I'll Be Waving As You Fly Away

That night Zac and I stayed up until midnight. We never spoke of our kiss though, only of the video games we were playing. Midnight was when I became sleepy again. My nap earlier in Zac’s arms hadn’t lasted more than a half hour because he had to wake me up since the dance was over. Zac watched me get into bed then helped me pull up the covers I was struggling with. He sat at my side for a moment looking into my eyes that were glued on his. He brushed his hand through my hair then wished me good night.

“Good night Zac,” I replied and reached my arms out to him for a hug. He enveloped me in his arms for a minute. When he let go he looked into my eyes once again, then slowly he leaned down and gently placed a kiss on my forehead. I smiled at him then turned to my side and shut my eyes. I had intended to stay awake to see what he might do, but about a second after i shut my eyes I just fell right asleep.

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Before I knew it, the day came. Tuesday. Today Middle Of Nowhere came out, but today was also the day that the Hansons’ would be leaving to go on their radio tour. My parents understood how much I would miss them so they allowed me to take the day off so that I could go with them to the airport. My dad was coming too so that he could drive me home after Hanson left. Their first stop was New York. All the way to New York! And they were going to be on TV, the Rosie O’Donnell show, Regis & Kathy Lee and Fox After Breakfast. I was excited for them, and hey, at least I’d be able to see them on TV if I couldn’t see them in person. I tried to look at things on the bright side....I brought my camera because I wanted to get some pictures to keep me going. I also wore my hair down again, I wanted to look nice for Zac since it would be a month or so until they could get back!

“Samantha honey,” I heard my dad call me.

“Yeah dad?”

“Diana just called she said that they would be glad to let you ride in their car on the way to the airport if you would like,” He told me.

“Oh I would!” I jumped.

“All right, I thought so. They are leaving in a half hour you can go over there whenever you like. I’ll be leaving in a half hour as well so I’ll be meeting you all at the airport, okay? OK?” Dad called after me.

“Okay dad!” I called back, I was already out the front door.

When I reached the Hanson house they were loading the car with their luggage.

“Hey Zac!” I said happily the moment I saw him.

“Hi Sam,” Zac said, but he didn’t stop to look at me, he just continued on with what he was doing.

I approached him, “Is there something wrong?”

“Nah,” He said, sort of shrugging me off. I was going to inquire him a bit more because I knew that something had to be wrong, but before I could say anything Walker, Diana, Isaac, Taylor, Jessica, Avery, and little MacKenzie came out the garage door onto the driveway with us.

“You ready to go Zac?” Walker asked him.

“Yeah, I’m all set,” Zac replied not looking him in the eye. I noticed that he hadn’t been making eye contact with anyone this morning. I wished he would. I wanted to look into his eyes, maybe then I could find what was wrong or at least maybe it would help me understand. Was he sad to be going? Was he having mixed feelings about the dance?

“Okay then! Everybody in!” Walker said cheerfully.

“Yay!” Jessica and Avery said in unison.

We all piled into the van, I sat between Isaac and Zac. Zac was at the window seat. For most of the 30 minute car ride to the airport Zac just looked out the window, for the other part he explored the back and front sides of his hands, and twiddled his thumbs. I just sat staring out into space. Zac’s mood had somewhat rubbed off on me and I didn’t feel like holding out much of a conversation with anyone then.

We arrived at the airport and everyone took a bag or two in. They didn’t take too much luggage, I guess they were planning on buying stuff in New York. I know that I would if I were going there. Walker got a busboy to put all the luggage on a cart, that made it easier. Then he went up to the service desk to get the flight information.

“Flight 326 to Newark, New Jersey?” Walker asked. They were going to New Jersey first since they were supposed to do a small promotion at a mall there and then go to New York.

“Yes sir. Your flight has an hour delay due to slight engine trouble, but it should be running fine very soon. Right down that way,” the lady pointed to our left.

“Thank you,” Walker replied, then let out a deep breath. He put his arm around Diana as we all headed toward the waiting area.

Jessica and Avery were quite amused watching the luggage being loaded onto the plane and watching the toilets being pumped. They just sat at the window in awe of the whole thing. Isaac and Taylor were both furiously scribbling away. Only I think Isaac was either writing more to his sci-fi novel, or maybe keeping a journal. Taylor was doodling. Diana was holding MacKenzie and talking with my father and Walker. Zac and I were sitting off by ourselves. Zac was still in his quiet and down state. I really didn’t know what exactly to say to him. I picked up my back pack from the floor and pulled out a tape and handed it to Zac. I had made him the tape, it only had one song on it. It was our song. I wanted him to know that I accepted it as our song and that I loved him. “So afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose....it's funny how we feel so much, but cannot say a word, we are screaming inside but we can’t be heard.” I Will Remember You. Zac took the tape in his hand, then looked over at me, and finally he made eye contact.

“What’s this?” He asked me.

“It’s for you, listen to it whenever you want to, it’s not long or anything just a few minutes,” I went on.

Zac looked away from me, then at the tape in his hands. I thought I saw him smile. He looked back over me and said, “I’ll listen to it on the plane.” He was smiling. I couldn’t help but smile back. I wasn’t sure what had upset Zac before, but I was glad to see him smiling once again.

“Now boarding Flight 326 to Newark,” We heard over the loud speaker almost too soon. I didn’t even get to talk to Zac long, so much for the one hour delay.

Zac stood up and looked at me as a whole. He then gave me a hug, “Will you wave to me?” He asked.

“Will you call me?” I asked him.

“Yes, I will,” he said.

“I’ll be waving as you fly away,” I said then he gave me another hug.

“Bye Sam.”



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