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Micah Armani Valentine Terminal B October 16, 2024 (Wednesday)
The next day came too fast. I barely slept. My mind was still running through the argument with my dad, the weight of everything pressing on my chest like a boulder. Jasmine and Dad had argued late into the night, their voices muffled but sharp enough that I could still feel the tension lingering in the air. Aiden had stayed with me the whole night, barely letting go of me, like he knew I needed someone close.
The twins called Aiden early in the morning. He answered, but I didn't say a word to them. I couldn't. I wasn't ready. I didn't know what to say—how to explain the knot in my chest, the way my throat still burned from yelling at Dad, or how the weight of losing Mom felt heavier than ever.
Dad handed me a new phone this morning. A blue iPhone 15 Plus. It felt strange holding something new, like a fresh start I didn't ask for.
We were at the airport now, sitting at the gate, waiting to board. I had my Beats on, drowning in music, scrolling through Instagram mindlessly just to avoid thinking. The group chat had been blowing up all morning, my friends checking in after I told them what happened last night. I texted Malia, keeping it short—just saying I had some personal things going on. She said I could vent to her if I needed to, but I didn't respond.
The only people I ever really opened up to were Princess, Cameron, and Keith. I hated trusting new people with my pain. I didn't want pity. I didn't need it. I just wanted to be talked to like I was normal.
Aiden nudged me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Here, bubba. Dad got you Chick-fil-A and orange juice. They didn't have apple," he said, passing me the bag.
I nodded, taking it from him. "Thanks."
I picked at my hash browns, chewing slowly, but my appetite wasn't really there. My mind was somewhere else. Somewhere I couldn't escape.
The airport announcement crackled overhead.
"Flight #5678 is now boarding."
"Come on, MJ," Dad called, already moving with Jasmine toward the line.
I grabbed Aiden's hand and followed, getting our boarding passes scanned before walking down the hallway to the plane.
Aiden was practically buzzing with excitement. "Omg, bubba, I'm gonna take so many pictures," he grinned as we stepped onto the plane.
I laughed a little, shaking my head. "I bet."
The plane was packed, but we had assigned seats, so we didn't have to worry about it.
"MJ, you're with me and Aiden. Jasmine's sitting in front of us," Dad said, motioning toward our seats.
I nodded. "Lemme sit by the window, Pops."
He didn't argue, just gestured for me to take the seat. I put my bag under the seat, took my headphones off, and looked out the window.
For some reason, I always got paranoid about my bags not making it onto the plane, so I was watching the workers load them, scanning every movement outside.
