[color=lightgray][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/201025/0e94ded586b2ce7deeab0c05bd616f28.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/i95XX0e.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/sFHqso3.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ywkXwIj.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220202/c0236be22418d1cf101129a175297131.png[/img][/center] [indent]Spike Langley spent the majority of his flight from LAX to EYW restless and deep in thought. With a headset on, his right hand holding his phone as he watched [i]Spiderman: No Way Home[/i], and his left hand sketching on his drawing pad, he stared blankly at the screen, lost in space. His mind was stuck on replay, as if their last conversation, where she was in tears, was only yesterday. If only he had worded things differently, if only he told her how much she meant to him, if only he didn’t let her go. Now the handsome, yet forlorn, artist spends the majority of his adulthood focusing on himself. Okay, correction. In recent years, he found himself unable to compromise his time, energy, and mental health for people he didn’t care about. He found himself tired of the bullshit. He found himself tired of hiding things behind a smile. Tired of the flings, the games, and all the faces he could barely remember. Spike wanted to feel something more. He was successful… But why did he feel so empty? Ah, yes. It’s because when he closed his eyes, he saw too much. He felt too much. He could hear too much. When he closed his eyes, memories that should’ve faded were forever on rewind. The more he ponders, the less likely he will forget. The most cherished and heartbreaking time of his life, held in the frame of his heart. How did all these become memories? How did he let this go? Sighing to himself, Spike placed his phone face down on the tray table, turning off the screen and pausing the movie. His blue eyes examined his drawing, in an unhurried manner, measuring every line, curve, and shade. A blonde woman crying her eyes out. He observed the sketch of her face and thought to himself: [color=228B22][i]Looks just like you.[/i][/color] If there was one thing Spike could hope for by coming to this high school reunion, it would be to get this melody out of his head, a melody of stars, dreams, and fantasies. A melody that did not belong to him. No matter how many years passed he could close his eyes and see everything from his past so vividly. He was awake, always awake, floating in life, playing visions on repeat, replaying over and over again, like a broken record. Was this weird? He grew up. He grew in ways he never believed he could, and yet, thoughts lingered in his head, as if he was still that angst filled, horny ass, teenage boy in a lion costume. All he wanted to do was to apologize, apologize and let this old feeling go. He knew it was selfish of him for going to this thing for his own benefit. He didn’t even really want to see the rest of his class. He only cared for a handful of them and even then, he could see them whenever he wanted. But he knew, if he wanted to avoid an awkward meeting, this would be the best reason to see her again. The Star in his life was married. Happy with a man and a son. She was an influencer that statistically dominated in the beauty community (not like he did the research or anything). She was on a silly episode of [i]Say Yes to the Dress[/i], advocates for the deaf on her channel, and is beautifully thriving. Completely and utterly happy. She was shining, without him, like he knew she would. Spike was so happy for her and at a distance, he would support her, anonymously. Snapping out of his daze, Spike felt a nudge on his shoulder. The younger flight attendant of two waited for him to meet her hazel gaze. Without much hesitation, Spike adjusted his posture and amicably questioned, [color=228B22]“Hey, yeah. What’s up?”[/color] She didn’t have her food cart so maybe she simply wanted to tell him about turbulence or something. [color=#DBC6EC]“Sorry for interrupting you! I, um, this might be weird but there was a young boy and his mother, two rows behind you, who wanted me to ask if you were Spike Langley.”[/color] The twenty something year old redhead, who looked like this was her first week on the job, nervously fiddled with her fingers, anxiously waiting, hoping her superiors wouldn't reprimand her. [color=#DBC6EC]“If not, that’s fine! I don’t even know who that is, ha. Eh-hem. I’ll just tell them no.”[/color] [color=228B22]“Woah, breathe…”[/color] Spike glanced at her chest, his eyes going to her name tag, avoiding her boob area to the best of his capabilities, before giving her a charming and welcoming smile, [color=228B22]“Miss Miley. What’s the kid’s name?”[/color] [color=DBC6EC]“I don’t know if I should…”[/color] Looking left and right, left and right again, Miley took a deep breath and decided to take a risk, hoping her gut feeling wasn’t trusting too easily. In a whisper, she cautiously added, [color=DBC6EC]“Kyle…”[/color] After raising his finger to her, happy with her response, Spike cleared the tray table, pushed it up, and reached for his backpack that was under the passenger seat in front of him. In a matter of seconds, he grabbed the newest volume of [i]Paper Warriors[/i], scribbled his name on the back of the front cover with a green marker, and left an uplifting note: [i]Kyle, always have a star farther than your grasp as your goal. I promise you, nothing is impossible, if you put your whole heart into it.[/i] Gesturing for Miley to take the mint condition book, Spike mischievously grinned at the doe-eyed woman when she realized that he was the original creator of [i]Paper Warriors[/i]. It was clear she only knew his work from the animated series, which meant she knew of the first live action movie that was coming. Scheduled to premiere at the end of this year. [color=228B22]“Tell Kyle this hasn’t gotten to stores yet and that I hope he enjoys being the first one to read it, aside from my editor.”[/color] Miley profusely nodded, before attempting to walk away. [color=228B22]“Oh and one more thing.”[/color] She turned back to look at the famous comic artist and writer. [color=228B22]“You’re both free to see me after this flight to take pictures. I have time.”[/color] The flight attendant’s gentle soul was quick to blush, kind of like pink champagne. Once he did a lazy wave goodbye, he glimpsed at his watch. It was almost time. In reality, he didn’t actually have time for a quick meet & greet but who would he be if he denied a child a chance to meet someone they looked up to? He’d be a jackass, that’s what he’d be. Spike knew he should’ve listened to his bros, like Nate, Max, or Rico. He should’ve booked his flight a week ago, but of course, Spike being Spike forgot. He booked his flight yesterday, at the last minute, and a travel agent was able to squeeze him in on a later flight. The cocktail party was at 8 PM, EST. The airport was around a ten minute drive away from the hotel. He had to rent a car. He had to get his room keys. He had to drop off his bags and… he was landing around 7:25 PM. Still, there was a silver lining. He made two people smile on this flight today. [color=228B22][i]I’ll be fiiiiiine.[/i][/color] Nothing wrong with being fashionably late. He would get there when he got there. If anything, he had more time to play out what he would say and how he would say it when he saw her. Yes, when he sees her. He was going to see her. Oh my god, he was going to see her... [sub](cue panic)[/sub] [/indent][/color]