Stay this time

I sat across my mother who has her head buried in a magazine, reading the latest gossip about celebrities, and checking out the latest fashion trends. She's been like that since we made an emergency landing due to the typhoon.

I breathed heavily and left my seat, just like I thought, she won't notice me, she didn't. She didn't even throw me a glance or asked where I'm going. I look back at her one last time before leaving our waiting nook completely.

I decided to look for my father, he must be in one of the offices, talking to his crew. I am a daughter of a Pilot. People always say I'm lucky to be one, and I won't argue, because I am lucky. I get to fly anywhere in the world for free. I get to live where I want to for free, I get to see things that most of us can't, for free.

We've been to many places, just a few more country and I would get to say I have traveled the world. I love it, the free food, the places we stay, the different cultures we get to experience, but what I love the most is my time with my dad, I love the feeling that I get to be with him even when he's working.

The flight has been stranded for hours because of the typhoon. I am very much experienced in flying and I know how bad it can get when you decide to fly at this time of night and in this kind of weather.

I look through the glass window of LAX and stare at the heavy rains and thunder. I love the rain but not when we fly. My father made the right decision to layover for a while.

With nothing to do, I decided to roam at the airport, hoping to see my father as I walk. People are sleeping, some are playing board games to kill time, some just decided it's best to be alone. Some look at me, wondering what a 10-year-old girl is doing wandering through the airport, I ignored them and continued with my stride.

One boy caught my attention. He's there, sitting on one of the benches in front of the window, looking intently at the raindrops dripping down the glass. Beside him is a huge traveling bag. He looks a few years older than me but I can't tell because he's super thin.

I decided to approach him "How long do you think before the rain stops?" I asked without looking at him.

He turns to look at me and exhaled "I don't know."

He looks exhausted and sad, I know it's not right to meddle with people's lives but my father said we can always be of comfort to others if we can. Without having a second thought, I moved his bag a little so I can sit on the bench beside him.

"Hi." I started.

He looked at me and I noticed his sea-colored eyes covered in thick lashes "Hello." he greeted back.

"I'm Ava Kensington. My dad works here, he's one of the pilots." I introduced myself and smiled as I offer my hand for a shake.

"I'm Lucas Andonov. How old are you?" He asked.

"I just turned ten last week, what about you?"

"I'm twelve. What are you doing wandering around?"

"Uhm, because there's nothing much to do," I replied.

"Where's your mother?" he asked.

I pointed to the other direction "She's in another part of the airport. We have a cabin there. What about you, where's your mom?"

He looks back on the glass window "Buying something to eat."

"And your father?" I asked, curious.

"I don't have a father," he replied.

"What do you mean, everyone has a father."

"He's dead."

"Oh," I whispered, "So you do have a father, it just so happen that he's not here anymore." I tried to make my voice as comforting as possible.

"Yeah, I know. He was a soldier. He died in the war just a few months ago."

"He died bravely, and he's a hero. You should be proud of him." I said.

"I am. Always." He whispered back.

The lightning strikes and the thunder roar, made us both look outside. The rain is heavy and I know it won't stop anytime soon. "Let's play," I suggested.

Lucas chuckled and looked at me like he can't believe himself "I'm too old to play." he rolled his eyes.

"Nope, no one is too old to play." I reasoned "Come on!"

And with that, his sad face lightens up and I saw him smile genuinely for the first time.

We spent the night playing charades, guessing what people think or what they do for a living, where they're going, and for what reason. He thought me how to play video games, and I showed him how to play some board games. We wander through the airport as we laugh at his silliest jokes, we bought chips and soda on the vending machines and we gave some to other kids younger than us in the waiting area. I met his mom, a very kind lady who gave me a pair of gloves to keep my hand from getting cold. Lucas and I tell each other stories like we've known each other for years and I've never felt much connection to anyone in my entire life until now.

"Where are you going?" I asked when we finally sat back on the bench, breathing heavily.

He puts a chip in his mouth and chews it "Spain."

"That's far," I commented, "Why?"

Lucas shrugged and ate another chip "To spend the rest of our lives there. My father is dead, there's nothing left here for us. We'll be living with my mother's sister in Spain, she said she'd support me to school."

I frown and crossed my arms over my chest "Are you okay with it?" I asked.

"I don't know. I love it here in America, but I'm young, I can't do anything yet to support her or stop her."

"Someday, you will," I whispered.

"What about you, Ava, where do you live?"

"Here and there. We never really stay in one place for too long, but we have a house in New York." I replied.

The night goes on like that, we exchange stories and facts about ourselves, not caring for the world. We became friends easily. I know in my heart I will never forget this night. The fun and thrill of having someone you can talk to and spend the waiting time with is something I will treasure forever. At my young age, I already know what it feels like to have someone special you can laugh with because I don't get it often.

The typhoon is almost over and it's already morning, I flapped my eyelids, feeling tired and sleepy. We both stare blankly at the glass window, the rain stopped pouring in, we both watch as the golden sun rises on the horizon and prepares to take on for the day.

Someone announced that the flight will soon resume and that everyone should prepare and check their valuable things. I felt a sudden rush of loneliness in my heart and all I wish is for the rain to keep pouring.

"I wish it could be longer," I whispered in a sleepy voice.

To my surprise, Lucas takes my hand and holds it tight "I wish that too."

I smiled sadly and felt a tear in my eyes. I know I shouldn't be crying, but I can't stop myself "Will we see each other again?"

Lucas breathed heavily, not sure exactly what to say to me. He doesn't want to give me false hopes, I know. The world is too big for us and we are yet too young. "Maybe." He said softly. He took something from his pocket and he started unfolding it in front of me.

"What is it?" I asked and sniffed.

"It's the map of the world. Here." He pointed to where New York is "Your house is here." and slowly, Lucas traced the space between New York and Spain, "And here I am."

Looking at the map, it seems like it's just one trace away, the distance seems so small. I sniffed.

"See? This is the only distance that will separate us. And I know, one way or another, our paths will cross again."

"I'll keep it. And I'll wait for that time-" I was cut off when I heard a familiar voice.

"Ava, come on we're leaving! Your dad has been looking for you everywhere!" I never hated my mother as much as I hate her now.

"I won't forget," I whispered.

Lucas smiled sadly and nodded "I won't forget too. You're a good friend, Ava."

I left my seat without looking at him. I took my mother's hand as we walk together back to our waiting nook. I had this great desire in my heart to see him again. I need to see him again. I let go of my mother's hand and turned, but he wasn't there.

I exhaled and smiled sadly to myself. I can't perceive that it's possible to be friends with someone you barely know, but meeting Lucas proved it can be.

I remembered what my father always says about friendship, that friendship isn't measured by how long you've known each other. I don't know how it's being measured but I know sure enough that distance wouldn't measure it at all.

Life as a pilot's daughter has its advantages, but at the end of the day, you'll know that it's not something you'd be proud of when you get older.

Not staying in one place for too long makes it hard for me to make friends. I met a lot of kids my age who don't even remember me anymore.

I was always alone until I met Lucas who has given the map of the world, another meaning. But I know, he'd forget about me too. Just like everybody else.