn’t tell who, because of the fact that she had fallen splat onto the ground. Yet one more thing to add to this already horrible day.
“Are you okay?” She heard the deep of voice of a male ask her. She opened her eyes, but her vision was still blurry from the unexpected fall. Soon, her eyes cleared, as Annette did a mental self-check-up. Everything was fine as far as she knew, except for her small and already growing smaller pride.
“Here, let me help you.” The man, whom Annette had only just begun to notice, said. He was a tall man, with a square jaw, and handsome face; he only seemed to be a few years older than her. He looked directly at Annette with capturing dark blue eyes, as he helped her to her feet.
“I’m…mm so sorry. I…I wasn’t watching where I was going.” Annette, finally finding her words, spewed in a stutter. “I just missed my flight and am not thinking well.” She further explained.
The young man glanced up at the terminal tag to see where her flight was going. “I see that you and I are headed in the same direction.”
A look of absolute confusion flooded Annette’s face. “How? Did you miss your plane also?”
He let out a little laugh, but then turned serious once more. “Ah… no. I’m headed to New York, also, but on a different plane. I am taking—Here, why don’t you just follow me.” He turned to go.
“I sorry, but I… I just can’t afford another plane ticket right now.” Annette admitted.
“No worries. It’s already payed for.” He started to walk away, with Annette on his heels. She, left without anything else to do, took a chance and followed the unique man.
He flashed her a reassuring smile, as he hurried on. They were heading away from all the terminals and into the private charter sections.
Oh. That was what he was talking about. Duh, of course, a private charter. Annette thought. He must be rich, especially to charter a plane.
He turned once more and spoke. “Oh, and I’m Stephen.”
“Annette.” She answered with a weak smile.
Soon, they reached a tall building, located near the back.
“Here we are.” Stephen said as they entered.
“Stephen? Is that you? It’s about time you got here—” A heavy-set man bent under a small plane called, then, glancing upward, he saw Annette.
“Yeah. How’s it going, Jimmy?” he asked.
“I’m almost ready. But I thought Jared said you were the only one coming.” Jimmy nodded toward Annette.
“Oh, yeah, Miss Annette, here, just missed her flight to New York. I was thinking she could come along with us. That is, if it’s okay with you.”
“It’s fine with me, as long as it is fine with Jared. He’s the one who owns the plane you know.” He winked at Annette.
“Great. I’ll take that as a yes.” Stephen said, then leaned over toward Annette and whispered. “Jared is my brother; he let me charter one of his planes for this trip.”
Annette nodded.
When the plane was ready and all the luggage load on, they taxied out into the runway. Then, almost magically, they were up in the air, flying through the sky.
Finally! Annette thought, snuggling into her seat. She was alone in a six-passenger cabin; Stephen was in the cockpit with Jimmy. But Annette was fine with that, perhaps she could even get some sleep for once. Maybe life isn’t so bad… she supposed before she fell into a peaceful sleep.
I hoped you liked it! 🙂
