~ 42 ~

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"Well, call me crazy
And people saying that we move too fast
But I've been waiting and for a reason
Ain't no turning back"
I Believe - Jonas Brothers

oOoOo

On the last Friday of break, we pack up and get ready to head back to Boston. We exchange goodbyes with my parents. They made me promise to bring Kaden back at the end of the summer. It might not happen, but at least they approve of him now.

After lunch, Blair, Marc, Kaden, and I wait for Maeve in the car. She's coming for a few days to hang out and meet Kaden's sister.

The driver pulls up to the airstrip. I step out of the car and onto the plane.

I put my bag in one of the cubbies and sit down on one of the couches. Kaden joins me and wraps his arm around my waist. Soon, we're taking off. I look out the window and watch Amaria disappear. As we get higher in the sky, the cars begin to look like ants. The trees and buildings look smaller and smaller until we get above the clouds. Everything looks so insignificant from above. It's really humbling.

"What's the plan when we get back?" Marc asks, sapping me out of my musings. "There are still a few days of break left."

"I made us reservations or a fancy dinner. I thought we could celebrate and maybe go clubbing afterward."

"I'm down," Kaden says.

"Am I invited?" Maeve asks.

I shrug. "Why not?"

She squeals.

"Don't make me regret this already," I groan.

"Want me to text Grace and Chase?" Blair inquires.

I nod. She pulls her phone out to fire off a text message.

Suddenly feeling drowsy, I lean my head on Kaden's shoulder. The sounds of the plane's engine and their conversation lull me to sleep.

oOoOo

Hours later, Kaden shakes me awake.

"Are we there?" I ask sleepily.

"No, the plane's crashing."

I sit up in alarm and uncover the window. It's dark outside, and I can't see anything other than the blinking light on the wing.

Kaden starts laughing. I turn around and see him doubled over.

It was a joke.

"That's not funny!" I punch him. He doesn't even flinch. I guess I really need to work on my punching skills.

"Yes, it was." Maeve emerges from the other cabin. I instantly notice her phone.

"Please tell me you didn't record that," I groan.

I hear Blair's laughter. I look around the cabin and see her hiding behind one of the couches. I shoot her the dirtiest look I can muster when she stands up.

"Your face was priceless. How could I not record it?" She walks over to show me the video. "You'll be viral on TikTok."

"Just what I wanted," I mutter. "So, you never told me. Are we almost there?" I ask Kaden.

"The pilot said we're about fifteen minutes out," Marc answers.

I flop back onto the couch and shut my eyes. "Wake me up when we've landed."

oOoOo

A few hours later, Blair, Maeve, and I are standing in my bathroom to get ready. We helped each other pick out dresses that are classy enough for an upscale restaurant, but also trashy enough for a club.

I help Maeve straighten her hair by the sink after doing my makeup. Blair does her makeup at the other sink.

"They're here!" Marc hollers across the penthouse.

We quickly finish getting ready then join everyone in the living room.

"You look gorgeous," Kaden says as soon as I walk into the room. He comes to stand behind me and surrounds me with his arms.

"Are we ready to go?" Marc asks.

Us girls grab our clutch purses and file out the door. We pile into the SUV. It's a really tight fit, but we make it work.

Marc drops us off by the curb of the restaurant and drives off to find parking. We step into the lobby and are greeted by a hostess.

"Can I help you?" She looks us up and down with a sour look on her face. "Sorry, we're reservations only."

"We have a reservation. Kate Maxwell?"

She looks at her tablet and rolls her eyes. "Right this way."

"Bitch," Grace says under her breath.

We're seated at a table in the corner. A waiter comes to take our drink orders. We all order water and I get us a bottle of Dom Perignon to share.

"You never told us what we're celebrating," Grace states, sipping her water.

Kaden and I exchange a look, silently trying to figure out who should share the news.

"Oh, Kate didn't tell you?" Maeve asks. "She's free from the prince."

"Seriously? You couldn't let one of us say it?"

She shrugs and sips her champagne. Wait, why does she even have a glass? I know we're underage, but at least we have fake IDs.

I take the glass out of her hand. "You're not supposed to be drinking," I hiss.

She tries to snatch it back. "I do it all the time. Just a small glass won't hurt."

"Not in a public restaurant where people can see!" She rolls her eyes.

"Okay, how 'bout I get you something on the down-low at the club later?"

"Deal," she promptly replies.

"Well, that's great news!" Grace exclaims. "I would get up and hug you, but..." she trails off and motions to the quiet restaurant filled with business people.

"So you don't have to marry Xanthos?" Chase asks.

"Correct. Xanthos and I are over." It's pointless to correct him now.

"Congrats guys."

"So you can finally post stuff and go out in public?"

"Yep. We have people at the palace handling the media situation to let the world know about the breakup. They're going to spin some story, so nobody ends up looking like the bad guy."

"Well, I'm glad that you guys don't have to worry anymore," Grace comments.

"Ugh, me too. Her mental breakdowns were becoming extremely hard to handle," Blair adds, turning to Grace.

"What are you talking about? I'm not that needy."

Kaden strokes my thigh. "You were a few weeks ago."

I shoot him a dirty look.

"But it could have been worse. It was no problem. Really," he tacks on nervously.

I smile. Good boy.

Our food came. We shifted the conversation to talk about our spring breaks and plans for the rest of the semester.

oOoOo

Before heading to the club, we take pictures on the restaurant balcony. Since we were all dressed up, Kaden and I took our first photo as an official couple. I post it on my Instagram after sending it to Blair for edits.

We decide to leave the car in the parking garage and walk to the club. We laugh and tease each other on the way, capturing the attention of random strangers.

It's moments like this that oddly make me feel like the main character in life.

We make it into the club. Grace and Chase find us a table and get drinks as the rest of us join the mass of bodies on the dance floor.

Kaden stands closely behind me as we start moving to the music. I turn around and face him. We lock eyes.

We maintain eye contact until Grace interrupts us, and hands out shots.

She holds her glass up in the air to make a toast. "To Kaden and Kate!" she screams over the deafening music.

The seven of us clink our glasses together and down our shots in unison.

I set our empty shot glasses down on a nearby abandoned table.

I return to our group.

Kaden pulls me close, and we dance the night away. We ride the high of being free to do what we please, never once looking back.

For the night, we were a mile high and untouchable. It felt exhilarating.

~ THE END ~

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