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It felt like we'd been at the airport for hours, when in actual fact, it hadn't even been an hour yet. My teacher Ms. Abrams was wandering around like a lost puppy, obviously pissed off that she had to spend her afternoon looking over a senior so that I wouldn't think about causing trouble. The funny thing is, she had nothing to worry about, I wasn't going to grab Zach and make a beeline for Mexico anytime soon. I was there to pick him up and drop him off at his hotel, and if we got to talking in the car, then so be it, that meant he wouldn't have to spend as much time in Toronto as he thought.
I looked at the flight list again and noticed that his plane was now written up as being landed. Which meant it would only be a matter of time before I had the chance to come face to face with this guy, and really see how he hurt his leg. Glancing over at Ms. Abrams again, I caught her looking at her watch and pacing even more. I guessed it would only be fair if I told her that he was now landed and we could get going anytime she wanted.
"This is a total waste of my day! Why they thought you might need supervision is beyond me. You don't seem like the type of girl that would just attack the poor boy anyway."
"They just want to be sure Ms. Abrams, it has nothing to do with you or with me, and it's just a precaution."
"Well I'm about ready to give up young lady. This boy comes here and disrupts my life, and for what? Some stupid article for your paper?"
I had about all I was gonna take at this point. I mean who the hell was this woman to not only demean me and the school paper, but the guy that was coming here to speak to all of us about living his life the way he was. Not to mention the fact that he had one leg. It was just wrong of her to say this stuff and I wasn't going to listen to it anymore.
"Listen its obvious that you have somewhere else you want to be, and I did drive myself here, so if you want, why don't you take off? I can get Zach to his hotel room alright and then come right back to my house where I belong. How does that sound?"
It was obvious that the idea appealed to her, and I was hoping it would because if I had to drive the entire way in the same car with her, I might have to become a wrestler, just so I had a legal way to kick her in her face. I just couldn't believe that out of all the teachers that could have come with me, this was the one they chose.
"I think I will take you up on that young lady. Now be careful with this young man, God only knows where he's been doing what he does."
That was it, now the gloves were off. I mean I don't even know Zach and this is uncalled for. What the hell is he going to do to me in my car? I mean if he even wanted to try something I would kick his ass out of the car onto the side of the road, one leg or not.
"Ms. Abrams, no offense, but you better just leave now. I don't know this guy and I'm damn sure you don't. When he gets here and you have this total stupid attitude and you say something to him, there's a chance he could leave, and I don't want that. I need this article, if for nothing else to look good on my college applications."
"Well I never!"
"But if you stay here, you will hear it again believe me. I am not losing this interview because you are totally ignorant. I'm sorry if that sounds rude ma'am, but it's late and I'm tired of hearing your mouth."
"When we get back to school young lady rest assured you will be written up for this display."
All I could do at this point was roll my eyes. I don't really care at this point in my school life, what I get written up for. I wasn't picking a fight; I was standing up for something I believe in, or for that matter, someone I believe in. Sure I don't know him, but in the hour and a half we had been waiting now, what had he done that was so bad? All I wanted to do was getting her the hell out of here and welcome him to Toronto the way he should be. I don't see how that could be wrong, but I'll be damned if she's not going to write me up over it.
"Write me up all you want, I'm not backing down on this. So since the plane has landed and he's only a few minutes from being out here, why don't you just leave like we'd planned and I will make sure he's taken care of."
Ms. Abrams took off as fast as her feet could carry her let me tell you. She had the out she wanted and I had the out I so desperately needed. I had to make sure the minute I got to school the next day that I had a talk with my editor about this. It wasn't fair that after no problems in the school and four years on the paper, I still needed a babysitter. With one last look towards the fleeing Ms. Abrams, I looked at the doors and I saw the man of the hour.
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"Excuse me miss, you wouldn't happen to be Hayley would you?"
Looking up into his eyes, I almost forgot what my name was. I had never seen such a beautiful, natural person in my life. I also couldn't believe that he called me miss; it was like out of the old movies or something. It was nice to hear someone with manners these days. I didn't think many guys had them now.
"Yes, I'm Hayley. You must be Zach right?"
"In the flesh. I'm sorry the flight didn't get here on time. They usually don't come right on time, but this was uncalled for. I hope you and your teacher weren't waiting for long."
So they had told him that my teacher would be with me. I was hoping they wouldn't do that because at this moment in time I didn't want to have to tell him why there wasn't anyone else with me, but me.
"My teacher actually got a little impatient so I sent her home, but I didn't mind the wait. At least you got here in one piece. That's the biggest fear I have these days. Flying and making it to the place you're going alive."
"Well as you can see I'm here and I'm well. So what's the plan right now?"
"Actually the plan is for me to drive you to your hotel, make sure you get through everything alright, and then tomorrow you get to come to my school and see me for the formal interview. Well the first part of it anyway."
"Sounds like a plan. So what do you drive?" Zach asked me as we started walking. I was surprised how normal and calm I felt being around someone who made more money then me, and was known all over the world to so many women. I was actually a little shocked we weren't getting mobbed in the airport.
"I drive a 95 Trans Am actually, but it looks brand new. Wait till you see it."
"That's a really good car! How did you manage to score a car like that?"
I didn't know what he would think of my answer, but I decided to go with the truth anyway, because I didn't want him to think we had to lie to each other.
"I worked my ass off for it since I was 15 years old, and after about 4 years of looking, I found it, and I love it. It's my child I'm telling you."
"Well I can't wait to take a ride in it. I have a car back home, but since I'm never there I'm usually in rentals all the time."
"Oh is it a nice car back home?"
"I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but it's a Nissan 300Z."
"Now my car is sweet, but that car is awesome!"
Zach smiled and I had to admit I was impressed with how easy we could talk to each other and all we were talking about was cars. It was like he was just another kid from my school and if he was he could totally hang out with me. Not to mention that he did have a nice car, but it sucked a little bit that he couldn't be home more to use it. We made our way to the car and I just heard Zach's intake of breath, it seemed he was impressed.
"Well I know you must be tired, so let's get you back to your hotel, and then tomorrow we can start our interview fresh in the morning."
"You don't mind if I rest a little while you drive do you? I'm a little stiff from sitting so tight for so much."
"Rest as much as you want, just tells me what hotel you're in."
"Marriott, you know it?"
"Like the back of my hand, so just rest and I will let you know when we get there."
Watching him lean back in the seat my heart felt like it was being pulled out of my chest. Here he was coming all the way here for an interview with some high school kid, when he could take the day off and relax and rest his legs. It was a totally selfless act, and it meant more then it should to her. She had to make sure she did this interview better then no other before. If anything else Zach deserved it.
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