Chasing Pavements [Sequel to ICONic Dream]

::Chapter Two

Mr. Castronovo came into the room. “Hey kiddos, we’re gonna have to leave in about thirty minutes to catch our plane at four.” Bianca nodded and I looked at the clock. It was only 1:30. Long drive! Vinny looked at me. “Crazy photo shoot on the way to the airport?” I laughed and nodded. I sat back down on their couch, placing a pillow under my head. Vinny sat beside me and turned the TV on. “SpongeBob?” I asked, when I saw his choice of show. He grinned. “He’s jolly.” I rolled my eyes but watched the square, yellow figure run around. After the show ended, Mr. Castronovo re-entered the room. “Dad, look at what this fan made!” Vinny handed his phone to his dad. It was a picture of the fish on SpongeBob at Krusty Krab saying “We should have gone to Albivi’s!”. Vinny thought it was hilarious.

{*}

After we were all loaded up into the car, Mr. Castronovo spoke. “Alright guys, Emily is gonna pick you up at the airport, and I’m taking Hannah home.” We all nodded. Bianca was sitting up front with Mr. Castronovo and I had the back with Vinny. Alessandra and Mrs. Castronovo were already there. As soon as the car started moving, Vinny and I both got out our IPhones. I went to my camera, as did Vinny. We posed for about thirty silly pictures and posted about three to our personal Facebook’s. My phone lit up with a Facebook notification. It was Mikey commenting on one of the pictures. “HEY CENZO. No stealing my swag! I took a picture like that too!” I scrolled up to the picture and giggled when I figured out what he was talking about. Vinny was kissing my cheek and I was making a silly face. He was referring to a picture of him and Montana. Vinny looked over at me when I giggled and I showed him the comment. He grinned and commented on the picture, still logged in on my account. “Hey man, sorry but I don’t think ‘Minny’ is gonna work out- From Vinny.” I died from laughter. Legit. He smiled at me and handed my phone back.

I pulled my headphones from my bag and handed Vinny an ear bud. He took it and put it in his ear. I put it on shuffle and the first song that played was “Just the Way You Are”. Vinny looked right at me with the biggest smile on his face. This was our song. Warmth flooded through my body and my toes tingled. I was enjoying every moment with him until he left. I put my phone between us and I shifted to where I was laying on his shoulder. He looked down at my eyes and smiled softly. He grabbed a strand of my hair and began playing with it; wrapping it around his finger and twisting it. I shivered. I loved it when people played with my hair. The song changed. “Without You”. I saw him smile again. I laughed at shuffle. “It’s on shuffle, Vin.” He looked at me and cracked up. I shrugged. Not my doings. I caught Bianca glance back at us and smile. Mr. Castronovo noticed as well. My phone buzzed.

From: SPIKAEL MICHAEL.

To: Hannahhhh

So I’m guessing you’re with Vin?

To: SPIKAEL MICHAEL

From: Hannahhhh

Yup.

From: SPIKAEL MICHAEL

To: Hannahhhh

DANG! I wanted to know if you wanted to come play basketball with me and Nick.

To: SPIKAEL MICHAEL

From: Hannahhhh

Not today, Spikes.

I didn’t get a reply, thankfully. Yes, he was my best friend but, I just wanted to enjoy my time with Vinny.

{*}

We got to the airport at 3:30. I found a comfy chair to sit in by the window, and sat down. Vinny waltzed over and sat down on my lap. I coughed out of surprise. “I’m sorry! I didn’t see you there. Reverse this!” I rolled my eyes but stood to let him sit down, then I sat down on his lap. “So, tell me about your show in Texas.” I questioned, hoping to take some of the awkward silence out of the air. “Well, Alessandra’s gonna sing, I’ll dance, Bebo will dance, and Bianca will host. It should be fun.” I imagined him in the middle of a bunch of screaming girls. I felt sorry for him, he was self- conscience in front of his fans but, I know that they all think he’s perfect. “PLANE 64B LEAVES FOR DALLAS, TEXAS IN TEN MINUTES. I REPEAT, PLANE 64B LEAVES FOR DALLAS, TEXAS IN TEN MINUTES.” The voice-over spoke, warning me that I’d soon be missing Vinny. He turned to me, “I’ll see you in three weeks! I’ll call you or Skype you every night though. It’ll be like I never left!” I smiled and nodded. “Of course! I hope you have fun and I hope you meet lots of GRANDerz.” As he smiled again and leaned in to hug me, I remembered Bianca’s words. Don’t cry, Hannah. You can do this. He kissed the top of my head. “I love you.” He whispered. My breath caught in my throat. He had never told me that before. I mean, he did when we were just messing around, kind of like this morning. But this, this was for real. I whispered back, “I love you too; more than air.” He smiled at my response and turned away to find Bianca. Bianca ran over to me and gave me a hug. “I’ll miss you!” Then she whispered, “Way to stay strong.” I smiled. “I’ll miss you B! Have fun and take care of Vincent for me.” She smiled and hugged me again.

After we were finished with goodbyes, they turned to leave, dragging their suitcases behind them. When Vinny was almost to a corner, he looked back and waved. I blew a kiss and he pretended to catch it and put it in his pocket. I smiled and waved. Then, he disappeared from my sight. I stood there in the airport for a minute or two with a dumb expression on my face. He loves me. Mr. Castronovo patted my back. “Let’s go home.”

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