Run from your problems, but you cannot run from yourself.

Four days later, we drove Austin and Alan to the airport. We agreed to see them to the gate, not for their sake, but ours. It took forever to get through the Denver International Airport security, but that's why we had gotten up extra early to combat back ups like this.

We were all sitting at the gate, with twenty extra minutes until boarding. They hadn't even started announcing anything yet. The people swarmed around the terminal, going from one destination to the other. Airplanes were departing to Ohio, Hawaii, New York, and of course, California.

People of all ages passed before my eyes. I watched a small child roll a rainbow back back through throngs of people, while an elderly couple slowly marched across to board a plane to Hawaii. Austin squeezed my hand and I was returned from my little land of blanking out. He leaned over and kissed my head.

"What are you think about?" He asked me. The bag of his belongings sat at his feet. A handful of people moved around in our little row of chairs. An elderly woman sat reading a book at the edge of the row of black leather seats opposite of ours. Two children patiently waited for their parents sat a few chairs down. A man with dark brown hair gelled up in the front sat at the opposite sides. I was entranced looking at the tattoos that ran up and down his arms, neck, and a few on his legs. He caught my eye for a moment and smiled before remembering that I was talking to Austin.

"Oh, just looking at all the people." I commented back lazily. I didn't want to let Austin go back to California and I'd like to go with him, but he needed to return to his true home.

"They are all interesting, aren't they?" He asked. I smiled and nodded, leaning into his shoulder. He wrapped a protective arm around me. A plane was landing, off in the distance. The roar was faint, but noticeable.

"I'm going to miss you, Austin Carlile." I told him quietly. Alan and LP were playing cards on the other side of us.

"I'm going to come back, probably for spring break." He told me with a smile. I thought about it. It was seemed so far away.

"It's so far." I complained. He laughed lightly. The flight attendant called up the first seating for the plane. Austin and Alan were in the second section.

"We'll still keep in touch." He teased my hair lightly. My mom rolled her eyes from the side. I couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, but you can't lose focus on your music." I told him sternly. A side of me was joking, but the other was serious. He nodded. The man with the tattoos watched us before going back to reading a magazine.

"You know I will." He reminded me. Austin and Alan got up as their section was called. We waited in line until it was time for them to leave.

"Goodbye, Rae. I'll see you later." He pulled me into a quick hug before leaning down and giving me a kiss. We'd been through this before, just like in October after Halloween when he'd left. This time, I couldn't help but feeling that this kiss had something hidden behind it.

I said goodbye to Alan and watched them walk off before turning around and grabbing my sister's hand so she didn't run off after him. My mom was waiting for us a few feet back. My sister ran off to my mom as I lingered a moment more. They were gone.

As I turned around, I bumped into the man with the tattoos.

"I'm sorry." I apologized. He waved his hand, as if pushing the notion away.

"Don't worry about it, pretty girl." He grinned slyly. I couldn't help at blush at the compliment. He kept looking to down me. I looked away and smiled a little before moving back to my family. I watched him walk down the opposite direction. He had on a lighter jacket with long jeans to fit his body perfectly.

I had to shake the thoughts away. Seriously, I just said bye to Austin! With a simple backwards glance, I caught the man looking straight at me. A crooked grin was plastered on his face. He lifted his hand in a wave. I raised mine as well.

"Who was that?" LP asked quietly. I almost couldn't hear her over the sound of the hectic crowds.

"I don't know." I truthfully responded.

Notes

Oooohhhhhh........We have another man in the pictures. I wonder who he is???
(Actually I know, but I have to leave you in suspense!! I'm sorry! I love you guys!)

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