I was still in flashback mode as I remembered our flight that would make the greatest impact on my life as though nothing had ever before. While my friends were boarding the plane, I was stuck in baggage claims area waiting for them to put a tag on my duffel bag so that I could finally board. I stood, gently tapping my foot, as the man told me that it was finally my turn. I smiled warmly, " Thanks! "

I ran off towards the boarding gate, but managed to drop my ticket once, so that slowed me down on top of everything else. I finally reached it and the woman collecting the tickets gave me a stern look for cutting it so close. " I know, I know. Sorry. " I grinned and ran into the terminal and finally made it onto the plane.

*~*

" Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, the pilot will be taking off soon. Please buckle up! " The flight attendant spoke into her microphone as I glanced around because I couldn't see my friends. I started walking backwards and didn't acknowledge where I was going.

Within a few seconds, I had bumped into someone who was also walking backwards, obviously looking for people. We both tripped over each other and fell to the floor with a thud.

" Oh, I'm sorry. " We both apologized sympathetically and I blushed when he smiled at me. Once we stood up, I could see that he was quite tall, and even though I was average height, I felt shorter than usual.

We brushed ourselves off and he grinned at me once more. " Looking for your friends too? " I smiled back.

" Yeah, I think they did this on purpose to me. " He made a slightly poutly look that looked vaguely familiar to me, but I thought nothing of it. " Oh, I give up. " He shook his head and I smiled back at him.

" Yah, I think I give up too.." I continued to glance around as the flight attendant came up to us.

" Sir, Ma'am, you'll have to find a seat and sit. The plane is ready for take-off. There are two right here. " She pointed to the empty seats next to us and we sat down, slightly embarrassed for being yelled at by a flight attendant.

He took the window seat next to me as I hesitantly sat down next to a complete stranger. " It's okay.." he grinned. " I promise not to bite. "

I grinned back. " I know, I was just hoping to find my friends, but it's all good. I should find them once we get off this thing. " I looked around the plane. " Argh, I hate flying. "

The blond stranger smiled at me. " Yeah, I do too. But never fear, we'll make it through this flight together! "

I smiled back with confidence at him. There was something really familiar about him, but I just couldn't figure it out. " So, where are you from? " I started the small talk part of the conversation.

" I'm from Florida. How about you? "

" Well, I was living in Florida with my friends, but we're moving to New York today! I'm definitely going to miss Florida though. Everything was really beautiful there! " I smiled recalling the motion of palm trees blowing in the wind and the smell of salt air everywhere I went.

" I couldn't imagine moving away from Florida. " He paused. " I can't ever get enough of the ocean. "

" Really? " I smiled. " Me either. "

He leaned his head over and glanced out the window. " Wow, I can't believe how small everything looks. " He smiled and motioned for me to lean over him.

I grinned in agreement and leaned over him to look out the window. " Oh whoa. The view is awesome! Everything looks like little ant colonies! " I laughed a little.

" Yeah...I'm definitely enjoying the view. "

I glanced up and looked at him. " And what view would you be looking at? " I snickered at him because his eyes were averted from the window.

He blushed a little and I smiled flirty thinking that this plane ride might not be so bad after all. " Erm...nothing. " He wrinkled up his nose and I went back to sitting back in my seat. " So what kind of things are you into? " He wasn't interested in moments of silence.

" Hm...everything. " I laughed and he joined me. " Naw, I like to sing, dance, have fun, SHOP, " I paused and grinned as he laughed again. " I guess I just like to hang out with my friends and have a good time. How about you? "

" Oh, pretty much the same, except...I don't have such a large emphasis on shopping. That characteristic belongs to my friend. Then again, he hasn't been shopping much because he's been pretty depressed. " The stranger shrugged.

" Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. " I frowned slightly. " Why is he feeling down? If you don't mind me asking."

" Oh, it's alright. It's just that his girlfriend of nine months just broke up with him recently. "

" Aww, well I'm sorry for him. I know what heart break feels like! " I gave a sympathetic sigh.

" Yeah, but see, it gets difficult. Girls don't understand that guys feel pain from injuries in the heart. I've met so many that think that they are the only ones who are getting hurt and they're not. " He sounded very experienced with his thoughts and I smiled at him.

" Wow, I've never really heard a guy say that...but it's definitely something that every girl should hear. "

" Yeah.." He paused again. " But on a different subject, why are you moving to New York? "

" Ya know, I'm not actually sure! " I laughed and he laughed with a curious look.

" Naw, it's a little bit closer to our families and a lot goes on in New York. "

" Well, you're right. A lot more does go on in New York...like shootings, murders, burglaries.." he continued his list of dangers in the city.

" Alright! I get the point. " I stuck my tongue out at him. " Well, gee, then I'll just get on another plane and head back to Florida right now. "

" Well, don't worry. I'm in New York for about two weeks. I'll be there to keep you safe until then. " He winked at me.

" Oh, so you're saying that you want to see me again? " I raised an eyebrow at his comment.

" Maybe..." He grinned with intrigue. " Give me your number and we'll see what happens. "

I thought for a second. " Did you even think to ask if I was single? "

" Oh, I.." He cussed under his breath. " So um...are you single? "

I laughed. " Yeah, I am. Like your friend, I recently broke up with my boyfriend. "

" Oh, I'm sorry! " He offered a sympathetic pat on my arm.

" Don't be. He was nothing but a scrub. "

He laughed at my illusion to the song. " Alright then. So do I get your number or what? "

" Sure. " I grabbed the pen of a flight attendant who walked by and never noticed. This sent the stranger into a bigger fit of laughter and I just shrugged. I took his hand and wrote the number of our new apartment onto his hand. We talked the rest of the way to New York and managed to get to know each other very well.

Once the plane landed, I was sad to say good-bye to him because he was really nice. But, we got out of our seats reluctantly and got off the plane. When we got inside the JFK airport, we somehow managed to spot both of our sets of friends.

His friends waved at him furiously as if they were in a major hurry and I noticed that there were a lot more people in the airport than usual for this type of season. " Hey, one other thing, I never caught your name! " I yelled after him as he took off towards them.

" It's Nick. " He grinned and turned the other way after yelling once more. " I'll call you! "

I smiled and went towards my friends in a dream-like state. " Lauren...who were you just talking to? " Amanda looked at me strangely.

" Ah, " I sighed. " He was SO sweet. I met him on the plane because I didn't know where you guys were and we ended up sitting next to each other because he couldn't find his group of friends. We talked the entire way there and got to know each other really well! " I smiled and grinned. " He said he'll call me! " I was bubbling over with happiness.

" LAUREN...what was his name? " Tabitha looked at me strangely as I turned to see him being ushered away by what looked like a team of bodyguards.

" He said it was..." I nearly passed out. " Oh my god...he said his name was.."

" WAS WHAT?!? " Sarah practically started shaking me.

" Nick! He said it was Nick! " I gasped.