The Existence Book One: Threads

1. Airport.

Dia's POV

I was boarding a seven-hour flight.
Naturally, the most important thing on my mind was annoying my brother.

Ugly Dumbass
The contact name still made me smile.

You: I'm boarding soon.

Seen.
Nothing.
Three seconds later,

Ugly Dumbass: Don't start.

Too late.

You: Wow.
You: Such a warm welcome.
You: Mom would be proud.

The typing bubble appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Good.
I hit a nerve.

Ugly Dumbass: Don't drag her into your nonsense.

A small smile slipped onto my face.
Still works.

You: I'll land at 1:30 AM.
You: You will pick me up.

Seen.
No reply.

You: I know you're reading.

Ugly Dumbass: I am.

You: Then answer properly.

Ugly Dumbass: No.

Of course.
I leaned against the boarding gate chair.

You: I'm literally flying to another country alone.
You: And you're this calm?

Ugly Dumbass: You've survived worse decisions.

Rude.
Accurate.
But rude.

You: One day I'll stop talking to you.

Ugly Dumbass: Peace will finally exist.

You: I'll find you a girlfriend while I'm there.

The typing bubble appeared immediately.
Interesting.

Ugly Dumbass: Find ur brain first.

I laughed.
Several people turned toward me.
Worth it.

You: Pick me up.

Seen.
A few seconds later...

Ugly Dumbass: Book a cab.

Hopeless.
I locked my phone and stood.
The boarding announcement echoed through the terminal.
Time to leave.

A flight attendant approached me with a bright smile.
"Good morning, ma'am. I'll guide you."
She took my ticket.
Then immediately started walking toward economy.
I almost laughed.
She judged fast.
I followed her through the cabin.
Past economy.
Past several confused passengers.