Clay And Skylar

"The Beginning"

Clay boarded the plane, another business meeting in New York under his belt. He was tired and so ready to go back to Raleigh and enjoy his new home. . It had been three years since this whirlwind journey began and his pursuit of being a pop star. He had enjoyed much success with his debut album, Measure of a Man, and it was his hope that his sophomore album would be received with as much enthusiasm.

He was hoping to get a little nap in before they landed. His dog, Raleigh, was not on this trip with him, and he felt sad, staring at the empty seat next to him. Clay lay back in the seat, and closed his eyes. He was so glad he would always be able to fly first class, as it allowed him the privacy and comfort he desired. He heard the other passengers boarding the plane and finding their way to their seats. There was a lot of scuffling, as luggage was being stored in the overhead compartments. He just turned his head toward the window, and continued his nap.

He awoke just in time, as the flight attendant was asking the passengers in first class if they wanted something to drink. Clay asked for a Sprite, and the flight attendant handed it to him with a cheerful smile, and a longing look. She then went on to serve the other passengers in first class. Clay looked across the aisle and noticed a young woman, who seemed very familiar. He had seen her before, flying first class, on several flights. He guessed her age to be in her early twenties. She was quite beautiful, with that long, wavy honey blonde hair. Clay didn’t mean to be staring, but, the young woman must have felt his eyes on her. Just as the flight attendant handed the young woman her drink, she looked at him. She had the bluest eyes he had ever seen, and he felt a few butterflies stir. He smiled at her, his palms now beginning to sweat. He saw her face light up, as she gave him a warm smile. The butterflies were fluttering now. What was happening to him? They continued to smile at one another, as the flight attendant wheeled her cart down the aisle to the other passengers.

“Hi, I’m Clay. I think you and I have crossed paths before.”

“Hi, Clay, I’m Skylar. And yes, our paths have crossed before.”

“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Skylar.” Clay extended his hand to her. He wished he had been sitting in the aisle seat now, as he didn’t know if his hand would reach hers. Skylar leaned out over the aisle a bit to take his hand.

“Wait” Clay said, as he unbuckled his seat belt and moved to the aisle seat, then buckled the seat belt.

“Let’s try that again,” he said, chuckling. As he again extended his hand to her, she reached to take his hand.

“It’s finally nice to meet you too, Clay.” As their fingers touched, Clay felt a strange current travel through his body, and he wondered if she felt it too. Her hand felt so soft and warm, wrapped in his. He watched her as she looked at their clasped hands, and then turned to meet his gaze. Those blue eyes felt like they could reach his very soul, and for the first time, in a long time……Clay Aiken was speechless.