Word count: 4513

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"GET OUT!" I yelled, my frustration boiling over, and I threw a book across the room.

"YOU'RE FUCKING CRAZY!"

"I'M CRAZY BECAUSE YOU'RE THE ONE MAKING ME CRAZY!"

Kevin didn't say a word; he simply sat on the bed, crossing his legs.

"You're not going anywhere?" I asked, trying to regain control.

"Hell no! This is my residence too."

"Your name is NOT on the lease."

"But all my money is... I ain't going no fucking where."

I nod my head. "I'm sick of this shit, Kevin. So sick."

"I'm sick of your ass too." He shot back.

"So leave. Why do you stay where you're not wanted?" I ask

"Because just like the last three times, you're gonna come back to me apologizing for your actions and saying you wanna work things out. I'm not gonna keep doing this with you, so no, I'm not going anywhere."

"Oh my god, that was one time, and that was years ago. Why is your reality different from everyone else's?" I ask. "You cheated on me, and I took you back. You came to my house begging for my forgiveness, and I broke down and gave you another chance, again. And I don't know why I did that because I'm pretty sure you're still cheating while you're living in my house." I explained.

"If you know I'm cheating, then what does it make you?" he retorted.

"Exactly," I said firmly. "So like I said, get out."

"And like I said, I'm not going anywhere." he stubbornly maintained.

I sighed in frustration. "Okay."

I calmly walked into my closet, determined to remove myself from this toxic situation. I started pulling down clothes and threw them on the bed. Then, I went into the guest bedroom closet and retrieved my luggage. Deciding on the carry-on, I brought it back into the bedroom.

"What are you doing?" He asks

"What does it look like?" I replied, my voice tense. I moved on to sorting my clothes, rolling and folding, packing everything I could fit in the bag.

"You're so dramatic. You're leaving?"

"If I stay here I will try to end your days."

He laughed, unfazed. "So this is another one of your temper tantrums. Got it!" He said nonchalantly. "Make sure you grab your toiletries."

"Fuck you." I said as I walked into the bathroom. I hastily grabbed my moon toothbrush, a few facial and hair products that were allowed on the plane, and tossed them into my oversized Gucci purse. Finally, I finished packing my suitcase.

"How long are you gonna be gone this time?" He asks, still in the same spot.

"Hopefully forever." I declared, gathering my things and leaving, determined to break free from this toxic cycle.

Sitting in the car for a moment, I took a deep breath, trying to process the weight of my decision. I despised him so much, and I couldn't even fathom why I had stayed with him for so long. It was a toxic cycle that had stretched on for years, with cheating and disrespect that never ceased despite endless promises. I had endured this for far too long.

Finally, I pulled out of the garage. I had no destination in mind, no plan, just a desperate need to escape. About 40 minutes later, a sign for the airport appeared.

Yes. That's what I'll do. I'll leave town. That will definitely give me a reset, and a chance to regain my mental clarity. I need to follow through with this because I am 100% completely done with his ass.

I parked my car in the airport lot, grabbed my suitcase and my purse, I locked up my car and made my way into the airport, my gaze fixed on the Delta Airlines counter.

"Good afternoon." I greeted the customer service representative before she had a chance to speak to me.

"Welcome to Delta, hope I can help you?"

"Do you have any flights leaving within the next couple of hours that are not full

"No particular destination in mind?"

"That depends on you." I say

She chuckles. "Okay let's see...." She looks at her computer for a few seconds. " I have a flight to New York and about an hour and a half."

"I hate New York... What else you got?" I ask

"Memphis?"

"Absolutely not." I say

"It's the complete opposite direction, but I have San Francisco leaving in two hours but there's a four hour layover in Chicago."

"I don't care. San Francisco will have to work. I can pop in on my family while I'm there. How much?" I inquired.

"We don't have any first class available, only economy for $768.45." she informed me.

"That's perfectly fine." I reached into my purse and handed her my credit card to process the payment. Yes, it was an expensive flight, but it was last minute, and I was desperate, so I was willing to pay whatever it took.

"This flight is only about 75%." She mentioned

"That's perfect. Hopefully I get my own row."

"That's possible." She prints out my boarding pass and hands it to me. "You're in flight D1076. Safe travels!"

"Thank you." I replied, relieved that my impulsive escape plan was one step closer to reality.

I wasted no time going through security, grabbing something to eat, and an alcoholic beverage to help ease my tense nerves. Once I had satisfied my immediate needs, I headed to my gate and found a seat by the window.

A sense of liberation washed over me as I sat there. Leaving town and escaping from him felt like a breath of fresh air. In truth, I didn't have any close family or friends here, and there was no compelling reason for me to stay. I had originally come to Atlanta in pursuit of independence and a change of scenery. But once I met him, my life took a different path, and Atlanta became my home. Six years have passed and I'm still here.

This was a moment of clarity. Going back home was the most sensible decision I could make at this point. I needed to escape Atlanta and find a fresh start elsewhere.

I was sitting in my seat when this guy walked by and up to the counter. He had on a black fitted cap, the high top Travis Scott's, black joggers and hoodie and his earrings and chain was glistening. He had a Gucci book bag on that matched my purse and seemed to have a grill in his mouth too.

"Shit!" I said aloud. "I forgot my charger..." I kinda throw myself  back in my chair in disbelief. My phone was at about 68% so I should be fine until I get there.

...... but that's a risk I'm not willing to take.

I jump up and head to the nearest store to purchase a charger. Thankfully, I managed to buy one and hurried back to the gate just as they were starting to board the flight. I hastily sat down, trying to cram the charger and a few snacks into my purse while I waited for my departure.

They called my boarding group after a few minutes, and I joined the line, scanning my boarding pass. As I stood in the doorway, the line moved agonizingly slowly, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and found myself face to face with the man I had noticed while sitting at the gate.

We locked eyes and I felt chill travel through my whole body. He was fine as hell. Not gonna go with the whole angels singing and whatnot but maybe they were humming a bit in the background because, damn, he was incredibly attractive.

"Excuse me, you left your phone in the seat over there." he said with a warm smile, extending my phone toward me. As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice the glint of the grill in his mouth.

"Really?" I said surprised. I pat my sweatpants pocket. Nothing. "Oh my goodness, thank you so much." I say as I take the phone from him, purposely touching his finger as I take it.

"You're very welcome, ma." He smiled, then he winked his eye at me.

I think my heart skipped a beat.

He turned around and walked away.

"Damn." I say to myself as I turn back around.

"Yes, girl. He is gorgeous." The woman behind me that witnessed the whole thing spoke.

We started moving and the whole way to my seat I was wishing, hoping and praying that man was on my flight to San Francisco.

I put my carry-on bag in the overhead compartment and took my seat by the window. I kept looking towards the door to see if he was on my flight.

I don't think he's on this one. Damn. I pulled my studio 3's out of my purse that was sitting in the seat next to me. Hopefully I have this row to myself.

I turned on some Drake, laid my head on the back of the seat and closed my eyes. This is going to be a long travel day, so I can catch up on some much needed sleep. I just need to relax and get my thoughts together.

A few minutes later, I feel someone sit down next to me. I open my eyes and look in the aisle seat. It was him.

I smile and slide my beats off and he leans in.

"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

"No, not at all." I say.

"Aight." He begins getting comfortable and taking his electronics out of his bag and putting them where he can access them during the flight. I watch out of the corner of my eye. He puts his book bag under the seat and sits back then looks at me.

"Thank you for bringing me my phone. I didn't even notice I had left it."

"Like I said earlier, you're very welcome." He says. "Can I sit my iPad here?" He asks, referring to the middle seat.

"Of course, obviously it's your seat too." I say

"Yeah, I'm hoping it stays open."

"Same." He starts fumbling with his phone.

"How did you know it was mine?" I ask

"I peeped you at the gate." He looks over at me.

"Oh..."

"Don't even act like you didn't see me too." He laughs. "You know you did."

"I did." I say, laughing with him.

"I'm Josh." he introduced himself, extending his hand for a handshake. "Call me Jey, with an E."

"Hi Josh." I greeted him with a smile, shaking his hand. "I'm Hazel."

"Hazel..." he repeated, his voice softening. "With hazel eyes."

"Yes." I confirmed with a grin.

"Well Hazel, I wanna just get this out of the way and say I think you're beautiful and thank you for letting me sit here."

"Thank you, Jey. I appreciate the compliment." I give him a warm smile.

My phone starts ringing and the seat between us and we both look down at it and as clear as day you can see the picture of Kevin and I kissing. He looks at me and I shake my head. I shouldn't answer but I am. He needs to get out of my house.

I rolled my eyes as I picked the phone up. "It's not what you think. Excuse me for a second." I say then answer my phone.

"You have one week to remove your things from my house." I say low. I don't want anyone to hear me but I could tell Josh was listening in.

"Why are you at the airport? Where are you going?" He asks

"Do not ignore me. I said what I said. I want you out!" I hang up the phone and turn my phone off and throw it in the middle seat.

"Damn...wouldn't want to be on the other end of that call."

"Sorry about that." I say

"It's all good. Boyfriend?"

"Ex boyfriend." I corrected him.

We were interrupted by a passenger cutting into our conversation.

"Is this seat open?" A passenger asks.

Before I could say anything, Jey spoke up. "Nah, our daughter went to the bathroom. She'll be back in a second."

The passenger nods and keeps moving. I laugh and shake my head.

"What? We both agreed that we would keep the seat open."

"I didn't say that."

"Well, that's what I heard..." he laughs and I give a couple of giggles.

With curiosity in his eyes, he returned to the topic of my recent breakup, surprising me with his boldness.

"So, this ex boyfriend, what's going on with that?" He asks and I'm a little taken aback.

"You're bold." I remarked with a playful smile.

"I'm just asking a question." Jey defended himself with a grin.

"I met you like 5 minutes ago and you're already asking about my ex boyfriend."

"Yeah but I said you're beautiful, which means I'm interested." he confessed with a smile.

"That doesn't mean you're interested, that just means you think I'm beautiful."

"Well I'm interested too. What's up?" Jey asked with a charming smile.

I couldn't help but laugh. "There's nothing to really talk about. He's an ex-boyfriend." I replied.

"Ex-boyfriend as in y'all been broken up for a while, or a couple of days or hours?" Jey probed further.

"A couple hours." I admitted, expecting his judgment.

He sucks his teeth, and looks away. "Damn."

"What?"

"If it ain't that bad, y'all probably be back together soon. Which means all my flirting is going to go to waste." Jey remarked, sounding a bit disappointed.

"You're flirting with me?" I questioned with a playful tone.

"You know I'm flirting with you. I just told you I'm interested in you. I was hoping I could sit next to you. I was trying to hurry up and get on the plane." Jey confessed, adding a touch of self-deprecation with a laugh.

"You don't have to worry about us getting back together. I broke up with him for good and I'm not going back on it again." I assured him, feeling a sense of empowerment.

"Again?"

"Long story."

"How long were yall together?" He asks

"Five years. And those five years lead to a lot of shit. And that's why I'm done." I admit

"I feel you."

They close the door and pushback as the flight attendants go over the safety instructions. I act as if I'm paying attention to the video on our TVs but I'm going over what just happened in my head. He's probably gonna run for the hills as soon as his flight is over.

He looks over at me. "We accomplished, keeping the middle seat clear."

"Yeah..." I say

"Now we can really relax."

"Yeah..." I added, watching the safety video but not fully present.

My anxiety started to set in. I hated flying, especially the takeoff. It always triggered my anxiety.

I reached into my purse and pulled out my Xanax, chewing it up and swallowing it quickly. I noticed Jey staring at me and felt self-conscious.

"Only psychopaths and addicts chew their medication." he teased, making me laugh.

"Well, I think you can tell by now I'm not a drug addict and... Maybe I'm a little psycho." I admitted, finding his humor comforting.

He laughs

"It's Xanax. I hate flying." I say putting it back in my purse.

Jey offered a kind gesture. "Do you want to hold my hand as we take off?" he asked sincerely, taking me by surprise.

"No...." I look at him like he's crazy.

"Aight. You the one over there about to have a heart attack."

I laugh and look out of the window. "I'm not."

"Come on..." he extends his hand.

I look out the window. I hear the pilot says they're clear for takeoff.

"Can I?" I inquired, touched by his willingness to help.

"I wouldn't offer if I didn't want you to." he reassured me with a smile.

I smiled back, accepting his offer of comfort. His hand felt warm and reassuring as the plane began to accelerate for takeoff, and I held onto it tightly.

"That's what I thought." He says which makes me laugh.

Jey continued to hold my hand until we were safely in the air, and I felt a sense of gratitude towards this stranger who had comforted me through one of my greatest fears.

"Thank you." I say as I let his hand go. "I hate that part."

"It's all good...I'll hold your hand through whatever you need me to."

The conversation flowed smoothly during the flight, and I found myself drawn to Jey. He was charming, funny, and easy to talk to, qualities I had missed in my previous relationship. As we discussed our backgrounds and experiences, I felt a growing connection with him, despite our short time together.

"So, five years of ups and downs. Were y'all at least engaged?"

I mentally roll my eyes because I don't want to talk about this shit. But, whatever. Might as well get it out the way now.

"Nope." I say

"So just say what it is, you are basically in a boring ass, dead end ass, relationship."

I laugh for some reason. "You're exactly right. Boring was definitely the word. Boring. Ass. Relationship." I say with a smile.

"Why you stay so long?"

"I don't know. I thought maybe things would change after a while but they never did and when I finally addressed it, it was always an excuse and that things will get better and they never did and I'm stupid for falling for them every time." I say

"No you're not. You had faith in your relationship. That's all." He says trying to comfort me. "You need some excitement. You should be glad you met me because I'm an exciting motherfucker!"

I burst out laughing.

"For real, we should chill sometime. I'll show you. You from Atlanta?"

"No, I'm actually from San Francisco but moved to Atlanta six years ago."

"For real? I'm from San Francisco too. I just live out in ATL too. I've been here for like 7 years. I'm not gonna ask you where you live. Watch you live somewhere close."

"Why did you move to Atlanta?" I ask

"It's lit." He says. "I'm a single man and Atlanta is the place to be

"So you're a hoe?"

"Damn, why you gotta say it like that."

"Because that sounds like someone who gets a lot of women would say."

"I'm not gonna lie to you, I do get a lot of attention." He says

I side eye him. "Uh huh."

"For real. Too much going on out here to be sleeping around."

"That's true. I might've had a boyfriend, but I haven't done that in a very, very long time. He was cheating so I wouldn't touch him."

"He's dumb as hell. If I had you in my corner, I wouldn't wanna talk to nobody. I'll look down when I walk. Don't make eye contact with nobody."

We both laugh.

"So what about you, why did you move to Atlanta?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I initially came because I just wanted to get away from home and like you said Atlanta is pretty lit so I came here for what was supposed to be a week that we turned into me staying with a friend for a couple of months and I eventually just stayed. I met him almost a year later and we've been together ever since." I explain

"Damn, so you really didn't get to experience Atlanta like you should've." He says

"Not really."

"Well, when we get back, we're definitely going out."

"Really? I don't even know you."

"But that's what this is. We get to know each other."

"True." I roll my eyes.

I don't know what it was but I liked him. I was super attracted to him, so much that I've already visualized myself kissing his lips. I also wondered what he was working with. For someone who looks like this and carried himself this way he had to be packing. Wish I could find out.

He was very funny as well. The jokes he was cracking and the way he was making me laugh was drawing me in. I love a guy with a sense of humor. I loved to laugh, but that was something I hadn't done in my current relationship in so long.

He was holding my attention as far as conversation goes. He was actually easy to talk to. The way information was just flowing out of my mouth was weird even for me. We've been sitting here for almost an hour and he knows so much already. He asked a lot of questions though. I don't like that but that's only because I didn't want to answer them. Maybe I should get to know him as well. 

Some time into the flight, the flight attendants came by to offer snacks and drinks. Jey suggested getting some shots, and I eagerly agreed. We ordered drinks, and the alcohol helped to further the ease my anxiety.

We both pour the two shots into our cups and top it off with Coke. It was very strong because most of the cup was alcohol but I really needed it. And it's not a good idea to mix the alcohol with my medication but I'll be okay. I've done worse.

The alcohol definitely loosen us up, and I would say I was more susceptible to whatever conversation he was trying to have. Bottom line is I just needed to relax and just go with the flow.

"So you said you're from San Francisco too, what part?" I ask, dipping u cocktail.

"Bayview." He replies.

"Really? I'm from Hunters Point." I revealed, surprised by our proximity.

"Damn! That's like five minutes away. I'm surprised I've never seen you before."

"I know right..." I said, feeling a sense of connection.

"I would remember a beautiful face like yours." he complimented, and our eyes met in a brief moment.

"I definitely would have gravitated towards you if we had mutual friends or ran in the same circle."

"Oh, I'm your type?"

"Looks, yes. Personality wise I'm not sure. Seems like it so far..."

He licks his lips and smiles again. "Well you're my type...." He says. "You work? What do you do?" He asks

"I work as a dental assistant, I'm an implant  coordinator."

"What's that? I know what a dental assistant is, but what about the other part?"

"I work with people who want implants basically the go between for the patient and the dentist." I explain

"Oh ok..."

"It's good money. I kind of fell into it when I first moved here. I worked in a dentist's office and I worked my way up."

"That's dope, you're gonna be a full-blown dentist in a minute."

"Nah.." I laugh. "What about you? What do you do?"

"I'm a professional..." he says

"Um, okay...professional what?"

"I know you don't know me but trust me. I'll let you in on the secret later on." He smiles

"Okay... professional." I chuckled, finding his sense of humor endearing.

He laughs. "So I can come to you when I need some dental work?"

"No. You have good teeth. If you're coming to see me, that means you don't."

"Ah, gotcha!"

"What are you, nationality wise?" I inquire.

"I'm Samoan."

"Oooh, never met a Samoan before." I say sarcastically

He burst out laughing, "I know. We all up the west coast."

"I figured you were."

"Ever dated a Samoan before?" I shake my head no. "There's a first time for everything." He says

Just tell the pilot comes over the intercom and says we'll be in Chicago in less than 30 minutes.

"Damn, that seemed like that was quick." He says

"Yeah, I know right, time flew by... now we need to get ready for this four hour layover."

"Yeet."

"Excuse me? Yeet?" I say, confused.

"Yeah, yeet." I look at him like he's speaking another language. "Disregard." He says

We both laugh

"Need to hold my hand when we get ready to land?"

"Can I?" I ask

"I told you I wouldn't offer if I didn't want you to." He says

I smile to myself, as I begin to put my things away and get ready to land.

A few minutes later he took his seatbelt off and slid into the middle seat so he could sit next to me while we landed. I thought it was so sweet. He held my hand as the plane landed, and it really did help. I felt calm and at ease during the process.

He's very charming and seems like a sweetheart. The conversation we've had during the course of the flight has been very entertaining and has kept my mind off the fact that I hate flying. I just hate that. I have to do it all over again in four hours.

After the plane landed, we were pulling into the gate, getting ready to deplane. Josh looked over at me as he took off his seatbelt.

"What are you gonna do for the next four hours?" He asks

"I don't know, probably get something to eat and just chill out." I answer.

"I've been to this airport a bunch of times and they have some pretty nice restaurants here. Do you wanna have dinner with me? We can continue to get to know each other."

"Yeah...I'd like that." I say.

"Now don't be trying to be all over me when we get off the plane. I don't wanna have to strong arm you." He jokes.

"I strongly feel it's gonna be the other way around. Chill." I laugh.

"You're probably right..." he stands up and we gather our things.

As I was reaching overhead trying to grab my luggage, Jey touches my hand, moving it away. 

"I got it." He says then pulls my suitcase down and then his.

"Oh, he's a gentleman too." I say

"When I need to be." He says lifting my handle. "Don't worry about it. Let's go." I walk off of the plane with him following behind me.

"You two have a good night." One of the flight attendants says and I smile.

Jey on the other hand just had to say something.

"What that mean?" He asks

"I saw you guys during the flight. Good luck!"

We both say our goodbyes and exit the plane.

Despite my initial reservations, I felt a genuine connection with Jey. I couldn't help but wonder what the layover in Chicago would bring and where this unexpected encounter might lead.

To be continued.....

What did you think about this chapter? And what do you think about the characters individually?