WITH THINGS WE CAN'T HAVE

CHAPTER TWO

HOMEBOUND.

Clouds. 

So many layered the light blue sky; all I could think about was the beauty before me.   I didn't want to think about the crazy coming my way,  so I thought about the sites canvased out before me.

The Clouds,  they were too captivating. 

After what felt like decades, my plane landed in my hometown, and I could honestly say I had missed this small place and nature. You would have thought I would want to be anywhere but here; however, I did miss the smell of pine trees surrounding the landscape.

Unlike New York City's, the air had a fresh smell; it made me reminisce. 

"You may stand to retrieve your belongings," a man's voice played on the speakers above. People stood to retrieve their bags from the overhead and lined the little walkway, eager to get out of the small space.

I stayed seated, waiting for the crowd to lessen. I wasn't going to get pushed over or walked on by those eager to leave, plus I still needed my belongings, which were stuck in the compartment above, blocked by some tall dude who didn't look the friendliest by any means. 

I tied my hair up in a ponytail.  My phone was in hand as the people finally began to move in an orderly manner. 

Last week, I was as busy as ever with assignments, and this week, I had nothing planned or anything to do other than hang around and maybe help out at the family business.

I was sure I would be bored before now, but I couldn't wait to see Kenny! We had been apart for far too long and had much to catch up on, even if we spoke daily. I couldn't wait for her to tell me all the fun, stupid things she had done while I was gone. As lame as it sounded, I couldn't wait to tell her about all the progress I had made and that, in no time, I would be a college graduate.

I was the last person to step off the plane with my backpack over my shoulder; I was greeted by a sweet lady and directed towards the baggage claim.  I walked past the gates to collect my suitcase and made my way to the front of the airport.

When I reached the outside, a familiar green pickup truck pulled beside me, and my goofball sister cried out excitedly as she put the car in park.

"MY BABY SIS IS BACK." She screeched with all her lung power and leaned over to open the passenger door for me.

"Omg, look at you fancy!" my sister gushed.

I pulled my suit jacket closer to my body. My sister's words slightly made me feel self-conscious. Was I dressed for the wrong occasions? I mean, I did look like a very respectful person. Was it too much?

"You can just throw your suitcase in the back." She said, "Mom has been so excited. Don't tell her I'm saying anything, but she has a few guests at the house waiting to surprise you."

I threw my bags into the back and looked at my sister, smiling from ear to ear.

I threw myself back into the seat and pinched the bridge of my nose.  Our mom knew I hated large crowds and people in general.

She laughed at me and quickly put the car in drive. She pulled out of the airport parking lot and made her way home.

I leaned on the door and closed my eyes. "I have such a headache, and Mom knows I hate surprises and people." Shea shrugged her shoulders; her eyes focused on the road before us.

It got quiet for a while before my sister became anxious about the silence. Her huffing and jittery movements made it obvious.

"So, have you heard from Victor?" My heart leaped into the air at my sisters' harmless words.