ats05

    The flight from Orlando took forever but after four hours of Amit sleeping on my shoulder, and listening to Marie's mindless cell phone chit-chat I was glad to be back on the ground. I couldn't wait to get back and see my family. I missed my parents, and even my brother! When I walked into the airport, I saw Marie's family, Amit's family, and myd family all standing in a line.
     "Hey kiddo, we missed you!" My father said tightly embracing me in a hug.
     "I missed you too." I said moving along and hugging my mom.
     "Hey, it's been nice having the bathroom to myself!" My twin brother Jordan said pulling me into a rough hug. I looked over and saw Dhani hugging my mom.
     "Dhani, you're gonna come home with us tonight. Your grandpa is in the hospital and your family flew out to be with him this morning." My mom said calmly trying to explain everything.
     "What happened?" Dhani asked.
     "He had a stroke. But they are pretty sure he is going to ok." My dad said reassuringly. I felt so bad for him. Dhani was so close to his grandparents and he was a wreck when his grandmother died a few months before. As my parents went to get our luggage I saw a tear fall down Dhani's cheek. I did the only thing I knew how to do. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him close to me.
     "Sara, I'm fine." He sighed looking down at me. He slowly wrapped his arms behind my back returning my hug.
     "Now you are lying." I said still embracing him, "Dhani?"
     "Huh?" He asked in almost a whisper.
     "Doesn't this just feel right? Don't you feel like we should be together. I am tired of this!" I said digging my face into his chest.
     "Sara, you know...it just isn't working. It's best if you just move on. If we are meant to be together, we'll find a way to be together." He said pulling out of my grip and moving away from me.
     "Aw, aren't you two cute! How long have you been a couple now?" My mom asked motioning us to follow her to the car. Dhani glared at me.
     "You haven't told them yet?"

                    ***                                       ***

     I walked in the door and fell onto my bed. It felt so good to be home. I hit the button on my answering machine.
     "You have 87 new messages." After listening to eighty-six of so-called "old friends" asking for tickets and autographs, I finally reached a message that caught my attention.
     "Hi Sara. I'm so glad you called me the other day. I can't wait till you get here so we can hang out. Call me when you get home. Bye." I immediately grabbed the phone and dialed Justin's number. Fifteen minutes later I found myself on my way to meet him. I spotted Justin standing in front of the hotel restaurant. I smiled as I approached him.
     "You know how bad I feel, not being able to pick you up!" He said opening the door for me.
     "I don't mind at all." I said giggling. I didn't know why I was there. The only guy I had ever dated was Dhani. I felt so uncomfortable being there with someone else. Someone I hardly knew. Only two phone conversations and I was meeting him alone. We sat across from each other in a booth in silence.
     "What made you decide to call me?" He asked breaking the silence. With this question I began biting my straw nervously.
     "I guess I was just lonely." I answered looking down at the table.
     "I wanna ask now so I don't get my hopes up too much. Where are you with this break up?" Justin asked. I couldn't stand it. He was so sweet and I was attracted to him.
     "I am still trying to get over it. It's really hard, we were together just over two years and I have to face him every day," I breathed in deeply holding back tears, "I don't think I'm ready for another relationship right now. But maybe with time and patience..."
     "I understand completely," Justin grabbed my hand and helped me out of my seat, "will you come upstairs and meet the guys before you leave? They want to meet you after all they've heard about you." I nodded my head and smiled.