Kayla was almost in LA but already she was climbing walls in the confined plane. She hated flying. Staring out of the window she saw everything below come into focus. It looked like a play farm set with sprawling hectares of different shades of green and then straight, sleek lines of tarmac that headed to the heart of LA. Slightly to the left she could see the smog that surround LA like a bad smell. She began to root around on the floor for her shoulder bag. Snapping open the pouch in front of her she scooped up her magazine and pens and complementary socks and stuffed them into her bag. She then sat back for the decent into the city.
Charlie pulled into the carpark. Searching for a close carpark he gave up and drove into the disabled one, he knew Kayla would have a complex when she saw, but he didn’t have time. He was already late. He slammed the door, shoved the parking ticket in his pocket. The fresh morning air was sharp against his newly awake face. Trust Kayla to get the earliest flight possible. He wove his way to the airport with the shimmering morning sun playing on his face.
She saw him first. Tall and sporting new facial hair he stood with a half smile looking in her general direction but not seeing her. He looked tired but still had that spark that seemed to radiate off him at all times. As she called his name she watched his eyes focus and his smile mature into a grin that seemed to dominate his face.
“Well well well, if it isnt my favourite roommate”
“You’re only roommate.” She replied giving him a hug. “I was so mad that I couldn’t get the flight out with you yesterday. Since when have people all being flying from Tulsa to LA?.”
“I don’t know, but you’re here now. Lets get your stuff and leave.”
“Nice growth by the way.”
“Thanks, the things that happen when you don’t see me in a day.”
“Yeah you grown a bush on your chin.”
“Shut Up..” he smiled back
“Sorry!!” she giggled
He swung her stuff over his shoulder as they linked arms and chatted on their way out. People smiled at them as they walked past, their warm words and giggles waking up the other early travellers.
“Would you stop!”
“C’mon Charlie, you know you like it.”
Charlie took his eyes of the road to watch her in her seat singing to the backstreet boys.
“I cant believe this, you spend to much time with a boyband.”
“Hey! Anyways the guys hate this sort of music, you know music with no real instruments. But it’s so catchy.”
She broke into the chorus of “The One” and Charlie looked depressingly on. Then he switched the station.
Kayla’s stuff lay scattered in the hall, Charlie and Kayla lay nursing mugs of coffee on the beat up sofa. Kayla’s eyes were starry as she, as Charlie predicted, began to recount the feelings of torment that she had been keeping under lock and key since Ike and her had split. Charlie’s head was cocked to the side as he listened and his original feelings of guilt began to set up for a permanent stay.
“When I told him I wanted some time alone I didn’t think I would be that alone. It’s like when you split up with someone you suddenly realise how much time you spent with them or thinking about them. I mean just driving to the supermarket I would hear a song on the radio, or pass his favourite baked beans or worse, see his beaming face on the front of a magazine. It has been so bad Charlie I have been buying all these stupid magazines to satisfy this urge I have to see him. Keryn just thinks I am being sentimental but really…I miss him. But Charlie I know, that we need this time away, how he reacted about you was totally over the top and stupid. You are just a friend right and he blows it into this huge bigger than benhur debate. So much for trust….”
As she spoke Charlie had to spend more time focussing on keeping his cool. Ike had gone too far with this treatment of her, he knew how touchy she was with possessiveness with her past and everything. But he had to admit, Ike had a pretty keen sense of male hormones and even though Charlie’s were well hid Ike had seen them. Looking at her then with her dishevelled appearance and her lack of caring about it he was drawn to her more. For someone that he was “just a friend with” he cared about her a little more. But he could never tell her. Never.
“Charlie??? Chhhhaaaarrrlieeeee.”
“Sorry, It’s early give me a break.”
“I’m sitting her telling you my life story, well some of it..please try not to fall asleep.”
He reached out to pat her on the knee.
“Kayla, this isn’t the end. You are just having some time apart. Classic storyline, boy meets girl, boy loses girl and then boy gets girl back. You have nothing to fear. It is better for you to be apart while he jet sets the world and you decide what you want to do. You’ll grow and when you go back into the relationship youll be fresh and ready for something new but familiar. Trust me.”
“Thanks Charlie, you know exactly what to say and when. “
“You know, natural talent.”
“Yeah whatever,” She replied as she drained the rest of her drink down the sink. While she wasn’t looking Charlie’s face fell, it was like stabbing himself as he said all those words. While helping her he put himself more and more out of the running. Why? He looked up again to see her smiling at him.
“Everything Ok Charlie?
“Yeah..why?
“You seem a bit spacey…”
“I’m just thinking..”
“About a girl??? Anyone I know Charlie..come on tell me!!”
“Ohhh…I don’t really like her..”
“So I was right!! Ha! Anyone I know.?”
“No, nobody you know.”
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