Chapter 50

The rest of the plane ride is short and silent between us. We stay seated together, but I stare out the window and act like I am engrossed in watching the nothing in the darkness and just watch aimlessly for city lights. Alexi stays with me, quietly listening to his family and occasionally joining in across the aisle to chat without really returning to the party—an uneasy vibe between us. I don't care. I wish he would move and leave me be, but he seems oblivious to what I want. We are close to landing anyway so it isn't that much longer before we do, and Alexi seems introverted and sulky, no longer in the mood to join the fun in any real way. I guess our row has killed his mood but I have no remorse over what he started. He's still a shit head. I just feel numb and tired and have no will to get merry anymore. When we depart quickly from the plane everyone is shuttled in a bus to a nearby five-star hotel they all seem very familiar with and left to get ready.