We All Fall Down •An Aidan Gallagher Fic•

•Hello!•

I was jolted awake when a strong gust of wind shook the plane. I glanced at the screen on the seat in front of me and saw we still had four hours left on the flight.

I shook my head wildly, quickly trying to disperse the negative emotions that filled my head. I opened my eyes as wide as they could go before looking at the seat to my right.

Amanda had the cheap airline headphones in and was watching a movie. I opened the shutter of the window and gazed out at the clouds, hoping they would take me away.

I looked up. If you're up there. I whispered. Can you stop messing around? I'll never fight my my parents again... I'll be the best just please bring them back to me.

A memory flashed in front of my eyes and I remembered sitting on the beach with my parents. I felt joy, such utter happiness... that was gone. My parents were gone.

I dug my fingernails into my palms and bit my lip. The sadness was overwhelming, so I turned to Amanda and tapped her.

She took off her headset and looked at my kindly. "Hey Cecelia, how are you feeling?"

"Crappy." I admitted.
   
"Why?"

I looked around at the plane, felt how uncomfortable the seat was, and turned to her. "Take a guess."

She chuckled. "I'm telling you the first few weeks are all about adjustment. It'll suck but it'll be over soon."

"I don't want it to be over, I want it to never have happened."

"You can't change your parents actions."

"Not even my real parents..." I mumbled.

"Yes, technically." She paused before saying, "I was told you were seeing a boy?"

I touched my ring. "Yes."

"Lean on him. Truthfully he'll be one of the only constants in your life for now. Trust him."

"Am I living with this new family, like, forever?"

She shrugged. "It truly depends on the circumstance. There's no way to know."

I turned away from her. My emotions were becoming overwhelming again, and I didn't want Amanda to see me crying. I slipped off my ring and held it to my chest, trying to capture the previous days happiness. It felt to far away now.

I put on the sleeping mask the plane provided and let the tears fall. My chest heaved and I thought about all that I had lost...
    
Which was almost everything.
    
    
I finally stopped crying and settled down before watching a movie. The quality was crappy, like everything on the airline. We finally arrived and I felt panic rising in the back of my throat. I don't want to replace my parents so quickly. I quickly corrected myself, thinking They weren't your parents. Keep the memories, not the emotions.
    
The moment I stepped off the plane I called Aidan. The call went to voicemail and I shoved my phone in my pocket, feeling frustrated.
    
"The Uber should be here in a few. Why don't you go to the bathroom?" Amanda said. I shook my head and stared stoically at the scenery, taking it in.
    
Amanda tapped me roughly on the shoulder. "The Uber's here!" I sat down in the fresh smelling car and let Amanda do the talking.
    
The man was nice, too nice for my current mood. I let my ears drown out his chatter and closed my eyes.
    
After a few minutes I grew bored and texted Aidan again. "???" Was all I typed, hoping he'd answer.
    
"Here!" Said Amanda. I nodded in appreciation at the driver and stepped out of the car. The house we were in front of was small and cute, and I smiled despite myself. Everything about it screamed beach cottage to me which was basically my fantasy.
    
I walked up to the door and rang the bell. I heard scrambling from the inside before a woman answered the door.

Hello!" She said warmly. Her voice was smooth. I studied her figure, which was welcoming in itself. Her puffy red hair was tied up in a bun, and she was wearing overalls.
    
"Hey." I said finally, snapping out of my daze. Amanda came up behind me and shook the women's hand.

"I'm Betsy." She said. "Betsy Jordan."

"Amanda. Do you mind if I come in?"

"Oh, of course!" She said, stepping aside. I walked in and examined the room, which seemed to be a kitchen.

"I'll take you guys on a tour, ok?" She said.

"Ok. This is the kitchen, right?" Amanda asked.

"Yes. And right through this door," she pointed to a door on the left. "Is the living room."

She led us into a room with a comfy looking couch and bookshelves on either side. I felt numb as I watched the woman who was my new mother, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. Suddenly, it felt like I was underwater. My breathing became thin and my surroundings seemed distant and strange. I tried to grab Amanda as my legs began to give out but I was met with such resistance from my own body that I met myself fall.

  
    
I woke up and shifted, feeling uncomfortable. I opened my eyes and looked around the strange room I was in before everything came crashing down and I remembered what happened. I felt a strange twinge in my stomach before I leaned over and threw up.
    
On the nightstand beside my was my phone. I snatched it and saw Aidan had texted me.
    
Cecelia I'm so sorry I was recording. I was worried sick. Is everything ok? Where are you?
    
I sent him a short message that cut to the point. "I feel like I'm going to die."
    
Betsy burst into my room. "Cecelia! I thought I heard you stir... I'll clean that up for you."
    
I touched my fingers to my head and groaned. "What... happened?"
    
"You had an anxiety attack dear. Not uncommon. Perfectly justified, in fact. Amanda left about an hour ago is that alright?"
    
I nodded. "I'm hungry, is there anything I could eat?"
    
Betsy nodded. "I made soup." I threw the covers off myself and stepped out of bed. "It's on the counter... I'll be right in to keep you company."
    
I opened the door and saw the living room, which was the last thing I could recall before passing out. I remembered the door to the kitchen was to the right of the flatscreen television, so I made my way there.
    
It took a few tries but I finally found the cabinet that had bowls. I spooned myself a large portion of soup and sat at the kitchen table, focusing on the steam rising from the meal.
    
Betsy came into the kitchen and smiled. She slid into the seat across from me and waited patiently for me to say something.
    
"The soup is good." I said, trying to make conversation.
    
"I'm glad. I tried to make something homey. Is there anything I could make for you right now that wound remind you of home?"
    
I felt a pang in my chest as I sifted through memories of my childhood. "My mom used to make this incredible apple crisp..."
    
Betsy jumped out of her seat. "Perfect! I know the recipe. Why don't you go watch something on the television while I make this?"
    
I took my soup and sat in the living room. I opened Netflix and started the Umbrella Academy just so I could see Aidan's face.
    
After an hour or so Betsy called me into the kitchen.  I dumped my empty bowl into the sink at inhaled deeply, savoring the wonderful smell.
    
"It's amazing. It smells like home." I said dreamily. 
    
"With or without whipped cream?" She asked.
    
"With."
    
She handed me a plate piled high with apple crisp. I took a tentative bite before widening my eyes. With a mouthful, I said, "This is it! It's the exact recipe."
    
Betsy looked pleased. "Looks like your mom used Betty Crocker too!" I laughed at her joke and felt my body rest into the seat. I took another bite of the crisp and wondered if this place would ever really feel like home.