Blame It On Pride

C h a p t e r T h i r t y - F i v e

Y/n's POV:
I didn't gather a lot of items since I'm planning to go back quiet early, once I'm back, my parents should be home by then as well...

'Are you sure that you don't want us to go with you? What if it's dangerous?' JJ asks, walking closer to me,
'It's alright, I promise, I will be back soon enough, we can then talk about everything that happened-'

'And everything will be finally back to normal?' JJ asks, I sigh and we embrace once again, if it's dangerous, I especially want them to stay...

'Please stay safe, and, keep us updated.' Kiara mutters as I nod smiling at her, we all embrace, chuckling at the stupidity,

I am going to New York, simply because he went without me, it's petulant and it's petty, however, I refuse to accept that, that kiss on the jet was our last goodbye, and even if when I find him, he will subtly demand that all these tense moments, that his determination to be near me, that all of it meant absolutely nothing to him- and only then will I try to shift everything back to the way it was, only then..,

——
I walk into the, glaring through the window, I see that all of them are still there, at further yonder since it's too dangerous to be near an active yet, they managed to still be visible, standing on the car and waving, JJ has magnifying specs on, as he smiles and waves, I chuckle and wave back as the jet initiates it's impute, they start to fade from my view and eventually, I cannot see them anymore,

I have all this time to check the exact strategy to find out where Rafe is, my eyes linger over the pages, and as I initially thought, he is in that second building, I honestly thought that we finished with them, that it's r, but I guess it's really not,

I cannot help, but knot and nibble at my fingers, I am nervous and if Rafe precisely said that I should stay out of it, he won't be pleased once he sees me, however, what If I manage to help? What if right at that moment, he is caught off-guard, and I will help, I could prove that we are in fact partners in crime and that it's not solely his duty...

The whole time once on the plane, I was simply staring through the window, not noticing how I fell asleep, being woken up by the turbulence as the pilot announces that we will reach the destination shortly,

It's quite a benefit that I fell asleep, less nibbling at my fingers, however once I wake up, the routine is replenished,

I can see the land as the pilot motions closer and closer to it, the flight took a while, so it's dark once again, lights twinkling in distance as I begin gathering my belongings and getting ready,

—-
Once the whole aircraft has reached the destination and the pilot gives permission to stand up, I meet him, smiling in gratitude,

'Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it,' I mutter as he smiles tiredly,

'Sure, do you mind if I stay for a bit? It's been a long flight-'

'Of course-who am I to tell you, it's quite nice here, stay as long as you need.' I respond, 'do you need any help settling in?' I ask, as the pilot shakes his head,

'No love, it's fine, my sister lives not so far away from here, I'll catch a taxi and surprise her with a little visit.'

'That's brilliant, alright then, thank you and I'll see you soon.' I muse as I step out of the jet, the cold breeze brushes against my skin, I inhale deeply,

'Do you need any help registering that we're here? Since we can't just land in the airport-'

'No-no, it's fine, I already arranged this time, right when the planes are not flying s they allowed us to land, you can go, I'll manage everything.' He taunts as I smile and nod, pacing towards the closest road, hitchhiking once again, raising my thumb and awaiting at least one car to stop by, I am quite exhausted, but I'll be simply unable to sleep, knowing that Rafe is there,

A yellow, tawny taxi suddenly stops and shifts towards the side if the road, I open the door and thanking the chauffeur, I notice that it's the same one that drove me earlier once I, well, didn't listen to Rafe once again...

He doesn't seem to recognise me, but in all seriousness, he takes thousands of people to their destinations more than I meet other chauffeurs, so I am not even surprised, I give him the address and he starts to drive towards the direction,

—-
Once we have reached it, right before I could offer him cash, he says with a broad smile,

'It's Susan again, isn't it?' He inclines on the first time he drove me here, as when I referred to Rafe as someone called Susan, I offer him cash, chuckling,

'Yes yes it is.' I mutter as he smiles,

'It seems like you really care about them.'

I glance at him, my lips slackened apart as I gulp, 'Maybe I do...' I mumble, almost inaudible as the driver chuckles and opens the door,

'Good luck then, I hope to see you soon.' He says,

'Thank you, and, you too...'