Chapter 12: Hiding in Yesterday, Part 2

"We'll go see her when all this is over," Katya said, giving his hand a squeeze. She then put her thumb and finger up to the bridge of her nose and winced a little.

"Headache?" Cyrus asked.

"Oh, it's just that I always get a touch of rhinorrhea when I fly," Katya answered.

"Rhino, what now?" he asked. "You can use the restroom if you need to; they turned the seat belt sign off."

"No, silly," she said laughing. "I just mean my nose runs and I get a slight headache in jetliners."

"You make me laugh-will you be my girlfriend now?" he asked.

"Nope," she answered.

"Why not?"

"I already told you, Cyrus Callahan. You date other girls."

"But I don't want to date around anymore," he answered. "I want you to be my XCL."

"I don't think you're ready to have a steady girlfriend," she said. "Maybe I'm not ready to have a steady either."

"You're not still interested in that jerk, Howie, are you?" he questioned.