(Hiiiii:) I'm back with a new chapter and sorry it's kind of short, but who doesn't want a quick read just to make it through the day? I kinda like this chapter as everything is just setting into place lol. See ya at the end:) push play on the music above;)

Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Chapter Three

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I woke up...blinking myself awake and when I noticed a guy's hand who had a silver band on his right ring finger, and black tattoo of a cross on his right arm that was typing on his phone, I quickly sprung myself to the other side to get off him, but I did it TOO aggressively adding more power than I needed and I ended up hitting my head on the window and Aspen turned to me quickly.

"Oooo, you okay Amanda?" He asked concerned, turning my head to him. I rubbed my head feeling a bump as I closed my eyes tightly.

"Ugh, yeah. Sorry about that," I told him really apologetic. He rubbed my bump so gently and it felt...good and he chuckled at me.

"For what?" He asked.

"For falling asleep on your shoulder," I fixed my glasses. "I didn't know." He smiled as he stopped rubbing my head as I didn't even think he noticed he did that and he replied,

"Oh no it's fine. You didn't bother me," he said honestly. "I was just on my phone." I blushed still kind of embarrassed.

"Oh well...okay," I said shyly. He smiled looking back at his phone. I checked mine as it was 7:46pm and I was nearly sleep for two hours, but I looked over at Aspen as he had that silver band around his finger-the ring. He WAS cute and I can see WHY he would be married...even though it was on his right hand...but I had to ask anyway,

"What's that ring for?" He observed it.

"Oh this?" He asked pointing to it. I nodded.

"It's a band my father gave me.... Wanna see?" He asked. I nodded with a shrug.

"Sure..." I replied. He gave it to me and I held it as it felt heavier than I thought and also thick and I noticed on the outside it had a tiny cross in the middle and on the inside it had the finest yet so crips engraved writing, in the prettiest of cursive and it read, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who shall I fear?' I smiled as I thought it was pretty cool.

"Whoa that's amazing," I handed it back to him. He sighed.

"Yeah. It's my favorite scripture. I'm not afraid of much because of it," he told me. I was amazed.

"Whoa....that's awesome," I told him. "You put all your faith in that?" He nodded looking at me seriously.

"Of course. I put all my faith in the Bible. It's true. Do you have a favorite scripture?" He asked me. I quickly shook my head, but then I shrugged.

"Well....I don't know my favorite...but I know one that goes, 'When a man's steps follow the Lord.... He is pleased with his ways....but if stumbles he will not fall because the Lord holds his hands.' I like it because it's basically telling you.... Even though you mess up and fall, the Lord will help you just because he's the Lord. He's nice like that," I said nodding. Aspen laughed.

"Haha true. I like that verse. Any others?" He asked me. I shook my head shyly.

"It's the only one I know..." I said quietly. He nodded.

"It's okay, at least you know one," he said optimistically. "And it's not a bad one." I chuckled.

"You're right," I told him.

We mined our own business for awhile and it was now 7:57pm and we were landing soon. Aspen glanced at me as he noticed the time was getting close.

"So, where are you going in Philadelphia?" Aspen asked me.

"Oh, I'm not staying in Philly," I said trusting him. "I'm actually heading to Virginia.... To tell you the truth I'm an orphan..." I sighed. He turned to me a confused.

"You're an orphan? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked desperately. I shrugged.

"I didn't know you. I never had anybody talk to me the way you do, except for my good friend Vanessa. That also explains how I got this camera," I told him. He nodded once.

"That makes since."

"Yeah...sorry I thought differ of you Aspen," I apologized.

"Nah it's fine. I understand why you'd do that. Well I'm heading to Virginia too. I live there. I just got a flight to Philadelphia cause it was cheaper," he explained. I laughed.

"Me too!" I said. He laughed along with me....the ring of his laughter causing my heart to flutter a little.

"Haha, that's funny." We stared at each other...his perfect ocean blue eyes corresponding with his white teeth and tan skin tone, but suddenly we heard the announcer,

"Excuse me Airline passengers, but the plane will be landing in 10 minutes and we ask you to please gather any trash and your belongings as we do so, and to fasten your seat belts for a safe land. Thank you again, for choosing American Airlines where we're in Philadelphia with the current time of 8:05pm and a temperature of 85 degrees. Thank you."

Aspen handed me my purse as I fasten my seatbelt and I told him, "Thanks," as he got his bag and did the same.

"I'm glad you got join me on this flight Amanda," Aspen told me. "Couldn't have asked for a better person to sit by." I blushed.

"You're welcome, and same to you. I was dreading I'd get some annoying, creepy old man who smelt bad, but instead, I got a friendly boy named Aspen," I told him smiling. He chuckled. "And you don't smell bad either," I shrugged. He laughed.

"Haha! You're welcome." The plane landed and I took a picture of the purple and dark blue sky with little stars starting to appear and I was excited I was only a border away from seeing my real parents.

We walked off the plane and Aspen was with me as I retrieved my bag, and had my penny board in hands and as he grabbed his snapback and clicked it over his chest he asked me, "That's your penny board?" I nodded."

"Hmhuh," I said through my lips. "An anonymous person gave it to me for Christmas last year. It's like a sponsored secret Santa we have at the orphanage," I explained. He squinted his eyes with a smile.

"Oh, I see." We both walked out the airport together and stood in front of the building thoughtfully. We stood there for a bit as I personally didn't know what to say but he asked me somewhat uncertainly,

"So...where ya headed?" I shrugged.

"I already booked a hotel not far from here and I'll head there. Might order room service or snack up on two weeks worth of snacks I have," I showed him my backpack, he laughed.

"Haha yeah... I have a hotel nearby too... Where's yours?" I turned around looking for a sign.

"It's Holiday Inn....I don't know where it is but I'll find on my phone. What about you?" I asked. He brighten up.

"Hey me too! Do you want to...do you want to travel together...?" he suggested. I quickly turn to look at him.

"You mean....to the hotel?" I asked my voice pitching. He shrugged.

"Well yeah but...to Virginia. I'm heading there too and my car is actually stuck in Richmond which I'm going to get. We can travel together..." He suggested.

Okay I know I was going great with Aspen and all and I really didn't want to leave him...but... I didn't know him that well.

Just because he obviously reads the Bible, is super sweet, and let me sleep on his shoulder when I didn't even know it DIDN'T mean he was GOOD GUY to travel with.....

"It's okay," he reassured as if he read my mind. I looked at him. "You can trust me..." I stared at him worriedly biting my bottom lip looking to the side, but then he gently took my hand and whispered, "Promise."
Now for some odd reason when he said 'promise' I knew he was serious.

The way he looked at me, with that overly sweet smile, those dark blue eyes that was so vibrant with optimism, and of course those manly hands that held my hand just as fragile as glass....I had to trust him.... I had too.

"Alright..." I finally agreed. "I suppose you could come with," I sighed as if I was tired. He straighten up.

"Ah cool. Thanks Amanda and I promise, you won't regret it," he told me. I chuckled.

"Haha suure. Wait...but...you need something..." I said concerned. He tilted his head at me.

"What's that?"

"A bike.... Or like.... A skateboard. You'll travel faster," I told him. "I have one, so you need one too." I lifted my penny board. He smiled.

"You're right... I have a skateboard back at home so I know how to ride one, but I didn't bring it thinking I wouldn't use it... So where should I buy one now?" He asked me. I shrugged as we looked around and I jumped shaking his shoulder.

"There! That sign! We're only a mile away from the center of town. I bet that's where our hotel is too. There's probably shopping centers down there we could find one that sells skaters," I suggested. He smiled.

"Alright, let's head there then," he chuckled after the sentence. I smiled at him as we began walking I said quietly,

"Aspen....?" He looked at me as he offered to carry my backpack and I gave it to him and I said, "Thanks...." He happily placed my bulky backpack on his back along with his shoulder back even though MY backpack had girly key chains, and essentials on it but he didn't care as they clicked together every moment he took a step and he smiled at me and said,

"No prop." And I blushed looking ahead of me as he smiled and I couldn't believe I was going to be traveling across states with a cute boy who has been treating me respectfully since the flight as I finally concluded I made a new friend and I couldn't help but to think all this was a joke...but I secretly pitched myself and I shook head slightly for Aspen not to notice and I mouthed with a crooked smile,

'Nope. Not dreaming today."

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(See! Told you it was short:) Please vote and comment and I'll see you
later! Hahaa, bye<3