In Between the Lines

one

one

toes - glass animals

THE SWEET BUZZ from the alcohol he bribed from the flight attendant was the only thing going for Kieran. Just the thought of the cameras, the people, his parents. It crippled him emotionally. The only thing that could take him off edge would be fresh powder. His skin itched. Some sat in his carry on that was placed carefully under the seat in front of him.

One sniff equaled no more itchy skin, no more anxiety, no more playing back in forth in if he should do it or not. After he did he would forget about everything.

But he was clean. Or that's what he told his therapist, parents, and girlfriend. The happiness that surged through him would make it ten time easier to plaster a smile in front of his parents and girlfriend. So he scratched the itch.

Everyone on the flight were asleep due to the time change that flung them two hours back into the night. He was covered on that part. No hiding what he was carrying. He slowly removed the small baggy filled with his getaway and moved it to his wallet.

He moved towards the bathroom giving anyone who looked a fake crooked smile. The dial on the knob showed an approving green giving Kieran a real smile. He hurried in and locked the door behind him. The mirror with his reflection was the first thing he saw. Everything about him looked anxious and stressed. Even a few white hairs streaked a part of his hair.

All Kieran could see were how bright his brown eyes were. The facade it created to insure everyone he was fine. He was happy. He was healthy. He was okay. Past that were empty swimming pools that wanted to be filled with that would bring thousands of people to swim.

He took the small bag out of his wallet and snatched one of the credit cards. In careful little nudges, Kieran made perfect ski slopes to soon ski down. His hands fumbled as he slipped the black MasterCard back into his place only to replace it with a fifty. He rolled the bill like he'd done a thousand times before and took the first step to relief.

After he finished, he backed away slowly from the countertop and closed his eyes. When he reopened them, all he could see was thousand dollar champagne being drained into the empty pools he called eyes. Kieran Caspian Haas was the man standing before him in the mirror.

...

Denver International Airport was always moving with people who were ready to escape. That's why it was one of Kieran's favorite place. But he wasn't here to escape. He was here instead of the smaller airport near the house because of photos that would promote the term "The Haas Family is back in one piece".

The first people he saw were his parents that made minimal contact and a rosy cheek Pomeline that stood next them,as she scrolled through the same Instagram posts. The next set of people he saw were the paparazzi. There cameras set to shoot him dead and their smiles ready to chew him up alive.

Three deeps breaths, he reminded himself. He'd taken it less than thirty minutes ago. On the best terms, this would go by in less than fifteen minutes enough time for him to smile proudly for the cameras.

Meredith sat on the floor as her eyes wandered across the room. The only one who was here because she truly cared. Her eyes caught on him like hooks and she gave him a dimpled smile to avoid letting the cameras loose on their manhunt.

But Pomeline caught wind it and gave a high pitched war cry, which gave the beast the go ahead to rip into him. As soon as the clicks and flashes started the Mr. and Mrs. came into a close cuddle and picked up a sign he never thought he would see, something he knew would never be true.