The plane landed smoothly in Columbus, it's funny how calm everyone around us were, the spirt of the holiday is fresh in the air; no one around me is upset about the fact their grandma is dying. All I really wanted to do was lay down on the floor and sob; I was even considering praying to whoever would listen to me. Maybe it would work, I've heard of those miracles that people get because they're super religious. I don't believe in god or anything like that never really have, but I do believe in the supernatural.
"Lex you okay?"
I looked over at Gerard who was shoving his book back into his carry on bag, I nodded and laid my head on his arm.
"You two are such a cute couple." The elderly lady sitting beside us said.
I giggled a little, "We aren't a couple ma'am."
"Well actually, Lex I know this is a bad time to ask but when we get home will you go on a date with me? Please?"
A giant smile crossed over my face and I nodded vigarously, "Yeah of course I will."
"Awesome." He replied smiling and kissing me on the cheek.
"You two remind me of my husband and I, how old are you?"
"Sixteen." We replied at the same time.
"That's the same time I met Vincent, he was an artist."
"Gerard's an artist as well, he's going to make it big one day I know it."
"Where are you two from?"
"I'm from Jersey and Lex here is from Toledo."
"I'm from Jersey as well what part may I ask."
"Belleville."
"That's not too far from me, I'm visiting my grandkids in Columbus. Maybe we'll cross paths again, it was nice meeting you two."
"Nice to meet you too ma'am, have a nice visit." I replied.
We let her out first and then Gerard took my hand in his and nudged me into the isle, we were the last ones off the plane and the flight attendants looked like they gave no more fucks and were happy to get a couple of teenagers wearing all black off their flight.
When we were a safe distance from the flight Gee started to laugh his adorable little laugh, "those ladies looked like they absolutely hate everything!" He continued laughing and wrapped his arm around my shoulder pulling me towards him. "You okay Lex?"
"What? Yeah I'm fine."
He didn't look convinced but dropped the subject anyways, "So I'll get the bags and then we'll head out alright?"
I nodded and went with him towards his destination, which happened to be baggage claim. He turned back to me and held his hand out for me to take. I gripped it tightly never wanting to let go, never wanting to go back to Jersey. I had lost myself in my thoughts again and by the time I was tuned back into life Gerard had the bags next to him and was trying to get my attention, "I'm ready." I answered following him outside and towards the car that contained my Uncle Trevor who had hopped out. I pulled my bag over to him and smiled, "Hey."
"Hey kid, how've you been?"
"The usual. What about you?"
"Busy, hey let me get those Gerard." He ran to the trunk and shooed Gee towards me, Trevor shoved the bags in and slammed shut the trunk hatch, "Climb in kids."
Gerard got in the back and I climbed in next to my Uncle we pulled away from the airport curb and onto the familiar streets of Ohio, the ride was silent for a while only the background noise of the radio which was turned down so low you could only hear the instruments shredding through the speakers.
"Trevor?" I asked timidly, afraid to break the air around us with noise.
"Lex?"
"How is she?"
He sighed and looked over at me, "Not good kid, not good at all. She's been asking about you though, she keeps telling me I need to take care of you when she's gone. She doesn't want to go Lex, she really doesn't want to leave you."
I had to close my eyes at that moment, the steady stream of tears made me want to completely tune out everything in the world right now. So I did what I always do, I turned up the music to the point where no sounds but those of Bad Religion were pumping through the speakers drowning out the heaviness in the air.
I caught Trevor looking at Gerard through the rear-view with a worried look on his face so I settled for looking out the window for the remainder of the trip to see my grandma.