"Ready?"

"Ready."

"Check list."

"Gum."

"Check."

"Suitcase and everything needed for the trip in there?"

"Check."

"Your sister?"

"Double check."

I laughed and we sat down in the chairs outside Gate 9. Both of our main suitcases were probably now being stowed in the belly of the plane. We each had another suitcase as a carry-on and a backpack or in my case, a very large purse-type bag. It was going to be 5 hours on a plane at least.

"Are you packed for surf, turf, hula, and sun?" Dervik asked

"All but hula. You know I don't dance."

"You're great at dancing though. You surely are good enough to make everyone run out of the room fast enough."

"A Ha. A Ha. A Ha." I gave him a glare, "Funny. A true comedian. When should I expect you to be in the local comedy club?"

"I'm here all week baby." He winked at a brunette that was sitting a few seats away

"Seriously Dervik? Are all you going to do is flirt?" I playfully pushed him slightly causing the brunette to giggle foolishly at Dervik's face

"So not cool Gwens. So not cool." He turned to face me, "You have no room to talk about flirtation around me or anyone for that matter. Quite a few guys are checking you out as I speak."

"They are not."

"Are you that oblivious?"

"I'm just not very observant."

Dervik sighed and put an earbud in. I could hear the song Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) blasting though his device to the earbuds.

The Doors was a pretty good band, I had to admit. Very classy.

The overhead speakers announced that they were now boarding for Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, and Ohio. I shook Dervik and pointed to the now flashing BOARDING sign.

We stood and headed over to the stewardess who smiled at us and told us that it was perfect weather in Hawaii. We boarded and stowed our bags.

During takeoff I read All Things Great And Small by James Herriot

And Dervik listened to his music.

Once up in the air, we were allowed to move about and go to the bathroom. The flight attendants passed out snacks and drinks. About halfway through the second hour I stood and headed to the bathroom. On my way back, however, the plane experienced some turbulence and I lost my balance, falling in the lap of a complete stranger.

"Oh!" Is all that escaped my mouth and more turbulence followed, but the guy whose lap I had fallen into held onto me so that I wouldn't fall again.

Once the turbulence stopped I muttered out an apology, "Sorry." And looked down.

He laughed, "No need to be sorry! You actually made the flight interesting for me!"

I expected him to yell at me and was surprised that he didn't, "You're not mad?"

"Should I be?" He looked at me seriously

"I suppose you should, somewhat." I mumbled drifting off

"What's this?" He asked pointing to a button that was pinned to my Malfoy-themed shirt

"Oh. It's my birthday in a couple of days. This is the only birthday pin I could find."

"Mmmmm... Disney. Happy Birthday Gwen." He frowned slightly

I smiled slightly and he snapped out of his funk then smiled back.

"Happy Birthday." He mumbled softly

"Thanks." I smiled some more and we both sat there awkwardly, I was still on his lap, "I think the turbulence is over with now."

"Oh." He let go and I started to walk away, "Wait!" I turned back toward him and he looked at me flustered and slightly zoned out,

"Can I call you sometime?"