Landing at the Airport

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: September 26th, 2025)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:14 AM)~~~

~~~(Location: Holden Airport, Oregon)~~~

The plan begins to rumble as we slow down on the runway. I'm excited to see Hannah, more than I thought I'd be. After the plane attaches to the undocking tunnel, we can stand up and collect our things. I grab my single carry-on with my few clothes in it.

I grab Ellie's for her since she can't really reach hers. While I have to bend forwards to, I can walk. We exit the plane and make our way to the entrance of the airport. As we are walking, I see a familiar blond gymnast waiting for me. I can't help the smile from growing on my face.

She sees me standing head and shoulders above the crowd, and I watch her smile beaming at me. "Ulysses! I missed you!" She quickly runs up and hugs my torso as she buries her face right above my belly button.

I do my best to hug her back, but the height difference is too great to overcome. We both hear a cough at our sides, and we stop. "Hey, Ellie! How was your time in New York?" Hannah gains control of the conversation fast, and it almost works. Ellie stops in the middle of her story, and she sighs. She indicates for me to follow.

I hesitate. I want to ride home with Hannah if possible. Ellie can use a cab. "Ellie, I'm going to catch a ride with Hannah." Ellie looks at me with caution, and she turns her gaze to Hannah. We are almost adults, so we should be allowed to do this at least.

Ellie breaks and nods her head. I grab Hannahs's hand and guide her outside as we leave Ellie in the dust. Once outside, I turn to Hannah. "Where'd you park?" She points to the big parking garage, and we both start walking towards it. I'm really happy that I get to ride home with Hannah.

We both get in her car, and I'm already missing the limo. Hannah being here makes up for it. "You were busy in New York, weren't you?" I smile and nod my head. "So? Were you able to convince the NBA to let you skip college and head straight to the NBA?" She gets right down to the nitty-gritty.

I look at her and excitedly nod my head. She squeals in excitement for me. "That's so awesome, Ulysses! Talk about special treatment!" I laugh as she says that. I did get special treatment. I pretty much threatened I'd take my talents elsewhere if I was forced to play college ball.

She pulls out of the parking spot and navigates the parking garage to head to my house. "I guess that means we won't be going to the same college, huh?" I can't help but bring that up. I want to see what she's thinking about in regards to this.

I see her face drop a little bit. "On the bright side, you don't have to make your choice based on mine." I take that as something to look on the bright side for. She can make any decision she wants without me influencing it with mine since I'm not going to college now.

She sighs, and I can tell she's more bummed out about it than I thought she'd be. "That's true, but I really was looking forward to spending a year in college with you..." I reach over and lay my long arm across her shoulders.

She needs some comfort right now, and I'm not going to falter in that. Mom and dad would be disappointed in me if I just did nothing. "I guess that means we need to make up for that year in college this year!" Her energy comes roaring back in full force. Scrimmage games will be starting this Friday, but we can hang out after school.

It's Sunday right now, and as much as I want downtime from the workcation, I have school tomorrow. It'll be back into the routine. The bright side is when they announce that I'm going straight to the NBA tomorrow, I can say goodbye to the scouts.

They won't be sticking around since there's no chance I'm going to college. It'll be a good day when I won't be bothered by scouts before and after school. I can have some privacy.