amie lynne; (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tiny_ninja) wrote2021-05-17 10:30 am
tiny_ninja) wrote2021-05-17 10:30 am
Entry tags:
story: sometimes we're only flying for a while (one new message)
Title: Sometimes We're Only Flying For A While
Fandoms: Original Work - One New Message
Characters: Gabe Delaney, Becky Johnson
Pairing: implied Celie Rowe/Gabe Delaney
Rating: Gen
Summary: A missing scene from One New Message, from Gabe's POV as he travels to see Celie.
Notes: Written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
getyourwordsout Yahtzee challenge, with the prompt: airplane photograph.
Word Count: 920
I looked out the window, tapping my fingers against the armrest. The passenger beside me, a woman old enough to be my grandmother, side-eyed me, raising an eyebrow. Being that it was Christmas Eve, the flight was packed, everyone trying to get home to their families. I was scrunched into my seat, desperate to stretch my legs, but I didn’t care. I was headed where I needed to be.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, curling my fingers into my palms instead.
Still, the anxiety didn’t go away. The plane took off, the airport fading into a blur of concrete and buildings and trees beneath us. I fiddled with my phone, looking down at the blank screen and thought about texting Celie, again.
She didn’t know I was coming. Perhaps I should have mentioned it. It was a big deal, showing up on her doorstep on Christmas Eve. She thought I was headed home to Los Angeles. I dragged a hand over my face, thinking of my mother and the holiday wouldn’t spend with her.
Right now, Celie was more important, even if she’d never see herself that way. No one should be alone on Christmas. No one should be alone grieving a lost parent, either. My heart was set the moment she told me what happened to her mother, and that Christmas Eve was the anniversary of her death.
So I called her aunt, Becky, at the consignment shop. I set up this elaborate plan to surprise her. Now all I could do was wait and hope I hadn’t made the wrong decision.
Once the plane was in the air, I let out a sigh. The woman beside me chattered away with her friend, ignoring me. I rested my head against the cold window and watched the clouds pass by.
It was crazy, flying all this way to surprise a girl I’d only met once. But I knew Celie. We texted like crazy. We stayed up late on the phone. Our FaceTime conversations were my favorite. I knew in my heart that I had to see her for Christmas. It was the best present I could give her.
When I explained it to my own mother, and why I was going to Massachusetts instead of California, my mother had understood. “You need to do what’s in your heart, Gabriel,” she’d told me. “And if this girl is as special as you say, then maybe you’ll be bringing her to see me before too long.”
“Mom.” Even over the phone, my face flushed red.
She only laughed at me. “I’m kidding! I’ll call you on Christmas Day and we’ll celebrate together when you’re home, okay?”
Checking my phone, I noted that Celie still hadn’t texted. Not that I expected her to; maybe she wasn’t even out of bed yet. I didn’t blame her for wanting to spend the day ignoring the rest of the world.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text from a number I didn’t recognize.
[ Unknown ]: Hi Gabe, this is Becky Johnson, Celie’s aunt. I just wanted to confirm you were still on your way
I smiled. Without reaching out to Celie’s aunt, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to pull this all off. I knew Celie wasn’t working at the consignment shop today, but she also hadn’t given me her home address. If I asked for it now, it might give me away.
[ Gabe: ] in the air now, should be landing just after 11am
[ Gabe: ] i’ll be catching an uber to your store
[ Becky: ] Perfect. I’ll be wrapping things up here around noon.
[ Gabe: ] awesome. thanks again for agreeing to meet up with me and help me surprise celie
[ Becky: ] Anytime. She deserves it.
Sighing, I leaned my head against the cold window. Soon, I’d be at Celie’s, and I’d know if my surprise was welcomed or not. It wasn’t like I could catch another flight back home this late in the holiday, but I had faith. I wouldn’t make this trip for just anyone, but it felt right in my heart. I was headed where I was meant to go.
There was nothing to do now but wait. I put in my headphones, unable to sleep thanks to my nerves. I cycled through my playlists, seeking out the perfect song to match my mood. Skipping through track after track, nothing felt just right.
Until I landed on Something Corporate. One of my most inspiring bands and Celie’s favorite to boot. I closed my eyes, letting “Punk Rock Princess” soothe my soul in the way only a familiar song could.
I listened to all of their first album, Leaving Through the Window, and started their second before the plane landed. As everyone gathered their things to exit the plane, I shot a quick text to Celie.
[ Gabe ]: plane’s just landed. thinking of you, celie. let me know if you need anything.
I didn’t expect an immediate answer, but that was okay. Soon I’d see her in person, and I could see how she was for myself. And, potentially, help her find a little bit of joy in a difficult holiday.
All I could do now was get to Celie as soon as I could. Grabbing my small suitcase from the overhead compartment, I headed out of the plane and into the thrall of the airport. The only thing standing between Celie and I was an Uber to her aunt’s consignment shop.
Hang on, Celie, I thought. I’m on my way.
Fandoms: Original Work - One New Message
Characters: Gabe Delaney, Becky Johnson
Pairing: implied Celie Rowe/Gabe Delaney
Rating: Gen
Summary: A missing scene from One New Message, from Gabe's POV as he travels to see Celie.
Notes: Written for
getyourwordsout Yahtzee challenge, with the prompt: airplane photograph. 
Word Count: 920
I looked out the window, tapping my fingers against the armrest. The passenger beside me, a woman old enough to be my grandmother, side-eyed me, raising an eyebrow. Being that it was Christmas Eve, the flight was packed, everyone trying to get home to their families. I was scrunched into my seat, desperate to stretch my legs, but I didn’t care. I was headed where I needed to be.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, curling my fingers into my palms instead.
Still, the anxiety didn’t go away. The plane took off, the airport fading into a blur of concrete and buildings and trees beneath us. I fiddled with my phone, looking down at the blank screen and thought about texting Celie, again.
She didn’t know I was coming. Perhaps I should have mentioned it. It was a big deal, showing up on her doorstep on Christmas Eve. She thought I was headed home to Los Angeles. I dragged a hand over my face, thinking of my mother and the holiday wouldn’t spend with her.
Right now, Celie was more important, even if she’d never see herself that way. No one should be alone on Christmas. No one should be alone grieving a lost parent, either. My heart was set the moment she told me what happened to her mother, and that Christmas Eve was the anniversary of her death.
So I called her aunt, Becky, at the consignment shop. I set up this elaborate plan to surprise her. Now all I could do was wait and hope I hadn’t made the wrong decision.
Once the plane was in the air, I let out a sigh. The woman beside me chattered away with her friend, ignoring me. I rested my head against the cold window and watched the clouds pass by.
It was crazy, flying all this way to surprise a girl I’d only met once. But I knew Celie. We texted like crazy. We stayed up late on the phone. Our FaceTime conversations were my favorite. I knew in my heart that I had to see her for Christmas. It was the best present I could give her.
When I explained it to my own mother, and why I was going to Massachusetts instead of California, my mother had understood. “You need to do what’s in your heart, Gabriel,” she’d told me. “And if this girl is as special as you say, then maybe you’ll be bringing her to see me before too long.”
“Mom.” Even over the phone, my face flushed red.
She only laughed at me. “I’m kidding! I’ll call you on Christmas Day and we’ll celebrate together when you’re home, okay?”
Checking my phone, I noted that Celie still hadn’t texted. Not that I expected her to; maybe she wasn’t even out of bed yet. I didn’t blame her for wanting to spend the day ignoring the rest of the world.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text from a number I didn’t recognize.
[ Unknown ]: Hi Gabe, this is Becky Johnson, Celie’s aunt. I just wanted to confirm you were still on your way
I smiled. Without reaching out to Celie’s aunt, I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to pull this all off. I knew Celie wasn’t working at the consignment shop today, but she also hadn’t given me her home address. If I asked for it now, it might give me away.
[ Gabe: ] in the air now, should be landing just after 11am
[ Gabe: ] i’ll be catching an uber to your store
[ Becky: ] Perfect. I’ll be wrapping things up here around noon.
[ Gabe: ] awesome. thanks again for agreeing to meet up with me and help me surprise celie
[ Becky: ] Anytime. She deserves it.
Sighing, I leaned my head against the cold window. Soon, I’d be at Celie’s, and I’d know if my surprise was welcomed or not. It wasn’t like I could catch another flight back home this late in the holiday, but I had faith. I wouldn’t make this trip for just anyone, but it felt right in my heart. I was headed where I was meant to go.
There was nothing to do now but wait. I put in my headphones, unable to sleep thanks to my nerves. I cycled through my playlists, seeking out the perfect song to match my mood. Skipping through track after track, nothing felt just right.
Until I landed on Something Corporate. One of my most inspiring bands and Celie’s favorite to boot. I closed my eyes, letting “Punk Rock Princess” soothe my soul in the way only a familiar song could.
I listened to all of their first album, Leaving Through the Window, and started their second before the plane landed. As everyone gathered their things to exit the plane, I shot a quick text to Celie.
[ Gabe ]: plane’s just landed. thinking of you, celie. let me know if you need anything.
I didn’t expect an immediate answer, but that was okay. Soon I’d see her in person, and I could see how she was for myself. And, potentially, help her find a little bit of joy in a difficult holiday.
All I could do now was get to Celie as soon as I could. Grabbing my small suitcase from the overhead compartment, I headed out of the plane and into the thrall of the airport. The only thing standing between Celie and I was an Uber to her aunt’s consignment shop.
Hang on, Celie, I thought. I’m on my way.