Unsure... Lift Off

Chapter three, Lift Off

When I went inside the diner, Lennon took my hurt hand, and pulled me into the employee's lounge. The grip he had on me hurt soooo much I was going to scream, but Lennon covered my mouth and my scream turned into a muffled grunt. He sat me on an armchair as he walked me into the room.

'Shhhhhh' Lennon said, taking his hand off my mouth.

My mouth was wide open, I was trying to scream but the only thing that was coming out was 'Ahh' it hurt so bad.

'What's wrong?' Lennon asked.

I looked at my hand and his over it, then I looked back up at him.

'My hand you dumb-ass!' I almost screeched.

'Ohhh sorry, that's the one he stomped on huh? Ooooo sorry.' He said as he let go of my hand.

I flexed my fingers carefully, a stinging pain coming over them all.

'I think he broke my hand...' I said as I put my hand on the arm rest.

'Oh I know how to handle that...' Lennon said as he handed toward the freezer. 'I broke my hand when I was twelve' he said as he pulled out a pack of frozen peas.

'How?' I asked curious to know.

Lennon walked over and put the peas over my crumpled right hand. It felt so cold, I wanted to rip them off and throw them at the wall in front of me. I took control of myself; after all, Lenny was just trying to help me...

'Well I was playing tackle football on the school yard with a couple of my pals, an Toby, the really chubby one tackled me, and his arm landed on my right hand, and when he tried to get up, he put all of his weight on the arm that was on my hand, and that's how I got my hand broken.'

All I did was nod my head in sympathy. That sounds like it would hurt. But as I looked at my right hand a question overwhelmed me.

'Why was Darrin acting like he was possessed?' I asked Lenny, since Darrin always comes here, its his favorite place to eat.

'Ahh, well I'm not sure but I have one idea. His father passed away of a stroke last week, and I guess since you are leaving, he feels like he has nothing. To him, its like everyone is leaving him. He is all alone in this world, his mother has to go to work now, since his father died. And Kenny is out with his friends all the time now. Darrin has no family here to rely on. Every other family member is out at Washington. Now since you are leaving, I guess he just decided to lash out all of his anger on you. I'd suggest you stay away from him, Lucy; he's just going to keep hurting you, he is not the boy you fell in love with, he is a new man, and I think you should leave him alone and move on, sweetheart.'

Lenny has always been like a brother to me. He's always warn me about people who wouldn't be good friends, or boyfriends, he has always been there for me, so I would always be there for him, we have this sort of connection stronger than anyone else we've met. It's him I'm going to miss most about this place.

'Thanks for the advice Lenny.' I got up, and put the peas back in the freezer, and gave Lenny a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I looked for the first aid kit, put some splints on my fingers, and wrapped my hand.

'No problem Lucy.'

'I love you, Lenny!' I said as I went out the door. I heard something like a muffled 'I love you too!' and I went to my car, and drove home with my left hand. You'd think driving with your left hand would be really tricky... well it is if you're a right... and it is... at first.... But as u get the hang of it, its really fun, swerving everywhere, getting yelled at, it depends on how you look at it. I got home safely and I didn't get hurt or hurt anyone else for that matter. I walked through the front door, and the only one that was awake was my sister Millie. She swiveled around in her chair and turned the light on. Kind of like a parent in those shows who stays up late just to catch their child who is past their curfew.

'Where have you been? Its late. Past you're curfew...' Millie said.

I just ignored her and went upstairs to my bedroom. I got dressed to go to bed and went fast asleep.
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I woke up this morning to the shouting of my mother and my father.

'Bill! Hurry up or we're going to be late for the plane!!!' shouted my mother. She told us all to pack out carry on bag the night before, but my dad said' I'll pack it in the morning' I have no idea why but my mother and father booked us the 6:00 flight instead of the 11:00. She said because its cheaper, but I don't believe her.

*
I was in the plain with my mother next to me, and my father behind us with Millie. In my carry on bag I had my iPod, Kelsey, my cell phone, a pillow, a book, and my cell phone charger. My father packed a diet soda, (I have no idea why) his cell phone, a pillow, a laptop, and his pager. My mom packed a pillow, a book, a CD player, and her cell phone. Millie had her make-up case, her nail polish container, I-pod, cell phone, brush, and her laptop. Before the plain started to take Millie found some cute guys and a girl her age. She started giving the girl a make over, and making out with a guy she hardly knew at the same time. It was weird because she was right next to my dad and he was totally oblivious. He was just on his laptop doing some work stuff. My mom was reading her book and listening to her CD player at the same time. Me, well I was just absorbing the experience of the flight. While I was looking all around the plain I noticed some guy staring at me. He looked as young as me, but it made me feel uncomfortable.

PING PING PING!

I heard coming out of the speaker.

'Hello passengers, My name is Brenda, and I will be your flight attendant for this flight. I just spoke to the captain that we will be leaving in about five minutes. So if you must go to the bathroom please do so. We do not recommend you go to the bathroom while the plain takes off because it makes an uncomfortable experience. I will go through some safety instructions with you before we take off...'

I sort of listened while Brenda droned on and on with safety issues, my attention was mostly on the bathroom at the back of the plain. I started to make my way back there when a couple of people were back there waiting for the bathroom. Ewe used public toilet, yuck. I watched the line increase as I made my way back there. As I got in line, I was the fifth in line. I decided to put my attention back to the speaker. It's the only entertainment they have in this hell hole.

'Please fasten your seat belts, we are about to take off.' finished Brenda.

As soon as she said that I heard a bunch of clicks and clacks. Oh shit! I was now fourth in line... great. 'HURRY UP PLEASE!!!' I thought. My bladder is going to explode.

'Hey there baby.' said a person behind me. Oh SHIT! I slowly turned around me. HOLY MUFFINS! My eyes widened. It's the dude who was staring at me! He looked even cuter up close. He has dirty blond messy hair, brown eyes, and a muscular figure. 'Go for it! You aren't in a relationship anymore!' I thought to myself. 'Oh and he is for sure yummy.' I thought.

'Um hi.' I said twirling my hair. 'That's the best you can do? FLIRT GIRL!' my conscience was telling me.

'Hey beautiful,' he eyed me up and down, 'what is you're name?' ugh he looks sooo cute! But is he a player? 'Play hard to get Lucy!' I thought

'What is yours?' I ask biting my lip. The ground shakes, shit we are taking off. 'Thanks slow people!' I thought glaring at the door of the bathroom.

'My name is Justin. Justincredible.' Said 'Justin' AHahaha I get it!

'Mhhhmmm. Now what is your real name? Is it another bad pickup line?' I risked another anxious look at the bathroom. Dammit!

'No seriously it's Justin. I read that line on the internet, and I thought it was a funny coincidence, so the next lovely girl I see would be flattered, and maybe hook up with me?'

'Ahh' I said and nodded. I was a little insulted.

'So...will you be my girl?' Justin asked. OH MY GOD! Ok you watched enough 'Scrubs' to know how to rant almost as well as Dr. Cox can. You can do this.

'Um number 1. You know nothing about me so that tells me that you only like me because of my looks, 2. You don't know my name, 3.you're a pig, 4. You are asking me to be your girlfriend in front of a bathroom, and 5. My boyfriend just broke up with me because I am moving! I'm so sorry, but no.' I smiled sweetly and turned around and faced the fat lady in front of me. Yes mission accomplished. Good job Lucy. I smiled at myself. But then the moment of appreciation vanished when I felt a tap on my right shoulder. I frowned and turned around with my best glare I had up my sleeve.

'WHAT? 'I asked fiercely.

'Whoa! Please tone down the bitchy talk. I just think it would be cool to get to know you. And I am very sorry about your break up.'

Whoa hell did he just call me a bitch? And Is he asking me to be friends with him? Well it would be kind of cool to know one person...But then I just realized that this is a plain from Chilmark. I know about everyone at Chilmark...how come I don't know Justin?

'Mmmhhmmm. Hold on there. Why were you in Chilmark?'

'I was visiting my granddad for a weekend.'

'Who's your granddad?'

'My granddad is Gill Harrison.'

Awe I love old man Harrison. He was like another grandpa to me. He was always looking out for me. Wait a minute. Gill died two days ago...I was there at the funeral... Awe now I fell so sorry for him...But how come I don't know Justin...Gill always mentioned his favorite grandchildren. Maybe Justin wasn't a good kid. Maybe I shouldn't be talking to him...but I can't help but want to know more about him...

'I'm so sorry...' was all I could say...he must be so hurt.

'Ah... I bet you heard, well don't be sorry, I'm not sorry he must be having fun with all of his buddies up there! And I bet he's doing better than me! AHahaha.' Justin looked down.

My eyes narrowed. Gill is just a joke to him. That's probably why he never mentioned him. But I detected something in Justin... was it...hurt...sadness...guilt? I sighed maybe Justin just needs a friend. I softened.

'Do you wanna talk about it?' I asked he must be hurt. He looked up.

'Please?' he asked.
I smiled all he wanted was some help, or a distraction. He never really wanted a girlfriend.
'C'mon, where do you sit? Did you come here all alone?'

'Um yea, c'mon follow me. '

We walked all the way up to the front. There were two empty seats. The ground started shaking. I ran to the seat closest to the window. I buckled my seat belt as quick as I could and pulled my legs toward me. I heard a soft chuckle to my right. My eyes narrowed. He's making fun of me. At the corner I saw Justin sit down and buckle up with a broad smile on his face.

'First time huh?' he asked.

I turned towards him. He still had that sly look. Ugh sometimes I just hate people. They make me feel so small...

'Maybe so...' I replied

'You know...you never told me your name...'

I sighed 'Fine, my name is Lucy.'

He nodded.

'Lucy...' he mumbled

'Yup that's my name and don't wear it out...' Wow I sound like a child. He chuckled. Hmmm. 'So Gill....'

'Right. Yea he's m-'

'Yea I just about got that much. He never mentioned you...'

'Ahh but he did mention you when our family got together on the holidays. You were very important to him and Marge. They loved you like their own.'

He talked about me...that's so sweet. I felt a tear trickle on the side of my right cheek. He loved me.

'I love him too...' I felt another tear work its way down my left cheek.

'I can imagine why he never mentioned me. He never liked me as a child, as well as growing up. I tried to win his affection so many times. But he always loved my other cousins more. And then when Emma came into the picture...well he just adored her. So I eventually gave up. He ended up loving her more than anyone in the world. But then he met dear Lucy. Its funny because Emma didn't even make it to his funeral. Her soccer game was more important.' Justin said with grief.

I remember when I used to come over and Gill would talk about Emma for a while. But then he would move on to talk about me. Tell me how wonderful and special I am.

'But you did, Lucy,' Justin continued, 'that just shows how much better you are than Emma. And hell even I made it to his funeral. That also shows how much better I am than Emma also. But of course she has a place in his heart and I don't. You know what? I don't even care about that old man anymore! He could rot in hell for all I care!' Justin said with a pound on the armchair.

Poor Justin, he's just attention deprived.

'You don't mean that...'

'Oh but I do! I've had it with that old man and I've had it with my family. They don't care about me. No one cares about old Justin!'

Now that last sentence sounds oddly familiar to me. I think I said that to my mom once...except it was 'Nobody ever cares a bout little Lucy!'

'Lucy, I bet you don't even care about me. You probably just feel sorry for me. In fact I don't even know why I'm telling you about all of this stuff! So just- just go away!'

'I kind of do care about you, even though I don't even know you, Justin. And your right I do feel sorry for you. I bet if you tell anyone this sad story they'll feel sorry for you! This is a sad story; you can't tell it to someone and expect them not to feel sorry for you. I don't know why you are telling me this either. But I will not go away. I get it a while ago I felt the same way. I get your deal. '

'You don't get it. How can you get it, everyone probably loooves you.'

'Um what part of 'Boyfriend broke up with me' do you not get? I get it because everyone always loved my little sister Millie a little more than me. And I get it because I'm forced to move to LA, when I don't want to and my parents don't even care! So don't tell me "I don't get it" because so help me we both know I do.'

'Okay, I surrender, I believe you.'

'Okay, thank you that's all I wanted to hear... so now what?'

Justin started to laugh hysterically. It was freaking me out.

'Justin... what's wrong?' I asked.

All of a sudden he stopped laughing, Okay I think he's insane.

'Nothing is wrong Lucy. I thought it was funny that we had this heated conversation about how people hate us and now...we have nothing left to say.'

'Yes because that's so funny. How about we start over before I get wierded out and never talk to you again. Sound fair?'
'Fair enough.'

'Okay then.' I cleared my throat. 'Hi my name is Lucy Norah Kimble. What's yours?'

'My name is Justin Benjamin Laune. Lucy, would you like to be my friend?'

'I would very much so.'

'Great let's get to know each other.'

'Very well then.'

The whole plain ride I sat next to Justin Benjamin Laune, getting to know him as he got to know me. It was pretty fun, but the time went by fast and before I knew it we landed in LA. As we got off i had a huge urge to pee. I never did get to go to the bathroom...