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"You okay?" Erica asked.
I turned to face her. She was so gorgeous, with her eyebrows scrunched in concern.
"I'm fine, just not ready for hitting the ground."
Takeoff and landing were my minor favorite parts of flying. The takeoff had been pretty smooth, and with Erica holding my hand, that made it even better. But during this landing, the plane hit a bit of turbulence, and I knew hitting the ground wouldn't be easy.
I was right.
The plane landed hard, and my entire body jerked forward. My grip on the handrest tightened, but Erica kept up with the stroking, trying to ease me.
I closed my eyes and gave in to her tiny fingers rubbing back and forth on my hand. It was pleasant and calming. Eventually, the plane stopped moving, and I figured we must have arrived at the gate.
Opening my eyes, I saw Erica looking at me with less concern, which was good. It meant that I had survived the flight. It was a funny thing to be proud of, but I was. I truly hated flying and wished that for every future flight, I was on that Erica would be by my side.
Erica let go of my hand and leaned over my body to look out the window. I was hit with her strong scent of flowers and coconut. It was my favorite smell in the whole world. She had always smelled the same since we were kids, which I found adorable.
"Orlando!" Erica said with a high-pitched voice.
I knew she had always wanted to come here when we were kids, and I knew my family needed a trip away from California. It was fate that Erica ended up coming on this trip with us.
"Yes, Orlando, Florida. The cat's out of the bag," I confessed with a grin.
Erica looked at me with pure joy. She looked like a giddy kid on Christmas, and my heart fluttered. Knowing I had brought her happiness made my grin grow even more expansive. We must have looked like idiots smiling at one another as everyone started to exit the plane.
The couple across from us looked well-sated as they got their carry-on bags under the seats in front of them. I couldn't help but giggle at the smug look the man shot me as they walked down the aisle.
It was Erica's and my turn to get off the plane, and we walked off slowly, thanking the flight attendants on our way off.
"Wow, I know it's warm back home, but it is hot with two T's here," Erica said as we were met with the hot air in the gap between the airplane and the airport hangar.
We followed the arrows that led us to where our suitcases would be in silence. Erica took in every poster as we walked while I stared at her. I stumbled, still glued to her, but I couldn't help it.
She was like a little kid taking in a strange land. You would think she had never traveled before, which was almost true, but I knew she had been out of California before, so this shouldn't be as interesting to her as it was.
We finally got our bags, but I saw a flash to my left as I reached for them. Turning towards the bright light, I spot the paparazzi taking pictures of Erica and me. Erica was just staring at them, wide-eyed.
"I hope those pictures don't get out before we tell my parents," I confessed.
"They don't know about us yet?" Erica asked.
"They don't even know you are coming," I said shyly, rubbing the back of my neck as we dragged our bags towards the doors.
We got a taxi to the hotel we would be staying. Which was also where we would be meeting my parents and brother.
"I can't believe you didn't tell your parents," Erica said as we exited the car. "They are going to be so shocked."
"Come on, it's not that big of a deal. We both already know my parents love you, so it won't be too crazy for them," I reassured her.
She and my parents got along swimmingly. They would be just as excited as her parents were, maybe even more so.
We got out of the taxi, and Erica's mouth fell open at the sight of the hotel.
It was a vast white building standing at least thirty stories high. It was the fanciest hotel in Orlando, with its own private beach area, which appealed to me the most.
"This place is beautiful," Erica said as we exited the elevator.
She didn't know that we had a suite on the top floor. So, she was about to be even more pleasantly surprised.
