" hi, can you please direct me to the local flights" l said to the woman at the front desk, whose hair was wrapped in an orange doek, probably to lay her gel filled edges
"take a left and up the escalators." she said before returning her attention to her station and the ringing telephone
Following her instructions, l made it to the local flights section of Lanseria Airport, going through the check in point, Handing over my luggage that would need to go into the aircraft hold, Passing through the airport security gates to the departures Hall. To the boarding gate.
The line was long given the boarding time being 11:15, ten more minutes. Taking out my phone, l played temple run. I could hear the intercom going off, blaring all sort of destinations across the country, with countless people running around like headless chickens making their way to their allocated boarding station.
I could see the line moving and people going through the check in process before boarding the plane. Because of my sudden departure, l was unable to get a window seat but luckily l didn't have to seat in the middle, stuffed between two unruly bodies.
The hour thirty minute trip was rather too fast for my liking. There is no better feeling like being confined in an economy class flight, surrounded by nothing but the clouds.
"Aunt Anne?" l spoke into the receiver, looking around the small airport for her familiar copper skin
"Hey sweetcheeks, l am still at work. But don't worry, l sent someone to pick you up from the airport. I will see you soon. Love ya!" she said before ending the call. I looked at the screen in disbelief, confused by what had just happened.
Looking around the airport, l didn't see anyone who could have been looking for a total stranger and the worst part was that l didn't know where Aunt Anne stayed. I couldn't even request a bolt. I let out a groan and threw myself on the uncomfortable metal seats scanning the disappearing crowd yet again for anyone who might be in the same boat as me.
I sat there for thirty minutes before another body dropped down right beside me. Looking at the person, l couldn't help but let out a laugh. A girl who looked at most a few years older that me had on a pair of oversized sunglasses, a green Zakumi 2010 soccer world cup hat over her untamed curly pink hair and a mascot costume
"Well l am glad that someone appreciates my efforts" she said sticking her tongue out in my direction.
"I'm Jess." she said to me with a nod of acknowledgement
"Billy" l said
"You seem lost" she pointed out to the suitcase at my feet and the agitated look on my face
"My aunt was supposed to fetch me but she bailed" l said looking at her when a look of recognition crossed her features
"You're Billy. As in Anne's Billy?" she asked in excitement. I simply nodded not knowing how she knew about me or my aunt
"Guys!" she called out to no one in particular waving her hands in the air like a madman. A group of four individuals emerged from various parts of the airport all looking like there would rather be anywhere but here
"what?" a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes asked with a scowl on her face when she looked at Jess
"There is someone l would like you guys to meet" she said to them with a wide smile that seemed like it hurt to produce
"We don't have time for your games Jess. Let's stick to finding that awfully named girl that Anne forced us to pick up. I mean how hard can it be to find one person in such a small place" one of the boys in the group said. They all ignored the insult thrown my way
"Meet Billy, Anne's niece" Jess said introducing me to the group. They all turned to me, only now noticing my presence.
"Nothing to write home about. Is this what we seriously wasted our day on. whatever, l am out of here" The boy who had insulted my name said leaving shocked faces and proud grins behind.
"I am so sorry for his behaviour. My brothers an idiot" a short dark haired girl with almond shaped eyes the colour of hazelnuts said reaching her hand out to me to shake.
"It's okay, l wasn't offended or anything. Billy" l said shaking her hand
"Maya" she said back with a smile, extending her hand to my carelessly thrown suitcase
"Give it up Maya, you don't have to kiss everyone's ass" the blonde said rolling her eyes and stalking off in the direction that Maya's brother had gone
"My name is Elliot. A pleasure to make your acquaintance m'lady" The last member of the group introduced himself
"Well we better get going or else Anne will have my neck" Jess joked casually strolling to the exit with all of us in tow. The trip to my Aunts was filled with laughter because Elliot couldn't be serious to save his life. And Maya was a shy little kitten, while Jess is the prankster. They invited me to hang out with their group whenever l was bored or my Aunt was becoming insufferable
"Hello" l said answering the dreaded phone call from my mother
"Where are you?" she asks as pans fall in the background
"eBhayi"
"what do you mean eBhayi, who do you even know there." she said her voice becoming dangerously low
"Aunt Anne invited me to stay with her because we need a time out. We'll talk later, l am in the middle of something. I love you." l say in a rush to drop the call.
"Don't you dare drop the call young lady. You know very well that your father and your aunt weren't on good terms. Come back home this second" she said screaming into the phone while l simply dropped the call.
"All good?" Maya asked as soon as the device left the small curve of my ear
"Yes, it will be" l said with a small smile, the fresh wind and the smell of the ocean calming my raging heart