Andrew
Thankfully for my sanity, the completely full cabin of the plane is about as quiet as a school library. It’s set to be a twenty-hour flight, and while the destination is the beautiful Mediterranean vista that is Nepal, it’s still a long time to be crammed in a packed room.
Dylan is already due to start snoring to my left, while I’m trying to pass the time on my phone. Well, I’m trying to at least appear like that’s what I’m doing.
It wasn’t much long after we boarded that we noticed Hazel was working the flight again. I was ready to start the next round of the game then and there, but Dylan had a better idea.
He proposed that since she played their first meeting hard to get, we should meet her with the same energy. Both of us could tell she was interested even though played it cool- the glint of hunger in her eyes gave her away.
Unfortunately for me- while the plan was solid- I don’t have the calmness that he seems to have that allows him to be able to sleep away the hours. Instead, I have to find ways to make sure she never catches me staring when I can’t help myself. Whenever she passes by, I have to act like I’m not fazed in the slightest.
After enough time passes, I conclude that if I’m going to do this- I’m going to need a drink. Hazel starts walking over, and I have half a mind to blow the whole bit, but I let my more sadistic side win.
When she reaches us, she gives a cynical laugh.
“Small world,” she mutters loud enough for me to hear.
I offer her a halfhearted smile.
“We’d know, wouldn’t we? Now, you think you could get me a coke with ice?”
My voice is calm and measured. I wasn’t blatantly rude, but I was definitely more than a little curt.
Her expression drops, and the disappointment in her eyes tugs at my heart if for a split-second. It seems fair given her cold treatment to us before and I’m nothing if not a little petty.
“Uhm,” she stutters. “Sure thing, sir. One moment.”
Once she turns around and heads towards where they keep the mini bar, I allow myself a smirk. Maybe this playing hard to get bit is more fun than I give it credit for.
She returns with my drink and leaves with neither of us saying a word. After a few hours and more than a few drinks, Dylan finally wakes up.
“Enjoy your little nap, buttercup?” I ask him as he stretches obnoxiously into my space.
“It was sublime,” he responds with a smile. “How was it for you?”
“Oh, just fan-fucking-tastic. I just quickly realized that if we’re going to be doing this- I’m not doing it without caffeine.”
He raises an amused eyebrow at me.
“Ladies drooling over junkies now?”
“If they’re rich, hot, and hung they are,” I respond, raising my hand for an attendant.
A more worn down looking Hazel walks up to us with a relieved smile. Probably because Mr. Bright-eyes is awake.
“Hey, Dylan,” she says, trying and failing at hiding her eagerness.
“Hello, beautiful. Are you doing okay?” he asks.
She hesitates, speaking for a second before sighing and sitting down in the open aisle seat to the left of Dylan.
“Yeah, just still not completely used to these long flights,” she sighs.
I chuckle.
“Now imagine how bad it is to pilot one.”
Dylan shoots me a subtle glare before turning back to Hazel. I guess I must’ve been too much of a dick.