""And when we were younger
We wore our hearts right on our sleeves
Why did we ever have to leave?
Little league."
....
I stare out of the window of Albert's parents’ private jet. We're on our way to New York.
It's just clouds and clouds and more clouds that I see for a long time. Everyone's asleep and the jet is really quiet with just me half sitting, half laying down. Albert is lying on the chair opposite me, Sam and Emily further down and Star is lying on the chair I'm on with her head on my lap. She's fast asleep and I can't help but stare at her at frequent intervals. She looks so peaceful as she sleeps silently, so adorable.
We stay this way for some time and I like the alone time. After a few more miles of clouds and clouds they all finally wake up. They're hungry.
We have a light dinner in silence. I'm not surprised as we're still trying to get used to each other after everything that went down. We've all warmed up to each other a little more though in the last few weeks. I've got to know more about Star's best friends and even Albert who normally doesn't like humans got along with us a little.
Sam whispers something into Emily's ear and she chuckles, shaking her head slightly as a blush creeps up her cheeks. I smile. They're cute.
Albert is picking at his food silently, his gaze far away. I look over at Star. Her face looks tense like something's after her and I'm suddenly worried, of course.
I think she feels my intense gaze at her and she looks up at me, her eyes shining as she sets her eyes on me.
“You ok?” I mouth at her.
She gives me a tight smile and nods quickly, looking away instantly like she knows I don't believe her.
I want her to tell me immediately but I don't think she wants anyone to know what's bothering her so I let it go for now, not without giving her a knowing look that says. You better tell me after.
As expected, she gives me one that says or else what and then I give up for now. I forget how feisty she can be.
When we're done with dinner, we all actually strike up and conversation so the place is a bit lively. We're in the middle of an argument about which of Conan's albums is his best album when Star's phone pings. My eyes flit towards her as she takes it out gingerly.
“Have you listened to Kid Krow?” Albert asks incredulously.
“Dude, kid Krow is like a chilling album for the guys at a party. Have you listened to Superache? Those gutwrenching songs will make you a changed man,” Emily counters, surprising me a little. I still can't keep my attention off Star as she scrolls through her phone not paying any attention whatsoever to us.
What's up with her?
“Did you just say dude?” Sam asks and Emily rolls her eyes at him. Albert laughs.
“Conan's albums are all amazing but I have to say that what I think is the best out of them all is Found Heaven. It's more…unique,” I begin as I try to join in the conversation.
“Are you saying–” Emily begins but is cut off by Star’s sudden cry.
“Oh my fucking goodness guys I just got signed into a record label!” she screams and the room goes silent.
Two seconds later the place erupts in chaos.
“What the fuck Star that's amazing?!” Emily cries, running over to hug her.
Sam runs after her and tries to wrestle Star out of Emily's arms, screaming, “that's my fucking best friend!”
My eyes widen at their craziness and Albert just sits there with an amused smile on his face, congratulating Star as well.
“That's super cool. Now I could say my best friend's girlfriend is a famous artist!”
I punch him slightly on his arm with a chuckle before walking over to Star who has luckily taken herself out of the death grips of her best friends.
She falls into my open arms and I wrap them around her tightly.
“Congrats Star that's awesome!” Then I grab her by her waist and give a tiny spin since there's not much room in the jet.
She lets out a high pitched laughter before I drop her down.
“Is this why you were acting so paranoid?” I have to ask.
“Yes,” she admits with a shy smile. “I've been waiting for a long time after I submitted to the label and I was expecting to get a message from a while now. It was killing me. I'm supposed to meet up with the label in about a month to discuss stuff but I don't care right now I got signed!!!”
We all go in for another hug. This time it's a big group hug with even Albert joining in. Sam causes us to start jumping up and singing some random celebration songs.
I'm so happy for her. For us.
Albert got a book published, Sam got his spot back and is probably going to get a basketball scholarship, I got a photography scholarship, Emily got an art scholarship and now Star just got signed into a record label.
Albert gets us some wine that he never really has and we celebrate. Emily and Sam talk about how they both knew that Star was destined for great things, things like this. Sam reminded her to give them VIP passes on her tours and that causes us to laugh.
Emily talks about the past year at school when Star started out at Madison high and became inseparable from the music room and also Kyle.
At first Star tries to divert us from the topic of Kyle and I can see she's a little pained from hearing his name but I assure her it's okay.
“It's okay,” I say and she gives me a grateful smile. “He'll be proud of you. And you don't have to worry about me, I know you love me too much.”
Everyone laughs at that comment.
“This guy,” Sam says, shaking his head at me.
We end up playing random games to get to know each other as we hear that we have a little time before the jet lands. I end up liking her best friends even more. They're cool and they're perfect for her.
I'm so glad that even if I'm not in her life she has found people like them who understand her well and will always support her because I know that's rare.
“Your best colour is beige?” I ask Sam as I take a sip of wine.
“Don't…judge me.”
I raise my hands up in surrender.
“I won't. It explains a lot.”
They all laugh at that and Sam sticks his tongue out at me.
“You know, we really misjudged you Jordan,” Emily says giving me a warm smile. I think she doesn't like me that way anymore. The look she usually gives me was creepy and this one is just kind and warm. And I like this one better. Cause well…it's less creepy.
“Oh yeah?” I say as Star reaches up to pull something out of my hair, making me blush a little.
“Uh huh,” Emily says, silently awwing at the gesture. “You're cool and you're perfect for Star. I wish we could all be besties!”
“What's stopping us? We totally could!” Star agrees enthusiastically.
“Omg perfect! Also…I love you guys,” Emily says dramatically as she starts to tear up.
“We love you too Emils,” Star says. I look over at her with adoration and something possesses me so I bend down to give her a kiss.
“Eww stop with the PDA!” Sam cries and we can't help but chuckle.
“Hey you too, I feel like a fifth wheeler here,” Albert says referring to their clasped hands.
Sam draws his hand away sheepishly and rubs the back of his head, his face turning pink.
“I didn't know when it…um, shut up.”
I laugh at his nervousness. I've known Sam to be a pretty chill guy so seeing him nervous makes me sure of one thing, he definitely loves Emily.
“Yes they're finally dating!!” Star screams and Emily starts telling her the story of her they got together while Sam smiles dreamily and Albert gags at each sentence.
As they converse excitedly I smile to myself and feel my heart swelling with how happy I am that things worked out for all of us in the end.
I used to say the phrase could things get any worse a lot of times in my life but now, for once I want to ask, could things get any better?