Chapter 19

Ren hates airports.

He didn't exactly know why but the smell of cheap food and the fact that his ears always ended up clogged didn't appeal to him.

But for once he was almost giddy to get onto the plane.

Maybe because of the fact that when he gets off that plane he'll see her again. It makes his heart leap with both nerves and happiness.

Then he remembers: Hux. The two had been friends for years, not the typical friendship you would expect though. Often insisting on calling each other the worst names the other could think off.

Ren would never admit it to his face but he appreciated Hux. But now he owed him the world.

That same thought pestered him the whole flight. Nagging at the corner of his mind. He had to make it up to him.

Somehow.

Ren seemed to be immersed into his thoughts for he hadn't realized the plane had landed until the person seated next to him shoved him hard in the shoulder due to the fact that he was in their "goddamn way."

He walked out of the plane, clutching his bag in hand. Like always his ears were clogged and he already knew that he'd be sick that night because of the food served but somehow it hadn't bothered Ren.

He was here.

He was where it all started.

Rey was just in his grasp.

•{•}•

She called the number the next morning to make sure it wasn't a joke.

Rey could imagine Ren answering the phone saying it was a joke. That he wasn't going anywhere and then they'll laugh. And soon enough she'll realize why she missed him so much.

He was an idiot.

A big stupid idiot who she wanted to kiss and punch at the same time.

Stupid Ren.

Making her feel this way.

She dialed the number once again and someone picked up.

"Heartbreak Hotline how may I help you?"

"It's you again."

The response sounded harsher than Rey intended but Hux's voice wasn't the one she wanted to hear at that moment.

"Yes it's me and yes Ren is not here again."

"Where is he?"

"Look I'm all about surprises and stuff but I'm kind of getting tired of hearing your voice instead of trying my hand at actually helping people with their love problems."

"Wow thanks. Feeling is mutual."

"Well, as I was going to say...he's not here."

"Um I already know that."

"No I meant he isn't here as in he's not in Los Angeles."

"So he's in Santa Fe or Hollywood or something?"

"Nope," Hux laughed. "He's not in California at all."

"Where is he then?"

"That's not something for me to tell."

"Damn you Hux!" She shouted into the phone as the tone went dead signaling he had hung up.

Rey resisted the urge to throw the phone against the wall. Instead she flung it onto her bed, frustrated.

• • •