On the next morning, the passengers, Austin, and I had woken up to the smell of burning coffee and hot breakfast. Female flight attendants waltz across the small, blue aisle carrying trays of food and beverages.

White dishes of dry toast, cooked sausages, and scrambled eggs plopped in front of the hungry passengers, who were too slow to even blink their eyes.

While some helped themselves to the suspicious cuisine, I requested two black coffees for me and Austin, who opened his eyes to see an untouched coffee mug in my hands.

"Morning Austin," I greeted. "How do you feel?"

"Nauseous," he mumbled. "Like listening to one of Mr. Anderson's ethereal singing."

I sigh in agreement.

Mr. Anderson was our first-grade math teacher who writes cheesy songs and raps about equations 24/7.

"It's breakfast time already?" he asked, wiping his eyes.

"Yeah, " I answer cheerfully, handing the cup to my best friend. "Here you go." 

Smiling, Austin clears his throat, takes the cup from my hand, and wholeheartedly drinks his coffee.

"Thanks, Jack," he grunted, setting down his mug. "So, where are we?"

I squint my eyes. "I have no idea."

Drinking my coffee, I turn my gaze to the window, revealing clear azure skies, white balls of air, and a dark blue ocean shifting underneath us. 

Taking in the sweet bliss, I thought back to Isadora taking me and Jacob to the beach where we made sand castles and play in the waves.

Whenever I trip or sprain my ankle, Isadora would pick me up in her strong arms, kiss my cheek, and find a bandage to patch my wounds.

Like most mothers, Isadora was caring, fearless, and intelligent. She enjoys listening to Bob Marley, teaches Jacob and me French, and whenever it rains, she would let us go outside and make mud pies.

Before Isadora went AWOL, she was the anchor to Joseph's ship.

They cook each other meals, take walks around the park, and whenever they kiss, Jacob would cover my eyes. 

Sure, we have a shitty apartment, enormous bills to pay, but we were happy.

I was too busy thinking about my mother when a thought came to me.

"Oh shit, " I cursed. "I almost forgot:  last night, I put your sketchbook in my backpack."

Sipping his coffee once more, Austin furrowed his eyes at me.

"Why do you have my sketchbook?" he asked.

"You fell asleep while you were drawing," I explain.

Unzipping my backpack, I pulled out Austin's sketchbook, but first I had to make sure that no pages were either ripped or crumbled.

But when I open it, almost every page was filled with comic book characters.

Characters from Marvel, DC Universe, Naruto, Cowboy Bebop, and Death Note were carefully sketched in dark charcoal pencil. 

Sure, he got the features right: high cheekbones, strong jaw, and their arms look as though they have been working in the gym.

But when I turn to the last page, I notice a watercolor painting of a beautiful dark-skinned girl smiling right at me.

Brown dreadlocks with dark indigo highlights make up her hair; she has radiant hazel green eyes, and her face was shaped like a heart. A streak of pink brushed along her cheeks, as the girl's dark eyebrows and lashes fluttered like a bird's wings.

However, she wears an indigo blue tank top, jeans, and black combat boots—fit for an Army war veteran.

Studying the painting for a second, my face immediately turns red.

"Wow," I murmured. "Is that supposed to be me?"

An embarrassed Austin glanced inside his coffee cup, pretending that he didn't hear me.

Laughing some more, I studied my portrait again.

I was surprised how observant he was: noting my small dimples, rosy lips, and tough jawline.

"Wow," I smirk, examining the features. "You have gotten really good with your art. Sometimes, I don't even know that I have dimples."

That's when a shy grin spread across his lips.

"Well, " began Austin. "Your dimples always appear whenever you smile."

I give him a puzzled stare.  "Really?"

Austin shyly nodded, draining his cup.

In the meantime, the male pilot announced the passengers that the plane will arrive in Australia very soon.

That we have less than six minutes before we can collect our belongings.

Sighing in relief, Austin said, "Thank God. I thought we never left this plane."

"Yeah," I agree, shifting my legs across the chair. "At least we are almost in Australia."

Above his head, I spotted the boy sitting across from me.

His dirty blonde hair fluttered, as dark blue eyes stayed on the glass windows. Like me and Austin, the boy ordered black coffee and not much else.

After a long sigh, the boy slurped his coffee and shuts his eyes.

The boy can feel the warm sunbathing on his white skin. His t-shirt bristled at the gust of cold wind, and the stench of coffee lingered on his sore filled lips.

All of a sudden, the boy turns his attention to me.

His eyes lingered, his lips curved into a broad smile, and his thin eyebrows stretched in a charmingly cocky manner.

Annoyed, I wanted to look away from him, but I couldn't get my face to move.

And I had no fucking clue why.

Looking up from his coffee cup, Austin asked: "Who are you staring at, Jack?"

I sigh. "Just some guy who flirted with me earlier."

Austin's brown eyes widen. "Really?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't act surprised. I am not interested in the guy."

"So why were you staring at that dude?"

"I don't know," I grunted. "Maybe I felt kinda bad for being rude to him earlier."

"Does the mysteriously brooding guy have a name?"

I shrug my shoulders.

Just then, Austin crossed his arms. "Did you tell him your name?"

"God no." I snort, handing the sketchbook to him. "And besides, we have a movie to do."

My best friend grimaced. "Jack, do you like him?"

I flashed him a penetrating glare. "What kind of question is that?"

It was Austin's turn to shrug. "I am just asking."

"Austin, I barely know the guy."

"Someday you will," he said as a matter of fact.

Sighing again, I turn my gaze to my window, regretting my words.

The scenery had changed from an enormous saltwater pool to a bustling city filled with massive buildings, gray licorice-length roads, and ant-sized humans.

Innocent white clouds breezed past me as Elle's beautiful country unfold in front of my eyes.

"Holy fuck, we are in Australia."

Turning to my bored best friend, I eagerly called his name.

"Austin," I whispered. "Austin!"

The drowsy boy looked up from his coffee.

"What?" he grumbled.

"Open your eyes!"

Giving me a look, Austin grunted.

"Woman, my eyes are not even closed." he stated.

I give him a dog pout. "Just look, please."

Reluctant, he glimpsed at the window and gasped. "Holy shit. "

Austin could see it: the perfect sun showering its light across the city, the tall, silver skyscrapers, and tiny cars steering along the road.

"Wow, " he murmured. "This is amazing."

I grinned widely. "Yeah, this is where Elle Jones live."

As I felt the cold air inside the plane, I dug my hands inside my pockets then leaned on Austin's right shoulder to keep my cheek warm.

Speaking of Austin, he had his fourth sip of coffee until he says to me, "Yeah, but still, we need to find a hotel in this massive city."

I thought about it for a moment.

"The question isn't where we find a hotel," I admitted. "But how do we get the cash?"

"I know Australian money is a lot different than the U.S."

Straightening his posture, Austin takes a long sip, parted his lips, then clutched his fragile coffee mug.

"Well, robbing is out of the question." he sighed.

"I am sure we can think of something." I reassured, lifting my head off his shoulder.

"I know, but where?" said Austin. "For all I know, we'll end up like beggars."

In spite of his harsh honesty, I try to smile a little.

"Keep a positive mind, Austin," I say. "I know we can find some money."

"How?" he moaned.

"We can improvise." I respond with a smirk. "Look, you are an amazing artist and I am a badass director. Together, we can make shit happen right in front of our eyes."

Turning my face towards him, a bright smile appeared across my lips.

"As soon as we land, we'll get the money for a hotel, film our movie, and get the fuck out of here before anyone notices." I promise.

"But what if your dad finds us?" Austin whispered.

I roll my eyes. "Joseph is not as smart as you think."

But what if Austin is right: what if Joseph is right behind us?

I mean, we did ditch Kristy's SUV on the airport's parking lot.

Taking another deep breath, I once again watched Australia through my window. Although it was a pretty sight, a twinge of fear sat on my heart.

I can picture Joseph forcing me back to New York; his hands would grab my arms, his eyes would stare into my soul, and the smell of charred cigarettes floated under my nose.

Seeing my face, Austin asked: "What's up, Jack? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," I lie. "Yeah, I am fine."

Although he knew I was lying, Austin advised, "Just try not to lose your shit, okay?"

"Yeah, " I nodded. "I won't lose my shit."