I wake up, my senses coming to me slowly, but I keep my eyes closed, trying to process everything. It takes me a second to realize that I'm leaned against something to my right and that there's a weight on my head. My body tenses and my eyes fling open. My head is resting on Zach's shoulder. And his head is laying gently on mine like the cherry on top of the fricking ice cream. Great. Just Great. I quickly look around, shifting my eyes back and forth, trying not to move my head. I see Kianna next to me, playing on her phone. Thank the heavens. 

"Kianna!" I hiss. She startles, turning her head to face me. Then, a smile creeps onto her face, the corners of her lips turning up mischievously. I glare at her. "Help!" I mouth. She giggles in response, and I narrow my eyes further.

"I dunno, Sev," She whispers back, "that looks like a you problem." She leans back on her chair and mimics eating popcorn. "Plus, it's entertaining! You two have got really cliche drama film vibes."

I roll my eyes. "Yeah. Thanks."

She winks at me then turns back to her game. I groan. Suddenly, from beside me, Zach starts to shift. I must've woken him up. I panic and do the first thing I can think of. Act as if I were still asleep. My eyelids close and I steady my breathing. I feel him shift again then slowly lift his head off of mine. Should I move now? I'll seem suspicious if I move too quickly. I feel him shift again, and I try not to tense up with anxiety.

He's silent for a moment, probably startled by our position. "Kianna," He whispers. His voice is right above me, and I can feel his breath on my scalp. I nearly stop breathing. He's going to kill me.

Kianna must've looked over and figured out what is actually happening because I can hear her laughing. I struggle against my instinct to glare. "Help! She's holding me captive!" Zach whisper-laughs.

"Yeah, right! She's like ten pounds. You could move her easily," Kianna pauses, then, in a quieter voice, she says, "You just don't want to move her." I can almost sense the wink.

"Oh, shut it." I imagine he's sending a glare towards her, "You know that's not it."

"Do I?" I can hear the smile in her voice.

"Come on, Kia. A repeat of last time is the last thing we need." The playful connection between the two snaps and a hesitant silence falls in place. I stay as still as I possibly can, begging to stay unnoticed.

"Are you nervous about her seeing Livia again?" Kianna seems to have forgotten about how very much awake I still am.

"A little," Zach admits, "but she doesn't seem to remember anything about the incident. It's like her mind has blocked it off."

"Yeah... Oh! I, uh, I mean we'll figure it out though, right?" Que Kianna's realization. Yup. Seven over here is still awake.

"Um, yeah, sure." And now Zach is suspicious. Thanks a lot, best friend.

"Anyways," Kianna hurries, "you want some help? I'm not sure if Sev will like it much if she realizes what's happening when she wakes up. She already slept in Adrian's lap. That's a lot for our sweet, innocent child."

Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush.

"Oh, don't even mention that guy. He's too... perfect."

"Aw, don't tell me you have a crush on him, too."

"You wish. And what do you mean 'too?'" My stomach twists as a moment of silence overtakes. Don't you dare point at me, Kianna. Don't you- "Aw, our little sevvy-wevvy has a crush?" Oh, you are so dead.

"Well, she hasn't told me yet, but you see how she blushes."

"I mean, yeah, but to be fair, she always blushes."

"Yeah, well, whatever. You didn't answer my question. You want some help?"

"I dunno. I'm thinking of keeping her like this until that flying baby angel shows up."

"Flying- what?"

"The guardian. You know, the one with the baby face. And angel wings."

Kianna snorts, choking on a laugh, "Yeah, no. Not happening." I feel her reach across me and gently pull my head towards her own shoulder.

I stay limp, shifting ever so slightly. I'm sleeping. Like a bear. Stay in hibernation, Seven. Just stay in hibernation.

Suddenly, turbulence bounces the plane and my head slams against Kianna's shoulder. I pull up quickly, sucking in a breath through my teeth. "Ow," I rub a hand against the forming bruise.

"You okay?" Kianna's trying not to laugh.

I roll my eyes, "Yeah, great. It's not like I need those cells or anything."

Zach laughs from beside me and a light blush tints my cheeks. You'd think someone who literally represents the sin of lust would be better at this sort of thing. But no, I can’t even breathe right when my head is on someone else’s shoulder.

"See? Blush." He meets Kianna's amused smile with a smug look, and I try to seem confused, but when I meet Kia's eyes, I send her a look of my own.

You're explaining things later, I mouth.

She rolls her eyes. Whether it's at me or Zach, I'm not totally sure.

A static sound clicks over the intercom and a voice blares through the speakers, but the words are totally incomprehensible. I look around. "Did anyone get that?"

Damien, who has pretty much just woken up as well, turns around in his chair and peeks his face through the seats, "He said we're landing soon. Buckle up."

I nod nervously, and lean back in my seat, already buckled. There's no way I was going to make it through this flight without some sort of protection. I notice people around the plane stretching and becoming more alert. Most of them are totally calm, bored even. And here I am, freaking out for no reason. As the plane descends, I feel Zach's hand wrap around mine again. I try to send him a look of gratitude, but he doesn't meet my gaze. Seconds later, we land, and Zach lets go of my hand, acting once again as if nothing has happened. I glance out the window, eyes widening at the number of planes there are. Finally, the plane comes to a complete stop, and the people begin bustling about. Rev and Damien stand up, almost in unison, and turn around.

"Adrian said he'd meet us at the hotel. Then we'll review the plan," Rev grunts.

"Cool. We should link arms and make a train so we don't get lost. You guys might find this airport a teeny bit bigger than usual." Zach raises the pitch of his voice, as if he were talking to a group of toddlers.

Rev lets out an annoyed huff and begins gathering his things, the rest of us following suit. We all start walking into the airport, Zach in the lead and me taking up the caboose. As we walk, Rev lingers behind to walk with me. "Hey, Sev?"

"Yeah?"

"Make sure you're taking care of yourself while we're here. If your head or your chest hurts, just let me know. I can use my ability whenever."

"Thanks, Rev, I'm glad we have you here. Every crew needs their healer," I wink.

He sighs, "If only that healer was actually useful. I wish I could do more."

I nudge his shoulder. "Hey, we'll figure it out. Step by step. Step one- meet Livia. I'm ready to figure out what all this commotion is about."

"You really don't remember her?"

I turn my head down, embarrassed. "Not at all." Then, I lift my head with a new spark of determination, "But it's about time to."