Rise: Populations Crumble, Book 2 by Gandy, A. (read book .txt) 📕

Faith spins from her position in the row ahead of me, and gives me a reassuring smile. “It’s very safe, and so much faster than the shuttle! Takeoff can be a bit unsettling, but after that it is really easy to pretend you’re on a super-fast shuttle.” She settles back in, and through the seat crack I see her grab Teddy’s hand. My stomach clenches, and I glance out the corner of my eye at Patrick, who’s just staring straight ahead. His hand is lying there, but I’m far too stubborn to reach out and take it. Instead, I opt to check my seatbelt for the third time, as Deon’s voice comes over the sound system.

“All right, newlyweds! We’re taking off for Mairmont, and the skies are clear. We should be arriving in roughly ninety minutes. Please remain seated and buckled in until Martin comes around with your refreshments.” There is a ding indicating the end of the announcement, and then the plane lurches into motion. Trying not to appear startled, I fix my attention out the window. Our speed picks up rapidly, and the feeling of the earth being sucked away from the bottom of the plane makes my stomach do an angry flip. However, it only lasts a moment before we are airborne.

“Whooo!” Teddy raises his and Faith’s clasped hands in the air. “That’ll make you feel alive, am I right?” He turns with a huge grin on his face, which I return the best I can. “What’s wrong, baby sister—getting queasy? You’re not pregnant already, are you?” He gives Patrick a fake scowl before laughing and settling back down.

Definitely not. I mentally grumble.

The flight passes uneventfully except for heavenly cinnamon cookies that Martin brought us once it was safe to be up and about. I may have had thirds, but that’s nobody’s business. Patrick and I are mostly silent, but Faith and Teddy are too wrapped in their bubble of infatuation to notice.

The landing leaves much to be desired, but I’m thankful we are safely back on solid ground. If only I could say the same about my marriage.

New Arrivals

The weather is cold but clear when we embark from the plane, and the wind bites through the thin lacy top of my gown. I rub my arms fruitlessly while we wait for a shuttle to pick us up, and then tuck my hands under my armpits. Despite keeping my complaints to myself, I feel a warm jacket settle around my shoulders.

Startled, I look up and see Patrick in just his white button up shirt. He must have ditched the vest during dinner. “Thank you. Aren’t you going to get cold?” I ask, already tugging the jacket onto my arms.

“No, I’m pretty warm blooded, I’ll be fine. You don’t have much coverage in that dress, beautiful though it is,” he says, voice reserved. The gap between us is yawning wide open, and my heart tugs painfully that I put it there. But I didn’t, he did when he lied to me.

“Hey, you save that for later. I know you two are married now but it weirds me out watching somebody romance my baby sister.” Teddy has his arms wrapped around Faith’s shoulders in a loving embrace, and her head is tucked tightly into his chest to ward off the chill.

She elbows him in the ribs, and he pretends he’s mortally wounded. “My knees are freezing! This shuttle needs to hurry it up,” she says, voicing all of our discomfort.

As if summoned by her words, it pulls into view and stops in front of us. The doors whoosh open, and down comes a smiling driver. “Hello everyone! My name is Todd, and I’ll be your driver today. Is this all of the luggage?”

We all stare blankly at him, but my brain catches up faster than the rest of the group. “Todd, really?”

Now he looks confused. “Yes, is there a problem?”

“No, it’s just our driver back in Georada was also Todd. It’s a small world, I guess.” I explain our puzzled reaction.

“Oh, yeah, I’ve met that Todd. Good guy. All right, feel free to find a cozy seat, and we’ll be on our way shortly.” His smile is friendly as he turns to load up our bags.

Shuffling aboard with the giant gowns still weighing us down, we see that this shuttle is fitted with love seats, instead of individual chairs like the NLC shuttles. “Gotta push us together at every opportunity.” I mumble to myself.

“What’d you say, sis?” Teddy asks.

“Nothing, just noting the new seating arrangements,” I say.

Faith takes the front row, so we settle in behind them. My puffy dress takes up about two thirds of the bench seat, despite my efforts to keep it to my side. I’m making yet another futile attempt to snatch it back to my side of the loveseat when Patrick reaches over and stops my hand gently with his.

“It’s fine, Sadie. Leave it,” he says gently.

It may be petty, but part of me wants as much space between us as possible. I let it go reluctantly and lean back against the seat. The dress springs over and encompasses Patrick’s shins the instant I do. Traitor. I mentally chastise the sparkly tulle.

Mairmont Todd climbs back aboard, and in his chipper tone tells us the bathrooms are in the back, and we should arrive in about forty five minutes. He quickly settles into the driver’s seat, and then we’re on our way.

Faith pops up to visit the ladies’ room, and Patrick excuses himself as well. Teddy turns around and levels me with a knowing look.

“What’s wrong? You’re acting weird,” he asks.

“Nothing, just tired.” I feel guilty for lying to him, but I don’t want to ruin his wedding night. This isn’t his problem, it’s mine. I’m the idiot who fell for the liar. I give him a smile, but I can tell it’s weak.

“Uh-huh. Yeah, tired. Are you nervous? Scared? Need the talk? Wait, please don’t say you need the talk.” He