The wind whips my hair in my face as I turn left onto Dog Lane, dragging the boy with me. We speed past shops and the small park and the dormitories stacked above Subway like Legos. I race to the parking garage, in front of a honking Subaru, and yank open the door to the elevators. My friend follows closely behind as the wind picks up and the air turns humid. Thunder grumbles in the distance. We press the button, waiting anxiously for the ding, but we are laughing. The light illuminates the small waiting space and a petite Asian mother and her two children, a young boy and girl, exit the elevator and stare at us with questioning eyes. I smile and rush into the elevator after the boy. He presses the 7. Roof level. I can feel the air pressure change with every breath. The doors open slowly, and we look at each other excitedly. We dash out of the French doors and onto the roof. I can feel my loose hair tangle in knots that will be disastrously difficult to untangle later, but I do not care. I breathe for what seems like the first time as he holds my hand. We walk to the edge of the roof level and look at the expansive college campus. The people appear to be ants, and we seem like unbreakable giants compared. He embraces me from the back and I watch the lightning as I feel his heart through his shirt, comforting me.
I gasp and struggle to catch my breath as I open my eyes to the blinding sun. The dull roar of the airplane engines seem soothing. I pull up the small, dusty shade and look down. Los Angeles spreads out underneath me in a grid. I can see LAX now, but that isn't what I'm here for. Meanwhile, I check on my mom. She is gently snoring in the seat next to me. How long has she been asleep? 4, maybe 5 hours at the most. I take out one of her earbuds and she sighs. Never mind. I give her a quick peck on the cheek and doze off again.
