Regrets Part I

Savannah Grace - Ready, Set, Fly!

We are back in school. I came back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, I still have a little of that left even though we've been back for a few weeks now. Our big Memphis trip is this weekend and that's all I can think about! I just have to get through today at school then we leave first thing tomorrow morning! I'm just about all packed which wasn't hard. I had a lot of things still packed up from Wintercamp.

We finally made it to 7th period. I walk into the class and am in absolute shock when I see Brayden seated in the back row. We lock eyes for just a second before he looks down at the floor again as I make my way to my seat.

I sit down and catch Jackson's eye. I can tell he's just as surprised to see Brayden as I am. Maybe Jackson is right, maybe this means he will be going to Memphis with us after all.

Just then Mr. Allen walks in and the class turns and focuses all the attention on him.

"It's finally here guys! I just want to go over some final details with you all. If I do not have your signed permission slips, please bring them tomorrow morning or you will not be allowed on the plane. We will meet at the airport at checkin no later than 8am and all board the plane together. I know you are all excited, get some sleep tonight, it's going to be a great weekend!"

The studio is buzzing with excitement. None of us can really focus on our current projects with all the excitement and Mr. Allen doesn't even seem to mind. I think he's just as excited.

"Are you ready for this trip?" Jackson asks me.

"I am so excited! Thank you again for making it possible for me to go!" I respond.

"You're welcome, I couldn't imagine going on this trip without you. You deserve to be there, you worked just as hard on it as anyone else did."

"What do you think Brayden's presence in class today means? Do you think he's coming on the trip with us?" I ask him.

"I have no idea. Maybe it would be good for him if he did come."

Either way, I'm really looking forward to this weekend. We make it through class, Jackson is driving me home from school today. He's started doing that more and more for me lately. I must admit, I kind of enjoy it!

We have casual conversation on the 30 minute drive to my house. We pull up, he leans over and kisses me before grabbing my back pack and walking me up to my house. We say our goodbyes, we both have a lot to do before tomorrow morning!

"I'll pick you up around 7:15 tomorrow for the airport, is that ok?" He says.

"Sure, I'll be ready! See you tomorrow!"

I head inside and upstairs to finish up packing and some weekend homework I have. If I don't get it done now, I won't have any time this weekend that's for sure!

That night as I lay down to sleep, I am actually giddy! I cannot wait for this weekend, a new adventure, a chance to dress up and go to a fancy dinner and ceremony, exploring the Graceland Hotel, and a chance to spend time with Jackson and possibly Brayden too. It will be interesting to see how things unfold but either way, it's going to be memorable for sure. I lay awake for hours before finally drifting off to sleep.

It seems like I had only been asleep for 30 minutes when my alarm went off. I slowly opened my eyes before quickly remembering what day it was! I jump out of bed and head for the shower. Today is finally the day! After my shower, I finish packing some last minute things and bring my bag downstairs to grab some breakfast. My mom and dad had gotten up early to see me off, my brothers were still sleeping at this ungodly hour to be awake on a Saturday.

"Are you all packed up and ready to go?" my dad asks

"Are you excited?" asks mom

"Yes to both!"

"I know this is an exciting weekend for you but please be sure that you are safe. Don't wonder around by yourself, always make sure someone is with you and please call us every once in a while." Mom tells me.

"Yes mom, I will. The whole class is going so I'm sure there will always be someone to walk around with." I reply as I throw a bagel in the toaster oven for breakfast. I grab the cream cheese and orange juice out of the refridgerator while my bagel is toasting, get a plate and a knife.

"Jackson is coming to pick you up at 7:15, right?" Dad asks

"Yes dad. We're heading straight to the airport and meeting up with the rest of the class", the toaster oven dings signaling my bagel is perfectly toasted. I pull it out and spread some cream cheese on it before taking a bite.

Just as I'm finishing up my breakfast, the doorbell rings. 7:00, he's a little early but that's fine. I answer the door, "Good morning!" I say "ready for our big adventure?"

"I am! It was an early morning but it will all be worth it!"

"Just give me a couple minutes to clean up my breakfast and run upstairs to brush my teeth and I'll be ready to go!"

"No problem, I know I'm a little early".

"Hey Jackson" my mom says, "honey, don't worry about your dishes, I'll clean them up just this once, go ahead and brush your teeth. I know you two are ready to get going."

"Thanks mom" I say as I kiss her cheek and run upstairs.

A few minutes later, I'm back down and ready to go. Jackson grabs my bag, I kiss my mom and dad goodbye and we get into his car ready for the airport.

"I talked to Brayden last night" Jackson says.

"Really, how did that go?"

"It was good. He is coming on the trip, he's meeting everyone at the airport. He just wanted to make sure him being there wasn't going to make us uncomfortable. I told him that we'd be fine."

"Wow, that was considerate of him since he's pretty much been MIA most of the school year so far".

"Yeah, I think he knows he's messed up but doesn't really know how to fix things. I'm not sure he's ready to give up the lifestyle he's living but he doesn't want to miss out on the big things like the Memphis trip either."

"I'm glad he's coming, it'll be good for him". We continue our conversation until we see the exit for the airport. We both keep an eye out for our terminal. We see a crowd of Evermore students on the sidewalk so we park and walk up to join them. Brayden is already there when we reach the rest of the class.

"Hey" he says to us looking somewhat nervous.

"Hey" Jackson responds. "It's good to see you."

"Yeah, you too", Brayden looks over at me with a small smile. Even with everything that's happened in the last 5 months, my heart still beats a little faster at the sight of him and hearing his voice even if it wasn't directed at me this time.

Mr. Allen clears his throat loudly and we all quiet down to listen to him. "Alright guys, it looks like everyone is here. Thank you for being on time! After we check our bags, we will all go through security together and wait at the terminal. At that point, you are free to go to the restroom, grab something to eat or just hang out until we board. As soon as you hear first call for boarding, I want you all back at the terminal and ready. Alright, we've been waiting for this trip for what seems like forever. Who's ready?"

The whole class cheers. I'm so excited that I get to be a part of that and I owe it all to Jackson. Brayden, Jackson, and I all head in together to stand in line to get our bags checked.

After about an hour, it is finally time to board the plane. The three of us get on together and grab seats next to each other. I'm happy to be there with the two of them even after everything. It seems like for just this weekend, we are back like we used to be only I'm with Jackson now instead of Brayden. It almost feels like old times again... Almost. Thankfully I have this trip to focus on instead of the confusion that is swirling around in my head. Those thoughts will have to remain for another time.